roadtripper9297291

The Alvord Playa is a Wilderness Study Area. It has been enjoyed by a relative few for decades. It’s remote, can be dangerous abs requires thoughtful prep and reverence. In the past few years many many people have discovered this place and it’s created so much damage to the Playa.
1). Don’t speed on Playa. Especially when clay is soft.
2). Campfires 🔥 STRONGLY discouraged. Bring a propane type fire, etc.
3). Pack it out. All of it. There is a toilet at edge of Playa at Frog Springs entrance.
4). Loud music, lights and large gatherings are disruptive to the many scientists and others who visit to appreciate dark skies for astronomy and deep sky viewing. There is a delicate ecology here and wildlife. If you want Burning Man, Black Rock is 80 miles South. Nevada welcomes you.
5). Do not burn pallets or anything! Nobody wants a flat from nails on Playa.
6). There are often fatalities on Playa from drunk driving /speeding on Playa, especially at night.
7). Fields Station is amazing. Milkshakes are the best. It’s tough to run a store in the middle of nowhere. Patience should be mandatory. Also they have a few motel room, RV Spots and Jake always has good advice about exploring and hunting.
8). People live along Fields-Denio Road. Please drive slowly - the dust is miserable when cars speed by non-stop.
9). Bring water - at least 5 gallons for BLM camping requirements. Bring all supplies. Help is at least 3 hours away (Burns).
10). Most cell providers have no service here.

We had been staying at Cape Blanco for a few days. Feeling a bit claustrophobic with the CG 100% full and dense trees and non stop rain. I have driven through Port Orford 100 times but when I read about this “parking spot” I was intrigued. It’s Spring Break and (2) other self contained RVs are parked here. It’s just a dirt parking lot BUT a million dollar view!!! And easy to walk into town for dining and shopping. Things are slow here. And I’m loving it! We’re here end of March week of Spring Break but town feels sleepy and sweet. We can hear the waves and it’s quite peaceful. Little beach at base of hill next to small Port with fishing vessels. Was very windy and sunny 🌞 but we didn’t mind at all. Wind died down after sunset. It’s a special little spot and I hope campers continue to respect and treasure this spot.

I have mixed feelings about this park. First of all, amazing views in lower loop. In Jan 2019 the campground is now reservations May - Sept. First come first serve is tricky because you can only register for one night! I stayed in lower loop, site 11 which has lovely views of water (I have FB Airstream so could see water from my bed). Very very noisy campground! I could hear every conversation in every site on this loop. Adjacent site #12 insisted there were no quiet hours and made noise until 2am. No rangers to be seen Mon/Tue. Had no recourse to deal with lousy neighbors & was camping alone. So don’t come here for peace & quiet (and I’m here mid week early June). Upper loop almost empty so may be quieter there - and nice forest views and sites. Most sites aren’t level so if you have a trailer bring your “LEGO’s” etc. I will try again in off season. Probably too close to metro area is why so many noisy, disrespectful campers. (BTW trash left in camps by noisy campers was never cleaned up by host/etc so I went ahead & cleaned myself) ***I think they should set aside a certain number of spaces for first come first served so you don't have to move around. The park was 90% vacant for 4 nights, but many of us still had to scramble each morning to be sure we could extend or if we had to move.