tinaolivercaparella

Follow GPS and you’ll have no problem. Enter either from Buhl or Washington as it’s two-sided dump. Unfortunately water hose does not an end on it so couldn’t flush out our tank.

Headed here as it was close to Bryce. Easy access but be sure to stop at the top of the road and scout out the area as it only fits a few rigs. One spot is up top near the road (which isn’t heavily traveled) and a larger area is down below.

We parked below in our 32’ TT with friends in their truck camper. A 27’ 5th wheel was also parked near us and one more rig might have fit.

Beautiful views but crazy windy at times during our stay in late April.

We are full time RVers and chose this lake so we could kayak, which was full in late March due to the rainy and snowy winter! Made reservations online a few weeks prior in Desert Tortoise campground (only available) where we paid an $8 reservation fee that is reflected in the nightly rate (otherwise our site is $22 night for dry camping, no hookups). Lake is easy to find and upon arriving 40 mins before 1:00 check in the girl at the gate said we owed $8. We asked for what (she was handed a copy of our paid reservation). She said it’s $2/day for a kayak and we had 2 of them on our roof. Wow ok. Thankfully we didn’t get charged for our dog too but what about those people with blowup kayaks and rafts we saw on the lake? Did they pay the $2 fee as well? Highly unlikely’(and we launched from our campsite not a boat ramp).

I had to ask for some park maps and how to get to our site. Just as we started to make our last turn we were greeted with a closed gate arm to the campground loop. What do we do now? Sign said enter code so I frantically looked on the vehicle tag given to us at the front gate for a code. Seeing nothing I then looked on our printed reservation form and finally found a code that said for “after hours use”! Would have been nice to be told this at the front gate! Now I know why I always print out my reservations! LOL

We stayed Wed-Fri and it was peaceful in our little cove. A little buggy and the water had a little bit of an odor but it was very pretty terrain. When we kayaked we could see lots of RVs camping on the shore which looked inviting until a few parked in front of others or in the “path” to get in/out or were running their VERY loud generators all day (witnessed this at the spillway parking area with a group).

Talked to one person who was here the Sunday before and she said the lake/camping was VERY crowded.

Our loop had nice and clean bathrooms with running water.

Filled up on water today all good. Potable water spigot is on small shed not on tower. Easy in/out except when making a left coming north on hwy 40.

Dump is $10, potable water (on building) is free. Pay by cc and dump cap unlocks. 2 lanes so quick in/out when busy and equipment in great condition (use own hose for flush).

Also restrooms on site in front of visitors center building and RV parking for a quick break or an overnight.

Awkward location of dump but we made it work for our 35’ 5th wheel. Good Sam discount of $2.50 off the $10 price. Go inside to pay and get a code to open dump.

Easy pull in/pull out for dump fir our 34’ 5th wheel at back of station by truck pumps. Asked inside if (red) spigot at trucker lanes is potable and they said both spigots (including dump) are city water. Threaded for our hose. Filled up with fuel too.

Dump is to the west of the gas station building. Easy access and free (sign says for Coleman customers only but I went in and asked). There’s also a certified scale here if you need one!

Stayed here for 2 nights in our 34’ 5th wheel to visit GC…parked about 1/2 mile down the road (a few dips) due to the first few sites being occupied. Ground was dry and dusty in mid-April. Our site had a large fire pit and remnants of Elk hunting 😝

Verizon was 1-2 bars in our site.

We chose this place for an overnight from Death Valley to Sacramento because they were listed in our Escapees directory at 15% off the $30 nightly rate. Was told they no longer are part of Escapees and their nightly rate is $55 but they do offer a 30% Good Sam discount and 50% for Passport America, which we joined (through Escapees) to get the 50% off. Our nightly rate listed includes a $3 "admin fee" (was told for credit card processing,etc., but they do not accept cash) and tax. I had to electronically sign their rules/regs agreement, and they took an electronic picture of my drivers license. They offered free wifi but you have to set up an account, providing detailed personal information so we opted to use our own. This is a no smoking facility, and your rig must be 2007 or newer due to their "insurance" requirements, but they don't verify as a neighbor's rig was a 2002.

Due to its location in a "sketchy" area of Bakersfield, there is razor wire around the top of the fence and you are provided an electronic card to enter/exit and use the laundry/restrooms so we felt safe enough. New owners (1-1/2 years) have put a lot of money and love into this park and it has very nice clean amenities (pool/hot tub, laundry, showers-mens still being remodeled). We had a level concrete site in a separate fenced-off "overnight" section (all pull through) from the longer-term RVers.

HOWEVER, we would not come back due to the constant FREIGHT train traffic just across the street from the park. While there is no crossing nearby, on a few occasions at night, several trains blew their horns to no end!! I finally had to wear earplugs and was able to sleep but hubby could not. Only reason we would not come back.