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- Check out my YouTube Channel for a some videos here
- Read my March, 2017 interview in Truck Camper Magazine, where I pick 25 of my favorite campgrounds.
- A map of every campsite (740 of 'em, with no dups) I was in for my previous eighteen years of travel is here. Check it out!
- Follow me on Instagram
for occasional posts - Sign my guest book and leave comments
- Photos submitted to the Truck Camper Magazine Calendar Photo Contest: Winner: 2011 Runner-Up: 2013, 2016
| 2006 GMC 2500HD w/2001 Lance 845 |
Previous years' travels: 2006
2007 2008 2009 |
States
Visited Map |
VISITS
I bought my new truck and used camper in late October of 2005. The following May, I "hit the road" full-time for 6 months. I've done the same every year since, and now 2024 will be my 19th year of ramblin'! My how time flies. Not all of my nights are spent camping, but most are. I don't make entries when I stay with my kids or friends. Campsite fees are for one night with no discount (and no hookups, unless specified). However, being the old geezer that I am, I get 50% off at U.S. Guvmint CGs with the valuable Golden Age card, plus free entry to National Parks. One of the few ways (in addition to retirement) it pays to get older. All the aches and pains sure aren't fun. :)
I started my travels this year with about 147K miles on my camper and 223K miles on my truck.
Note: Click on small photos for a larger one. Click on
the USA flag-map (
)
to see the actual camp location (balloon marker) on a map (+/- 50 ft).
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Ref # |
Date |
Location |
Campsite & Other Photos (click links) |
Comments |
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Ramblin' 2024 has started!!! Ride along with me here and see the sights! Check out last year's ramblin' here. Sign my guest book or email me with any questions or comments. Safe travels to you! |
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Stats for 2024 are below. - 4272 miles. Most miles since 2021! 19 year total about 151K mi. Yay, I made it past 150K!! As the years went by, that was my goal. 19 year average 8,385 mi/year. - 72 nights camping (including 4 (6%) boondocking, but excluding in driveways, etc.) in 36 different campsites. 6 (8%) nights @ $0/night. - $15.16 average campsite fee, with discount, and $17.63 without. Free campsites (boondocking, etc.) included in average cost. |
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10/23/24 |
Back home after lots of good camping ! |
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36 |
10/22/24 |
San Lorenzo CG (County). In King City, CA.
290 ft. |
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Part of a large county park. Almost 100 sites, close together, on level land. In 3 concentric loops. A mix of paved and grass sites. Most sites have water & electric (25 have sewer, also). Many sites have significant shade, due to large leafy trees. About 1/2 mile away from busy US101, but noise level low. Flush toilets, showers & laundry. Agriculture museum in the park, along with much old farm equipment spread around the grounds. $50 (water+elec. No sewer.) 5th time here. Less than 10 other sites occupied. |
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10/21/24 |
Same CG as 6/8/24. Gilroy Garlic RV Park. |
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35 |
10/20/24 |
The FairPark RV CG (County). In the Alameda County
Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA. 300 ft. Note: Use Gate 12. |
About 150 paved or gravel full hookup sites on level land, close together. Newer sites farther apart. Lots of green space outside of CG for walking. Close to restaurants and stores. Bathrooms and showers. $44 (30 amp) |
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9/29/24- |
Back to visiting my 2 kids in the Napa area |
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Sure enjoyed my trip across Nevada on US50. I love those long, lonely, straight stretches between mountain ranges. Came back from Ely via US6 to California. Similar lonely stretches on that highway. Since I was between 6K and 8K elevation almost the whole trip, the daytime weather was very nice and not hot. |
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9/26/24- |
Same CG as 6/14/24, Boondocking site (USFS). |
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One of my favorite boondocking areas. Got a really good spot this time, that no one could get close to me on either side. Beautiful weather in the 70s during the day, but a bit chilly with a low of 29 at night. Was surprised more people didn't come in on Friday for the weekend. |
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9/23/24- |
Same CG as 6/15/24, Robinson Creek (USFS). |
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Back at my favorite E Sierra CG. Was here in June with my kids. Now it's just me. S side is closed for the season, but N side is open. My first site had too much generator noise, so I moved. Weather and views were beautiful!! Went daily 1 mi to store for eats and WiFi access. |
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34 |
9/22/24 |
Lower Lee Vining CG (USFS). About 3 mi W of
US395 on Tioga Pass Rd in the Lee Vining, CA area. 7300 ft.
