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Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:52 pm

Alright I kinda figured I'd find some sort of post on just general camping here, but I searched and searched and got nothing. But I might just completely fail at searching, of course.

At some point in my life I had a big ol map of the PNW with all sorts of state park, private and back country campgrounds marked on it. Some I had been to, some were suggested. It got stolen at the end of the summer when I was coming home from my last camping trip and some asshole decided to steal some totes out of the back of my truck when I was picking up food for my cat.

So what are some of your favorite camp spots, whether they be in the Northwest or not.

Right now I'm looking for a new place to go for my first camping trip of the year (next week). I cant travel much more than 2 or so hours out of Spokane because I just spent a small fortune on "new" (I adore thrift stores) camping equipment.[/i]

Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:52 pm

Pretty much all of Highway 1 along the California coast is spectacular. Sorry never been camping outside of Spokane.
I'll be up at MacKerricher this summer which is North of Ft. Bragg and is always an awesome trip.
Also we have a 10 day trip up to Lake Almanor planned for later this summer also.

And if you want to count camping at Sacramento Bug-O-rama. Or maybe that's just sleeping in a dirt bowl.

Have fun with your camping.

Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:50 am

I camp at sun lakes every memorial day, it is nice but I don't know about this early in the year.

Wed Mar 05, 2008 3:33 am

Almost anywhere in the Florida Keys. The 27th annual Keys camping/diving trip is the last week of this month. :D The Syncro Westy (for sale) makes it there from Ohio and back every year.

Until I bought the Westy, it was tent camping all the way for every vacation since I left home after graduating high school.

This year, it's Boyd's Campground just outside of Key West. Two other nice campgrounds are Sunshine Key and Key Largo.

There's an alarming trend happening in the Keys. I don't know if it is going on elsewhere. Campgrounds are actually selling off sites like condos to the Snowbirds. There are less and less campsites available every year.

Wed Mar 05, 2008 6:15 am

My favorite would be Yosemite, but I've backpacked all over the country.

One of the parks that is often overlooked in the south (much to my delight) is Mt. Rogers near Damascus, VA (one of the best towns to live in if you like backpacking/hiking). It's one of the nicest parks I've been to. If your're lucky, you can see the wild ponies running around.

Wed Mar 05, 2008 4:53 pm

My favorite PNW backcountry spot is near a small raised pond under "The Husband" in the Three Sisters Wilderness in Oregon.

In Colorado, great backcountry off trail high lakes in all of the wilderness areas - my favorite easiliy accessable ones are in the Holy Cross Wilderness on the west side of the divide (west of Missouri Lakes).

In Wyoming, anything out of Pinedale is excellent. Lots of crazy high country thunderstorms and big glaciers/permanant snow.

Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:19 pm

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Northern Wisconsin are my favorite camping areas. The roads are fun to drive on too!

Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:25 pm

We meet my Brother & Sisters every year @ Silver Falls State Park. 7 spectacular waterfalls with nice trails connecting them all. The Oregon State Parks website has lots of info/pics/reservations etc. for all our State Parks. There are some more nice Parks along the Columbia River Gorge w/waterfalls etc., but I haven't been able to talk my bro. & sis's into trying them! :roll:

Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:09 pm

Redfish Lake or Stanely Lake in central Idaho.
They're are both beautiful lakes. Redfish is a
little colder than Stanley 'cause it's glacier fed.
Both lakes have really nice campgrounds.

Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:24 pm

[quote="turkis-deluxe"]Pretty much all of Highway 1 along the California coast is spectacular. Sorry never been camping outside of Spokane.
I'll be up at MacKerricher this summer which is North of Ft. Bragg and is always an awesome trip.
Also we have a 10 day trip up to Lake Almanor planned for later this summer also.

Ah, the beauty of a VW at Lake Almanor. Nuthin' better. Take your camera and fishing pole. Try the Hamilton Branch on the east side of the lake. Near the fire station. Great trout fishing.

Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:27 pm

The San Rafael Swell in central Utah is nice if you like natural rock formations and complete solitary.

Even on busy holiday weekends you're lucky to see anybody each day. Camping in peace and quiet, this is the place to do it.

Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:22 am

Eaallred wrote: The San Rafael Swell in central Utah is nice if you like natural rock formations and complete solitary.

Even on busy holiday weekends you're lucky to see anybody each day. Camping in peace and quiet, this is the place to do it.

Some of the best hiking I've ever done has been in Utah. The great thing is that you don't have to drive far at all to get to the "good stuff" because it's all around you.

I spent a couple weeks hiking around Salt Lake City, Grant City, and Tooele (sp?) and NEVER had to use the same trail twice.

Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:59 pm

Rowroy wrote:
I spent a couple weeks hiking around Salt Lake City, Grant City, and Tooele (sp?) and NEVER had to use the same trail twice.
I grew up in Tooele, nice little town. I still go back for a drive a couple times a year. I drive up and over the mountain stopping at the copperpit overlook along the way.

Did you check out the ghost town above Stockton (just south of Tooele) while you were out and about? http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/ut/jacobcity.html

Mercur was another old mining town down in that area, but nothing left to see there, the whole 'town' became an open pit mine. Worked there for a summer when I was 18.

Thu Mar 06, 2008 8:30 pm

Eaallred wrote: Rowroy wrote:
I spent a couple weeks hiking around Salt Lake City, Grant City, and Tooele (sp?) and NEVER had to use the same trail twice.

Did you check out the ghost town above Stockton (just south of Tooele) while you were out and about? http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/ut/jacobcity.html

That was one of the places that I really wanted to see on my trip, but I never made it there.

However I did see way more rattlesnakes than I EVER care to see again. I hate those little bastards.

I also got to run down the field at BYU (much to the dislike of the local law enforcement) and have some fun in Park City.

All things considered, it was a great trip (except for the trip to the radioactive landfill at Clive).

Sat Oct 18, 2025 7:57 pm

"Parkadvisor" app is great to find places to camp. Give it a lick!

Wed Oct 29, 2025 7:51 am

Salt Point State park on HWY 1 in Northern California, was my family's go to spot when I was a kid. Just far enough north that you don't get the city tourists. The campground has two areas. Beach vibes on one side, Redwoods on the other.
Spectacular coastal sunsets.
Some of the best tidepool action this state has to offer! Shhh, don't tell anyone.
Its a rocky beach, watch your step.

Sat Nov 15, 2025 5:15 pm

Gotta be careful in them camping areas. There have been cases people have been bushwhacked by crazies out there in the boons.

But other than that, I love the outdoors too.