roadtripper362598

(Stayed 9/14/20). This campground is really 3 areas in one state park. Whitetail Flats, where we camped, was a wide-open area without trees for shade. We had a corner site that was back-in (one of the few) so we had trees on one side and a view of the mountains and fields behind us. Seems like private land was behind us, separated by a small split rail fence. The site was very private, level, and had plenty of space. The campground was very quiet. Deer wandered around in the woods next to us each night. We did not use the restrooms or showers so no comment there. Dump station had potable water as well. An added bonus was the recent installation of electric hookups which, I am guessing was done so that in the warmer months, campers don't have to run their generators.

The other 2 areas are quite different than Whitetail. One is a horse-only area. As the CG is right on the popular Maah-daah-hey trail, many campers were staying with their horses. The other area, Cedar, is heavily treed and was much cooler. Our friends site (22) was not too level and not much of a pull-thru with trees guarding each end of the site. But, it was nice and shaded. The Cedar area does not have electric.

In addition to the camping fee, you are supposed to pay a $7 a day state park fee (which we did). There was no host in the CG but the ranger station is adjacent. You are able to purchase wood from the ranger.

Sully is convenient to the town of Medora and the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt NP. We had planned to camp at TRNP but the campground did not open during the Summer of COVID. It was good we had a reservation at Sully as the campground was full. Our friends booked the last available spot and that was about a month before our arrival.

We really enjoyed our stay at McDowell Mountain Regional park. Wish we had spent more time hanging out in the campground but since we were visiting friends in Scottsdale, we were out and about most of the time. Really clean, great desert and mountain views. Facilities like restrooms and shower (free!) were kept very nicely. Quiet at night with lots of stars to see.

We stayed here one night (10/23/21) enroute to Big Bend NP. Arrived around 2 p.m. Drove directly to the site without any check in. Name on post and never saw the host. Great pull-thru site with level concrete pad for parking the trailer. We didn't want to unhook and were pleasantly surprised that we didn't need to. Nice covered and shaded picnic table with very clean fire pit. It was a bit breezy so we didn't get to enjoy picnic table. Water and electric at the site (which we didn't use as we were only staying for 15 hours). Used the free showers. Water was nice and hot. Only stayed on for about 2 minutes at a time but we are used to Navy showers as we don't usually have sites with hookups.

We took one of the easy hikes to the river and got a glimpse of the Dam Keepers house. Saw an amazing sunset.

Easy access in to the campground - not far from the I 25 and another state highway but pretty quiet at night.

(Stayed 9/10/20) Opted for the USFS CG instead of one of the many Custer State Park campgrounds. The sites were all very nice and most could fit TT and larger RVs. Our site was very well maintained, level, and had a peak of the small lake. Easy walk to little Bismarck Lake where we tried our hand at fishing (no luck!). Quiet, peaceful nights.

The CG was booked every night although some spots that were reserved stayed empty the first couple of nights, probably because it had snowed the day before we arrived and then rained over night our first night. Full up on the weekends but still quiet.

Easy walk to Stockade Lake in Custer SP. Also, easy ride to the Mickelson Bike Trail spur that runs into Custer.

While an entrance fee to Custer SP is not required if you camp at Bismarck Lake, you do need to pay a fee to access any of the Custer SP amenities like the lakes and also the Wildlife Loop.

We stayed 11/13-17/20. This concession run campground inside Pinnacles National Park is well managed and maintained. We stayed in the "tent" side as we have solar so we don't need electric hook-ups. Many of the sites could have accommodated our 24 ft. TT. Our site, A 10, was secluded and quiet and backed to a seasonal creek. There are no generators allowed in the campground so it is very quiet. While we were camping, no fires of any kind were allowed which made for very quiet nights as groups were not out sitting around the campfire (cold at night). Since this is the only place to stay in the NP, once the day visitors leave, you have the park to yourself.

The RV "park" is very plain. They have electric at each site and communal drinking water spigots throughout the RV park so you don't have to travel with water. Some of the sites are close together. The few that back to the creek or the road are nicely shaded. And, since there isn't much traffic overnight, the RV side is fairly quiet. Lots of families and kids running around in the group area and tent area but that's what camping is all about. The camp store/visitor center has wifi so you can walk over to check your phone or mail, if you must.

