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CAMPGROUND UPDATES Washington: New Free Campgrounds/Updates The Department of Natural Resources, (DNR) has issued the following statement: "Budget realities force DNR to reduce services at many recreation facilities across Washington Public lands" We will begin to list the changes on this update page or you can check out the DNR page at: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEducation/News/Pages/nr09_101.aspx OLYMPIC PENINSULA/COASTAL REGION UPDATES Lake Shannon, page 45, is now closed to overnight camping. Day use only. Another one bites the dust . Lilliwaup Creek, page 20, and Melborne Lake, page 21, have had all facilities removed. Campgrounds are still open. Camp Spillman and Kammenga Canyon Campgrounds, page 22, are now both closed to camping due to budget cuts. Twin Lakes Campground, page 23, has been changed to day-use only with no overnight camping. Oxbow Campground, page 19, now requires that you park at the entrance and walk in about half a mile. North Fork Campground, page 17, now charges $10.00 per night. Porter Creek Campground, page 25, can no longer be accessed via the B-line Road from Porter. The road is closed just past the intersection of the B-line and the C-1000 roads. This leaves three options to access Porter Creek Campground: From the west: Start at the C-line Road entrance from Hwy 12. Follow C-line Road east to the C-4000 Road; continue north on C-4000 Road past Capital Peak to the B-1000 Road; continue west to the campground. From the north: Enter from Hwy 8 (two miles east of the ORV Park); turn south onto the B-5200 Road. Continue south on the B-5200 Road to the B-5000 Road. Turn east on the B-5000 Road and continue to the B-line Road. Turn west on B-line Road and follow to the campground. From the east: Enter from Waddell Creek Road to Sherman
Valley Road and onto the C-line Road Continue west on the C-line Road
to the C-4000 Road and follow the C-4000 Road north past Capitol Peak
to the B-1000 Road. Travel west on the B-1000 Road to the campground.
Margaret McKenny and Middle Waddle Creek campgrounds, page 27 Klahanie Campground, Page 12, Now charges $5.00 per
night UPDATES The following campgrounds are no longer accessible because of washed out roads. Until further notice. White Chuck Bench and White Chuck Trailhead, page 30. William C Dearinger, Page 35, There is a new road cut in. Continue on main road for about 1/4 mile and take a left. follow this road for a mile or so and take another left at the small tent sign at the "Y". All of the facilities have been removed including toilets and tables. The campsites remain. This site is now considered Dispersed. Still a nice place to camp. Sloan Creek, page 31, FS Road 49 is now open to the campsite. Ashland Lakes, page 32, FS Road 4021 is now open to trailhead. Twin Falls Campground which is the last of the walk-ins is closed until further notice. Bridge and trail have been washed away. White Chuck, Page 29, Entrance has been barricaded and is no longer is usable. Monte Cristo, Page 32, At about 1/2 mile the foot bridge crossing the river is history. There is a log crossing, (good sized log). After crossing, the trail is good. At about 1 mile past the crossing you will come to Haps Camp. This is a one spot camp the will accomodate two tents. There is an outhouse at this site. Right on the river. A quarter of a mile before reaching Haps Camp there is a road going right, to a nice little dispersed camp also right on the river. Antillion Lake, Page 48, There are no longer any tables at the campground. The camp is divided into 4 sections, A,B,C and D and both of the vault toilets are located at section D. This is a beautiful lake, perfect for kayaks and canoes, No Gas Motors Allowed. There's a couple of rustic boat launches at section A and section B. South Navarre Page 48, This site can also be reached by following Forest Service Road 8200 past Antillion Lake and bearing right just past section D. It's still about 26 miles and except for Sauk River Park Campground, page 36,
