davidvanhandel

Stopped here to overnight on our way to I-15 south. Pulled in late in the evening and parked on level pavement right next to an old GE locomotive next door to the old prison. There was a vacant log adjacent to the train museum with some other RVs parked but was not leveled. This was just a parking lot so no services although you’re in the middle of town (Deer Lodge). So there are plenty of places to eat and to get fuel. There is a paved walking path along the creek. I-90 business loop runs right by so there is some light road traffic. Overall it was a good place to overnight.

This is freeway exit 178 Frontage Rd. or from Tower Rd exit coming from the North, on the east side of the freeway. It was very convenient for me to overnight with my travel trailer. It was evening and had begun to snow so a good spot, free, and I was tired. It’s WMA land and you need to open and close the gate behind you. Dirt road was decent and I did have to do some leveling. Plenty of area to walk the dog. It is off a frontage road and not far off the freeway so some noise but quieted down in the night. No services here of course but the view was great. The snow continued during the night and it was cold and windy (early April) but it was a spot I would stay in again enroute.

Wagons West is nicely situated at the end of town. This RV Park is a part of a complex that includes a restaurant that serves breakfasts, a hotel, bar, and a snack store. It has a laundry that seems disorganized for $2 per load wash and $2 dry. The bathrooms include shower that are fairly clean but in need of maintenance (linoleum on the floors peeling up, lights loaded with dead bugs, vent fans loaded with lint) but functional. The site layout is confusing but doesn’t really matter unless the place were full. The power boxes are only 20 amp or 50 amp. They will rent you an adapter to go 30-50.
There were brochures on the tables advertising the Wagons West complex for sale. Perhaps that’s why the lack of good upkeep.

That all being said, the WiFi worked well and I had a strong AT&T cell signal. The post office is next door and the town starts just a block away and includes a few restaurants, a general store, some boutiques that also sell espresso. The town of Augusta is at the road that leads to the Benchmark trailheads and the Bob Marshal Wilderness. People were friendly and welcoming. Yes, I would stay here again.

This was my fourth time visiting Birch Creek BLM. The views are spectacular and the sites are all mostly creekside. The fishing is on and off but still fun. This campground covers about fie miles along highway 28 and Birch Creek. There are four entrances with the Lower and Middle tending to get less action. The northern portion has pit toilets. This area is dry camping. Fuel up before going here. No services nearby. Since last visiting here they have added more pit toilets (northern section), picnic tables, and group sites. The area is also used by OHVs.

AT&T cell service is a sketchy 1 bar and I had to move around a bit to get it. When you leave the highway it is all dirt road. This is dispersed camping and sites are not necessarily level. Plenty of sites have fire rings.

Great spot to stay overnight. No sight specific services. There are actually two lots for RVers. One is paved but definitely not level. We opted for the gravel lot furthest away from the casino closest to the bushes with minimal leveling. We checked in with security as they requested. Flood lights on the lot. Handy off the freeway with WalMart, gas, and Starbucks nearby.

This was the third time I’ve stopped here overnight enroute. Checking in with the casino security is prudent and they encourage you to patronize the casino or restaurant. The signs direct RVers to a paved parking lot that is in no way level. Significant leveling is required no matter where you park in this lot.

There is a gravel lot next to the paved lot that is much more level however, Walgreen’s semis appear to use this area for staging so it can get noisy. Trade offs. Hey, it’s free.

I arrived midday and found a nice spot near the creek that required minimal leveling. There were some ruts I the road and muddy areas caused by the recent rains and snow. It was not crowded, plenty of space, and quiet. It would have been a great place for stargazing if it hadn’t been cloudy. There are no bathrooms, no potable water, no tables, no fire rings, just boondocking. The water in the creek was murky and brown. AT&T Cell service was great. I stayed 2 nights and moved out before the predicted rain came as it was evident that the place would turn into a red, muddy mess. There was a gravel BMX bike parking lot on the way in that several people were using to boondock that was not as muddy. This location is about 15 minutes from Zion NP. The park was busy and I opted to park in the town of Silverdale ($20) and ride the free bus to the Zion Visitor Center and then ride the free Canyon Shuttle for a first look. If you’re visiting the park go early. The town shuttle starts at 8 AM. It starts getting crazy crowded any later in the morning.

Went into WalMart in Gardnerville on HWY 395 to check-in in the evening and was told that WalMart didn’t own the parking lot and that I could not stay there overnight. There were also signs posted saying no overnight parking and violators would be towed at their own expense. It was loud with cars coming and going with radios loud. I moved on to Hope Valley Sno-Park on Hwy 88 just past Hwy 89 and was glad I did. Peaceful.

We were transmitting back to Washington from South Lake Tahoe and randomly chose this spot. The staff was great, the place was immaculate, green lawns and lots of room to back in and between spaces. Showers were private and always spotless. The place was quiet despite a road nearby. All full hookups and a pool, hot tub, dog area, gift shop, clean laundry room, and if you’re into it, a casino 3 minutes walk away. Chico is 30 minutes away and Oroville Reservoir 15 minutes with lots of water activities. Free WiFi and cable.

Just off the freeway in Tehachapi. Clean and easy to access. There is a hose and free air. Propane is also available.