Tell us about one of your Top 5 Favorite CG’s!

[John&Vicki]

I was going to title this “Tell us about your favorite CG” but it’s getting so crowded out there that most of us have a few little secrets. Here’s my #3 all time favorite after 7 years with the AS:

USFS Union Creek CG - Upper Rogue River - Oregon

This is an old campground dating from the CCC days in the 1930's. As a result it's very difficult to maneuver for anything over 24' or so. I was able to navigate in a 25' Airstream with a Mercedes ML500 as a TV but there were some tight spots. The campground is situated in an old growth forest right on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River and Union Creek. There are about 95 campsites but the campground is iso large that they are seldom close together. We could not see another site from ours which was right on Union Creek.

Many of the sites have large stone fireplaces built by the CCC back in the 1930’s. There are many unthreaded water spigots and a limited number of primitive bathrooms. Sites have fire rings and fires were allowed when we were there. There is zero cell phone reception.

There are two outstanding short hikes along the river: upstream to the magnificent Rogue Gorge; and downstream to the Natural Bridge. Also, there is a great little restaurant nearby called Becky's founded in the 1930's, known for their wild huckleberry pie. And on the weekend there is a chuck wagon with outstanding BBQ. The south entrance of Crater Lake NP is about 25 miles. We have also camped there and we like Union Creek much better. Oh, and the fishing is great.

I’ll post some pictures ASAP.

What’s one of your top 5 favorites?

[John&Vicki]

Some pictures...

[az-streamer]

Originally Posted by John&Vicki

I was going to title this “Tell us about your favorite CG” but it’s getting so crowded out there that most of us have a few little secret.....
What’s one of your top 5 favorites?

I’d tell you but then I’d have to kill you- just kidding 😳...sort of.

It’s hard enough now to get spots at local campgrounds, with the snowbirds from the north and our Canadian Friends from the far north jumping on any open spots.

My recommendation is that all these folk look for sites in South Dakota. I hear it lovely there in the fall. Please stay away from the southeast as there is really nothing to see here 😏

[Len n Jeanne]

We prefer funky out-of-the way Bureau of Land Management campgrounds for spring and fall desert camping. We like the one in Buckhorn Draw at the San Rafael Bridge, in the middle of the North San Rafael Swell in south-central Utah. The campground straddles the river, with places for bigger rigs to the north and small ones (Bambi-size) to the south. You have to take a dirt/gravel road to get there, but it is usually graded-- just often bumpy or washboarded, so take your time. It sits in a basin of beautiful red-rock scenery and is close to mountain biking, hiking, jeeping, &c. A visit to the Wedge overlook (the "little Grand Canyon") is well worth it. North of that is the Cleveland Dinosaur Quarry.

From 1-70, I think the exit # is 131 (Temple Mountain) heading north. If you're familiar with the stretch of I-70 between Green River and Salina, Utah, that says, "no services for 105 miles," that's where you're headed.

No water, no power, no sani-dump, and generally no cell phone service, so be prepared. You will find a gravel pad, fire ring, picnic table, and possibly a long walk to a pit toilet.

Boondocking? Strictly speaking, probably not, but there are dispersed campsites in the area anywhere not posted to the contrary. We've often been at this CG when we were the only people there-- or one of only two or three parties in total.

Airstreamers are great, just please don't tell your friends.