Summer H.

Spring, TX

Joined October 2019

Aspire to visit everywhere

Huge Camping Pads

We typically don’t camp in regular campgrounds, we prefer more separation. We also have a large 20’ tent that makes it difficult to fit into regular square pad tent sites. These pads were huge and fit our tent, which was super nice because our original plans fell through. The sites had decent separation but the middle row of the Sandbar campground would be tight if there had been a lot of people. They did allow generators which is unfortunate because the river is so close. Part of what we love about camping is being in nature and hearing the sounds around us but one person’s generator use ruined the quiet..all day every day (they have quiet hours from 10pm to sunrise…but that was the only quiet we got). So that was the only bummer for us. The Rangers are incredibly nice and hospitable. Also super helpful. Overall a beautiful campground with large spaces.

Awesome Primative Escape

We went out here for a four day primitive site stay in Javelin. If you love solitude this place is right up your alley. We chose Big Bend Ranch over the National park primarily for an adventure and the fact that they allow camp fires. It was a long drive out in the desert. The main road is well maintained. Once you hit the side roads to your campsite you need to pay attention to what vehicle they tell you, you need to get to the campsite. They aren’t fooling around😆we had two wheel drive high clearance and it is exactly that. One thing we didn’t realize was that the brush grows close into the road so if you go out to Javelin you will scratch your vehicle. But you are rewarded with the solitude and beauty of the area. In four days we saw no one. We heard wildlife (coyotes) but never saw anything. It had plenty of trails close by to explore if you want to stay put. They require your own waste disposal. The site includes tent sites (they are rocky), picnic table and a fire pit/grill. Just a beautiful awesome place that I hope to return to soon.

The Best Dispersed Camping

Indian Creek is awesome. It’s BLM dispersed camping about 2-3 miles from the Canyonlands Needles entrance. Dirt road in leads past Hamburger Rock Campground. Keep going and you’ll start seeing sites on the sides of the road. There are several pull thru and sites big enough for RVs. Lots of walk in and drive in tent camping sites. 

You must camp where there is an established site evidenced by a fire ring. 

This is no water, no toilet, primitive camping. You must pack out your own waste they do not allow it to be buried. 

If you do not have four wheel drive be careful of the site you choose. The red sand is no joke and you will get stuck. It gets pretty busy from Thursday on but earlier in the week and day you have a lot to choose from. 

An awesome primitive or boon-docking experience.

Beautiful

For a campground with close spaces this was as nice as it gets. We usually camp primitively but decided to try the National Monument campground because someone told us the spots were big, which we needed for our tent. They also told us they were spread out. They were neither. There were a couple larger spots of which we were able to secure one. As another review said they have good vegetation between them that make them seem more private. One of the better national park campgrounds. It filled up quick in the afternoon on a Tuesday so be ready to get out early and secure a spot. First come, first serve is limited to loop C only.

Convienent Campground

This campground has some beautiful spots. We camped here prior to Covid and really enjoyed a spot with a view. However, we came back this year and found the crowd a little different. Seemed to be a lot of passer throughs and transient type people. We had been camping for a couple days when a chair was stolen off our campsite. Kind of left a bad taste for leaving the campsite after that. We camp a lot and that was a first for us. It also seems to become party central on Friday nights now. We had a larger group of people come in blaring music and talking loud but to their regard they all disappeared from the campground around 11. So it’s free, it’s pretty, just watch out. Bring your own water. There is one vault toilet. There were fire restrictions in place while we were there so make sure you have an alternate source for cooking and/or warmth. I heard rumor while there they might start charging a small fee in the future, to establish some rules and upgrade some amenities. Might be worth it for such a nice spot.

Not worth it.

The road up is rough. We knew that based on reviews, however, based on the reviews I expected a payout of an awesome campground at the top with great views of the Sand Dunes. The campground did have views but it’s of the farming valley below not the Sand Dunes. The sites were not very level and while some what spaced out not in any way private. Most were along the road that comes in. 

We ended up going back down disappointed. The National Park was full so we stayed at the Oasis. Not much in the way of level campsites again, but hot showers and a bit more private.