debramachain

First Campendium lists 5 CG’s in Chutes Provincial Park not sure why but they are just different loops.
We had a pull through site and we thought it was the nicest one with lots of room.
Don’t miss the Two Bridges hike with platforms to enjoy all the “chutes”.
Noisy as there was a big carnival the weekend we were there. The train is very loud that is close by but doesn’t run very often.
Cell service was in and out even with our booster.
Took another hike but it was 45 minutes away and not very scenic called Florence lake.
We choose it as it was on our route but very limited hiking and close to civilization.

We dump here when visiting friends east and free. Unfortunately we are here a little later this year and didn’t realize they decreased the days they are open. They are never open weekends

All forest service campgrounds closed so tried this one. Initially they said open till end of September then the owners showed up and wanted to close early. They did let us stay and extra night.
Part of the CG is being worked on laying new water pipe.
Laundry has only one washer and dryer.
$1/ bag trash.
They had propane and ice but we didn’t get either, not sure they would have had any since they were closing.
Noise is major deterrent even in upper sites. We were in field looking at road.
Lots of hiking in the area.

We took our Jeep down the road to check it out. The road is bumpy but not bad compared to where we went to hike. The first site was too steep to put our rig in there. It would work for a trailer, van, tent. The next site is 1 1/4 miles down on the left. and that is where we parked. Had enough room to turn our motor home around. There is more camping spots at the bottom of the road but they are small.
The road is busy because people go to see the stunning cliffs. Also it is a trailhead for the Paria River hike.
The townsite doesn’t really exist but there is a cemetery there. We hiked down river toward the TH for Paria Box (pictures). We found the movie set and there were some buildings still standing. The outlaw Josie Wales was filmed there. You will get wet. The Paria River was flowing but not deeper than 4-5 inches.
Beware there are cows and it’s dusty along the road. Go down to the end of the road in the evening to get the perfect light for the rainbow. Spectacular
It is the perfect spot to camp if you plan on doing a lot of hiking as the hikes are close. The one we enjoyed most was Wire Pass/ Buckskin Gulch. We hiked Hackberry and Yellow rock off cotton wood canyon. None of the road should be accessed if it’s raining. I suggest 4 wheel drive but saw some all wheel drive vehicles.
You can get water at the Paria Transfer Station. There is another parking area there the ranger mentioned and is also on Campendium. Stop at the Big Water BLM office if coming from Page. You can get a permit for camping in Grand Staircase Escalante, which is where we were. Some permits for hiking can be done on line. Some cost $, the camping one was free.

The first review of this campground was done by my partner, Hans and he covered a lot of material.

The sites along the water, when the wind picks up, are affected the most. Some are protected by trees. The last two days we spent there the wind was quite Strong. There were tree limbs and other debris being blown around the campground. A number of people left due to the wind.
The day use area is located on the left right after you go across a one lane bridge. It is right before the campground entrance and has a gate across it. There is parking there for maybe three or four vehicles. You can walk to it from the campground and it’s a nice area to go take your dog for a swim or to launch your paddleboard. After walking through the gate if you go straight, you’ll come to a small beach. If you turn off on the path before you get down to the water, it will lead you to the water and two semi private areas. I saw some fishermen there who said that they catch trout.

When you exit the campground if you turn left there’s a parking Area for additional vehicles. Also, there is a dirt road that you can take a walk on or walk your dog for approximately 1 1/2 to 2 miles.

I didn’t give this campground five stars because it doesn’t have any water. It also didn’t have any cell service although we did put out our star link and would occasionally get access to the Internet. The sites across from us had more sun and probably had more sky access.

