Camping outside esablished campgrounds within the Angeles National Forest is sometimes prohibited, you have to be on top of reading recently published orders on https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/angeles. Currently, camping is allowed for 7 days or less, see here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/angeles/alerts-notices/?aid=78080 The people I saw camping here looked to have been set up somewhat permanently though. I wouldn't feel comfortable setting up a tent here, but it could be an okay rest area at the beginning/end of the hike to Bridge to Nowhere.

To camp at this dispersed area, you need an overnight permit for Mt Whitney. Winning the lottery is very tough, we managed to get permits in April when the "unclaimed" winning permits were released. Outpost Camp is 3.8 miles from Whitney Portal Campground, sitting at 10400 Ft compared to Mt Whiney Trail Camp which is closer to 6 miles in and sits around 12,000 Ft. You options for setting up tents will be on rocks, so make sure to bring a comfortable sleeping pad or mattress.

I think the coordinates for this campground are off, it's located closer to 36.563093,-118.279422

We hiked Mt Whitney from the portal campground in two-days, with one overnight at trail camp. Even with the permit system, the campground was packed, it was hard to find a spot for our tents. We arrived to the campground around 4pm, so I would suggest starting the hike earlier (we started at 10am) if you want a better spot. Another downside of how many people go through the campground, was that it smelled like pee in a few areas, and I was very disappointed to see people had left trash and even wagbags.

The 360 view around the campground is magnificent, and it is breath-taking to see the sunset and sunrise. Don't expect to sleep much in-between though, because you're sleeping on rocks, and hikers start/finish at all hours on the trail that's a few yards away from many of the tent spots.

I haven't stayed in this campground, but I added it to the Dyrt so people can find it as an option if they are searching for large group camping. You MUST call in advance to get permission and reserve for group camping.

Things to do:

• visit the Placerita Canyon Nature Center, including live animal exhibits

• Ranger-led educational programs

• hike to waterfalls: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/placerita-canyon-and-waterfall-trail

I came across this group campsite while on a long hike with a friend. I had no idea it existed, so I'm adding it to the Dyrt so more people can find it if they are looking for a group campsite. You can reserve it for large groups of 10-50 people. Some of the communal areas and fencing looked like it could use some resfreshing. Facilities available: Drinking Water, Flush Toilets, Showers, Tent Spaces, and Fireplace.

I recommend visiting in the spring, when things are greenest, and there are beautiful wildflowers.

Both upper and lower campgrounds get almost total shade, which provides a relief from the direct sunlight throughout the rest of the island. The vault toilets were clean. Each site comes with its own table and metal food box. Some sites are closer together, but if you get lucky you can nab one towrds the outskirts.

According to my Alltrails, lower sites were about 0.3 mile from the dock, and upper sites were about 0.6 mile.

I recommend packing dramamine, in case you get motion sickness on the 1-1.5 hour boat ride in both directions. In January, the ride out to the island was pretty chopping. The ride back was calmer, and we boated along a pod of HUNDREDS of dolphins, it was spectacular.

We stayed one night in Cabin #17. Because we visited off-season, we were one of only three cars parked in the cabin/camping area. The beds were comfortable and the air-conditioner kept the cabin cool while we slept. There were a LOT of bugs that got inside the cabin, which was somewhat unavoidable every time we openned the door. 

The night we stayed was a new moon, so the dark sky views were INCREDIBLE. We saw the milky way with our bare eyes sitting on the porch of our cabin.

We arrived around 10pm at night, so the check-in desk was already closed. Fortunately, I had received the email with the late check-in instructions, and finding our cabin assignment was easy. I do wish getting some information in advance had been easier. I tried to call the front desk on our drive to the park, but no one answered. It wasn't entirely clear what amenities/facilties were open. For example, the website said breakfast available in one place, but in another place it said the only open was getting a breakfast burritio in their gas station. So we didn't know if we should pack extra food.

It did turn out that the restaraunt was still open, despite being off-season. It was pricey (totally fair, you're in the middle of a desert) but delicious, and friendly service. The staffer in the general store/gas station was also really friendly and gave great advice for which parts of the park to visit, and how to drive responsibily in the summer heat.

