One of the main reasons we wanted to stay in Devils Garden Campground in Arches National Park was its proximity to hiking trails. One hike, called Broken Arch Trail, goes directly through the campground. We decided to hike a 2.8 mile loop to see Broken Arch, Sand Dune Arch, and Tapestry Arch. Aside from the Sand Dune Arch portion (which has a side trail leading to the main road), this route isn’t too crowded.

Broken Arch Trail

By early afternoon, we had finished our hike at Tower Arch Trail. Back at Devils Garden Campground, we walked as far south as we could, and started Broken Arch Trail in the campground near site 51. You could also begin at Sand Dune Arch Trailhead along Arches Scenic Drive (the main road). Unless you’re staying in the campground, that’s what we recommend.

The trail we took is a reverse lollipop loop that re-enters the campground at campsite 39. The loop can be done in either direction, and we chose counter-clockwise. The trail is sandy at the start, but transitions to slickrock. Cairns made it easy for us to navigate our way through. One way you can practice Leave No Trace is by avoiding stepping on the living cryptobiotic soil which is prevalent in Arches NP.

Looking east (our left), we had panoramic views of the surrounding area. In the distance, we saw what we thought were partially formed arches. Later in the hike, we realized this was actually Tapestry Arch. We scrambled downhill through narrow sandstone fins. It was chilly that day, but on a hot day the shade here would offer some respite from the heat.

Beyond the fins, we entered a wide open prairie, dominated by blackbrush, sagebrush, and other grasses. We were glad it was a cooler day, because there is no shade in this section. Looking to our left, we spotted Broken Arch in the distance. At a fork in the trail, we turned right to head toward Sand Dune Arch.

Sand Dune Arch

After about thirty minutes, we came to another intersection and turned left onto Sand Dune Arch Trail (continuing straight will take you to a parking lot along the park’s main road). The trail immediately ducks into a cluster of sandstone fins, and the dirt trail turns to sand. The wind whipped the sand all around us, and we put our buffs over our mouths so we wouldn’t breathe it in. Back here, the trail is more crowded since it’s so close to the road.

From here, it’s a short hike to Sand Dune Arch, and soon we were standing in front of it. Amongst the fins, the arch feels secluded, even with all the people around. Since lighting is limited, the arch almost glows red. A steady stream of people posed for photos with the arch as we waited for our turn (it took some time to get a photo without people in it). Afterward, we explored some narrow canyons further down the path, until we couldn’t go any further due to the large rock formations. We turned around and headed back to the intersection with Broken Arch Trail.

Broken Arch

The trail headed directly for the arch we had spotted in the prairie area. Larger and more prominent than Sand Dune Arch, Broken Arch loomed in front of us. This formation is unique because the trail goes through the opening of the arch. We walked on slickrock up to it, under it, and out the other side. The arch appears to have a crack running through it, but isn’t truly broken (so does Sand Dune Arch, interestingly).

On the other side of Broken Arch, there were several other hikers. Someone offered to take a photo of us in front of the arch and we happily accepted. In the background were the ever-present snow capped La Sal mountains. From this direction the arch is more photogenic in the afternoon, as sun shines on it in the morning. We continued following the cairns, and soon Tapestry Arch returned to view in the distance.

Tapestry Arch

Turning onto Tapestry Arch Trail, we followed cairns over sand and slickrock, while climbing over a few large downed tree branches (we wondered if they had been carried in by a flood). The arch was directly in front of us the whole time, and the side trail only took five to ten minutes to get there. It looks like there are triple arches there, but there’s only one true arch. The others may form arches someday when the sandstone weathers more. We think it’s called Tapestry Arch because it looks like the surrounding rock is woven together.

It was pretty windy as we admired the arch in silence – we were the only ones there! Compared to other arches on the loop, this was the most secluded and private. Tapestry Arch’s location isn’t on every map, nor is there any mention of it at any of the trailheads, so this one is off the beaten path. Luckily there’s is a sign for the arch at the intersection. As we headed back the way we came, we passed one other couple on the way to the arch.

