Well, last minute decision on a Friday in July. Should be hot, humid, mosquito-filled, but was breezy and with a water view! Site 115 in the tent area (tent or RV, but had a tent) was beautiful. Not full this weekend. I'd say the whole campground was 40% full, being the week after the 4th and all, but I'd highly recommend such a visit! The camp store, purportedly open until 5, was open until 7, perfect for smores fixings and breakfast, etc. And nice quite morning! Children are the future, but honestly a campsite where they aren't wailing before 7AM is a treasure and a rare find. Enjoy!

A beautiful, colorful hike above the clouds leads to an open camping area. It is about 4 miles of hiking, and just past a cabin that is sometimes available for use. Fortunately, I had brought layers. It was August and I don't know what the temperature was, but I know I could see my breath when I exhaled! I was solo, there were a total of 4 other people camping - a family of 2 that appeared to be there for some period of time (although the limit is 3 nights) and another group of 2. Our sites were so far apart though that we didn't really interact at all.

Permit info, copied from the park service website: Camping permits can be obtained at the Headquarters Visitor Center between 8:00am and 3:00pm up to one day in advance. Permits are free and require photo identification and a 10-minute orientation.