Lockett Meadow Dispersed Camping

WE CAME, WE SAW, WE LEFT. In other words WE DID NOT STAY HERE!!! Contrary to many reviews, we only saw maybe two sites that had sufficient space for our large 44’ rig and F250, and the trees at site entrances were too close together, with the clearance under some branches not sufficient for a 14’ plus rig. All the campsites were taken, albeit it was early morning on the Friday of the July 4th weekend when we arrived. They had ROAD CLOSED signs on both ends of the campground (and NO WARNING ⚠️ SIGNS at the entrance) that prevented us from driving through the campground… so we were forced to turn around in unsafe places… after we were forced to back up a quarter of a mile! It’s also too close to the highway and the entire experience caused us nothing but stress! It’s too bad this campground doesn’t better maintain the area by rounding off the corners of the entrances to campsites, and clearing certain trees at those entrances, making it suitable for larger rigs. So though we had driven through the night to arrive super early, we were forced to drive another five hours to our next destination.

We have a 30ft Skoolie (2002 bluebird) and tow a 17ft cargo trailer conversion and there were countless spots for us to fit in without having to drop the trailer! This area is VAST and breathtaking. There were a lot of campers when you first enter, but if you drive around you will find something perfect for your setup no doubt.

The only thing I would say to be mindful of and I say this with regard to pets is that there were jeeps, trucks and 4x4s driving past occasionally during the night and they FLY down the gravel roads. We were not at all bothered by it - they’re out there having a good time enjoying the mountains and forests in their way just like we are but just keep your doggos and cattos close 🐾

The roads are gravel and they are pitchy and rutted in areas. Some roads have a several inches droop off too but our bus did great through it. If you pay attention and arrive in daylight you’re absolutely fine. There are VERY few spots to turn around and to take the loop is several miles of gravel road out of the way so just look at the satellite on maps, take it slow and enjoy the view. We only had the time to stay one night but we will absolutely be back. CAUTION: elevation is 7500ft. If you are prone to altitude sickness be wary. You ascend from about 5000 to 7000 pretty quickly. Other than that watch the weather. The roads flood and wash out with rain from the mountains so be alert and plan accordingly and you will be fine. ENJOY and remember to LEAVE NO TRACE 🫶🏻

We have a 36’ Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and parked and dropped at the Tee of the entrance road and Schultz Pass Road, then went to scout for a site that would accommodate us. Schultz Pass Road is closed to the South/left due to the Pipeline Wildfire damage last summer. So we couldn’t get to where we stayed a couple of years ago. We went right and found this nice site about a half mile North or so and a couple hundred yards off of Schultz Pass Road. We stayed for 4 days. There were quite a few gravel haulers running back and forth on Schultz Pass Road, which kicked up quite a bit of dust, but if you’re off of Schultz Pass Rd a bit, the dust is not too much of a bother. There are a number of trails/forest roads in the immediate area to hike, some with nice views of the valley and surrounding mountains.

 AT&T coverage was fair, with 3 Bars of LTE service and speeds up to 8 MB/s. Although there are trees, our immediate site was pretty open, so we were able to receive all 3 SW Dish satellites and Starlink had up to 11 MB/s. We didn’t try to load any OTA channels.

Nice, quiet, very widely spaced sites We have a 36’ Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and parked and dropped near the entrance, then went to scout for a site that would accommodate us. We found a site about a mile in or so, left on Schultz Pass Road and off of a little side road to the right for 5 days. Almost all of the sites past the first intersection are very well spaced, most being 0.4 miles apart or more the farther in you go. Schultz Pass Rd is in pretty decent shape with only some washboarded sections. The forest roads that lead up the mountain get a bit rougher, rutted and rocky. Although some other reviews said they encountered a lot of speeding, dust kicking up ATVs, we only experienced a dozen or so road vehicles per day, but they did kick up bit of dust too. If you’re off of Schultz Pass Rd a bit, the dust is not a bother. There are a number of trails/forest roads in the immediate area to hike, some with nice views of the valley and surrounding mountains. AT&T coverage was fair, with 2-3 Bars of LTE service and speeds up to about 2 MB/s. There are quite a few trees, but we did manage to get DISH coverage on all three western satellites at our site through a gap in the trees. We could find no OTA channels with our fixed omni antenna.

