Back to the Basics Boondock 2015

[TinLoaf]

Back to the Basics Rally
Hidden Springs State Forest
Strausburg, IL 62465
618-644-3091
April 17-19, 2015

Hidden Springs State Forest is a beautiful little campground that is all but forgotten. Most campers reserve sites at the two State Parks and three Army Corps Campgrounds on Lake Shelbyville leaving Hidden Springs as a quiet, unspoiled gem.

Join us for the Back to the Basics Rally on April 17th. Back to the Basics is a fitting name because Hidden Springs has no hookups and no electricity. There isn't even a shower house, however water and a dump station are available on site.

Don't be scared off because there are no hookups. Airstreams are very well equipped for boondocking. The campground is well shaded and air conditioning should not be necessary in April. Bring your percolator for coffee and get ready to have a good time.

Reservations are accepted, but none are needed. There are 28 sites available and they don't even fill up on a holiday weekend. And you can't beat the cost... $8.

[Lily&Me]

We are already signed up.

This is a beautiful, natural area with a very large, loop campground. A perfect area for campfires and cooking outside.

Great place for everyone, including kids and dogs. No in-and-out traffic to worry about, lots of room to run, ride bikes, and play among the trees.

Might be able to snag the grands to bring this time.

And, if the weather is clearly going to be bad, easy enough to call it off without worrying about cancelling reservations....as none are needed.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Not going to be able to make this weekend, after all.



Maggie

[Lemfd2]

We will be there!

[TinLoaf]

One month from today we'll be gathering in the forest. There are only two of us signed up on the rally calendar currently, but we actually have six units attending so far.

[mcair]

We hoping to get in Friday night. Depends on how long it takes us to close down our office for the season.

[Pickles]

Steve,

We will be passing near this rally that weekend. We are traveling back home to Chicago from our Florida trip. I will give our ETA once we leave Florida. So glad I was perusing the forums and found this!

Nancy and Dave

[TinLoaf]

Welcome Nancy & Dave. It will be nice to see some new faces. That makes eight trailers so far, which is a pretty good turnout for a boondocking rally.

[mcair]

Do we have a potluck theme.

[TinLoaf]

I figured we'd be Dutch oven cooking.

[mcair]

We are now planning for Thursday night.

[TinLoaf]

St. Louis has a 100% chance of rain on Saturday where Hidden Springs is only a 30% chance. Friday looks beautiful and we'll definitely be having a campfire Friday night. Hopefully we can have a potluck for Saturday's dinner without getting rained out.

The trailer is packed and I'll be heading to the campground right after work tomorrow.

Last weekend the wildflowers were in full bloom so hopefully we're in for a nice show.

[epperp]

We would like to join your rally--2 of us plus a big lazy dog, coming from northeast Iowa. From your photo above, I assume dogs are OK? Are they allowed on hiking trails?
Looking forward to meeting you all,
Eileen and Ed

[SilverBuddha]

Hey Steve,

Is that Dunkin photo-bombing your wildflower scene?

Your weather forecast looks much more favorable than Oklahoma and your solar panels should actually see some photon exposure.
I"ll be testing my new rain parka this weekend!

Hope to see you next month at the Mid-Missouri Boondocking event.

Cheers
Eric & Kathy

[TinLoaf]

Come on down Eileen & Ed. Technically dogs need to be on a leash, but we usually have the entire campground to ourselves and have been able to let the dogs play off-leash.

There are a few trails at Hidden Springs and even more at nearby Eagle Creek and Wolf Creek State Parks.

[TinLoaf]

I know Roger & Alice and myself plan to arrive today, but if you beat us to the campground, there are two loops. You enter the campground into an open grassy loop by the playground. About halfway around the loop you'll see a road to the right that crosses a one-lane bridge to the back loop where we normally set up. It's not as good for solar, but still grassy, lush and much more scenic.

There's a dump station at the entrance and water spigots around the campground. Just a reminder, it's pretty rustic with no electric or bathroom. I suspect that's why we usually have the campground to ourselves and that's why I love it.

A ranger will come around the next day and collect the camping fees ($8).

[TinLoaf]

The flag is up, coffee perking. I declare this a rally.

[Pickles]

We should be there this evening. Save us a spot! Is there potable water at the dump station also?

Nancy Dave and Rosie too


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[TinLoaf]

Immediately upon entering the campground you'll see the fresh water on the exit side. It's only 15 feet away, so I'd fill up right there. If you drive around to the exit side there's really no easy way to get back in the campground.

There's also a spigot about 25 feet from the loop road right where we're camping.

[TinLoaf]

Four of six have arrived.