Hey everyone--camping season is upon us and we can all use inspiring ideas about places where our PUT friends have camped and why they liked them.
Heck, if you have more than one place, feel free to tell us. NO ONE is counting the words in your "essay" so feel free to provide all the details you want about the place and the experience.
My favorite camping spot is a National Monument in extreme desert southwest Utah (the 4 Corners) called Hovenweep. I've camped there 4 times and it is magical. It gets hideously hot in summer during the day so you have to do your hiking in early morning. It is a place to see petroglyphs and Anasazi ruins and dusty little pygmy rattlers (so be careful of your kids) It's kind of primative--you have to dry-camp as there are no hookups although there is water and flush toilets and a ranger station nearby.
In the morning the sage smells sweeter and rarer than any manmade perfume and when the jackrabbits see you, they stand still as statues and you can see the sun shining through theri ears. At the bottom of the canyon is a small cluster of cottonwoods which grow at the site of a small, ancient spring. And your admiration and wonder at the people who lived there is overwhelming.
And at night, the cool desert wind comes up and the sky is so clear you can count every star. I want to go back!
OK--I hope some of the rest of you will share now :# :W
Jordan Lake SRA, Crosswinds B-loop is one of my favorite places. I really like Myrtle Beach Travel Park because it has a bit of everything for all ages and years ago it was where I introduced my children to tent camping. I also have to say that I love camping at bluegrass festivals and that ranks #1 on my list at any of the campgrounds where the festivals are going on,with some on private property, too. Happy Holiday Campground at Cherokee is a favorite in the mountains. The Denton Farm Park near Lexington, NC is another favorite palce to camp during a bluegrass festival. Bass Mountain music park is another.
Great idea, NightOwl! I don't really have a favorite place that I return to time and again. I can't complain about any of the places I've camped at ~ perhaps I haven't been at it long enough?! ;)
I really enjoyed my time at Whitewater Memorial Park near Liberty Indiana, Lake Murray State Park in Oklahoma and Bluff Valley Campground in southern Minnesota. All places where I got to camp with fellow PUTers and enjoy their company round a real campfire!!
Hope there are many more camping trips like that in my future.
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edited for content
One of our favorite places to camp close to home is Sugar Pine SP, near Lake Tahoe. As with most Calif. St Parks, it is basically dry camping, there is water and wonderful hot showers (nice after a day long bike ride on the bike trail, or a hike on the Rubican Trail to Emerald Bay and back). You can't beat the scenery, and listening to the coyotes howl at night is awsome. As far as camping far from home, I love to go down to Baja, Mexico.There are campgrounds for everyone, we have camped in parks with full hookups and every imaginable convienence and we have camped in places that are very primitive. Scammons Lagoon comes to mind, during the winter, the whales come down to give birth and both mothers and babies are very friendly. You can go out with the locals on pangas and will often get close enough to pet the whales.
But like everyone will say, camping anywhere is better than not camping at all!!!
Quote from: tahoecampersOne of our favorite places to camp close to home is Sugar Pine SP, near Lake Tahoe. As with most Calif. St Parks, it is basically dry camping, there is water and wonderful hot showers (nice after a day long bike ride on the bike trail, or a hike on the Rubican Trail to Emerald Bay and back). You can't beat the scenery, and listening to the coyotes howl at night is awsome.
I second that emotion, although it's not close to home for us! It was last year's vacation and was so wonderful, it was a unanimous decision to go back this year.
We love going to William Heise County Park in Julian, CA. It's wonderful there. Another favorite place is Woods Valley Kampground in Valley Center, CA. It's one of those places like "Cheers" for us, "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name," and where you know the sites are level, the neighbors are well behaved and the showers are clean.
Oh, my Favorite place to camp would be, just to be camping , anywhere :) Under the trees :) Talk about being not picky :)
My most favorite place to camp is, of course, our own piece of heaven in Northern Lower MI. There is nothing special there, just woods, and we've never done much to improve the place, beyond a two track 'lane' that runs to the back of the property and does a figure 8 then comes back to the front. There are two fairly level and cleared spots that we can set up camp, there is an outhouse, and that's it. We bring in our own water, and use our battery or generator if we need power (which we don't need often).