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50+ dirt sites (some tent only) on level land. Sites generally close together. Laid out somewhat randomly, w/o organized loops like many CGs. Trees predomiately tall pines and aspens. One section has very shady sites, due to a thick grove of tall pines. Nice creek along one side, but only a few tent sites are on it. Pit toilets, except 1 vault at front section. $14. 6th time here. |
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33 |
9/21/24 |
Boondocking site (USFS). Not a developed campground. From Lee Vining, CA go 5+ mi
S on US395, then 15+ mi E on hwy 120, then 2 mi
S on good dirt road (watch for signs to Sagehen Meadow
area). 8300
ft. |
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No tables or fire rings, except 2 camper-built stone rings. Two relatively flat cleared areas among pines and aspens. Land quickly rises to the W. Very peaceful here with only the sounds of nature and an occasional jet. Would be utopia with a fishing stream loaded with fish. :) Low of 30F. $0 |
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32 |
9/20/24 |
Miller's Rest Stop (State). 13 mi NW of Tonopah,
NV on US6. 4800 ft. |
Large paved and gravel area for several RVs (no commercial Htrucks allowed). A few picnic tables under small trees. Time limit 18 hours. Rest room, dump station and fresh water. Only downside is the noisy (less at night) very nearby & busy US6. $0. 2nd time here. Hwy seemed more noisy this time. Oh well, it's free! :) Only 2 others in this area. |
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31 |
9/19/24 |
Ward Mountain CG (USFS). 7 mi SW of Ely, NV on hwy 6. 7300
ft. |
Very nice CG, with very well developed and equipped sites. 33 gravel sites on level ground in 2 widely separated loops and another area signed as "For RVs". Two group areas, also. Plenty of pinyon pines and junipers. Some slight hwy noise, but not bad. Less in Loop B, farther from the hwy. Various trails nearby. $12 Sixth time here. It's one of my favorite CGs! |
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30 |
9/18/24 |
Upper Lehman Creek CG, Great Basin National Park. 67 mi SE of
Ely, NV on hwy 50, hwy 487 and park road. 7700 ft. |
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22 paved sites in many types of short trees and bushes. Sites well apart
on sloping land. .
Very small creek. Paved road within the CG. $20.
