Sam D.

Columbia, SC

Joined July 2017

Dog trainer, hiker, camper, fly fisher

Oak Creek campground

Awesome campground at about 8,600’ elevation, has a couple small creeks running through, water and toilets on site as well. Each site has a metal fire ring (crucial for a campfire during burn bans), picnic table, grill, some sites had an extra fire ring and bench seats. It’s nestled on the mountainside surrounded by aspen forests and farm land. Plenty of wildlife in the area, watch for deer and cattle in the road. We had temps dip down into the teens overnight with a dusting of snow in late September, be sure to pack layers. Overall a perfect spot for tent camping, small campers max, no RV parking or hookups. Not too far from Capitol Reef National Park and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Highly recommend staying here and going to Grand Staircase for a hike in the slot canyons.

Dispersed camping outside of Crested Butte

This area is stunning, there are tons of dispersed campsites along the gravel road. I have seen some smaller cars make it to some of the spots, but 4 wheel drive is definitely recommended for the sites further out. Lots of creeks, small mountain lakes, snow capped mountains, hiking trails, valleys filled with wildflowers, what more do you need? Sites are made for tent camping, just a clearing and a fire pit. Water access is easy. Be mindful of bears in the area, store food and garbage.

Off season camping

Lake Santeelah is a really great camping spot on a lake that doesn't get the crowds that some of the other lakes in the area draw. There are a lot of primitive sites along the lake on Joyce Kilmer Rd. It's paved the whole way and easy to find. More sites on a gravel road on the east side of the lake, some are car camping others are hike in. None of these sites have hookups, water, NO RVs. Sites have a tent platform, fire pits and parking area off the road. Camping in February was a perfect. We saw a small handful of cars and one or two boats with fisherman. Otherwise it was extremely quiet and private, bears are in the area so make sure food and garbage are stored during the warmer months. Plenty of fishing for trout both in the lake and in Santeetlah Creek right up the road.

Dispersed camping and trout fishing

There are a good number of dispersed camping sites along the forest service road that follows Gandy Creek up to Seneca Creek Trail, sites are right on the river with easy access, fly fishing for trout in Gandy was decent, but the water was low. It is normally a great trout stream, Seneca Creek is a good trail for hiking and plenty of fishing opportunities there as well. It's a fairly busy area during the summer, cars and horseback riders are consistent all day, sites are spread out nicely though so you won't see your neighbors from your camp. No hookups, no RVs, tent camping only in most sites, some are big enough for a small camper to fit.