My next favorite place has to be in Lake Superior Provincial Park. I love the campground that's closest to Agawa Cliff, (Pancake Bay?) Lake Superior is just that, Superior, and awesome (and cold) and the cliff is a place that I go for renewal and rejuvenation of spirit. Making prayers and ceremonies at the top of the cliff helps me to ground myself for the coming year.
T
;)
Wow...uhhh...I think my favorite is the place that Bearbait goes! That sounds like a bit of heaven!!
...actually, our favorite is anywhere quiet...wooded...and if it has decent fishing that makes it even better! I don't normally go for the KOA types or the majority of Private Campgrounds. WE normally don't want all the ammenities. Camping to me is peace and quiet and the outdoors. There have been times in even our favorite campgrounds that a rowdy group can spoil it. Around here our favorite times have been at Prince William Forest Park or Mathews Arm and Big Meadows in the Shenandoah Mountains. Goose Point (Corps of Engineers Campground) in Virginia has to be one of my all time favorites (thanks Cliff!).
DH was a member of Thousand Trails for years before I met him and there are actually two of their campgrounds that we go to every now and then that are nice. If we need to do a resort type... Chesapeake Bay is not bad for a "resort type" of campground. You have the lake, the river, and pools...plus about anything else you can think of. There is one side of the park that you feel like you are in the middle of everything...it seems to be where the families are. We usually choose the other side of the park that is further from the amenities and quieter. It's a good base camp for us for visiting Williamsburg, Bush Gardens, and that area. It's also a terrific place for those special Halloween (and other holiday) camping trips where you want to be around all the people. We also enjoy the Thousand Trails in Lynchburg occasionally. It's much quieter there and close to the mountains!
As in most things in life...what's a dream place to some, is a nightmare to others! LOL
Where to start, since camping is my true passion every place I've set up a tent or my PU has been my favorite place for that moment. I've been very fortunate to have been able to camp at many wonderful places across our beautiful country and around the world.The most unique place I've camped is along the Amazon river and the Rio Negro outside Manaus, Brazil. Fishing the Amazon is an experience in itself and camping along side of the many creatures is also facinating, birds,reptiles, monkeys, big cats it's like camping in a Zoo. For now my favorite camping place is Long Key State Park it's about an hour and fifteen minutes from my home. It's where I enjoy hanging out in my bathing suit, sipping my favorite drink,swimming,snorkeling,fishing,cooking sausages over the campfire watching the sunrise,sunset and stargazing right from my very own piece of beach overlooking the Atlantic. Yup, I do love Long Key and every other place I've ever camped.:)
these answers make me want to pack up and get on the road! Papaso, I've looked at the pics on your website--I mean, not just now, but way back--and it looks like you and your DW have a WONDERFUL TIME!! Good for you; clearly you know what is truly important in life
Just a note for people who might be holding back: although names and places are nice, I am asking this--not for specifics of ideas where to go--but for atmosphere, for the FEELING a place has given you that touches you deeply for some reason.
So if you have a favorite place but dont want it over run with campers who saw your remarks here, just tell about its place in your heart like some folks have done in their replies. Feel free to add your thoughts here--even to post twice or 3 times as places occur to you.
More than anything, camping seems to mean freedom from everyday cares to most of us, and a chance to get back in touch with our souls.
So, go ahead--tell us where your soul finds rest and refreshment. :p
Any remote location around lake powell where you have to dry camp and you are the only ones out there. The place is full of history and late at night, when the only thing you can hear is the water slapping the shore, if you listen real hard, sometimes you know you're not the only ones there...that is if you believe in that kinda stuff. It is truly powerful to know and feel how powerless you are when you are without electricity, running water, and the only thing that keeps you sane out there is that you have been put in your place and you fully respect that.