now charges $7.00 per night. NEW CAMPS San Juan Campground Travel Highway 2 going east, for about 55 miles and take a left onto Forest Service Road 65. Follow this road and in about 2 miles you'll pass the Beckler River Campground on the left. Continue on and in about 5 miles the pavement ends. You want to stay going straight on forest road 65 and in 6 miles you'll come to a "T" and you take a left here onto forest road 63. Follow this road down for another 3 miles to the gate (be sure to park far enough back from the gate so it can be opened by key holders). From here you can walk or bicycle in to the site which is about 1 mile in. This camp is open for use but gates will be closed until river washout can be repaired. There are 8 sites here with 6 tables, toilets and firegrates. The camp is set on the North Fork of the Skykomish River in a very forested area. There was no toilet paper in the bathrooms so best to bring some with you. Note: About 1 mile before the gate is a beautiful dispersed site on the left that sets on the North Fork of the Skyomish River Troublesome Creek Campground Follow the same directions as for San Juan Campground and walk or bike about 2 miles further. This camp is set on Troublesome Creek where it meets the North Fork of the Skykomish River. You'll find at least 35 sites here, some on each side of the creek. Some set close to the water and some back in the forest. All sites have tables and fire rings and there are plenty of toilets. As with San Juan, you should bring your own toilet paper. Enjoy these now, they probably won't be free once the road is fixed. Beckler Creek Dispersed Camps After passing the Beckler River Campground, there are a series of dispersed sites on either side of the road including one with a porta-potty toilet that's on the left side of the road at about where the pavement ends. Except for this site all the others have rock fire rings only. This is a very beautiful area. Rapid River Dispersed Camp When you come to the end of pavement, you want to take a right onto Forest Service Road 6530. There is one single site maybe 2 miles in on the right. You have to park and then carry your gear about 100 yards, but for the privacy and beauty of the site, it's worth it. A little further along 6530 at mile 3 are 3 or 4 bigger sites on the right that seemed good for groups. Pretty simple, just rock fire rings, wide open space and a clean honeybucket for all the sites. The second site in has access to a part of the river you could swim in too. Another mile or so up the road is a trail head with great hiking. Barlow Pass Dispersed From Darrington, follow the Mountain Loop Highway for about 8 miles to Barlow Pass Scenic Drive. The road goes to gravel at this point. Continue on this road for about 9 miles where you'll come to three dispersed sites on the right side of the road, all within about 1/4 mile of each other. Each of these sites are set close to the Sauk River with enough room for a couple of tents. There are rock fire rings but no tables. There is an outhouse toilet at the 3rd site. Great place to hang for awhile. Boardman Lake Hike-in From the Verlot Public Service Center, drive east along the Mountain Loop Highway 4.5 miles. Turn right (south) on the Schweitzer Creek Road #4020. Continue on for 5.0 miles to the trailhead on the left. Can also be reached from Darrington following the Mountain Loop Highway. This is a short .8 mile hike-in campground. There are 5 campsites with rock fire rings, benches and tent pads. Further up the trail you'll find a large group camp with 3 benches and tent pads. Hidden away is a backcountry toilet. A Northwest Forest Pass is required for each vehicle parked at the trailhead. Deer Creek Trailhead Camp From the Verlot Public Service Center (11 miles east of Granite Falls), drive the Mountain Loop Highway for 12.5 miles and just before arriving at the Deer Creek Trailhead you'll see a gravel road on the right side of the road. Follow this road around to the right and there you find 2 nice riverside sites and another back off in the trees. Note: Do not attempt to pull a trailer in here. There are no turn arounds and the gravel road off the highway is very narrow. Can also be reached from Darrington following the Mountain Loop Highway. All 3 of these sites have rock fire rings but no tables. There's a outhouse toilet just up the road on the left at the trailhead. French Creek Dispersed From Darrington, follow Hwy. 530 West towards Arlington for about 8 miles and take a left onto the French Creek Road. Continue on for another mile to the parking spaces on the left. There are 4 walk in sites here. 2 are next to the creek and the other 2 are a short distance from the creek via path. There's room for a tent or two at each site. All sites have established rock fire rings and there is a vault toilet on the right side of the road. No tables. Three miles further up the road is the Boulder River Trailhead. This is a beautiful walk in the forest entering the Boulder River Wilderness in about 15 minutes of easy walking and following the river to the end of the trail in about 4 miles. There are 3 nice campsites to be found here, 2 right on the river and the other back in the trees. Note: Unfortunately, some folks like to leave their garbage for others and when I was there on 6/25/08 2 of the sites at French Creek needed some clean-up. Please pack it out! SOUTHWEST REGION UPDATES Trout Lake Creek, page 85, now charges $10.00 per night. Ahtanum Meadows, page 103, has been closed until further notice by The Department of Natural Resources due to budget cuts. Snow Cabin, page 104, has been closed indefinitely by The Department of Natural Resources due to budget cuts. Forlorn Lakes, page 79, now charges $10.00 per night. Big Pines Campground, page 103, now charges $15.00 for overnight camping. Dougan Creek Campground, page 76, Is once again open to the general public. NEW CAMPS Taneum Junction Campground Going east on I-90 take exit 93. At stop sign at end of off ramp take a left over freeway. Take right at next stop sign. Follow this road for several miles and it will come to a stop sign. Take a right at the stop sign and cross back over the freeway. Take a right at the next stop sign and you are heading west up the Taneum road. Several miles up it becomes road number 3300. Continue for several more miles and you pass Taneum Guard Station and Taneum Campground. Continue west on the 3300 Taneum road. You will pass Ice Water Campground on your left. Continue about a mile farther till the asphalt road ends. Take a left over the bridge and your there. Going west on I-90, take Thorp exit which is several miles west of Ellensburg. At the end of the off ramp take a left at the stop sign and cross over the freeway. Take a right on cemetery road and continue strait and the road will turn into Taneum road 3300. Go past the Guard Station and Taneum Campground. Continue west on the 3300 Taneum road. You will pass Ice Water Campground on your left. Continue about a mile farther till the asphalt road ends. Take a left over the bridge and your there. This campground is large circle the wagons type campground. It will handle all size vehicles and is on a first come basis. There is a new vault toilet which is located in the center of the campground. Note: This is an ORV campground so if you're looking for peace and quiet I doubt this is the place. Red Top Campground From Cle Elum, travel Highway 97 for about 28 miles and take a left onto forest service rd. 9738. Follow this road and then take forest service road 9720 to its end. Facilities include 3 sites with pit toilet, tables, fire grills and fire lookout. There is parking lot for 20 cars. Activities include, camping, hiking and rockhounding. This camp is set at 5100 feet elevation. The Department of Natural Resources, (DNR) has re-opened the following site: Cold Creek campground (At this time, Cold Creek Campground is closed and will reopen when DNR finds a campground host.) You can follow the directions to Rock Creek Campground, page 72. Continue past Rock Creek entrance for 0.3 mi., keep right and go another 0.5 mi., site entrance is to right. Keep left on entrance road approximately 0.5 mi to site. This is a forested site that had tables and toilet when I last visited and before it was closed. Spearfish Camp Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Campgrounds Stinson Flat Campground From Vancouver Washington, follow Highway 14 East along the Columbia River to the small town of Lyle. This drive is about 75 miles. At Lyle, take a left onto State Route 142. Continue on this road for about 17 miles and bear left onto the Glenwood-Goldendale Road. Continue on this road for another 9 miles and take a left at the sign for Stinson Flat Campground. Follow this gravel road down another .5 miles or so to the site. This camp features at least 15 sites in a beautiful treed area with rock fire rings, a handicap accessible toilet and boat ramp. No tables. Half a dozen sites set close to the river with the others back in the trees but all spread out nicely for privacy. There is shade here for those warm summer days. Note: This campground can also be reached from Goldendale by traveling west on State Route 142 for about 11 miles and bearing right onto the Goldendale-Glenwood Highway then 9 miles to the site entrance. Leidl Bridge Campground From Vancouver Washington, follow Highway 14 East along the Columbia River to the small town of Lyle. This drive is about 75 miles. At Lyle, take a left onto State Route 142. Continue on this road for about 17 miles and bear left onto the Glenwood-Goldendale Road. Continue on this road for another 10 miles and arrive at the camp on both sides of the road. As you arrive at this campground there will be very large area on the left side of the road with at least 25 sites spread out all over