Hidden Gems (campgrounds) From out West

[oldtrucksrul]

Hello everyone, I'm beginning our family "West Coast" summer vacation planning. We're going to take 4-6 weeks this summer traveling out west. Our rough plan is to travel the west coast down Hwy 1 from Vancouver to as far south as we have time. We'll be venturing off the "coast" inland to hit as many of the attractions as time will allow, Yosemite, Tahoe, Crater lake, Redwoods and many more I'm failing to mention.

Last summer we went to Maine for 4 weeks and had a blast! My only regret was we hit a few too many "KOA type" campgrounds. I'd like for this trip to include many more State Parks and small secluded campgrounds.

So I'd love to hear from everyone, their little "gem".

Our family's favorite campground from our Maine trip was found here, as recommended by Frank Yensen, Cookscob State Park in NE Maine. It was the most beautiful place I had ever been, Thanks Frank.

Thanks in advanced for any hidden gems,

Cory

[GetOutDoors]

Do you like wide open places or heavy wooded? Makes a difference on our suggestions....

[oldtrucksrul]

We prefer heavily wooded.

[valmog]

Crater Lake in Oregon is a must....gorgeous and such unique scenery. We also LOVED Mt. Rainer National Park in Washington, another must see!...in the northwest, there are campgrounds everywhere and they're beautifully maintained...no need to stay in any KOA types. We live in Portland and take weekend trips all summer. A favorite state park of ours our Silver Creek State Park just a half an hour off the main freeway.

I have a little photo blog where I've been taking photos of local campgrounds and documenting the best sites in our part of Oregon...you can see the pics here: The small, small trailer

Happy travels..hope you enjoy our part of the world. It's pretty spectacular during the summer months! Sounds like it's going to be a wonderful trip for you!

-Kim

[SteSpot]

Or Missouri? paula

[oldtrucksrul]

Paula, We're beginning in Missouri. The reason I left this out, is we did the Black Hills, Big Horns, Tetons and Yellowstone Fall of 2010. We'll travel through this area again. We're also going to spend some time in Glacier and travel West from there through Canada.

[SteSpot]

Rt 20 across Nebraska---I loved it and there is a town that has a free city park.....we missed it but it is O'Neil......you go through the sand dunes in northwestern Nebraska......it was a great ride with very few trucks.....


The campground at Storm Lake in Iowa was lovely....try to get the front row....barn quilts in Sac County Iowa were wonderful.

Another great road was route 12 (Lewis and Clark trail) from Missoula to Lewiston, Idaho (a nice public park in Lewiston).....then south out of Clarkson to Joseph, Oregon (129 to Oregon 9) to Lake Wallowa.....beautiful....or do it in the reverse...Hells Canyon Dam.....

Skipping on to CA and LA....if you come to LA, I recommend Malibu RV park.....not your woodsy spot but a very interesting spot with a great ocean view....lots of folks fly in and out of lax from around the world and rent those RV for rent MHs and make this their first or last stop.....lots of interesting folks stay here.....

By the way, I grew up in Oak Grove, MO....still have family there...paula

[idroba]

Originally Posted by SteSpot

Rt 20 across Nebraska---I loved it and there is a town that has a free city park.....we missed it but it is O'Neil......you go through the sand dunes in northwestern Nebraska......it was a great ride with very few trucks.....

(snip)
Another great road was route 12 (Lewis and Clark trail) from Missoula to Lewiston, Idaho (a nice public park in Lewiston).....then south out of Clarkson to Joseph, Oregon (129 to Oregon 9) to Lake Wallowa.....beautiful....or do it in the reverse...Hells Canyon Dam.....
(snip)

I very much agree with Highway 20 across Northern Nebraska, I loved it.

I live on Highway 12 Missoula to Lewiston, and virtually all the forest Service campgrounds on the route are shaded and wonderful. The one at Powell ID even has electric hookups, very rare in FS campgrounds. Go up the Selway river to Ohara Bar FS campground, wonderful.

[GetOutDoors]

Beverly Beach, just north of Newport, Oregon.

[Road Geezer]

Originally Posted by oldtrucksrul

Hello everyone, I'm beginning our family "West Coast" summer vacation planning. We're going to take 4-6 weeks this summer traveling out west. Our rough plan is to travel the west coast down Hwy 1 from Vancouver to as far south as we have time. We'll be venturing off the "coast" inland to hit as many of the attractions as time will allow, Yosemite, Tahoe, Crater lake, Redwoods and many more I'm failing to mention.

Last summer we went to Maine for 4 weeks and had a blast! My only regret was we hit a few too many "KOA type" campgrounds. I'd like for this trip to include many more State Parks and small secluded campgrounds.

So I'd love to hear from everyone, their little "gem".

Our family's favorite campground from our Maine trip was found here, as recommended by Frank Yensen, Cookscob State Park in NE Maine. It was the most beautiful place I had ever been, Thanks Frank.

Thanks in advanced for any hidden gems,

Cory

Here's s thread that has loads of information you'll find useful for trip planning along the west coast. I know parts of the coastal route fairly well and can attest that there are a lot of good suggestions here.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...see-80556.html

Enjoy the journey.