Not getting wierd over here, I just love being in places like that because I found out when I was young that are experiences and places far more spiritual than church. ;)
Hermit Island Campground,Small Point, ME
Falling asleep listening to the waves crashing against the rocks or on the beach. Strolling out to the cliffs to watch the sunset over Casco Bay. Lobster and Steamers cooked over the campfire. Waking up to see deer within feet of your camper in the dawns early light, Hearing the sounds of children's laughter as then run into the water and back out again.
Where's the phone I gotta make some reservations!
We live near a small, state park with only 59 campsites. It is less than 30 minutes from home and we enjoy it there. There is a stream and a lake, deer, bear, etc. Just a nice quiet park. :)
We also love going to Assateague Island National Seashore. The wind, ocean, beach, wild horses, bay, collecting shell fish...
The other place we keep going back to is Acadia National Park. The ocean, carriage roads, eating popovers on the lawn at Jordan Pond House, whale watching, BLACKWOODS (the woods really are black at night) campground, puffins, whales, sun rise at the top of Mt. Cadillac...
My favorite campground that offered solice to all that camped there is Sand Flat. It is a National Forest (minimal ammenities) campground in Northern CA, sierras, along Highway 50 on the American River.
Debbiedee, Where exactly is Sand Flat? I know that i have seen signs, but at the moment can't place it. we are always looking for out of the way places to go that offer some peace and quiet. Thanks, Karen
Bumping this up
OK Debbiedee, we're waiting for your reply :)
Quote from: NightOwlBumping this up
OK Debbitdee, we're waiting for your reply :)
She got a spending problem that we aren't aware of?
I don't know that there are many places that aren't my favorite, lol! When I try to narrow it down, I think, "Oh, but what about this place...". I think it's the memories more than the actual campgrounds.
At Rocky Mountain National Park, the lot was fairly small and there weren't many trees, but there was the river right beside the site that both my daughter and Collie fell into (separate times!), and the moose that travelled into the campground.
At Ft. Wilderness, well, that was Disney World, nuff said.
Manatee Springs was so much fun, but sooo cold!
And locally, Lake Murray and Lake Tenkiller are great. Lake Tenkiller was once a town that was dammed and flooded to make the lake. It's very rocky along the shores, and the kids love to go down to the water's edge, sit on a rocky cliff, and stare down into the water thinking about all the "treasure" that might be under the surface.
And then there is... Nope, no way I could pick just one!
The Cove CG in Gore VA is my favortie CG. 3500 acres, 100 campsites, off road trails for ATV / 4 WD , shooting range, BIG fish in the lakes, no big RVs, lots of wildlife - including some of the other campers.
About 30 minutes or so north of Placerville, just before Kyburz on the right hand side of 50. The camp ground is nestled right between 50 & the American River. Don't worry about road noise, your down below road level in the campground and the river noise overrides it nicely anyway. Hiking available on the opposite side of the river back along the river. Quiet, rustic nice spot. Check it out :)
Quote from: tahoecampersDebbiedee, Where exactly is Sand Flat? I know that i have seen signs, but at the moment can't place it. we are always looking for out of the way places to go that offer some peace and quiet. Thanks, Karen
I have a few favorites depending on the location I'm going to. If it's the beach and the NC OuterBanks, I like to go to Ocean Waves Campground, it's a commercial campground with full hook-up's, but it's simply the best one down there (and I've been to all of them!!!)
In the mountains, I've got to toss a coin between Sherando Lake Campground (USFS) near Waynesboro and Goose Point Park (Army COE) near Martinsville, Goose point is the nicer of the two, but Sherando is easier/quicker to drive to...
Locally it's Newport News Park by a landslide, nothing else in the local area comes close to comparison!
Up north I'm rather partial to Coolidge State Park (Plymouth Notch Vt.) especially if I can get a lean-to site on the A-Loop with a view of the valley below. This one is strictly dry camping, but I can handle that!!!
At the beach, it is Apache CG in Myrtle Beach. It is small and maybe not the fanciest but they are strict about the quiet hours. I also love the entertainment on the pier everynight during the summer. It is just a simple place to be, but all that we need and like.