Fourth time at this NP. |
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29 |
9/17/24 |
Baker Creek CG (NPS) in Great Basin National Park,
NV. 67 mi SE of
Ely, NV on hwy 50, hwy 487 and Caves Rd. (Note: Once inside
Park, take Baker Creek Rd (somewhat washboard gravel)
about 3 mi to CG.) 7600 ft. |
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Somewhat primitive CG with 38 gravel sites in 2 loops on sloping land. Sites only have a concrete picnic table and firepit ring on dirt. Area trees include pinyon pines, junipers and aspens. Small creek along one side of CG. Vault toilets. $20. |
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28 |
9/16/24 |
Elk Flat CG, Cave Lake State Park. 9 mi SE of Ely, NV
on hwy 50 then 5 mi E on NV486. 7100 ft. |
Very nice desert type CG away from the hwy. 16 gravel sites on sloping land.. Flush toilets. Very quiet at night. Very little shade. Nice views looking out into the hills. Dump station when exiting CG. $20. | |
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27 |
9/15/24 |
Illipah Reservoir CG (BLM). Almost 36 mi W
from Ely, NV on US50, then turn left on Green Springs
Rd,
then quickly left on NF400. Continue about 1.2
mi to CG. 6800 ft. |
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About 15 dirt sites on level land widely apart. Not "sites" in the usual sense, since this is more a camping "area" than a typical campground. Most sites have a shade/wind-block structure. Some sites overlook the reservoir. Clean vault toilets. It seems to me the main reason to camp in this desolate place is to fish or get a freebie campground for a one night stop while traveling US50 (like moi). $0. 2nd time here. Very windy, which I understand is not unusual. |
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26 |
9/12/24- |
Bob Scott CG (USFS) 6 mi SE of Austin, NV on US50 ("The
Loneliest Road in America"). 7100 ft. |
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10 dirt sites (1 for groups) on sloping land. Many sites not level, Lots of small trees, including pinyon pines. Very convenient to US50 travelers, but also results in some primarily daytime noise. Not really that busy of a hwy, though. Flush toilet. $10. One of favorite CGs! I had an upper site with an awesome view of a tall peak across the hwy. |
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25 |
9/11/24 |
River CG at Lahontan Reservoir State Rec Area 2.
16+ mi W on US50 (not ALT50) from Fallon, NV,
then 1+ mi S on park road. 4000 ft. |
About 12 primitive dirt sites on 2 levels. Alongside a small river that comes out of a closeby dam. You can hear a very low level rumble from the dam. Some sites have trees, but not all. Many other campsites along the lakeshore (didn't see them). Pit toilets. Dump station close by (free to campers). $20. |
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24 |
9/10/24 |
Prosser Family CG (USFS). From CA89/I80 jct E of Truckee, CA,
go 3+ mi N then turn E at the campground sign.
1+ mi to CG. 5800 ft.
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Nice CG with 29 gravel sites, on level land. Thick stand of tall pines provide plenty of shade. Perched above the Prosser Reservoir. About a mile away is USFS Lakeside CG. $20. 2nd time here. Almost empty my night here. |
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23 |
9/9/24 |
Cottonwood Creek CG (USFS). 5 mi S of Sierraville, CA on hwy
89. 5600 ft. |
Nice CG on sloping land with about 50 paved, mostly level sites in
2 separate areas. Plenty of trees. Some road noise, due to close hwy. $20.
4th time here. Maybe 20% full, |
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22 |
9/6/24- |
Lakeside CG (USFS). Exit 188B from I80 in Truckee,
CA and go about 4 mi N on CA89 then E on Prosser Recreation
Area road for 1+ miles. 5700 ft. |
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40+ dirt/gravel sites on level land. Some are small and close together and others are large and well apart. Many beside the medium sized Prosser Creek Reservoir. Nice view across lake to dam and mountains. Vault toilets. $20. 6th time here. |
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21 |
9/3/24- |
Alpine Meadows CG in Martis Creek Lake NRA (COE). From
I80 near Truckee, CA, take North Shore Blvd S about
3 mi then 2 mi E on Martis Creek Rd. 5800 ft.