Great site right on the Rio Grande. Only 5 sites, no water but available in the campground before or after. Hiking all around especially nice was the Slide trail near the bridge called Taos Junction. The road after that is dirt but only for 2-3 miles. Where it returns to pavement Route 115 are two trails The north entrance to the West ridge trail can be walked or mountain biked which we did. We also did a road bike ride on Route 115 to Route 64 to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge on the paved road The water was 3 feet below normal in the Rio Grande according to the ranger. Still some people were rafting that section from the Taos Junction Bridge. I took my paddle board from the bridge to our campground.
For people who fish they stock this section and looked like many were catching lots of Rainbow and brown trout.
The information on the board said no RB’s but the campground hosts manning the visitor center told us to use this one. Another RV trailer was also there. We have a 25 foot Big Foot trailer.

Not many spots for larger RV’s. Ours is a 25 foot trailer and we found one spot. We were about one mile in on the right. A few spots were already taken one nice one o the left side close to the road. Buttermilk, the dirt road in was dusty and washboard. Lots of traffic unsure where they were all going?
Views were spectacular and an easy road trip to Lake Sabrina. We snow shoed approximately 3 miles from the road closure on 168 to Lake Sabrina.
Most campgrounds closed this time of year.
Verizon cellservice came in and out. Some calls were dropped then at other times we could get internet.

First let me say that the Idaho State Park payment system is crazy. Friday Saturday and Sunday nights it is $15.60/ night the other nights if you are over 62 it is half price. Then you have to pay $5/day for your vehicle unless you have a Idaho State Park Pass. So we paid $59 for 4 nights. In addition we went to Sugarloaf state park and it was closed. Called the state park system and they didn’t know it was closed. On line nothing was written that it was closed. The state park representative said the host probably left but there was no host where we were?? We had the park to ourselves till the final night when two other campers came. The park aside of ours had power and water but was $36.40 (not sure the exact price but close but included the $5/day use. Confusing to say the least. Clean campground with lots of water and dump station. Right aside the boat launch. You could also walk to a flat hike along the lake on a old previous railroad spur.
Most sites were not level and doubt anything bigger than our trailer would have fit.
Slight smoke out last day.
Kayaked in the lake and lots of fisherman.
Laundry in the town was one of best I’ve ever been to in our travels.

We stayed here last year and since prices have increased.
The host was the nicest. Told me not to take the dog in the water. Lots of swimmers itch and Cyanobacteria. I saw many kids in the water!!!
Most sites not level.
Day use price went up $2/day to $7
Nonresident price $40/ day Friday/Saturday/Sunday and half price other days if you are over 62.
We are frustrated with WY and ID state parks and their day use and non resident fees. I guess business is booming and they don’t care about out of state visitors.
The guy behind us ran his loud generator 16 hour. Not our kind of place.
$40 for no hookups. There is water and a free dump station

My parter covered the basics in the previous post. The wind was unreal 5 days starting in the afternoon. It usually came from the north and yesterday boats had difficulty coming out.
I would have preferred staying on the left side as you enter the CG as the peninsula buffeted the wind.
Lots to do besides water sports.
Thermopolis was a short drive and the Hot springs state park is free. Lots of large shade trees and the hot springs. The indigenous people gave it to Wyoming with one caveat, that it be free. The travertine fountain and cliff was neat. The travertine warm springs right by the river is a great spot for kids and the cold water of the river is refreshing. Lots of area in the park to picnic.
There is a large pool that seemed always packed, probably $$ but a great place for kids. The one hot pool was free but you could only use it for 20 minutes due to the temperatures. There was another pool and hot springs which we didn’t check out. All were close to one another.
Don’t miss the Wyoming Dinosaur Museum near the Park.
We floated the river, paid $20 to have our Jeep moved. Left from the Wedding of the waters ( the Wind river changes names to the Bighorn, not sure why). We floated 71/2 miles to the state park but there was another shorter entrance to the river.
Lots of fishermen floating it also, class 1. Stop and read the information at the Wedding of the Waters.
The geology through the canyon is interesting and the park headquarters has handouts on a variety of subjects.
The grocery store, Macks, in Thermopolis has good sales and reasonable prices.
We watched the fireworks from our site.
The train is close and blows its whistle every night.
With Verizon and our booster we streamed movies.