Cave Creek - Rough River Lake

Cave Creek Campground at Rough River Lake is off a single and a half country road. If your pulling a trailer or RV take your time, curvy road.

The basic sites are at the top of the hill to the left. When we visited it was completely empty. It is a nice shaded area, very open, spread throughout a small hilly area. No direct lake access from here. Some of the sites are very short for parking but have plenty of grass room. There is a disc golf course in the area.

The RV section was almost full, reserve ahead if you want anything close to the water and it’s a good chance that this is one of those campgrounds that is booked for the season. Laid out across and down the hillside, the sites are in a tiered configuration with big rocks. No direct lake access. There were watercraft tied near the fishing pier which is on a strip of grass adjacent the boatramp. No swimming “area” there is an inlet near the fishing pier that people probably swim in. There are a few basic campsites between the boatramp road and the inlet. The “facilities” are co-located between the two campgrounds at the back of the overflow parking area. There is a small pit toilet near the top of the hill. We picked a site in the back curve(picked as in only ones left open. Not much privacy but you have the woods at your back.

A very busy boatramp. Make sure you back as close to one side as possible. Someone will be attempting to back in beside you. People were in a very big hurry, make sure your craft is ready to go in the water before you get in line unless you want to hear about it. I’m of two opinions on this. I understand to not block the ramp for an extended period of time but on the same token not everyone is as apt as others at backing and unloading/loading. Stay calm and enjoy yourself!

Cave Creek Recreation Area at Rough River Lake is an exciting drive in. The road is twisty and skinny. I’m not pulling a boat and would be concerned about passing in the curves. I was pulling a little 10ft trailer and almost got taken out by a dump truck. One of those hold your breath and dive for the shoulder area. 

The campground is split into two areas. Basic at the top of the hill to the left. It was empty, possibly because it has no direct access to the lake? It is a nice shaded area, very open, spread throughout a small hilly area. Some of the sites are very short , as in compact car would be a tight fit. There is a disc golf course in the area so if your in one of the sites near it you might want to keep your head down ;)

The RV section was close to full, I would reserve ahead and good chance that this is one of those campgrounds that is booked for the season. Laid out across and down the hillside to the lake and boatramp. The sites are in a tiered configuration with big rocks. Even the sites on the lake don’t have direct lake access. People had tied their watercraft near the fishing pier which is on a strip of grass adjacent the boatramp. No swimming “area” here, though I noticed an inlet near the fishing pier that people probably swim in. There is a line of basic campsites between the boatramp road and the inlet. The “facilities” are co-located between the two campgrounds at the back of the overflow parking area. There is a small pit toilet near the top of the hill. I preferred the sites in the back curve. No privacy but your not surrounded in those sites.

The boatramp is very busy, lined up two deep. Make sure you back as close to the side your on because someone will be attempting to back in beside you. The people were in a very big hurry to get to their recreation.