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Nice CG with 25 paved sites on level land. Groups of tall pines provide varying shade to sites. Beautiful view of large meadow from back of CG. Very peaceful at night. Dirt road from CG leads to small, narrow lake with good fishing reputation (catch & release only??). Some small aircraft sounds from nearby airport. Some planes are towing up gliders. $20. 7th time here. I like this place!! |
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20 |
8/15/24 |
Redwood Empire Fairgrounds RV Park, Ukiah, CA. 50 ft. |
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Nice place with 40+ gravel/grass, level, hookup sites.Some very shady. US101 visible in the distance, but barely audible. Shower & laundry facilities. Close to stores, etc, $40 |
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8/14/24 |
Same CG as 7/18/24. Benbow SRA CG (State). |
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Got a better spot this time, since very few others here. Larger site and short walk to the river. |
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19 |
8/13/24 |
Big Lagoon Park CG (County). 7+ mi N of Trinidad,
CA on US101, then W on Big Lagoon Park Rd for about
3 mi (follow signs). 50 ft. |
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Somewhat primitive CG with 25 dirt/gravel sites (some tent only) on level land in a dense grove of tall, tall trees. Next to a (you guessed it) big lagoon with a nice beach. Flush toilets and showers. Day use area nearby. $30. 2nd time here. |
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8/12/24 |
Same CG as 7/22/24. Sunset Harbor RV Park (Commercial), |
Oregon Coast #1 |
Had planned on staying at my favorite county park, but it was closed this week for maintenance. Oh well, back to this good alternate again. |
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8/8/24 |
Same CG as 7/22/24. Huntley Park CG (County). |
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New pictures vs. previous visit. Don't want you to get bored! :) |
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8/7/24 |
Same CG as 7/24/24. Edson Creek CG (BLM). |
Back to this really neat BLM CG. |
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8/6/24 |
Same CG as 7/29/24. Eel Creek CG (USFS). |
I'm a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" type person. That's why I returned to this CG (and same site) going back down the coast. :) |
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18 |
8/5/24 |
Port of Suislaw Campground. In the town of Florence,
OR. 20 ft. |
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Nice CG with 124 sites (paved or grass) in the trees and in the open. Includes 28 sites on the river bank for a great view. All sites full hookup, basic cable TV connections and WiFi., Restroom, Showers, Laundry and Dump Station. $41-$60. Yay, I got the last available site! |
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8/4/24 |
Same CG as 7/30/24, Port of Newport Dry Camp RV Park. |
View From Site #1 |
Returned here cause it was the easiest thing to do. I like the view of the bridge from here After I left, I visited the nearby aquarium . |
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After the coast. I had planned on heading east to the Mount Hood area, because it has a lot of USFS campgrounds. Then from there, down south to Sisters, OR. However, the heat outlook wasn't great for Mount Hood and absolutely lousy for Sisters. So, I'm making a 180 turn and heading down the coast, covering pretty much the same route I came up. Will revisit campgrounds I really liked and hopefully do some new ones too. At least I made it out of California this year! :) |
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17 |
8/1/24- |
Lincoln City KOA Holiday. A few miles mi N of Lincoln
City on US101 and East of Devils Lake . 70
ft.
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Nice CG with 73 paved RV sites with hookups (full or partial) and 14 grass sites (w/o hookups) for small RVs or tents. 14 small cabins. Children playground. Small cafe for breakfast and Saturday night BBQ. $78 & $68. Hookup site wasn't open for 2 more nights. I took a tent space, which I liked better and was $10/night less. |
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16 |
7/30/24- |
Port of Newport Dry Camp RV Park (City). Off
the S side of the Yaquina Bay Bridge in Newport, OR.
50 ft. |
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25 sites in 4 sections on an asphalt parking lot. Very nice view of the marina and bridge. Restrooms and laundry a short walk. Brewery, with food, a bit longer walk. Fish cleaning station close by to see the day's catch. Potable water hydrant and dump station on edge of area. Oregon Coast Aquarium a short drive. $40. I didn't need hoolups, so why pay more at the nearby full hookup area? : |
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15 |
7/29/24 |
Eel Creek CG (USFS). About 11 mi S of Reedsport,
OR
on US101, then 1/4 mi W on access road. Watch
for CG sign on US101. 50 ft. |
Very nice CG with 52 paved sites on level land in
2 loops. Excellent site privacy due to low growing
Oregon "green stuff". Lots of shade,
too. Sand dunes just a short walk from CG. US101
nearby, but you'll only hear the trucks a bit.
