BAKER CAMPGROUND, Great Basin Nat'l Park, NV

The road to Baker Campground

BAKER CAMP GROUND

RUN BY:  National Park Service

LOCATION:  Great Basin National Park,  Baker, NV

UTILITIES: None

COST:  $12.00

DISCOUNTS:  Senior (50%) and certain Interagency passes

OUR RATING (1-5): Category I, Rating 3+

NOTES:  We visited Great Basin National Park in the middle of October 2017.  The weather was great. The days were moderate – coat weather for southerners – and the nights were cold. It went down into the 20s each night.  Our site had a fantastic view but, in looking around, it was only one of one or two sites that had such a panorama. Our friends were camped near us in the other site. We both had difficulty leveling.  The area is beautiful and the cave is awesome!  NOTE: The other three campgrounds were already closed when we got there Oct 16^th.  Baker Creek Rd, on which Baker Campground is situated, is a three mile dirty road closed from November through April.  Wild Turkeys were in abundance! Our friends were awakened by them pecking at their Class-C shinny hubcaps.

Environment:  You are in the high desert at an elevation of  7,423 ft.  Junipers and Pinyon Pines. October weather was warm days (50-60s) and cold nights (20-30s).

Amenities:  None

Dump:  Yes  (but closed by October. There is one in Border, NV about 10 miles away)

Public Water:  Yes, but is turned off for the winter by October

Toilets:  Yes

Showers:  No

Laundry:  No   (nearest Laundry is Ely, NV >60 miles away

Phone Service:  rather poor Verizon 4G signal

Location:  Enter the park from the town of Baker on State Rte 488.  The campground is 3 miles up a dirt road to the left of the main road to the visitor center. It is well marked. Coordinates for the turn off of 488 are   39.009095 -114.211786

Propane:  Border might have propane. We had just filled up at a KOA in Ely. 

Proximity to shopping:  >60 miles to Ely, NV.  There is gasoline within 10-15 miles at a place called Border, NV with a truck-stop type store.

Camping Population:  Probably quite diverse during season. There were only three of us there when we visited in October. 

Sites:  Tend to be small. Leveling is difficult in most sites. Long units will have difficulty if they can get in at all.  

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RATING KEY:    category - score 

Categories:  I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

                    II -  boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

                               one might choose to stay for more than a night.

                    III - over-night areas 

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service  

ANNIE CREEK, Ft Klamath, OR

ANNIE CREEK SNOW PARK

RUN BY:   State of Oregon

LOCATION:   Crater Lake NP South Gate

UTILITIES:  none

COST:  none              

DISCOUNTS:  N /A

OUR RATING (1-5):  Category II  Score 3+

NOTES:  This is a lovely little place down a rather steep dirt road below the parking area for winter snowmobiling. The parking area has a shelter and toilets.  The camping area, where we stayed, was straight dry-camping.  We were in sight of Annie Creek. There was room for 6-8 campers at least. All sites were among large trees. We only stayed one night because of weather. A storm front, which could bring snow, was to arrive. It was raining the morning we left.  I was concerned about pulling our trailer up the steep dirt road in snow or rain despite our 4-wheel drive.   

Environment:  Deep Ponderosa pine forest in high country.  Elevation 4,295 ft.

Amenities:  none

Dump: no   (we didn’t dump until we got to Lava Beds, CA. but odds are there is someplace in Klamath Falls. When the park campground is open, you might be able to go there.)

Public Water:  no   (possibly at park campground up the road, when it is open.)

Toilets: Pit toilets in parking area above you.

Showers: no

Laundry: no    (nearest laundry is in Klamath Falls, OR., 43.6 miles away.)

Phone Service:  no 

Location: Entering Crater Lake National Park from the south you use State Rt 62. After you pass through Ft Klamath, measure approximately 5.5 miles and watch for the Annie Snow Park sign on the right. Coordinates at the turn  36.213499 -112.058150  

Proximity to shopping:  Unless you are looking for something very basic that you might be able to get at a gas station or camp store in the park, the nearest shopping is Klamath Falls 43.6 miles away.

Camping Population:  The couple on one side were from Louisiana. The two men on the other side were from California. Indicators were that the two from California were residential campers* but they were very nice.  Very few there in September.  

Sites:  No sites identified but room for 6-8 units and more if you camp in the parking lot above.

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RATING KEY:    category - score 

Categories:  I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

                    II -  boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

                               one might choose to stay for more than a night.

