CAMPING HAS BEEN RESTORED HERE!! …Once upon a time, this area WAS a campground; however, in 2015 it was converted to Day Use only due to flash flooding that occurs in heavy rains. In June 2019, we confirmed that camping has returned! USDA Forest Service website info has not been updated yet, but the new sign posted at the campground confirms that camping overnight is allowed. (This campground is also not included with the collection of campgrounds found on Rec.gov.) The new sign states that sites are recommended for RV use only. That's because when the campground was converted to day use, they removed the tent pads, but you certainly can find a site that will accommodate a tent. The host said some sites were supposed to be left for day use only, but campers are taking all the sites (27), and no one is enforcing it either way. All sites are first come, first serve, with a picnic table, grill, fire ring, but no shade structures. Restrooms, water on tap, and concrete benches are scattered throughout. $12 Mon-Thurs; $18 Fri-Sun & Holidays. Campground is located close to the main Kyle Canyon Rd, so noise can be an issue, but wear earplugs and enjoy the pine trees anyway! This is great news for the Mt Charleston recreation area, as this camping location has been very missed.
Ranger Review: GCI Pod Rocker at Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, near Alamo, NV.
CAMPGROUND REVIEW
Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, 9 miles south of near Alamo, NV. This campground is absolutely gorgeous and FREE!! However, nothing is ever really"free," so the price you pay is tolerating the noise from the very close US 93 highway. Noise diminishes at night, as there's very little truck traffic. At the time of this writing, Interstate 15 is detoured to this highway en route to Utah(until Spring 2020). All sites are first come first serve. Each site has a picnic table, grill, fire pit, and a view of Upper Pahranagat Lake. Sites were clean& tidy in spite of no camp hosts. There are very few amenities: No water and a few scattered vault toilets. There is a handicap accessible site at the end of the long campground road with a paved stretch of sidewalk that goes to the south end of the lake. At the south end, there is a telescope for viewing wildlife and a park bench. We fished in the kayak a bit, but there were no bites. The landscaping is beautiful, with song birds always chirping. There's also a loop trail around the lake and another trail to the visitor's center.
Campground highlights: https://youtu.be/Gch2ndb3t4Y
PRODUCT REVIEW
As a ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. While camping at Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, we tested the GCI Pod Rocker.
https://www.gcioutdoor.com/rockers/pod-rocker/
GCI Pod Rocker looks very sharp and is well constructed. However, it seems to be more suited for a heavier person. For a lighter person, the rocking motion takes some work, unless the chair is positioned on a downward sloping hill. Sets up quick and easy, has a little drink holder pouch, and it has nice storage case with shoulder strap.
Pod Rocker in action: https://youtu.be/MnZ4hCHwrXY
In summary, we loved camping at Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, but with no water the stay was brief. However, adding this fun chair to our camping gear made our stay extra comfy!
Ranger Review: GCI Outdoor Comfort Cushion at Echo Canyon State Park, NV
CAMPGROUND REVIEW
Echo Canyon State Park, 12 miles east of Pioche, NV. There are two campgrounds: Sites 1-20, on a hill southwest of the reservoir, are for RVs with full hook-ups, restrooms, showers & dump. There are 33 more sites on a hill just north of the reservoir, with restrooms & dump. All sites are first come first serve. Campsites are very well designed and thoughtful with large roofed shade structures over sturdy picnic tables, fire rings, BBQ grills, and water at every site! Beautiful landscape, easy access to the Ash Canyon hiking trail loop, and a 65-acre reservoir for kayaking & fishing. Very peaceful and quiet!
Campground highlights:
https://youtu.be/exSHXwGx1Go
PRODUCT REVIEW
As a ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. While camping at Echo Canyon State Park, we tested the GCI Outdoor Comfort Cushion.
https://www.gcioutdoor.com/stadium-chairs/comfort-cushion/
GCI Comfort Cushions are light-weight, thickly padded, and with a zipped cover. Inside, the padding consists of dense foam and a lighter foam. These cushions are nothing less than wonderful! No more sore sitz bones when sitting at the picnic table (or any place you need extra padding/comfort)! I comfortably sat for 4 hours while we are here, working on a project that required sitting at the table top. It was a delight to be outside for so long and be comfortable! We highly recommend the GCI Comfort Cushions, 5 stars!!
Here we are using the cushions at the campground:
https://youtu.be/M5EiAvS0UV4
In summary, we loved camping at Echo Canyon State Park (4 days, 3 nights) and adding these great cushions to our camping gear made our stay extra fun & comfy!