Restroom bldg with flush toilets and
sinks. $22 |
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14 |
7/24/24- |
Edson Creek CG (BLM). From Port Orford, Oregon, travel
north 5 miles on U.S. Highway 101. Turn east at
the CG sign onto Sixes River Road. Travel approximately
4 miles, and turn left before you cross the Edson Creek
Bridge. 70 ft. |
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Very nice CG with 27 grass sites with a picnic table and fire ring in a meadow. Many tall trees on CG border. Small creek along one side of CG. The larger Sixes River is a short walk across the road. Well off the highway, so very peaceful here. Vault toilets and one water hydrant. Reservations available on some sites. Group sites also available. $16. Glad I turned around when I saw the sign for this CG. Stayed here for longer than I had planned, since I had a very nice Oregon couple as neighbors to chat with. |
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13 |
7/22/24- |
Huntley Park CG (County). 7 mi E of Gold Beach,
OR on Jerry's Flat (aka South Bank) Rd. 50 ft. |
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70 grass sites on level land, alongside the wide Rogue River. Some sites tent only Shade varies from heavy "grove of trees" type to nil. The river view sites (where I am) have the least. You must cross a gravel bar of about 100 yards to get to the water. Flush toilets and showers. Nice and quiet here at night. Great deal at $15. 3rd time here. Saw seveal jet boats taking tourists up then down the river. |
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12 |
7/21/24 |
Florence Keller Park CG (County). About 4 mi NE of Crescent City, CA
on US101, then W on Elk Valley Crossroad. Follow signs from there (sign
for park entrance kind of hidden).. 150 ft. |
Nice CG with 50 paved sites on level
land, although some sites sloped considerably. In a
beautiful, dense Redwood forest, so plenty of shade
and site privacy.
Some gigantic stumps around. Several
walking trails. Just
off of US101, but the trees do a good job of decreasing
the noise. No reservations taken. Flush toilets. A real deal at $20!
4th time here. Delayed because CG full late Friday afternoon when I arrived for first try. |
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11 |
7/19/24- |
Sunset Harbor RV Park (Commercial), Beside US101 in Crescent
City, CA. 100 ft. |
14 short term grass sites on level land with full hookups. About 45 other long term sites. Behind buildings on US101, so traffic noise not bad. $36. My intended county park was full when I arrived late Friday afternoon, so I opted for this place. Worked out great. Would definitely go there again. |
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10 |
7/18/24 |
Benbow SRA CG (State). About 5 mi S of Garberville,
CA on US101 and side road. 400 ft. |
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75 sites in tall redwood trees. Many beside the Eel River. Also beside busy US101, so expect some heavy daytime noise. $35. |
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9 |
7/17/24 |
Kyen CG (COE) on Lake Medocino. 6+ mi N from
Ukiah, CA on US101 then 2+ mi E on CA20. 800 ft. |
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72 paved sites on a hillside with lots of trees. You might need your leveling blocks. Across the road from the large Mendocino Lake. Restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers $35 to $65 (w/full hookup). Was here way back in 2011. |
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Spent some time with my kids in the Bay area enjoying their air conditioning. Now hoping to do more frequent camping. Chose the coast for cooler temperatures. :) |
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8 |
7/3/24 |
Lawson's Landing CG (Commercial) at Dillon Beach, CA. 30 ft. |
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Over 250 grass siSite tes, each with a picnic table. Sites are a mix of RV and tent. Sand dunes, with trails, separate many of the sites from the ocean bay. No shade, so bring your own. Water faucets, porta potties and 2 dump stations available. $61 (varies with site) I've been in hundreds of CGs (mostly USFS) and this is one of the most unique! |
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7 |
7/2/24 |
Westside Regional Park CG (County) in Bodega
Bay, CA. 30 ft. |
