Fireside Camp + Lodge

Over Labor Day weekend, we had the pleasure of staying at Fireside Camp+ Lodge, which served as our ideal base camp for exploring the countless waterfalls and trails in the area. This unique campground caters primarily to rock climbers, thanks to its prime location just across the road from Foster Falls, a renowned climbing destination. However, it's equally appealing for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The campsites are set up in a circle around the edge of a spacious field along the tree line. While they are relatively basic, they offer everything you need for a comfortable stay. We particularly enjoyed the open field, which allowed us to stargaze at night under the clear skies. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and plenty of space to accommodate one or two tents. 

One standout feature is the creative use of an old barn, which has been transformed into a hangout space. Inside, you'll find comfortable couches, hang boards for climbing enthusiasts, a vintage fridge, and even a Pac-Man game for some retro fun. During our visit, they were in the process of building a new bathroom facility. At the time, they had a port-a-potty in place, which was surprisingly well-maintained and exceeded our expectations. We hope that in the future, they expand their bathroom facility options to enhance the overall camping experience. 

Throughout our three-night stay, we found fellow campers to be considerate and friendly neighbors. Many of them were rock climbers here to conquer the area's renowned routes, and we had enjoyable conversations about their adventures. On both our first and last nights, we practically had the place to ourselves. It appeared that most visitors came from afar and couldn't extend their stay. The campground is well-maintained and has a relaxed, low-key atmosphere that we truly appreciated. The camp hosts were incredibly responsive and accommodating when we were planning our trip, making the booking process seamless. We would unquestionably choose to stay here again on our next visit to the area. 

Fireside Camp+ Lodge offers a fantastic base camp for explorers, whether you're a rock climber or a hiker. With its unique barn hangout space, open field for stargazing, and proximity to Foster Falls, it provides a memorable and enjoyable camping experience. We look forward to returning on our future adventures in the area.