the place. There are 2 sites with tables, rock fire rings, toilet and a boat launch. Some of the sites are on or close to the river. On the other side of the road there are about 12 sites with toilet, rock fire rings but no tables. Most of these sites are set on the river in a grove of Ponderosa Pines and all are somewhat close to one another. This is a nice place to hang out for a while. Note: This campground can also be reached from Goldendale by traveling west on State Route 142 for about 11 miles and bearing right onto the Goldendale-Glenwood Highway then 10 miles to the site entrance. Pitt Campsite From Vancouver Washington, follow Highway 14 East along the Columbia River to the small town of Lyle. This drive is about 75 miles. At Lyle, take a left onto State Route 142. Continue on this road for about 4.5 miles and take a left into the campground. There is no sign on the road so heads up. You can see the toilet from the road.This campsite offers a toilet and rock fire rings but no tables. There are some 12-15 sites for tents and small trailers some close to the Klickitat River and others further back. This site is not ar off the road but appears to be pretty quiet. Nice little spot not far from the Columbia River. Mineral Springs (Ice House) Campsite From Vancouver Washington, follow Highway 14 East along the Columbia River to the small town of Lyle. This drive is about 75 miles. At Lyle, take a left onto State Route 142. Continue on this road for about 15 miles and take a right at an unmarked gravel road. (There is a large concrete block at the entrance road). This campsite features a handicap accessible toilet and rock fire rings but no tables. There are a good 15 spots to set up your tent or to pull in a small trailer. About half the sites set close to the river with the others setting back. The spots are good sized and set in a way to offer privacy. Note: These camps may also be reached From the town Goldendale by traveling west on SR 142 for 11 miles, and bearing left staying on State Highway 142 going south. NORTHEAST REGION UPDATES Williams Lake, page 131, is closed for overnight camping and is now day use only due to budgets cuts. Sheep Creek, page 134, is closed for overnight camping and is now day use only due to budgets cuts. Dragoon Creek, page 144, is closed for overnight camping and is now day use only due to budgets cuts. NEW CAMPS Ankeny # 1 From Coulee City, travel west on Highway 2 for about 5 miles and at the junction with Highway 17, take a right at the Public Access sign. Bear left at the "Y" and in about a mile you'll arrive at the camp. There are about 15 designated sites, some with shade and grassy areas for tents. Fire grates and a boat launch but no tables and 1 vault toilet. Tents and trailers .Note: A Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife sticker or fishing license is required to camp at this site. Barker Canyon Recreation Area From Grand Coulee, take Highway 174 west. Follow this highway for about 9.5 miles and take a left onto the Barker Canyon Road. Continue on this road for about 6 miles to the site. As you enter the site, the road to the left leads to a boat launch with a vault toilet. To the right are the campsites. There are about 10 of them, mostly set on the lake with some in shade. There are fire rings but no tables and the one toilet is at the boat launch. This site is set on the northwest end of Banks Lake with cliffs to your back and the lake in front. Tents and small trailers. Note: A Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife sticker or fishing license is required to camp at this site. Boulder Creek Dispersed On entering the town of Winthrop from the west, take a left at the 4 way stop and follow this road around to the right. This is the East Chewuch Road. Follow this road for about 5.8 miles and take a right onto the Boulder Creek Road, Forest Service Road 37. Continue on this road for about .5 miles to the Boulder Creek/Shrew site on the left, and about .3 miles further and before the bridge, take the dirt road down the hill and choose your site. All sites set on Boulder Creek and have fire rings but no tables or toilets. Dispersed. Forest Road 015 Dispersed On entering the town of Winthrop from the west, take a left at the 4 way stop and follow this road around to the right. This is the East Chewuch Road. Follow this road for about 6 miles and at the "T" take a right onto the Chewuch river road. In about half a mile you enter the National Forest and then in another half a mile take forest road 015 on the right, down the hill and into a fine little dispersed site. Here you'll find a rock fire ring with