Camping near Rattlesnake Creek, Naches, Tieton, Washington

jbnova

Have any of you camped near Rattlesnake creek, west of Naches, Wa?

This Saturday, a 2WD Westy full of us are heading down from Ellensburg, picking up our soon-to-be-married friend in Yakima, and heading out HWY 12 to SR 410 looking for a place to camp.

Since we'll likely be up past the 10pm curfew at most campgrounds, we're hoping to find something a little off the beaten path.

We would like to head west out of Yakima, and I was thinking of taking SR 410 to Nile Road, and picking up NF-1500 to find a spot to park and pitch some tents near the creek.

Since this is a section of the Washington Backcountry Discovery Road, it seems like we might be in good position to find something.

Anyone explored this area and have any suggestions? Not trying to expose any secret spots, but maybe you could pass along some assurance that this is a good area to likely find a spot?

http://www.backcountrydiscoveryroutes.com/WABDR
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=523909
Google Map: http://bit.ly/1llT8EH

Thanks in advance!

Justin
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Franklinstower · Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 11:58 am Post subject:

I think you can find something along the american river near union creek.
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jbnova · Posted: Thu May 22, 2014 3:37 pm Post subject:

Ended up staying at the Pine Needle Group Site on SR 410 along the American River. Awesome! Will definitely go back! There were 8 of us on this trip, but the site has room for up to 60. Would be a great place for a group of vans to go.

Happy Camping!

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_________________
1986 Westfalia Weekender
2wd; Bostig RG3
GoWesty (H&R) 1.5" Lift Springs + 0.5" pad in rear.
Bilstein Shocks
16" Mefros, Cooper Discoverer AT3 (215-70-16)

61Scout · Posted: Thu May 22, 2014 4:23 pm Post subject:

Dang, I don't know how I missed this post! This is my back yard. So for anyone else in the area...

If you're going through Yakima and Ellensburg don't take the highway between the two towns, take the Yakima/Ellensburg Canyon Road. It's a national scenic byway and is the old hwy along the river, beautiful views, and 45mph for the most part which is just perfect for a vanagon. All along the canyon road there are spots to camp. Tubing and fly fishing are all along this stretch of the river.

If you're taking hwy 12 over from Yakima to Elbe and points west, again there are a number of spots to camp. Closer to the Yakima side there is the Elk feeding station that when open you can see elk up close. Great for kids. Directly across hwy 12 from the feeding station there is a trail head that immediately crosses the river via a metal foot bridge. Go left and it will meander down the river a bit. Turn right and that trail also goes along the river too, but has better places to stop for photos and eating lunch and so forth. Also to the right is the trail that leads up to the volcanic face for those of you who do rock climbing. Even if you don't climb you can take that trail and it will bring you right up against the face and provide enough elevation for a great view.

Secret camping spot: Up the hwy a couple miles and if you look at a map you'll see Bethel Ridge and near there a microwave tower. If you follow the road that goes up to the microwave tower, there is a campsite near there that offers a 360 degree view of the area. You're literally on top of the world.

-Kevin
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1986 Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg, RJE 2.3
1985 Tin Top, Subie 2.2 + 5MT
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-Nec Spe, Nec Metu

87RedWesty · Posted: Thu May 22, 2014 5:43 pm Post subject:

I'll second the recommendation. Here's camping on Bethel Ridge. There are a lot of nice places up there.

Stitebunny · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 3:49 pm Post subject:

Those are great spots! Thanks for the info. Heading down there the weekend after this one and looking for info.
You guys know if Bethel Ridge is free from snow yet?

FrankenSubySyncro · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 2:59 am Post subject:

I was driving back from Leavenworth Thursday and drove down Canyon Road. It was a nice break from 97 but not many trees. I hope to do the BDR section nearby this summer.
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61Scout · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 10:36 am Post subject:

VanMan2009 · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 3:03 pm Post subject:

^^ That's just the mentality of most 'west-siders' of the state. You'd be surprised how many people who have lived over here their whole lives have never driven east of Snoqualmie Pass. To a large number of people the state ends at the pass.


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