41 replies to this topic

[CAPTAIN COORS]

I know your saying CAMPGROUNDS!. Most of you are like Linda and me when it comes to campgrounds, we avoid them like the plague. We always try to camp along a deserted FS road (WE DON'T NEED NO STINKEN CAMPGROUND). But not all campgrounds are equal and at time they are needed. Here are our three favorite spots:

1. Sunny Flat Campground Portal, Az The best birding in the US, views of the surrounding mountains are unbelievable.

2. Lockett Meadows Campgrounds Flagstaff, Az Beauitful meadows, best in Oct. when the aspens turn color

3. Kodachrome Basin State Park Connonville, Ut Beauitful area with many hiking trails

[DirtyDog]

I don't like campgrounds much either but I've been to a few uncrowded ones that I really like (crowd factor related to time of year most likely):

Mattole Beach - Lost Coast California - beautiful spot - hike right into the beachfront wilderness from this campground.

Cathedral Gorge State Park - Nevada - clean, scenic, showers, even has a self-serve book exchange

Chukar Park - Eastern Oregon - just a rudimentary BLM campground but in a pretty spot and is often a stopover for me on trips to Utah or Colorado

[chnlisle]

Gold Mine near Bluff Utah, Wild Horse Canyon on the Burr Trail. The entire Vizcaino Penninsula. Baja on the Cortez side. Laguna San Ignacio and oh so many more.

[DLN]

DD,

Funny that you mention Cathedral Gorge, on the same day last week without talking to each other about it my wife and I both decided it would be a great stop over for a future trip to Zion. She read your thread in the Back Roads of Nevada report and I spotted it on the map and did a little on line research. About 8 hours from here and only another 2 1/2 into Zion will let us set up and enjoy the first day in the park more.

[DirtyDog]

DD,

Funny that you mention Cathedral Gorge, on the same day last week without talking to each other about it my wife and I both decided it would be a great stop over for a future trip to Zion. She read your thread in the Back Roads of Nevada report and I spotted it on the map and did a little on line research. About 8 hours from here and only another 2 1/2 into Zion will let us set up and enjoy the first day in the park more.

What month are you going? You'll enjoy that campground - bring your hiking boots - the walk through the gorge is easy and really neat.

[Chukar Hunter]

I can't belive I never heard of Chukar Park

[craig333]

I have a soft spot for the Manzanita Lake campground in the Lassen National Park. Its a big park but its in the trees, plenty to around there. In fact its so big when I was little I got lost "in" the campground. Has (or used to have) some great Ranger presentations in the amphitheater. And all amenities, showers etc.

[SunMan]

...but I'd say:

Big Sur - Limekiln State Park
Sequoias - Mineral King/Coldsprings campground

[DLN]

DD,

It's looking like mid October some time but timing is still a bit up in the air. Hiking boots, bikes, full ice chest, hopefully lots of sun screen, and maybe water shoes for the Narrows, still in the planning stages.

[marc]

Phifer Big Sur State Park

Van Dam State Park

Jalama

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