a spot set above the river. No toilets or tables. dispersed. Boulder Creek/Shrew On entering the town of Winthrop from the west, take a left at the 4 way stop and follow this road around to the right. This is the East Chewuch Road. Follow this road for about 5.8 miles and take a right onto the Boulder Creek Road, Forest Service Road 37. Continue on this road for about .5 miles and take a left into the large camp. There is no sign on the road, so heads up! This is a very large campground with sites going off in all directions including some set right on the river. You can do some exploring to find the one just right for you. There are 2 toilets, one as you enter the campground and the other one is around to the right. The camp is set up for tents and trailers. There are sites in both shade and full sun. No tables. Note: This is a Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife site which allows free camping with a Vehicle Use Permit that comes free with purchase of Washington State Fishing License. Lower Bobcat On entering the town of Winthrop from the west, take a left at the 4 way stop and follow this road around to the right. This is the East Chewuch Road. Follow this road for about 5.9 miles and at the junction go right. Continue on this road, the Chewuch River Road, for about 3.6 miles to the camp on the right. There's a sign on the road that says Public Hunting. This is where you make your turn. This campground has room for maybe 15-20 campers, with about 10 sites set back in the woods and the others in meadow. There are vault toilets and fire rings but no tables. Note: This is another WDFW campground that is free with a Vehicle Use Permit that comes free with purchase of Washington State Fishing License. Upper Bobcat On entering the town of Winthrop from the west, take a left at the 4 way stop and follow this road around to the right. This is the East Chewuch Road. Follow this road for about 5.9 miles and at the junction go right. Continue on this road, the Chewuch River Road, for about 5 miles and take a right at the public hunting sign on the right side of the road. This is another very large campground with enough spots for 35 or so camps. There are accessible toilets and fire rings but no tables. The sites are spread out nicely for privacy. Thesites at the entrance to this camp are set in meadow. There's room enough here for larger trailers and motor homes as well as tents. Note: This is a WDFW campground that is free with a Vehicle Use Permit that comes free with purchase of Washington State Fishing License. Continuing on up the river road from the above camps, you'll find about a dozen small dispersed camps that set right on the river. Most have room for 1 or 2 sites where you park and carry your gear a very short distance. You'll find only rock fire rings at these camps, no toilets or tables. Dispersed. Forde Lake From Omak, travel east to the junction with Highways 20, 97 and 155 and go leftfollowingHighways 20/97 East. Continue on for about 12 miles past the small town of Riverside and taking a left onto the Pine Creek Road. Keep going on this road and in about 4.5 miles you'll come to a junction with North Pine Creek Road going right. You want to stay going straight. Continue on past Fish Lake and onto the Sinlahekin Road and go another 7 miles where you'll see the lake on the right and the campground on the left.This campground has 8 sites that set on a knoll. There are fire grates with toilets at the entrance road but no tables. The campground sets above Reflection Pond. Tents and small trailers. Note: Another 1/4 mile down the road you can take a left onto the reflection pond road where there is one site that sets above the pond. There is a rock fire ring but no table or toilet but just a short distance away are the facilities for Forde lake and toilets. Conner Lake From Omak, travel east to the junction with Highways 20, 97 and 155 and go left following Highways 20/97 East. Continue on for about 12 miles past the small town of Riverside and taking a left onto the Pine Creek Road. Keep going on this road and in about 4.5 miles you'll come to a junction with North Pine Creek Road going right. You want to stay going straight. Continue on past Fish Lake and onto the Sinlahekin Road and go another 8.5 miles and take a hairpin right turn then stay right at the "Y" and down to the lake. There are 2 sites on the right side in full sun as you enter the campground with an accessible toilet on the left. If you follow the gravel road around to the left you'll find another 1 site that's more private. All 3 sites have rock fire rings but no tables. Looks like room