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47 paved and level sites in 5 rows. Trees between some of the rows for possible shade. Back-in and pull-thru sites. Right beside beautiful Bodega Bay with benches to watch the boat activity. Possible foghorn every 5 seconds during night, but you'll get used to it. :) Launch ramp with parking adjacent to CG. Flush toilets & showers. $7 dump station. $51 (w/tax). Left my daughter's in Napa where it was 100+. Here it was 62 in late afternoon, and almost too cool for me! :) |
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6 |
6/20/24 |
Boondocking site (USFS). Not a developed campground. South of Lake Tahoe, CA
in the Hope Valley area. 2.5 mi SW
of the hwy 88/89 jct and 5.2 mi S of hwy 88 on Blue Lakes Rd. 7500
ft. |
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Great boondocking spot. One of my favorite in this area. It's on the edge of a beautiful meadow, with great views of the forest and mountains. Creek is a short walk and hidden in the bushes. Adjacent paved road that leads to lakes and campgrounds results in some daytime noise. $0. Many others here, inlcuding many skeeters! Anybody know why those posts were put in the creek?? |
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5 |
6/15/24- |
Robinson Creek CG (USFS). 9 mi SW of Bridgeport, CA on
Twin Lakes Rd. 7000 ft. |
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Very popular CG with 54 paved sites in tall pines on level land. Shade varies significantly with site. The very nice Robinson Creek wraps around the CG. Usually good fishing, if they have stocked recently. Many sites on the creek. My favorite Sierra CG. Several other CGs and two large lakes nearby. $32. Another fun family campout with my daughter and son and family. This was my 49th straight year to camp in this area! Very nice weather. |
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4 |
6/14/24 |
Boondocking site (USFS). Not a developed campground. South of Lake Tahoe, CA
in the Hope Valley area. 1.3 mi SW
of the hwy 88/89 jct then N through open gate. 7100
ft. |
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Popular boondocking area visible from hwy. Main area is a level, deadend dirt road with sites along the sides. Good part time shade in most sites. Nice meadow visible from many sites and a short walk. Main downside is traffic noise from hwy and camping traffic (ATVs, etc) on dirt road beside sites. Overall a good spot and the price is right at $0. This stop wasn't planned. Left too late to get to Bridgeport before dark, so camped here. |
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3 |
6/8/24 |
Gilroy Garlic RV Park. In Gilroy, CA 200 ft. |
Very nice commercial RV park with 170+ paved sites. Most RVers here appear to be "extended stay" folks, but the park does have short stay spots. All the usual amenities: showers, laundry, pool, etc. Close to large shopping centers with stores and eating places. Some hwy noise from nearby US101. $70 (back-in with full hookups). Have stayed here many times. Very convenient for breaking up the trip beyween home and visiting my kids in the SF Bay area into 2 legs,. |
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2 |
6/5/24 |
Islay Creek CG, Montana de Oro State Park. 5 mi SW of
Los Osos, CA (via Los Osos Valley Rd and Pecho Valley Rd). 100
ft. |
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Secluded CG in a beautiful State Park on the coast. 50 paved sites on level land in two sections in a canyon. Feels more like a typical USFS CG, than a State Park one. Loads of hiking available along with a beautiful beach cove. Spectaclular scenery. You can even hear the waves crashing at your site when the surf is big! Vault toilets. $25. Decided I'd better get an extra camping night in before I hit the road for more of 'em. Easy to do, since it's only a few miles from my winter home. 7th time here. |
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5/13/24 |
Back home and getting ready to start steady ramblin' in early June. |
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1 |
5/9/24 |
Parkfield, CA ("The Earthquake Capitol
of the World") for the Parkfield Bluegrass
Festival. NE of Paso Robles, CA in farming country. About
15 mi off of CA41/46 or 25 mi off US101, via San Miguel. 1500
ft. |
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My 10th time at this great mid-sized bluegrass festival. Try it, you'll like it. Out in peaceful ranching land. Weather was beautiful. Lots of good music by national, regional and local acts. My daughter joined me for the festival, which made it even more enjoyable. |
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[Home] [Camper Add-Ons] [Campsite Map] [Interviews] [Photo Albums] [Sporadic Blog] [Tips] [My Music] [Contact Me]
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