Camp!

As Candace and I were camping this summer, we hit upon a great idea (we think). When ever anyone goes camping, they post campground descriptions (campground names, local, facilities, desireable sites, etc) on their blogs. That way when any of us want to camp in a particular area, we can go to family blogsites and check up on accommodations).

So to start, we went camping on the North side of the Olympic National Forest. Being unfamiliar with camping in that area, we stayed in a little RV park - little meaning cheek to jowl with the next camper. It was pleasant enough, but close - and my little "Taj Mahal" was the smallest trailer there - and the only tent trailer. So, we decided to explore the National Forest campgrounds for future camping in the area - one of my favorite passtimes. (Warning to family - a Shepard/Higley family reunion is being planned in that area for next year so start saving vacation days and gas money). Anyway, we found some great and not-so-great accomodations.

Below is the pertinent information. (Sorry, I don't have a map so I can't give you highway data but you can look that up on the internet). * equals preferred sites in each campground.


HEART OF THE HILLS CAMPGROUND ON HURRICANE RIDGE ROAD

General information: Small sites with tent pad, fire pit, table. No room for canopy or extra tents. No Dump, No Showers. bRING A CART OR WAGON TO HAUL WATER CONTAINERS - the only water spigot we saw was at the restroom. Cost: $12.00 per night.

A Loop favorite sites: 10, 14*, 11-14 would be good to reserve for family reunions

B Loop favorite sites: #21 - the sites are all very pretty, lots of ferns but very few good sites - well one, to be exact.

C Loop favorite sites: Least desireable loop - 53 is a pull-thourgh, 61 is a pull through.

D Loop favorite sites: By far the best loop in the campground. 67 & 68 could be used together 71, 72, 74, 76 are very nice and would be good for family reunion
76 is a pull through.


SOL DUC CAMPGROUND

General Information: Several nice spots in both loops A and B (to numerous to list below).
Drawbacks: pretty isolated and far up. Would be limited to activities around Sol Duc.
Benefits: LOTS of great hikes!!! Nearby hotsprings (costs to get in), River near by. Georgeous.
We didn't see a trailer dump.


FAIRHOLME AT LAKE CRESCENT***

General Information: Our personal FAVORITE. All sights are beautiful. Alas, we were so enamored with the place that we forgot to get a price, but most in the area were between $12.00 and $14.00 dollars. Has dump.

Benefits: Right off the Lake , accessible to many hikes, 1/2 way between Port Angeles and the Ocean (about 30 miles to each)

A Loop Favorite sites: All large sites - our preferred loop. Further away from the lake but larger sites. 1, 13*, 14*

B Loop Favorite sites: smaller sites. 25, 27, 33 (pull through), 45

C Loop Favorite sites: 63

I know we haven't listed many sites because they are all so beautiful, so consider the above the best of the best. You really couldn't go wrong.

ELWA CAMPGROUND

General information: ICK!!!! swampy, buggy, small sites close together, underbrush has taken over.

ALTAIR CAMPGROUND

General information: Okay campground, it's by the river, but it just had an odd feel to it. Neither Candace nor I were really comfortable there.

#30 is a great site. Off by itself and large, plus it's near potable water.

26 & 27 would be good if you reserved them together.

NOW. . . If any of you have campground information you'd like to add to this site, just email me the information and I'll post it - or you can on your own blogs.

So, is say: "Eat, CAMP, play"