for tents only. Sinlahekin Creek From Omak, travel east to the junction with Highways 20, 97 and 155 and go left following Highways 20/97 East. Continue on for about 12 miles past the small town of Riverside and taking a left onto the Pine Creek Road. Keep going on this road and in about 4.5 miles you'll come to a junction with North Pine Creek Road going right. You want to stay going straight. Continue on past Fish Lake and onto the Sinlahekin Road and go another 4.3 miles and take a left into the campground. This is a wide open campground set in a stand of Ponderosa Pine. There are at least 20 good campsites here with a few on Sinlahekin Creek which was low on water when I visited in September. Room for tents and trailers. Blue Lake From Omak, travel east to the junction with Highways 20, 97 and 155 and go left following Highways 20/97 East. Continue on for about 12 miles past the small town of Riverside and taking a left onto the Pine Creek Road. Keep going on this road and in about 4.5 miles you'll come to a junction with North Pine Creek Road going right. You want to stay going straight. Continue on past Fish Lake and onto the Sinlahekin Road and go another 3 miles and take a left into the campground. There are 4 sites at this entrance with accessible toilet and rock fire rings. 2 of the sites offer a little shade with the other 2 in full sun. The boat launch is very steep. Blue Lake has three entrances with a combined 25 or so spots. The second 2 entrances offer more accessible toilets with both fire grates and rock fire rings but no tables. Many of the sites set on or close to this nice size lake with Aspen and Ponderosa Pines in abundance. Another good lake to bring your canoe or kayak. Fish Lake There are 4 sites at this spot with accessible toilet and rock fire rings but no tables. But the best is yet to come. Follow the entrance road around to the left and then bear right which will take you to the other side of the lake. Here you will find another 35 or so sites with 3 more accessible toilets and fire rings but again no tables. Many of the sites are set close to the lake with others in full sun. This is a good spot to bring your canoe or kayak. Campground will accomodate both tents and trailers. Following this road to the end will take you back to the Pine Creek Road but is now the gravel Sinlahekin Road. No Name From Omak, travel east to the junction with Highways 20, 97 and 155 and go left following Highways 20/97 East. Continue on for about 12 miles past the small town of Riverside and taking a left onto the Pine Creek Road. Keep going on this road and in about 4.5 miles you'll come to a junction with North Pine Creek Road going right. You want to stay going straight. Continue on past Fish Lake and onto the Sinlahekin Road and go another 1.3 miles to and right onto a dirt road. There are 8 sites here, some with fire grates and others with rock fire rings. Toilets, but no tables. This is a little forest camp that is set close to the road. Upper Cold Springs From Cold Springs Campground, page 119, travel another .4 miles, past the picnic area sign then stay to the right on the one-way campground road. There are 3 sites on this road, 2 on the right and one on the left. The 1st one on the right has a table and fire grate. The other 2 have only fire rings. There are toilets here as well. Keep going and bear right and at the end of the road there is another site off in the trees to the left with table and fire grate and then another site on the hill to the right with table and fire grate. Between the two is an accessible toilet.. Green Lake From Omak, Take Highways 97/20 going towards Tonasket and make a left at the sign for Lake Conconully. Follow this road for about 4.5 miles and at the "T" you want to take a left. Continue on and in another ..5 miles make a right onto the Green Lake Road. Follow this road, which soon turns gravel, and at 2.5 miles you'll come to Brown Lake with no facilities. Continue on for another mile and you arrive at Green Lake. This site features 2 vault toilets, tables, fire grates, a boat launch and about 10 private and shady sites, half of which set on the lake. Note: This is a Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife site which allows free camping with a Vehicle Use Permit that comes free with purchase of Washington State Fishing License. Lakeview Ranch Campground From Odessa, Travel north on state route 21 for about 3 miles and take a left onto the Lakeview Coffee Pot Lake Campground From Odessa, Travel north on state route 21 for about 6.5 miles where at the “Y” you want to bear right onto the Coffee Pot Road. Follow this