So well kept and amazing scenery
The facilities are amazing and well maintained. There is a large loop for primitive camping and additional loops for electric/ RV sites. If you are a mountain biker, you can ride directly from the campground.
A personal favorite
I have so many amazing memories from camping, hiking, and exploring all over this area. The best time to go (in my opinion) is in the fall. Not as many people and incredible foliage if you time your trip right.
Modern, but wild
I arrived to camp on a Monday and was surprised at how deserted the area was. This is a large campground but there were only two other sites occupied in the tent loop.
This is bear and rattlesnake habitat, so be prepared to keep food items locked up and watch your step. A bear-proof storage locker is available at each site.
The sites are well-spaced, trash receptacles are convenient, and the bathrooms and showers were very clean and nice. There is a swimming pool that apparently is open on the weekends. Plenty of hiking available as well.
SiteA34
Month of VisitJune
Ranger Review: Midland X-TALKER T75VP3 Handheld Radio and Bandy Creek Campground and
Campground Review: I enjoy Bandy Creek Campground and wish I could visit more often. You could easily spend your entire summer in this area and explore somewhere new every day.
When we arrived at the campground it started snowing and the temperature dropped to 29 overnight. There were several people occupying the D loop. We were alone in the B loop.
The shower house was heated ;) and well maintained. The campground was clean and well taken care of. We visited the Visitors Center first thing in the morning and then hit the trails.
Gear Review: As a Dyrt Ranger I get the opportunity to review outdoor gear. On this trip I took along my recently received Midland X-TALKER T75VP3 hand held radio’s. As soon as I took the radio’s out of their display box I could tell these weren’t anything like my childhood Walkie talkies. Camouflaged, compact and very sturdy feeling. They fit nicely in your hand.
These radio’s come with rechargeable batteries. You can also use regular batteries if need be. The base that comes with the radio has the options of using alternate charging platforms in addition to plugging it into the wall.
There are A LOT of instructions;) including information on how to activate the weather channel. Read thoroughly to find out all the cool stuff this little radio will do.
Then we took our radio’s out to play. There was the obligatory “can you hear me now” as we stood five feet apart.
Next on the East Overlook we split up and I was extremely surprised at the sound quality . Once again I was expecting the childhood Walkie talkie experience. However these radio’s sound awesome.
On another trail, with trees , small hills and distance in between the sound and reception was just as good. I would suggest using something in addition to the belt clip included. It is sturdy but not extremely secure and I worried about loosing the radio when I hooked it to my belt.
Overall I am loving this little radio, I will review it again when I have had a chance to use it in more adverse and different situations.
Apr 26 2018
Spent and extended weekend camping and took the Midland X-TALKER T75VP3 Handheld Radio out on the trails. Performed very good. While at least 2 miles apart over dense forest and rocky areas, down (and up) a mountainside we spoke to each other on the Midlands with perfect clarity. I was impressed when we reached the top of a very difficult trail , had crossed about1/2 mile on the top and could still talk clearly to another in our group that was at the base (about a mile) of the climb.
SiteB1
Month of VisitApril
Great campground and great hiking!
The Big South Fork is an amazing place to hike in and the Bandy Creek campground is a great place to base yourself out of. You can do miles of trails from here. The campsites are nice and well maintained. There are tent only sites and RV sites. It is a big campground and can be very crowded, which may not suit some. They have a swimming pool, playground and volleyball net also. Firewood can be hard to find. but you can buy some at the horse stables across the street from the campground at all hours on an honor system (bring cash).
Trails, rivers, rolling hills
Big campground with some tent-only areas, fairly modern accommodations with some sports fields, pools, etc. Very wooded with dense trees/undergrowth that make the large camp sites private. Very clean also. It fills up so book in advance. Horses are also in this same campground so plan your space if you’d like to avoid the noise and smells (though it was kept quite clean and didn’t smell much).
I have and will be back
Excellent camping area, level paved sites. Showers are in great shape, visitor center with friendly, knowledgeable staff and stables right across the road and a pool too. Trails are epic! Some sights and history to see!
Bandy Creek Campground - Camp Sites
Wanted to add this as well - the regular camp sites at Bandy Creek (previous review was on the group site) are great. The bathrooms are really some of the cleanest we've ever seen. Great for families as well. The hiking in the area is wonderful and you are able to reserve a few adjacent sites to allow for a more secluded camping experience.
Bandy Creek Campground - Group Site
We stayed at the Group site at Bandy Creek Campground this spring - really a great experience. It comes with a pavilion with award winning fireplaces and your own restroom. Ideal for large groups / families.
Nice little car camping site!
This campground is ideal for car/RV camping. Good hook us for electric and water at each site. Added plus, these bathrooms are super nice and with several locations next to lots of camp plots. Also, dog friendly and within a short drive of the Big South Fork for all you Yakers 😀✌️
All that and trail apples too!
The road in is an adventure in itself while pulling a camper. The visitors center is directly across from the campground as well as stables. The campground is very well kept and clean, nice hookup areas and a pool. Now for the trails...make sure you have a full tank of gas if your driving to the trailheads. If you backpacking in the way is scenic and in many places challenging. With awesome rock formations to see and several historic markers along the way. Horseback riders abound, there are both co-use trails and hikers only. There is an original "settlement" that you can stay at which can only be reached on foot or horseback. They will feed you and bed you down in various modes of primitiveness for a price. Overall an excellent choice for a weekend or longer!