After Tapestry Arch, it’s a short distance back to the campground. The trail ends by campsite 39, near some dumpsters and a restroom (a very scenic way to end your hike). This hike is enjoyable, relatively easy, and you get to see three arches along with other interesting rock formations. Sand Dune Arch tends to be fairly crowded, while Tapestry Arch gets few visitors. Overall this hike is less crowded than many in the park, and we really appreciated that we could hike it directly from the campground.

Sand Dune, Broken, and Tapestry Arches Loop Trail

Date: Sunday, March 25, 2018
Type: Lollipop loop day hike
Total Distance: 2.8 mi (4.5 km) round trip
Cumulative Elevation Gain/Loss: 427 feet (130 m)
Time: Two hours, including breaks
Trail Markings: Wayfinding Cairns
Difficulty: Easy
Crowds: Low, except in Sand Dune Arch area
Water: None
Highlights: Geological Features, Views
Directions to Sand Dune Arch Trailhead: Google Maps Directions
Notes: This trail can be started either inside Devils Garden Campground or at Sand Dune Arch Parking Lot. The map and trail directions assume the latter, which is easiest unless you’re staying in the campground.

Trail Directions

• 0.0 mi – Park at Sand Dune Arch Parking Lot, and take the trail to the east.
• 0.1 mi – At the intersection turn right, following the sign for Sand Dune Arch. The trail will get very sandy and go between sandstone fins.
• 0.2 mi – You’ll arrive at Sand Dune Arch. Check it out, then return to the last intersection.
• 0.3 mi – Turn right at the intersection, and follow the signs to Broken Arch.
• 0.6 mi – At the intersection, go right. You’ll see Broken Arch in the distance.
• 0.8 mi – The trail goes through Broken Arch.
• 1.3 mi – Turn right at the intersection with Tapestry Arch Trail.
• 1.5 mi – Arrive at Tapestry Arch. Enjoy the peace and quiet, then head back the way you came.
• 1.7 mi – Turn right at the intersection with Broken Arch Trail.
• 1.9 mi – The trail ends at Devils Garden Campground, near campsite 39. Turn left and follow the road. After 200 feet, keep left at the fork. Look for site 51, where Broken Arch Trail continues.
• 2.4 mi – This is the end of Broken Arch Loop. Turn right at the intersection, toward Sand Dune Arch.
• 2.7 mi – At the intersection with Sand Dune Arch Trail, continue straight to the parking lot.
• 2.8 mi – Back at the parking lot

Places

• Sand Dune Arch Parking Lot | 38.7641717,-109.5831754
• Sand Dune Arch | 38.7641717,-109.5831754
• Broken Arch | 38.7702866,-109.5784762
• Tapestry Arch | 38.7772651,-109.5838938

Maps

• Sand Dune, Broken, and Tapestry Arches Loop Trail Map (KTNP)

Elevation Graph

Interactive Map

The post Sand Dune, Broken, and Tapestry Arches Loop Trail appeared first on KTNPBlog.

Once again it was spring break, and time to explore our national parks. This time, we were headed to Utah. Most of our time would be spent in Arches National Park, with a couple days in Canyonlands. Based on flight cost and arrival time, we decided to fly into Grand Junction, Colorado and drive almost two hours to Moab, Utah. We planned to spend our first two nights at Devils Garden Campground, the only developed campground in Arches National Park.

Like most campgrounds in national parks, Devils Garden is very popular, so we researched and made a list of preferred sites ahead of time. Sites in the high teens and low 20s have very good views, but more sun and wind exposure. Sites in the 40s and 50s have fewer scenic views, but more shade and wind protection.

We were particularly interested in campsites that have better views. The moment the sites became available six months ahead of our visit, we logged into Recreation.gov to book. Campsites go quick – we got one of our top choices (site #24), but we would’ve been happy with any site.