Finally, I think it goes without saying, but coming in July will be HOT. Plan to do activities like hiking early in the morning, and find some place by noon to stay in the air conditioning until evening.

I stayed here with a group of my friends in our sprinter vans for two nights. Campground was quiet both nights. There was plenty of space between each party, so it felt relatively private.

The little road can be hard to spot, we drove right passed it the first time. Driving from the road is BUMPY, you'll need a vehicle with high clearance.

We rented mobile saunas, and I highly recommend doing it, it was awesome!! Here is the info: https://sewardsaunas.com/

Because this is not a formal campground, but rather a special use area, keep the following in mind:

• you are supposed to stay here a maximum of 8 nights (though I'm not sure how much this enforced)
• There are no trash or toilets on-site, so plan to pack everything out
• If you're not sure which areas you can camp, see this map: https://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/lands/designated-use-areas/exit-glacier-sua/pdf/exit-glacier-map.pdf

Although we didn't camp here overnight, we ended up staying in the campground for a couple hours waiting out the rain. The vault toilets and covered group cooking/eating areas were in great shape and stayed dry.

From the campground, we hiked up to explore the abandoned WWII fort, Fort McGilvray. Super interesting and much bigger than I expected! See the full hiking route here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alaska/caines-head-trail

You have two options for getting here: 

• 1. Hiking in, which we did on the way in. It is very important to check the tides, and it is recommended to avoid hiking along the beach once the tide reaches+3. See tide tables here: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions.html?id=9455090&legacy=1 
• 2. Water taxi, which we did on the way back. The water taxi that we took was priced was$50 one-way. Rainy weather is common here, but fortunately there are covered areas for cooking/eating.

We didn't get to stay in the cabin this time, but it looks nice! It was built recently. The cabin can be reservered in advance, see more info about it here: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspcabins/tonsinacabin.htm

You have two options for getting here:

• 1. Hiking in, which we did on the way in. It is very important to check the tides, and it is recommended to avoid hiking along the beach once the tide reaches +3. See tide tables here: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions.html?id=9455090&legacy=1
• 2. Water taxi, which we did on the way back. The water taxi that we took was priced was $50 one-way.

Rainy weather is common here, but fortunately there are covered areas for cooking/eating.

Although it’s not the most scenic campground itself, the state park has plenty of beauty to offer on its hiking trails. Not a single other party at the campsite on a Tuesday in September. The facilities and grounds were well maintained. Pretty short hike from the parking lot.

Depending on when you arrive, you may have to drive up the road a ways to find a spot, but it is well worth it. It is quiet, peaceful, and free.

We hadn't picked a place to camp in advance, because we wanted to see how far we could get on the drive. We were able to reserve a spot online at 8:30pm same-day on a Wednesday in July. Nice hot showers available for free.

The campsites weren't particularly scenic, but relatively private. We ended up sleeping in the car because the ground was so wet due to rain.

We wanted to do some climbing in Tettegouche State Park, but the state park campsites were filled weeks in advance. Fortunately, Eckbeck campground had sites available for us last minute. The sites are spaced apart, making them nice and private.

The boundary waters is one of my favorite places on earth. But the mosquito hatch at the end of the summer was truly awful. See video for running around trying to keep them off.

We stayed in one of the small cabins. The programming offered here was awesome. We signed up for a educational workshop about birds and bird calls, and it was essentially a private class for just us 4. The restaurant on the grounds had great food too. We enjoyed swimming and paddling on the lake. The only downside is that the cabins were pretty close next to each other, so we could hear our neighbors throughout the night.

Only opened about 1.5 year ago, the facilities are pristine. Usually the nearby campgrounds are full weeks in advance, so this expansion was much needed. Our site was perfectly level and plush ground for the tent.

Can get a little crowded in peak months, but you can't beat the price, and great amenities

One of my favorite campgrounds! Stayed here for a rock climbing week at Smith Rock