Best Glamping near Shoshone, CA

This was my first time camping at Hilltop. I reserved online, which is great, so when I got there I just pulled into the spot. The camp host came by and asked for either my ID or the reservation.

I stayed in Spot 1, which is nice if you want to be a little secluded, but I did have a lot of traffic noise when trucks or loud motorcycles came by. The tent area was level and smooth, which was a big help when Tent #1, which set up beautifully in my living room, refused to, in spite of much coaxing and cursing. I had to drive back into town and buy Tent #2, which was watertight even when the rain came pouring down.

There is no running water in the campground. Spigots have been capped, and where there once were showers, there are now portable toilets. In the larger group areas, they (and the trash bins) fill up fast, but less so in the remainder of the campground. Walk a little bit farther and you'll likely find a cleaner portable. This campground is very tent friendly.

If you want truly incredible views, reserve spots 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18. 22, or 23. All are on the outside edge overlooking the valley below. There are also deer that graze when the campground is quieter, and nearby access to a lot of hiking areas.

Two nights tent camping. 35$ a nite but considering it has everything a KOA has and is in California near a national park that's a pretty good price (KOA in Bakersfield charges upwards of 80 a nite for way less for example) (we didnt realize theres free blm dispersed camping right down the road, whoops). Wifi is good, grass is great for a tent, mostly rvers tho for sure. Warm water pool is excellent. Pupfish are cute. Walking distance to crowbar cafe and the extremely overpriced gas station (it's worth it to drive to pahrump nv to buy gas food cigs beer etc). Quick drive over to tecopa where we spent most of our time (recommend the free hot springs, food from kit fox cafe, beer from death valley brewery, hikes and food at the China ranch date farm and talking to all the weirdos that live in or frequent the area). Also highly recommend ripping up to death valley junction to take a tour of the spooky beautiful Amargosa Opera House. At the campground small little annoying rules about locking the bathroom, shower in men's room doesn't lock, but overall a good quiet, safe spot, would def come again if needing all the amenities. No fire rings at site, one group fire pit by library .

Enormous group campground. Went for a family gathering. Lots of shade from the gnarly pine trees growing all over the campground. Plenty of spots to hang a hammock or put a tent. Lots of already built seating in the form of stone benches.

Vault toilets were decently clean. Water is usually available but was not when I was there. Fires were also forbidden when I was there as there because of wildfire fears.

Very close to the Mt Charleston North Loop Trail. Since I was with family I did not attempt it (it’s 10+ miles long), but we did go hike at nearby Robber’s Roost which is easy. I have done the North Loop in the past, and the Rain Tree is definitely worth seeing if you can make the hike.

Gear Review: This contains a review of MuckBoots Fieldblazer boots, which were provided to me free of charge***

I was extremely excited to win a MuckBoots giftcard from The Dyrt in the June contest for Nevada. After intense deliberation, I decided to go with the Muck Fieldblazer. Although I don’t hunt, I do stomp around in the woods near my grandmother’s in Placerville California. I have also experienced miserable wet and muddy days camping at Mt. Charleston while my socks are wet from the rain. I’ve had a few chances to test the water resistance when it rained here in Las Vegas last July. They handled the above the ankle deep running water wonderfully and kept my socks dry.

After establishing their waterproof credentials, I decided to give their wearability a try on the Robber’s Roost trail, which is about short hike up to a cave, about a mile round trip. I didn’t get any blisters, and though they were somewhat tight on my calves it didn’t cause any issues.

Overall they were excellent waterproof general use boots. Because of their size I wouldn’t take them on extended backpacking trips, but for hikes and tromping around in muddy or wet environments they are perfect.

Check out The Original Muck Boot Company here: http://www.muckbootcompany.com/

There is no quiet time. Generators ran all night. The jeep rental company at the front of the lot started pressure washing jeeps at 5:15am. The construction crew kicked off their day and heavy machinery at 6:25am. No privacy, sites are right on top of each other, especially with bigger rigs (I was car camping). Pool and showers is included in the fee (week nights 29 weekends 34). Had WiFi not been required for me working all of the other campsites around that are part of the NP are much nicer and more scenic views and cheaper. WiFi only works near office and restaurants, so no matter where you stay on the property you have to come to the front to use WiFi (for most people not a big deal, but I’m working so it was inconvenient but better than nothing). There is a bar and food / restaurants on site- all severely overpriced. Local draft beer $11, grilled cheese $17, breakfast buffet $18, dinner buffet $32. I didn’t use the pool but lots of others did and seemed really happy with it. Staff was all nice except a younger man working early shift at reception. All in all - Would not stay here again.

So, this park uses two names it appears.  Shoshone RV Park and Shoshone Village Campground.  It has 35 RV sites, some with 30 and 50 Amp service, along with water and sewer, 7 tent sites, and 2 group sites for tents.  There was a bustle of activity in the park when we arrived, as a tree service was doing a major pruning job on all of the cedar trees.  Although we chose a tucked away site, further away from the road when we booked online, we were reassigned a more 'cozy' site near the road because the tree guys were trimming the trees on the site we had chosen.  A bit of a disappointment, but what are you going to do.  

I think I signed about 6 pages of receipts and affidavits that I understood all of the rules for the park which included:  "No nude bathing or topless".  while using their warm springs swimming pool.  We didn't use the pool, so I can't comment further on that amenity.

We did use the laundry room.  It has 2 washers and 2 dryers.  It looked like it had not been swept in a while.

They give you a key when you arrive that opens all of the park's facilities.  

There is a great pizza cafe and brewer just a few miles south in Tecopa that I can recommend.  There is also a small convenience store/gift store in Shoshone Village that sells gas and fuel.  The price for a gallon of #2 Diesel was $6.09.9.  The store also had a couple of boxes of DEF on the shelf.  We didn't try the sole cafe in Shoshone, the Crossbar.

I might camp here again, but probably not for more than 1 or 2 nights.