OK guys since we do not have a "camping" forum it has been agreed that we should have a resource for everyone who would like camp ground info for each state.
The goal of this link is to have members chime in with their camp ground contact information and a brief description of the actual grounds. When we get enough i would like to turn this into a resource that will be available for users.
So when posting please include the following:
State & city
Cost
Amenities
Quality of grounds
Restrictions if any.
Contact info ( address if possible )

If i left anything off please feel free to add whatever you feel we should know about the camping ground you list. Thanks again guys.

J

Here is a link to some campgrounds in Pisgah National Forrest. It's a great place for anyone in the Upstate of SC, South West NC, or Eastern TN to spend a long weekend at. Pleasant campsites, bathrooms, showers, scenic trails along the rivers or up the mountains for the novice and more rugged trails for the advanced.

Higher up, above the fish hatchery, the road turns to gravel. On up a ways it comes to the primitive campsites, no bathrooms, no showers, no people really (except for the diehards) Great place to get away and reconnect with nature. Went up there a few years ago with some friends and took the mountain bikes. Found an old fire road that took us to the top of the mountain. It was really amazing. Just be careful. I would estimate we passed 50 mph coming back down the mountian, on bicycles, on gravel. One heck of a ride, and well worth the trip to the top.

Pisgah



Cade's Cove Pigeon Forge, TN
Great Smoky Mountains

Nice 11 mile paved loop around the historic park. Old church, school, houses that you can tour. It is free, donation boxes throughout the park. Road is closed to vehicles certain days/times of year to allow bicycles and pedestrians safe passage. Loads of wildlife (deer, black bear, coyotes, birds, etc) I actually followed a herd of 6 deer for 2 hours one day in the park. I got to within 15 feet of them, photographing the whole time (photography is a major hobby of mine)

Another destination worth the trip.

Nantahala Outdoors Center

Nantahala is truly amazing. Miles and miles of hiking, backpacking, mountainbiking, canoeing, rafting, kayaking, etc. No real fees unless you want to rent gear, such as bike or canoe/kayak. Massive forrest with tons to do. They have events that look like they would be a blast to compete in, but due to real life butting in I have not had the time to participate.

Nantahala has many locations for various categories, here is a link to directions to each: NOC Directions

Hope to bump into you guys on the trails. Have fun and camp safe.

The last cool place I was (too many years ago) was called Spring Valley Trails campground, in Iowa County, WI, near the town of Clyde.

Another ARFCOMer and I decided to go camping one weekend - after all, I had a "new" tent from the Gander Mountain catalog outlet store - forgetting it was labor day weekend.

(The info about GM and catalog should give you an idea of dates)

The gate matron told us Governor Dodge was full, and gave us a list of alternative sites. She warned us about SVT, however, saying it was pretty, but primitive.

"They have pit toilets" she whispered, oblivious to the fact that we were both in some for of .mil camo and toting ALICE packs.

We thanked her and headed west, and discovered that SVT had new indoor toilet facilities complete with hot showers near the owner's home.

I really need to get out there again... if I can ever get a day off.

Stone Mountain State Park (NC)

SMSP has some good back country camping sites that don't take too long to backpack too. The Widows Creek trail is also part of the NC Mountain-to-Sea Trail which I really want to hike one of these years. Here are some pics of the trek to Campsite F, and the site itself.



Dont have pics of the stream that runs right by the campsite. Good cold mountain water. Very very cold!



Yours truly


Me at Stone Mountain Falls


There is also excellent rainbow trout fishing along Widows Creek and East Prong Roaring River.

I highly recommend "the Complete Guie to California Camping" by Tom Stienstra. There are over 50,000 listings covering most of California's camp sites. The descriptions are fairly accurate and include a point of contact phone number to call ahead. I don't pay for my dirt camping but it's nice to call the ranger and ask the current weather, the level of the lake, or how crowded the campground is. The book lists out costs, facilities, and gives driving directions.

Of course the book doesn't cover the tens of thousands of square miles of BLM property which covers the eastern portion of the state. Those areas are pretty nice dry camping where you can get away from everyone else for as long as you like. Shooting, camping, ATV, and 4wd advantures are all priced right (free!). Just be really careful with the fires when the wind is up and follow the regulations on shooting: no shooting within 100 yards of a road, 500 yards of a house IIRC - that only leaves 99.99% of the place.

Originally Posted By GaCracker: Paul, Do you have any info or sites for BLM info? I have been looking for a place to camp away from the parks and be able to shoot. I used to have some dirt up around Boonville and miss having that. Thanks for any help. Tim

The BLM runs a nice web site with all their local ranger stations. I drop by the one in Moreno Valley which is within a mile of where I work. Nice people. The regulations our here are pretty open - hunting is regulated by season but shooting (in most cases) is not. When we get red flag warnings with high winds and dry conditions I tend not to go shooting. Otherwise the regulations are something like 100 yards from a paved road and 500 yards from a home. My wife and I have been dry camping out here for +20 years.

BLUFF LANDING, WAGONER COUNTY OK.

Boat landing, Corps of Engineers maintained.
2 very primitive outhouses ... disgusting this past wknd - 3/01/08
1 lighted, running water - showers bathhouse....ancient but not offensive - relatively clean
About 10-12 campsites near boat landing, with water and electricity hookups $15 per nite, tables and grill
Another 10-12 sites 100 yds ?away from boat landing, with water and electricity also $15 per nite, with table and grill
8? primitive sites with grill and table - no utilities.
Overall a nice campground no road noise etc -
However - if don't you like drunk red necks howling at the moon and squealing tires at midnite --maybe consider a more family location.

Originally Posted By tr_1127: Indiana State Parks Information Indiana State Parks Campground Reservation i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/tr1290/chainolakes.jpg i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/tr1290/IMG_0266.jpg Chain O' Lakes State Park, Summer 2006. There was a primitive toilet across from our campsite , but there were modern facilities within sight. There was also a water spigot a few yards away. The campground store sells food, ice, firewood and basic supplies. A word to the wise on firewood: Buy it at one of the farms outside the park gate. It burns better and costs about the same.

I camped out there a lot as a kid. I loved the canoeing. It's a nice place.

I think anyone with Google can find all the camping information they want. The US Forest Service, and the various State agencies have a wealth of info out there, and all free for the asking.

WASHINGTON campers

But you think that a search will turn up. Hey this place has a problem with people cooking meth, people stealing/robbing and pillaging etc?