Author |
Message |
climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
|
Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 7:12 am Post subject: cool website with campsite photos |
|
|
I know many Samba folks like to boondock camp off the beaten path.
But , if you want to camp at some of the more popular US parks in the summer, now is the time to make reservations.
Now this may be old news to some, but I just found this very cool website that has good photos and actual site recommendations for many parks.
I really like seeing a decent photo and description of the site before I book it.
Given how camp fees, booking fees, out of state surcharge fee blah blah keep adding up, it's nice to know you are getting a decent place to stay.
Is a site oceanfront, or near the highway/train tracks? Is the site shaded of exposed? How close are the neighbors?
A good photo answers all.
The site is here:
www.campsitephotos.com
Tips:
1) Use the search box at the top to find a specific park.
2) Look under "Park Overview" for some (subjective) ratings of the best campsite.
3. The "filter by region" feature is pretty cool, if you are going to a specific place. Play with that and see what comes up.
I of course have no affiliation with this site, and am simply passing on what I find to be a useful resource for trip planning.
And, here is a shot of the annual Silver Falls OR VW campout, a spot Portland area Samba folks have been known to attend in May, stay tuned for details.
What do y'all think?
-CJ _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dubbified Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010 Posts: 1406 Location: Redmond, WA
|
Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 2:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Uhm. The site sounds neat!
As for reservations..
I own a Westfalia. We don't need any stinkin directions.
The journey is always better without them, or a destination for that matter.
I find they're for people who require a watch, a smartphone.. or some other distraction or reason to rush. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
markz2004 Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2007 Posts: 944 Location: Portland, OR
|
Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 2:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks John.
Nice contribution.
Mark _________________ 87 Westy, 250k GW 2.4 - 2.0 , 16" wheels |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16474 Location: Brookeville, MD
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5068 Location: denver
|
Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 4:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've stumbled upon that site before; it's a good way to see what you're getting into, especially if you're going to a campground in a national park you've never visited. It's good to get the lay of the land for the larger destinations, especially when travelling with the family.
So Dubbified, I can't make camping reservations if I own a Westfalia?
Man. I guess I've been doing this all wrong.
_________________ Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
outdoornate65 Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2012 Posts: 161 Location: SE burbs of Denver, Colorado
|
Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 4:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I use that site frequently to scope-out potential campsites.
Once booked a site in Sequoia via the on-line reservation system..."site" unseen. When we arrived the site was basically a ditch with a parking pad. Being a large National Park there was no moving sites (even though I tried).
Luckily we had booked the adjoining site as well (two families) and we were able to consolidate into one crowded campsite.
Nice to be able to tell if the site stinks or not but still think dispersed camping is the way to pick the choice sites.
Thanks for sharing...
Nate _________________ 1984 Westfalia Wolfsburg "Nana" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
VanWilder Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2009 Posts: 1349 Location: PDX-Weird Town, USA
|
Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 5:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I not much of a beaten path kinda guy. But that's just me Very nice site though, perhaps I should get back on the path.
_________________ VW
________________________
"83.5" Vanagon GL Air cooled "VanWilder"
VanWilder has given back to me more then I could ever put into it September 22, 2010
Malama Ka `Aina—"Respect the Land" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Solrider Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2011 Posts: 199 Location: Phoenix, AZ
|
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 9:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
Here is one I've been using for dispersed camping: http://freecampsites.net/
Its not quite as well organized and there aren't always pictures but there are usually reviews and good directions. _________________ Heidi - KF7CKI
85 Vanagon GL 1.6NA - Otto Von Wunderwagen
--------------------------
Gone but not forgotten:
71 Super Beetle - Gretel
92 Jetta GL - Jerry
97 Passat TDI - Penny |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Captjon1959 Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2010 Posts: 287 Location: Peoria, Illinois
|
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 2:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'm sure many do this too, but I also use Google Earth. I pull up the camp site map and then zoom in using Google Earth to see things like tree cover (I like camping among the trees) and how close the site might be to other sites or roadways. It's kind of fun. _________________ 1984 Westfalia Wolfsburg Edition
Former 1.9 L now Bostig Ford Zetec |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|