For camping at Lake Mead, this is as good as it gets! Full hook-up sites with concrete slabs, picnic table, views of Lake Mead, and cell service too! There are also manufactured/mobile homes with full-time residency, but the residents are very quiet and welcoming to visitors. Lots to do in the area with biking/hiking trails and scenic overlooks in the near vicinity.
The best parts of this campground is that there is cell service, restrooms, and an RV dump station. It's a very dry and sad campground, with no view of the lake as it has receded too far with the low lake levels. It used to be a convenient place to camp close to the Las Vegas Bay Marina. The marina is now closed to docking, but there is dry storage for watercraft. There are also day use facilities: Shaded picnic areas and public restroom. For a campground that doesn't remind you of a ghost town, try Boulder Beach Campground, just south of here.
Daily, weekly, monthly rates. Allows older RVs. No shade structures or picnic tables. Pool & spa, laundry, restrooms, and mail service. Easy access to downtown Las Vegas and nearby major shopping centers, casinos, and restaurants.
Very clean & popular with asphalt roadways, newer RVs, long-term & short-term stays, store, restrooms with showers, pool & spa, and dog park. Easy access to downtown Las Vegas and nearby major shopping and casinos.
Many older RV's with long-term stays. However, it is an interesting old place… with Pittman General Store & Café, pool with outside walls, full hook-ups, laundry, mail service, security, and adults only. Easy access to downtown Las Vegas, with nearby shopping malls and casinos.
Full hook-up RV park, with no shade structures and no picnic tables. Guests may use hotel amenities including pool. Arizona Charlie's is a popular local hotel & casino, with easy access to downtown Las Vegas and nearby major thoroughfares.
Eagle Ridge Group Campground is located within walking distance of Lynx Lake Recreation Area. At the lake, there is no swimming, but you may fish and use water craft. North Shore and South Shore areas each require a $5 per vehicle day use fee, but it is free to walk in.
There are two group sites: Osprey can accommodate 25-75 people; Peregrine can accommodate 15-25. There are covered picnic table areas, fire rings, areas for tents, vault restrooms, water on taps. Be sure to make a reservation for one or both sites, depending on your group's size.
Very busy and popular US Forest Service campground, conveniently located near Prescott and Prescott Valley, AZ. All sites are reserved, no first come first serve (only open if there's no reservation). A bit lower in elevation than nearby Hilltop Campground, with less tall pines. Clean sites, picnic tables, fire rings, water on taps, and cell service. Nearby Lynx Lake is a very popular day use recreation area. Shopping and restaurants are abundant and all within a few miles.
US Forest Service campground, conveniently located near Prescott and Prescott Valley, AZ. Only Loop A is first come, first serve. Hosts are very busy in their golf carts, keeping their eye on everything and everyone. Restrooms are vault, but super smelly and disgusting (at least the one by our site #4). Sites are tidy, with picnic tables and fire rings. Campground has water on taps, and there is cell service. Nearby Lynx Lake is a very popular day use recreation area. Shopping and restaurants are abundant and all within a few miles.
This legendary campground is located on the shores of Mission Bay, in beautiful San Diego, CA. Children who came here in the 1960's with their families, later came with their children, who are now bringing their children! You'll hear many stories of how several generations have made lasting and cherished memories at this family-friendly guard-gated camping compound!
My first visit to Campland on the Bay was in 1993, and they have continually improved their facilities and amenities to stay modern and appealing to campers of all ages. As a parent, there is peace of mind that your child can explore, play, and make new friends all within the security of the park. As an active adult, there's never a dull moment with all there is to do…
Campland on the Bay has a general store, cafe/grill, park area with stage and fun scheduled events for all ages, pool, spa, playground, arcade, skateboard park, fitness room, laundry, bike rentals, restroom and shower facilities, bon fires on the beach, and marina with boat and water-craft rentals. I'm sure I am forgetting lots more!
Campland on the Bay is a one-stop family vacation destination! 5 stars + more!
Something for everyone with this resort campground! We were interested in it for its full hook-up RV area, but you can rent or buy cabins, ride horses, rent boats, off-road vehicles, go fishing, hiking, exporing, or just relax and enjoy the views of Panguitch Lake. There is even an area for special events, such as weddings, family reunions, or parties. Great place to visit if you don't mind spending the money.