A word of caution about CA Hwy 1. It's a SPECTACULAR drive, particularly southbound, because you're on the outside looking down--many times WAY down. However, it's subject to frequent closures due to landslides. I'd recommend that before you start down any stretch that you contact CalTrans (California's highway department) or the CHP ( CA Highway Patrol) to get current road conditions.

Finally, make sure your rig is in good condition; the road is unforgiving.

[Phoenix]

Here's a good video to start planning:

http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2009/06/national-park-park-highway

I would add Bryce/Canyonlands/Arches (southern Utah) and/or Carlsbad Caverns (southern New Mexico) National Parks, depending on route chosen.

One important note: This western loop is huge. You may wish to break up this trip into smaller portions (for future vacations) and spend more time enjoying each park, instead of driving so much. Although, you could look at this as a scouting adventure, to select parks to revisit in the future.

Don't forget the National Parks annual pass ($80), a bargain that will pay for itself in park entrance fees. Also, the senior pass ($10) is a must, if you qualify. The senior pass includes a 50% discount on camping fees in most national park/national forest/BLM and other "national" campgrounds. See details, below:

http://www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm

Link to Big Sur blog that includes recent updates and photos on Highway 1:

http://thebigsurblog.com/

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Hey Truck, So glad you liked my pick in Maine. Pretty dramatic to go to sleep while the tide is out and wake to find it feet from your campsite. Pretty darn clean for a primitive campground too. Did you make it to the Sardine Can Museum too? I hope it is still there. My oldest still remembers it well.

So is this trip going through Arizona? I have a pick for you right in the middle of the State. Unfortunately there are ZERO trees. There is however 30,000 years of man writing on rocks. There is also a very wonderful homespun cowboy museum there. You will also get a little taste of RT66(not that that it means much anymore. RT 66 is more nostalgia than practicality these days)

[oldtrucksrul]

Thanks everyone, I'm going to look into all of your recommendations. I'm going to map out all of these locations and begin the planning process.
Thanks, Cory

[oldtrucksrul]

I'm really beginning to get excited about our trip!! Is it just me, or does everyone, not get too excited about their upcoming trips, until they begin the research? I'm totally getting into looking into all of the sites of the West. I have a feeling we won't make it nearly as far south as I had anticipated. So, I guess another trip next year will be in the works.

[NevadaGeo]

If you're near Lake Tahoe on the 4th of July and you like trees, I'd try to get into Nevada Beach campground on Elks Point Road at Round Hill/Zephyr Cove NV. The best place to watch the fireworks put on by the casinos, also choreographed on the radio.

[jspafford]

The Mother Lode for tree people is the redwoods in north coastal CA. Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park has many wonderful walks, groves and scenes - and is very popular. Make your reservation now! However, our favorite stop is Prarie Creek Redwoods State Park, and whenever in the area we schedule at least three nights there. You will see elk, banana slugs, amazing trees (including the tallest tree of all!) and walk through Fern Canyon to the ocean. There are fun campfire programs and Jr. Ranger events, too.

I agree with others that this is too big a scope for four weeks, but you asked for gems. Here's one that I'm reluctant to divulge except to my Air Forums buds:
(shhhh) Nelder Grove, in the Yosemite area.
Sierra National Forest - Nelder Grove Campground
(sorry for the enormous link!)

Staying here is a trip back to camping in the 1950s. It's in the hills above Oakhurst, CA, 15 miles south of the Yosemite southern portal. This grove of giant Sequoias is hidden and rarely visited. The campground is built around the remains of a logging camp, including giant stumps.

The final access road is tough for rigs over 25', but your Liner should fit in very well!

You can make day trips into Yosemite (Wawona, Maricopa) from here.

[oldtrucksrul]

Thanks y'all!! I like these recommendations. Keep 'em coming.

Jspafford, I'm a low rider in the Liner, will the last climb be possible with a rider?

NevadaGeo, That sounds like a great idea!!

[spenfolder]

Originally Posted by jspafford

The Mother Lode for tree people is the redwoods in north coastal CA. Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park has many wonderful walks, groves and scenes - and is very popular. Make your reservation now! However, our favorite stop is Prarie Creek Redwoods State Park, and whenever in the area we schedule at least three nights there. You will see elk, banana slugs, amazing trees (including the tallest tree of all!) and walk through Fern Canyon to the ocean. There are fun campfire programs and Jr. Ranger events, too.

I will second Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. One of the best places. You could easily spend a week exploring the area.

Another on of my favorites in N. California is Patrick's Point State Park, about 25 miles north of Eureka. It is right on the coast and has some wonderful campsites, trails and beach access.

Stan

[danlehosky]

Try Kalaloch on the Washington state coast. From there you can easily travel all around Olympic NP and see everything from Americas only temperate rainforest to the Dungeness spit. All beautiful country. I have lived and tent camped in this area all my life so this will be our first year doing it in our Airstream as well.

[oldtrucksrul]

My wife won the lottery! We got reservations for July 10th and 11th at Yosemite in Upper Pines! I'm stoked! So now we need to get some July 4th reservations made. I tried at Tahoe recommended above but they were all sold out. Any other suggestions? Cory