                    III - over-night areas 

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service 

* There are people who are not full-timers and van-dwellers by choice. We try hard not to be demeaning or assume that they are bad people but sadly, as you find in the poorer parts of a city, there seems to be more crime. Many call these people van-dwellers. That isn’t really accurate even though they do often live in vans. We know quite a few van-dwellers who have good incomes, are full-timers by choice and prefer a van to other types of vehicles. To try to show some respect for people who have a difficult lot in life, I’m calling them ‘residential campers’.  It is only when you get a high proportion of residential campers in an area that you find an increase in petty theft, etc.   

TILLICUM BEACH, Yachats, OR

TILLICUM BEACH, Yachats, OR

RUN BY: Contractor of Nat'l Forest Service

LOCATION: Yachats, OR

UTILITIES: Some sites have electricity

COST: $26 regular. $30 with electricity

DISCOUNTS: $13/$20 with Senior Pass

OUR RATING (1-5): I - 4.0

NOTES: Tillicum is a very small campground with a smaller day-use area that is wedged between US-101 and the Pacific Ocean. In fact, the gate is not 10 yards off the highway. It is a lovely wooded campground where probably a majority of sites have an ocean view. I would guess that somewhere between 15-20% are actually on the bluff just above the beach. Our site, which was on the bluff and had its own private balcony above the ocean, was the corner site in the CG and in sight of an enormous private ocean-side estate. The host told us that they have about 40% first-come sites and 60% reservable. We don't like reservation CGs because we want to be free and spontaneous. We do, however, realize that there are those who only have a short window of opportunity and reservations work for them. The sites are all rather short. We were fortunate to find one that was long enough for Sinni and the truck. Sinni is only 24 feet long counting the hitch! We pulled into a couple that would have been long enough for Sinni but there would have been no place to park the truck. There is access to a lovely beach.

Environment: Forest area right on the Pacific Ocean. Beach access. Many of the sites have ocean view.

Amenities: none

Dump: No

Public Water: Yes

Toilets: Flush

Showers: No

Laundry: No

Phone Service: Poor Verizon

Location: On the west (ocean) side of US-101 3.8 miles north of Yachats, OR and 4.9 miles south of Waldport, OR.

Proximity to shopping: Waldport is the better shopping arear

Camping Population: mixed.

Sites: most are rather short. Seemed that most were made for vans and truck-campers. #48 was nice and long enough for Sinni and the truck. (We're 42 ft when connected.)

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RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service   

OCEANSIDE, Gold Beach, OR

OCEANSIDE RV, Gold Beach, OR

RUN BY: Private

LOCATION: Gold Beach, OR

UTILITIES: Water & Electric (some have sewer)

COST: $25.80 w/ W&E

DISCOUNTS: None

OUR RATING (1-5): I - 4.7

NOTES: This was only the third time we've stayed at a commercial RV park in the past four years, but we really wanted to include this in our data because of its location and its cleanliness. It was a rainy afternoon. We had checked out a NFS area about 10 miles up the Rogue River. It was lovely but not really for us. For whatever reason we decided to stop by this commercial RV park right on the Pacific Ocean. The man in the office was very nice. He even helped me back in because I couldn't see anything in my mirrors because of the rain. Our site looked out at the south jetty of Gold Beach. We could see the waves crash. We walked along the jetty and beach several times during our stay. I imagine that the place is packed during season, but we were there in mid-April so we had things to ourselves. For an old commercial park it was quite roomy. It was far from the usual putting your hand on the side of your neighbor's unit when you walk out your door. The facilities were clean and well maintained. 

Environment: Older commercial RV park right on the ocean

Dump: Yes

Public Water: Yes

Toilets: Yes

Showers: Yes

Laundry: Yes

Phone Service: good Verizon

Location: on south jetty in Gold Beach, OR

Proximity to shopping: could walk

Camping Population: can't answer because we were the only ones there, but suspect usual RV park

Safety: The park is fenced and there is someone on duty 24/7.

Sites: grassy and large.

I've never taken pictures of the men's bathroom/showers and posted them on Facebook, but I did here. The facilities - restroom, showers, laundry - were immaculate.

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RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service   

FLORENCE KELLER, Crescent City, CA

FLORENCE KELLER CO PARK, Crescent City, CA

RUN BY: Del Norte County, CA

LOCATION: Crescent City, CA

UTILITIES: None

COST: $15

DISCOUNTS: none

OUR RATING (1-5): I - 4.0

NOTES: Kudos to Del Norte County, California for building and maintaining this campground and park. It is in a heavy redwood forest. It was hard to tell what the weather was doing in the outside world because of the thick canopy. It is a good place if you are just passing through or looking for a place to spend a few days. It is just a few blocks from US-101, if you just need to pull off and want a really nice place to stay, and it is secluded enough to give you the feeling that you're 'out-in-the-woods' even though you are within the Crescent City city limits. The entire area is surrounded by the National Park Service - California Park Service joint Redwood Forest. A park visitor center and a magnificent 10+ mile drive through old-growth Redwood forest was practically across the street. (If you want to do the drive, be aware that it is a single lane dirt road.

