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Date:         Tue, 20 Apr 2004 07:36:23 -0700
Reply-To:     Chris Sullivan <feedle@FEEDLE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris Sullivan <feedle@FEEDLE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Camping question.
Comments: To: Jean-Woo Kim <jeanwoo@FULLER.EDU>
In-Reply-To:  <002301c42644$7dd2b8d0$c800a8c0@laptop>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

On Apr 19, 2004, at 12:28 PM, Jean-Woo Kim wrote:

> For the first time, my family of 4, including 2 small children, went > camping > last week in our 87 GL Wolfsburg along the Southern California coast. > We had > so much fun. We went to State Park campsites and paid about 15 bucks > for > each night. > What do others do when they go camping in their Vanagons? Is there a > way to > camp for free without checking into a campsite? Also, can some listees > in > SoCal suggest some good family campsites? My children want to go > camping > again.

There are few "free" places to really camp in Southern California, unfortunately. Since all of our national parks started doing the "Adventure Pass" program (which will eventually spread nationwide, we're told), many of the formerly free roadside nooks and crannies along our rural state highways have become "pay campsites" by nature of being in one of the local National Forests. Additionally, crime is an issue: many of the suburban areas where one would be likely to "boondock" (the High Desert comes to mind here) has a somewhat serious property crime problem (vandalism and auto theft).

However, the Adventure Pass isn't horribly expensive (I believe it's $30/year currently) and usually worth it. There are a couple of spots I'd be willing to share in the Cleveland and San Bernardino Nat'l Forest... offlist *chuckle*. Except in peak fire season, it's usually okay to camp anywhere in our local forests provided there's no posting prohibiting either camping or parking. As always, it's a good idea to inquire locally.. in fact, I make it a point to ask for suggestions at ranger stations and the like.. often times, you can get some great pointers from the friendly folks who work for the Forest Service.

As far as specific recommendations, check out the Chilao campsite in the Angeles Nat'l Forest. $12/night, no hookups, but nearby water (when the well isn't dry) and pit toilets. There is a small visitor center (http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/about/visitor-centers-chilao.shtml) which has a neat 3-D relief map of the Los Angeles area that puts into perspective exactly how high the nearby mountains really are. It is closed from around November to April. It is about 30 miles in on Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2), about 10 miles past the Mount Wilson road. It's 5200 feet high, so check snow levels before you go or come expecting cold. My girlfriend and I went up there this past weekend and there was light snow. There is also a serviceable restaurant nearby. Wonderful scenery, well-forested area. I, personally, like the campsites on the Manzanita Loop, especially the ones numbered from around 19 to around 28. It is a busy campsite, but surprisingly quiet. The Pacific Crest Trail (and a number of other interesting local trails) runs close by. (818) 899-1900 for info. Best to call before you head up there. Note that mid-summer, weekends can be VERY crowded here. Oh, bring exact change.. it's a self-pay site (meaning: stuff money in provided envelope and shove envelope into lockbox).

If you like the desert, and have been frustrated by the perpetual lack of space at Joshua Tree Nat'l Monument, check out the Mojave National Preserve, out past Barstow. It's still a new National Park, so there isn't a lot out there yet, but I've had decent enough experiences at the "Hole-in-The-Wall". Like Chilao, there is no hookups, but running water and pit toilets (unlike Chilao, they don't have a well problem, so there is always water). Another campsite out in the Mojave is "Mid-Hills". The road to Mid-Hills is not paved.. however, it is usually maintained well enough to get a passenger car down (so a Westy should present no issues). Mid-Hills is at a higher altitude, with a small stand of juniper and scrub pines, which makes it surprisingly pleasant in early summer. Both are $12/night.

Book suggestion: http://tinyurl.com/2deza (amazon link) "The Unofficial Guide to the Best RV and Tent Campgrounds in California and the West". This book, plus "Foghorn Outdoors: California Camping" http://tinyurl.com/3gf3k (also amazon) are indispensable, and both should be part of every California RV'ers/camper's library.

Hope that steers you in the right direction.


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