The hiking in Pinnacles is great. Nicely maintained trails with lots of "skill" levels. Weekends are very crowded (not sure why we booked on a weekend since we are retired!) so if you can avoid Saturdays, at least, I recommend it. In non-Covid times they have a shuttle service that runs from the campground to the trailhead at Bear Gulch as the parking fills up quickly. You can walk from the campground to some of the other trailheads but it adds quite a bit of distance. You can also bike and there are bike racks at the trailheads. On the weekends the Rangers close the park roads when the trailheads are full so biking is safe.

Didn't get to see any condors or wildflowers so we will have to go back!

Stayed at El Capitan 4/12/21. We love this campground. Great ocean views from many of the sites. Easy walk to the beach. Campground is clean. Quiet in the evenings. Sites are generally spacious so even with a full campground, you don't feel crammed in. Some of the amenities could use some upgrading like the showers and bathrooms. Sites close to the highway can be noisy from truck traffic. Beach is great for walking, playing in the surf and has day use picnic/barbecue area right on the water. Nice nature trail (watch out for poison oak!). Good hiking in the foothills with beautiful spring flowers and ocean views.

We camped here 2nd week of January. A bit chilly, even for this time of year. Campground is very clean and quiet. Sites are easily accessible. Big horn sheep wandering through campground was very cool! Bathrooms are older but clean with flush toilets. Also, showers for free.

Please note that Nevada state parks are now on a reservation system! Sites at Valley of Fire are $10 per night plus a $9 daily visitor fee. Fees for non-Nevada residents are $5 per day.

(Feb 27-March 2, 2022)
This is a very nice state campground. We had a very large site with beautiful trees, grass (could use a cut but it was late winter), and ocean views. Easy walk down to ocean. Clean restroom and shower facilities. Quiet at night. Lots of families with kids bike riding around and people walking their dogs - like camping is supposed to be. Part of the campground was not yet open, probably because it was winter. Nice ocean breezes in the afternoon and the sound of crashing waves to put you to sleep at night.

The campground is really close to Capitola and Santa Cruz, Sunset Beach, Aptos and Soquel. It is a great gateway to the seaside towns with restaurants, wine tasting, and pubs a short, easy bike away. Also, about 30 minute drive to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

I hesitate to give 5 stars since there is some neglected maintenance, like most CA state park campgrounds. Even reluctant to give 4 stars because I want to keep this more of a secret!

We stayed at San Mateo CG for 4 nights July 21-25, 2020. Well-maintained. Mostly quiet in the evening but for some little kids having fun playing outdoors - like camping should be. We were in the dry camping area. Generator hours are until 8 pm and everyone very respectful to the hours.

The restrooms and showers were clean. Sink washing station in good shape, too. Sites are pretty level and have greenery separating the sites. Some open up onto open space. Others kind of backup to other sites. The map on the Reserve California website is pretty accurate.

There is a walking/biking path to the beach. Kind of hilly but keeps you away from the road. About 1.5 miles to Trestles (great surf beach). With your state campground pass, you can also use the day use parking at any state beach until 10 p.m. on your departure date.

We road bikes from the campground on two days. One day down to San Onofre - bike path nearly the entire way. Next day up to Dana Point - bike route and bike path the whole way.

You are really close to Camp Pendleton and can often hear their artillery practice. Fortunately, they don't start until 9 a.m. Be aware if you have pets that are afraid of fireworks or thunder as it can sound like that at times.

Dimond O is a US Forest Service campground on the edge of Yosemite. Closest camping access to Hetch-Hetchy area. About 1 hour to Yosemite Valley and about 45 minutes to Olmsted Point on the Tioga Road. Access road goes through forest that was heavily impacted by Rim Fire and also through some ranch land with plenty of cows. Take it slow.

Most sites were easily accessed and fairly level. Also, most are spacious and shaded. In October, the flow in the river is pretty low but I imagine it would be great in the spring. Only vault toilets and no showers. Campground was very quiet, only about 1/2 full at the busiest night. Very few generators so was quiet in the evenings.

Would definitely consider staying here again as it is very peaceful and out of the fray of all of the busy, tight Yosemite spots.

No cell service but you can drive 2 miles up the road to Evergreen Lodge and sit at their picnic tables and get on the wi-fi.