For a casino campground, you can't beat this one. It's greatest attraction is that you are within walking distance of Sam's Town Hotel & Casino, which is a great local place with movie theaters, large selection of dining options (sit down restaurants & fast food), gorgeous 10-story indoor atrium with the Mystic Falls Laser Light Show, and of course gaming. As for the KOA, there's a pool, showers, laundry facility, full hook-ups, propane refills, Wi-Fi, cable, clubhouse, general store, pet park with bench & shade, and a Wal-mart right across the street (with a fairly large RV supply section).
It should be noted that Sam's Town KOA has 2 locations: 5225 Boulder Highway (which is discussed in this review). And… 4040 S. Nellis Blvd (which is very much inferior). Beware of your location when booking reservations!!
Ranger Review: OOFOS Sandals at Panguitch Lake Campground (north side), UT
CAMPGROUND REVIEW
North side: We really enjoyed this area of the campground, with its paved camp road, clean sites, tall pines, dark night skies, and enjoyable/audible location near Panguitch Creek in the ravine below. Friendly hosts, clean and well-stocked restrooms, water on taps, fire pits, picnic tables, and plenty of space between sites. Because the campground was so nice, the campers were happy and neighborly too. Panguitch Lake is not close enough to walk to, but there are elevated lake views from the sites in the northeastern area of the campground. Panguitch Lake is fun for kayaking, boating, and fishing. 5 stars (north side only)
Here is a brief video of the area near our campsite: https://youtu.be/W-EoKZ6au4A
South side: Better for tent camping; however, there were plenty of RV's squeezed into the tiny sites in this area of the campground. The south side campground road is packed dirt, the sites are uneven and crowded, and all are fairly close to the road (noisy). There are restrooms and water on taps. 2 stars (south side only)
PRODUCT REVIEW
As a ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. While camping at Panguitch Lake Campground, we tested OOFOS Sandals (Women's OOLaLa & Men's OOriginal Sport)
https://www.oofos.com/collections/womens-oolala-sandal/products/oolala-womens
I LOVE these sandals! I wore them around the house for about 3 weeks prior to camping, and I already was getting significant relief from plantar fasciitis and sore knees. To wear them camping, over rocky surfaces and all throughout the campground was a pure delight! Their design and shape are very unique… soft/thick foam (but not too bouncy), great arch support, dip in the heal (like 1970's Earth shoes), all of which give your feet and legs a wonderful, relieving experience. I've continued to wear them at home and will be adding more to my collection!! 5 stars, for sure!!
Here I am modeling them at the campground: https://youtu.be/EtkkyJ6BN8s
My fiance ditto'd everything I said, of course ;-) https://youtu.be/lCTv15j67kA
In summary, this was one of our best camping trips (5 days, 4 nights). The campground was peaceful, weather was perfect, fishing was great, and our sandals made our feet very happy!!
For a National Park Service Campground, this one leaves much to be desired. There are no views of Cedar Breaks; however, there are concrete (wheelchair-friendly) walking paths all over the area, in and out of the campground, across the street to the look-out views, and all along the rim. There are signs near Cedar Breaks that the area was developed in the 1930's by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), which may explain the funky campground. The actual campsites are strange, many are narrow, uneven, or just along side the campground road. Picnic tables, water on taps, and restrooms with showers.
The most attractive feature of this campground is the little white-railed "bridge" over Panguitch Creek that you must cross over when entering the campground. This is a US Forest Service campground in the Dixie National Forest, so accommodations are expected to be sparse. There are clean restrooms, water on taps, very convenient dump station, and very close-together & small sites along a narrow camp roadway. Lots of fun things to do in the area, fishing, boating, off-roading, hiking, and site seeing.
This is a super family-friendly campground and with so many "camping" options! There are full hook-up RV sites, cabins, and pre-assembled tent structures in various sizes. Amenities include: Swimming pool, playground, dog park, laundry, restrooms with showers, and Wi-Fi. It's a little close to the main street of the town, but that makes it easy to find!
Cottonwood Cove Upper Campground is closed due to flood study.
https://www.nps.gov/lake/learn/news/cottonwood-cove-upper-campground-closed-to-overnight-camping.htm
Cottonwood Cove Lower Campground is open, and a full review has been provided:
Cottonwood Cove Lower Campground, near Lake Mohave, NV
https://thedyrt.com/camping/nevada/cottonwood-cove-lower-campgrounds/review/17016