Near home is Dan Nicholas Park. It is about 20 minutes away, is a public park with soccer and baseball fields, tennis court, pond for paddle boat and fishing, all kinds of playground equipment, miniature golf, nature center with bears, hawks, and other animals, carosel, miniature train ride, gem mining. The CG is located in the trees away from the park but just a short walk or bike ride. It only has electrical and water hook up, which is all we really need. The gate closes at 8pm when the park closes. Wonderful place for the girls and they love going there.
In the mountains the only one we have been, but also really liked is Boone KOA. Near all major attractions and is off the beaten path and just a great place to be. People who run it were very helpful, as that visit was our first camping trip and we didn't do our homework.
Well, we've been to several great places to camp, Yosemite, Sequoia, Shaver Lake, etc.
However, the one that sticks out is Twin Lakes, CA, in the Mammoth Lakes area of the high Sierra's. It is memorable not only for it's physical beauty, but also for sentimental reasons.
My wife and I were married for a couple of years. My wife was starting to get the urge for children, but I was not yet quite ready. We went camping at Twin Lakes with some dear freinds of ours, who have a wonderfull daughter, who was about 2 years old at the time. She was (and still is) well behaved, and a real joy to be around.
As we sat in front of a gorgeous fire, we decided that night that it was time to add children into our happy lives. It was the second best decision that we've ever made.
Catalina Island (Two Harbors) is another favorite. My daughters and I went there with our Indian Princess group. Our tents were on a bluff, near the waters edge. We had a great time, playing in the water, building sand castles, kayaking among the sailboats that were moored off the shore. That evening, as the sun set, the sky was a gorgeous blue, and the sailboats with their anchor lights on their masts were swaying in the harbor. We had a great campfire, the girls were wolfing down some smores, and singing songs. In the distance, you could see the lights of Long Beach and Palos Verdes, and the stars were outrageous. When it was time to hit the sleeping bags, all I could hear was the waves, the bells in the harbor, and my girls sleeping soundly....
As Carly Simon sang... "These are the good old days"
these are such WONDERFUL POSTS! :# :# :# I just never get tired of reading them.
And those of you with kids--cherish these days. They will end all too soon (I know from experience!) That's why it was a special treat for me to read some of the replies mentioning camping wiith your children. :S :W
I hope more of you will join in.
We like Myrtle Beach. We have been there 12 times in the last 18 years. We like Pirateland campground. We like the lazy river and pool. Every year I ask if they are tired of going and everyone in the family says no they want to go back. I like to go there and just relax. Go to the beach in the morning. Sit on a rented chair and read a book. I like the little picnic shelters. We like all the campgrounds down there. It's a 1000 mile trip for us we are looking forward to going again in June. My wife likes to go to resort type campgrounds with elec. and showers and nice facilities such as Harper ferry Koa or San Antonio koa. I like to go to campgrounds without elec. and noise such as Andrus lake in the Michigan UP. The best "resort type campground" I have been to was the Petoskey Koa in Michigan. Just super clean and pretty.
John
Hard to narrow this one down!!!! Indiana State parks are all wonderfull!!! My favorite for quick getaways would be either Pokagon State Park in Angola or Potato Creek State Park near Liberty Indiana. Both parks are clean, wooded and family oriented. Potato Creek has a beautiful lake with good fishing and a nice beach. Indiana State parks strictly enforce their quite hour policies which make them great for the family campers.
My favorite camping spot for long trips without any doubt has been at Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Clean, quiet and in the heart of the American West. Where else can you see wild buffalo roaming in large herds? Every morning I would take my coffee and wander to the edge of the campground and watch the buffalo feed. National monuments to see, historic towns and some great trout fishing. The scenery is awesome!! As my wife discovered the antique hunting is limitless. My kids absolutely love the area and my 13yr old now wants to live there and work in the parks as a ranger. Ive been to the park twice in the last 3 years and we're planning another trip for 2006.
Bumping this up.