road for 5.7 miles to the campground entrance road on the right. This site has 6 sites all close together and a covered picnic site in a grassy area. All sites have tables and there is an accessible toilet on site. There is a boat launch and a small dock. All set in a beautiful canyon. Good canoe or Kayak lake. Tents and small trailers Twin Lakes Campground From Odessa, Travel north on state route 21 for about 6.5 miles where at the “Y” you want to bear right onto the Coffee Pot Road. Follow this road for 6.8 miles and take a left onto the Highline Road. Continue on for another 1.5 miles to the campground entrance road on the right. From here it’s a couple of miles down to the site. There are 3 sites on the left side as you enter the camp, all on grass with another lone site to the right on a knoll over looking everything. All sites include tables, fire grates and there is an accessible toilet and a small boat launch. Another wonderful lake for canoes and kayaks. Note: All three of these camps are located at or near "Channeled Scablands" part of Eastern Washington, where Ice-Age floods carved deep canyons through the basalt. There are trails in the area. Stagger Inn Campground DIRECTIONS FROM WASHINGTON Entering Metaline Falls, cross over the Pend Oreille Bridge and bear left. Follow this road for 2.2 miles and take a right at the Sullivan Lake road, Forest Service Road 9345. Continue on this road for about 4.7 miles and at a junction you want to take Forest Service Road 22. Continue on this road for about 16 miles and stay going straight where Forest Service Road 22 turns into Forest Service Road 302. Follow this road for another 5.5 or so miles to a "T" and go right*. In about 1.5 miles you'll arrive at the camp on the right. *If you take a left at the "T" and go about a mile, there is a small dispersed camp on both sides of the road and a trail leading to Muskegon Lake. DIRECTIONS FROM IDAHO From the small town of Priest River, travel north on State Highway 57 for about 27 miles to the Reeder Bay Road and bear left onto Forest Service Road 302. Travel this road for about 20 miles to the site on the left. Note: Although this campground is administered by the Panhandle National Forest of Idaho, it is located in Washington State. SOUTHEAST REGION UPDATES Tucannon Campground, page 153, now charges $8.00 per night.
Oregon: New free campgrounds/Updates MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST UPDATES The following campgrounds have been listed with a overnight fee of $10.00 Per night. I have not been back to verify this, so any information from you, the campers would greatly appreciated. The list is as follows: Badger Lake, page 63 Bonney Crossing, page 61 Bonney Meadow, page 66 Clear Creek Crossing, page 63 Eightmile Crossing, page 59 Fifteen Mile, page 58 Forest Creek, page 62 Keeps Mill, page 64 Knebal Springs, page 58 Little Badger, page 61 Lower Crossing, page 60 McCubbins Gulch, page 64 Pebble Ford, page 59 Underhill Site, page 60 White River Station. page 67 These are all according to the Mt. Hood Forest Service website. However, the last time I visited a couple of years ago, the website said the same thing as far as fees and I found all the camps were still free, some requiring a Northwest Forest Pass to camp. I plan to head down that way again in the late spring and I will post here what I find. Breitenbush Campground, page 53, has been posted with new restrictions. No Fishing, No Swimming, No Boating in Breitenbush Lake unless you are a tribal member. You can still camp there and access the trails. Facilities are limited at Breitenbush Campground, no garbage service, so pack it in and out. NEW CAMPS NORTH CENTRAL REGION Swamp Wells Campground from Bend, travel 4.0 miles south on U.S. 97. Then take Forest Service Road 18 and go 5.4 miles.From here, travel another 5.8 miles south on F.S. Rd. 1810. And finally 3 miles on Rd. 1816. Last mile of road is rough and may be difficult for larger trailers. There are 5 sites with vault toilet, tables and fire rings. Trails from the campground head south to the Newberry Caldera, and north to a charcoal cave, an ice cave, and a wind cave, all formed by the volcanic explosions which shaped this area. Trails are open to horses and hikers. Shorter hikes climb to the top of nearby Lava Butte and Fuzztail Butte. Alder Flat Campground From Estacada, follow State Highway 224 southeast to the campground sign, about 20 miles. This will be about a mile past the Indian Henry campground, (fee). There are 6 tent sites in this wooded area on the Clackamas River. This is a Walk in camp of approximately one mile. pack it in, pack it out.