Environment: Heavy redwood forest just blocks from US-101

Amenities: None

Dump: NO

Public Water: YES

Toilets: YES

Showers: NO

Laundry: NO

Phone Service: Verizon was okay

Location: Get off US-101 and go west (toward ocean). Turn left on Cunningham Lane and immediately watch for entrance on left.

Proximity to shopping: Just down the road. You are in Crescent City

Camping Population: Don't know. We were only ones there.

Sites: Most rather small but we found a lovely spot right among the giant redwoods. #5.

=======================================================================

RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service   

CELILO PARK, The Dalles, OR

CELILO PARK, The Dalles, OR

RUN BY: Corp of Engineers

LOCATION: The Dalles, OR

UTILITIES: NONE

COST: $0

DISCOUNTS: n/a

OUR RATING (1-5):  II - 4.5

NOTES: This is one of those little gems we seek out. Who would think to find such a pleasant place to stay if you look at the map or read that you have an interstate and three rail road tracks right up against you and you'll park in a parking lot? There are even more tracks across the river. We had almost no awareness of interstate traffic and the frequent trains didn't bother us. If you have to have absolute silence to sleep and have trouble going back to sleep if awakened, you might not want to stay here. However we found Celilo Park a very enjoyable place to stay. There is a 14 day limit. It is actually a lovely picnic area with a boat ramp that is extremely popular with fishers. This is the famous spot that has been known for its phenomenal fishing for thousands of years. Native tribes over the millenium have come to this place to fish and trade. The Oregon Trail portage goes right above the park. You are at the east end of the famous Columbia River Gorge, which provides some marvelous scenery. They ask that you camp within lines and only take two parking spaces. We were fortunate enough to get the corner spot nearest the river, so we actually had privacy. We were here in late April. Rangers told us that it can be pretty crowded during late Spring and Summer months.

Environment: a clean and pleasant grassy park, with lots of trees and a boat ramp on the Columbia River.

Amenities: none

Dump: No.

Public Water: Yes

Toilets: Yes - both flush and pit

Showers: No

Laundry: No

Phone Service: excellent Verizon (best we've ever had!)

Location: Exit 97 on I-84 between The Dalles, OR and Bigg, OR

Proximity to shopping: The Dalles is about 10 miles away

Camping Population: Lots of people fishing. Some full-timers and a few indigent. No safety issues.

Safety: Park Rangers keep a close eye on the place and the Oregon State Police swing through a couple of times during their sifts. The Rangers said that about the worst complaint they get here is a dog off leash.

Sites: Being a picnic area and boat launch, camping is permitted at the end of the parking lot. They ask that you park within the lines and only take two spaces.

======================================================================

RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service   

OAK BOTTOM, Whiskeytown NRA, CA

OAK BOTTOM CG, Whiskeytown, CA

RUN BY: Nat'l Rec Area (NPS)

LOCATION: Whiskeytown, CA

UTILITIES: None

COST: $15

DISCOUNTS: Accept Senior and Interagency passes for 50% discount. Discounts, etc., change according to season, so check.

OUR RATING (1-5):  II - 4.0

NOTES: Whiskeytown Nat'l Rec Area has two campgrounds (CG). The other CG is a traditional type of camping area with individual sites in a heavily wooded setting. It is lovely but the sites are a bit short. Also the other CG is 5 miles into the park which adds significant miles if you want to go anywhere. Since we were the only ones there most of the time, the parking-lot Oak Bottom was perfect. We stayed four nights because it was a pleasant place, with a nice view, to ride out a major storm. We would go back. During season I'm sure that this place is packed and would not be as pleasant. Even if you're not headed west, you need to do drive west on CA-299 to see the spectacular scenery.

Apologies for the quality but this pic of us pulling
in at sunset was the only one of a campsite. 

Environment: A large parking area adjacent to the parking area for boats.

Amenities: Very small camp store.

Dump: YES

Public Water: YES

Toilets: YES

Showers: NO

Laundry: NO

Phone Service: Verizon fairly good

Location: 15 miles west of Redding, CA on CA-299

Proximity to shopping: There is a small camp store and a small convenience store in Shasta (5-6 miles) but you will want to go to Redding for any significant supplies.

Camping Population: Don't know. We were the only ones there. Suspect mostly people there to boat and fish.

Safety: Law Enforcement (LE) Rangers pass through the area frequently.

Sites: Adequate sized lines on an asphalt pavement. Plenty of room to park Sinni with truck parked across the end.

=======================================================================

RATING KEY: category - score

Categories: I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service