The scenery is something out of an outer space movie, making you feel more like your on a distant planet of bright red sand, black mountains, and crystal blue water.
This is a great place if you are looking to combine fun in the water with 4x4ing in the sand. This is not the place for quiet solitude, there are a lot of camping groups out here, looking to have a loud and rowdy time.
I stayed in the dispersed primitive camping. I thought I had found a quieter place away from most of the big groups. However, out here people are used to camping right next to their neighbors, so within a few hours a caravan of huge diesel motor homes with super long trailers pulled in within 5 feet of the bumper of my truck. Walking the area, this happens a lot. But, the people are super friendly and made sure I had a clear exit for my vehicle.
I drove through the camp grounds. One is close to the entrance with full hookups and level hard packed parking areas. The other is directly across from a pedestrian only beach. Both are nicely laid out, with typical spacing for a state park.
Put toilets re abundant, as are fire rings and picnic tables. There is a cute beach side store for any odds and ends you might need, a quick bite, or to rent off road and on the water toys. This is truly a wonderful family get away!
Make sure to mind the signs about staying on the road. There are designated trails you must take until you are out in the sand dunes. I saw two different groups trying to get vehicles unstuck that had dug in to the sand up to their frames by going in undesignated areas. The sand is super deep and very soft.
The vegetation is mostly low, with very little protection from the wind. There are larger trees right on the waters edge. If the wind picks up, you will find out if your rig is air tight. I had a pretty thick layer of red dust everywhere in my pop-up A-Frame. But, it’s light and soft, so nothing felt gritty… again another example of how this place is out of this world.