Lockett Meadow is supposed to be gorgeous, and that's why I picked this location for camping, but when I got there, the main campground was closed (which is why I gave it 4 stars). But interestingly, there was a ton of dispersed camping, for free, between the main highway and the campground itself. So I found a spot, and stayed a while. Unexpected bliss!

CAMPGROUND REVIEW:

I had wanted to experience the ambiance I'd read about Lockett Meadow online. The photos of the meadow and the space between the mountains looked incredible! Not to mention the idea that I could hike some trails and maybe catch a glimpse of some elk, and who wouldn't love that?? But alas, that was to be for another day. Just at the entrance to the road that led to the camp, there was a CLOSED sign. sigh Disappointment. But it wasn't terrible, because there was a ton of dispersed camping in the 1/2 mile that led into the area. It was kind of strange, though. Not advertised. Not clear what is going on. Just a bunch of apparent campsites with established campfire rings that look like they are ready for tenants. I guess this is more common in AZ than where I'm from in MN. Lots of places offer this type of camping. Just like they say…when in Rome, I mean when in Flagstaff.

It was kind of odd, at first, until I saw that other people were taking advantage of this situation too. Then I felt better about "popping a squat" and using the resources around me. It was primitive camping, but there were plenty of spaces for everyone (and tons of hammock trees!). I was still careful of my surroundings, since I was alone, but that's just common sense anywhere you go. I chose a spot that already had some fire wood and I made myself at home. The spaces were decently spaced, and with only a handful of occupants that night, everyone chose space away from each other. I could see my neighbor, but it wasn't intrusive. And it was very quiet. Something that's rare at campgrounds! And super pretty. With plenty of space for my tent, ability to pull my car to the campsite (it was windy and I wanted a little wind break) and lovely night sounds that weren't "human" related. Delightfully perfect!

GEAR REVIEW:

As Ranger for The Dyrt, I have the incredibly awesome chance to review amazing gear in exchange for an honest review. This time, I had the pleasure of trying out a pair of unique headphones called Aftershokz Trekz Air.

The product, right out of the package, is gorgeous, sleek and almost sexy. It's and earthy, rich color (I chose the blue), comes with a sleek carry case, and the cords to plug it in. It even had a charge that allowed you to try it out, right from the get-go, out of the box. So of course, I got down to business and hooked them up!

These things are totally different than anything you've experienced before. They don't go in your ear, but beside your ear. Weird, right? They wrap around the back of your head, and are super light. Mostly because they've used Titanium anywhere they can to make these things something you want to put on, want to keep, want to use. Now, that said, I think they take getting used to. I need to mess with them more to get comfortable with them because I'm not sure I had them positioned quite right. I had to have the volume cranked to get it sounding nice (no, I don't listen to loud music), but then the vibration on my jaw is almost ticklish! But that said, they work, and that was a very interesting experience! To hear something through my headphones, but without anything in my ear. They rest on your jawbone and the sound vibration is conducted into your inner ear through your jawbone. They say this makes them great for people with hearing issues because it bypasses the ear canal. Such an interesting and fantastic experience. However, I'm not sure they are for me. I'm confused about why there is still sound coming out of the headphones if they are supposed to let me "listen" through vibration. If I pull them away from my ear (no contact at all) I still hear sound. And the wrap around is too large for my head (do I have a tiny head??). They float above my ears and behind my head. Makes them uncomfortable for me to wear. Maybe if I had a ponytail (my hair is short) I could rest them there and make them more comfortable.

They come with earplugs, too, in case you want a more "traditional" experience, but if you have earphones like this, doesn't that blow the concept right out the window anyhow? Experience the technology! And they are IP55, so they are sweat, moisture and dust resistant. Perfect for that workout, or when you nap, in your hammock, in the rain! They weren't quite my style, but they might be perfect for you!

Take the time to appreciate the things in life that don't go as planned, and you might find the "road less traveled" is worth it's weight in gold! And while you're at it, try at pair of Aftershokz Trekz Air to sooth you while you find your camping bilss! They have a great warranty and might be just what you need to complete your adventure.