And dont fforget, if you dont want to disclose the location of your favorite Shangri-La, you dont have to tell Just describe why it is special if you prefer to keep its whereabouts a secret.
For my all time favorite, to date, it has to be one campsite at Interstate State Park, WI. The sites are densely wooded, private and quiet. The back of the site is about fifty feet above the St Croix river. In the morning sitting in a chair looking down on the river watching a heron on a sand bar, and these little birds that move down tree trunks with their heads pointing down towards the ground. I just can't imagine it getting any better.
Running a close second are another eight or nine Wisconsin State Parks.
But, I can't omit Porkypine Mountains SP, MI. There was only one tree on the site, but you get to look out onto Lake Superior, and the most gloriously hot showers ever!
Then again, there are some really nice State Parks in the southern tip of Illinois. We had the CG almost to our selves, well us and a family of wild turkeys.
Bob
Can't tell you, it's getting crowded!
Randy
Your Favorite Place To Camp And Why... This is a tough one.
We have camped all over the US and Europe. I have enjoyed most places. My favorite place to camp must be at Elephant Butte State Park in New Mexico, located in "Truth Or Consequenses" New Mexico. I lived in El Paso Texas for a few years and use to go to "The Butte" all the time to camp and fish. It is a dessertey kind of place but with lots more to offer.
I have camped there in a tent trailer, in January, in snow, and enjoyed it immensely. I've caught a bunch of fish in the lake too. I usually had access to a nice boat to fish from, which help make the time better.
I also have to mention all the camping we did while growing up in Utah. I really loved camping up in the Uinta Mountains. Some day I hope to do it again.
:usflag:
Now that the end of the camping season is creeping up on some of us I thought it would be good to give this thread a BUMP!
So ~ How about it, fellow campers ... let's hear about some more favorite camping spots!!
i second that bump and raise you!
Wow, this is like reading a camping testimonial! Makes me want to go camp now. We have a few different "favorite spots". Most (ok, all) are out of the way and peaceful. I have to agree with Toni on Lake Superior Provincial Park. There is certainly something special about that place. There is something special about Lk Superior! We go to the southern most CG there called Crescent lk. It's large by our standards with I think 36 sites. All spread out along the shore of an inland lake. On most sites you can't see your neighbor and get the feeling of being there alone,
There is also a little 9 siter we like in the UP that we like, secluded , off the beaten path and rarely has more than 1 or 2 other sites filled.We have been the only ones in there on a few occasions. It's along a fast moving river. Falling asleep to the sounds of the water rushing by is fantastic.
Then we go to the northern lower part of MI, we found a great little State Forest CG way back when we tent camped and still return there. Never made it this yr, and we miss it. 12 sites on a small lake about 10 miles off paved roads, back in the woods. So far away from the beer stores it dosen't even fill up on a holiday weekend!
We are right there with you Steve. Mammoth Lakes is our favorite spot. We just got back yesterday from a week trip! It was wonderful. The fishing was slow this trip but that didn't matter. It is just so beautiful. We average three to four trips a year up there. The fall color was great this trip and we even got a little threat of snow. No place like it.
Second choice would be Lake Powell. Couple of years ago hubby and I rented a couple of kayaks and packed them up with all the gear. It was a great way to see the lake.
My favorite spot is anywhere Kelly & Stacy are with their families. :)
If we're not camping with them - it's a toss up between Spruce Hills Campground in Park Rapids (near the inlaw's cabin) or one of the following MN State Parks: Savannah Portage, Forestville/Mystery Cave or Lac Que Parle State Park.
Out of state it would have to be West Glacier KOA in Montana followed by Jordan Lake Recreational Area in North Carolina.
Forgot the why -
Why Kelly and Stacy - cause they're great gals with great kids.
Why the MN State Parks - because they're so roomy and private (with great showers!!)
West Glacier KOA - the hot tubs that let you look on the mountains as the sun goes down
Jordan Lake - it's close to our Carolina and great folk like Byrd1 and Skip!
:S
Rae