Meditation Point Campground (Timothy Lake) From Estacada, Travel southeast on Highway 224, past Indian Henry and Alder Flat campgrounds, to Primary Forest Route 57. Follow 57 east to Primary Forest Route 58. Follow 58 north, past Forest Roads 5830, 5850 and 5860, to Forest Road 5890. Follow 5890 south to Forest Road 5890-012. Take 012 south to Trail #528. There are 5 sites set on Timothy Lake with fishing and boating. This is a hike-in or boat-in only campground. A NWFP or $5 Day Use Fee is required to park your vehicle. UPDATES NORTHEAST REGION Winom Creek Campground, page 128, now charges $8.00 per night.
Idaho New Free Campgrounds/Updates: SOUTH EAST REGION NEW CAMPS Silver City Campground From Highway 78 near Murphy, turn off at the Silver City sign. From Jordan Valley on Highway 95 near Sheaville, turn off to Silver City. 70 miles southwest of Boise in the Owyhee Mountains. There are 6 sites with tables, fire grates and a vault toilet. This campground is located in a partially restored 19th-century mining town. Use season, Memorial Day weekend until November. SOUTHEAST REGION NEW CAMPS McClendon Spring Campground From Malta, go 3 miles north on Highway 81, then 2.5 miles west and south on Conner Creek Road. This is a small campground in the Cottrel Mountains, with tables, fire grates and toilet. Remote and quiet. Snake River Vista Recreation Site This camp is located 3 miles southwest of American Falls on the Snake River. Close to the Pipeline Recreation Site, Page 142, and also run by the BLM. There are 2 campsites with tables, fire rings and a small boat launch and dock. Leslie Recreation Site This camp is located 9 miles south of Mackay, Idaho along Highway 93. To get to the river, turn west on the dirt road which takes off at the north end of the highway guard rail where highway 93 crosses the Big Lost River. There is a toilet, 2 tables and 2 fire rings and an uninproved boat ramp. This is a small and unimproved access site to the Big Lost River. Hawkins Reservoir Campground From Malad City drive north on Highway to the small town of Virginia. From there, take a left onto the Hawkins Road and travel another 9 miles or so to the site. There are about 10 camp spots with tables and 2 vault toilets. Also a shelter and boat ramp and docks. Hawkins Reservoir, despite its size, attracts a great deal of wildlife. Spring through fall, plovers, sandpipers and geese frolic in the mudflats and swim in the waters. Sharp-tailed grouse nest here, and mule deer, coyote, and red fox also frequent this watering hole. Fishing. Heart Mountain Spring Recreation Site This site is located 3 miles east of the small town of Swan Lake which is on Highway 91 between the towns of Preston to the south and Downey to the north. This camp features 4 sites with tables, toilet and fire rings. Big game and upland game bird viewing opportunities. Red Point Recreation Site From Preston, travel north on Highway 34 to Highway 36 and follow and look for signs to the site. There are 9 sites with tables, vault toilet and horseshoe pit. Here you can enjoy fishing, camping, picnicking and non-motorized boating opportunities. Camp is set on the Bear river.
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