Pickaroon Campground

I camped in the immediate vicinity but not at the campground.  Other reviews are very descriptive and accurate.  It needs to be mentioned you CANNOT access the area from Hwy 230.  The A-Bar-A ranch has to be crossed and they have gated the road.  I tried to ask for permission but had no response.  There are routes through HWY 130 but I am not familiar and the GPS route from Ryan Park area directed me back through A-Bar-A property (that's a NO). Also do not trust GPS routes from Albany, it plotted roads that I did not know had been vacated.  Get a good current paper map. 

Dispersed camping from the gate of the A-Bar-A FR 512Y to the Pickaroon and Pike Pole to the trailhead is very nice.  Well spaced with metal fire rings.  Toilet at Pickaroon and the trailhead if required.  Posts on other sites say the Forest Service has stopped maintaining the campgrounds-carry toilet paper with you.

Pickaroon is ideal for the tent and small rugged RVs but is used mostly for day use fishing. Tight switchbacks on the final decent into the campground will be a challenge for anything 20+. 4 wheel drive a must if it’s wet.

Most traffic is day use fishermen and is the end of the forest road. Fishing can be good, but the volume of traffic means lots of pressure. The outhouse is old and in need of significant repair (doors won’t close fully) and is under serviced (bring your own tp). No water. Fire rings are old and picnic tables are well used and could use repair.

This seems like an awesome, off the beaten path location to get away - but it seems everyone agrees. I’ve been twice mid week in 2019 and on weekends. All campgrounds were occupied each time. Also, lots of RVs are brought down and left vacant during the week, and the owners just go down on the weekends. Lots of abuse (left for more than 14 days and vacant for more than 24 hours) of Forest service rules by those who frequent Pickaroon.

Great sites, right by the creek. There's a trailhead nearby for Douglas Creek Trail. This is a Wilderness and it is wild. We saw Marmots, Big Horn Sheep, and other wildlife. The mosquitoes were pretty bad everywhere we went in early July. The creeks, mountains, and trees were magnificent. There are fire-rings, but not much dry firewood available. Glad there are a couple outhouses because I thought we might have to dig latrine holes instead. You can bring RVs or Fifth Wheels, but RVs might have some trouble in the mud.