Getting There

Our flight arrived in Grand Junction at 10 a.m., giving us plenty of time to drive into Moab. As we flew in, the mountains and mesa that surround the city were covered in snow. Colorado National Monument is close by, and we made a mental note to check it out someday. After picking up our rental car, we stopped at Walmart and REI for supplies.

We decided to take a longer scenic route to Moab via UT-128, as recommended by the car rental agency, rather than I-70. The snow-capped La Sal Mountains appeared intermittently throughout the trip. Afterwards, we passed by the creepy ghost town of Cisco. Stepping on the gas, we crossed the Colorado River on Dewey Suspension Bridge, and followed the river into Moab.

Our car weaved between red mesas, colorful mountains, spires, and other picturesque formations. All the colors, shapes, and textures created amazing views with the La Sals in the background. There were many pull-offs, so we stopped a few times to take photos. We also carefully watched for cyclists around blind curves. Eventually, we crossed the Colorado River again, passed Moab, and arrived at Arches National Park.

Entering Arches National Park

Cars were backed up at the park entrance, which seems to happen often. Thankfully, it was late afternoon and other visitors were leaving, so it only took five minutes to enter. We went to the visitor center right away to get water. It had a slight chlorine taste, but we wanted to make sure we had enough (and it’s free). We’d be back at the visitor center the following day to book Fiery Furnace permits and learn about the geology of the area.

Devils Garden Campground is located at the opposite end of Arches NP, so we essentially had to drive through the entire park (18 miles) to get there. We really enjoyed the drive, which was like a mini-orientation. As the road ascended, we spotted well-known rock formations like the Three Gossips. We stopped for a quick 0.3 mile walk around Balanced Rock, which was interesting to observe from different angles.

Devils Garden Campground

In the early 1920s, an immigrant prospector named Alexander Ringhoffer explored Klondike Bluffs, a rugged area with fins and arches in what is now the west side of Arches National Park. When Arches was designated as a national monument in 1929, the Klondike Bluffs area was initially left out. Interestingly, Ringhoffer originally called this section Devils Garden, but that name was transposed onto the area we now know as Devils Garden.

Finally, we reached the campground at the end of the main park road. It looked just like the photos (that isn’t always the case). Near the entrance, we saw the host cabin where firewood was available, but the hosts were away. On the way to our site, we ran into the hosts and chatted with them. Later, they would bring by firewood ($5/bundle) and newspaper for kindling.

Arriving at our campsite, we remembered our conversation months earlier about all the site variables – views vs wind protection vs privacy. We had opted for views, and our site delivered. The nearby rock formations and La Sal Mountains in the distance were exactly the vibe we wanted. Now for the downside – it was very windy, around 20 mph with stronger gusts.

We organized our gear, and starting cooking a dinner of hotdogs with peppers, onions, and Old Bay seasoning. It took many attempts to start a fire due to the wind, but we got it going eventually. After dinner, we started exploring the campground. We made sure not to step on the delicate cryptobiotic soil, which was everywhere. This soil contains microorganisms and is essential to the health of the local ecosystem since it helps limit erosion and retain water.

Across the road from our campsite was a path to the campground amphitheater. And beyond that was our first arch – Skyline Arch. Scrambling up and around rocks and boulders, we found a path to get closer to it. It was a lot of fun to take photos of (and with) the arch. Stars were visible at 8:15 p.m., even though the sky had been overcast earlier. Arches NP often has a clear night sky, and we spotted two constellations – Orion and the Big Dipper.

Exhausted, we went back to our campsite and crashed. Around midnight, our next door neighbors were being a bit loud, but we talked to them and they quieted down. We felt bad, as they had been up celebrating something, but we appreciated it. After that, the campground was nice and quiet, so we got a good nights’ sleep.

The Next Day – More Adventures

In the morning, we woke up to a cool, partly cloudy day, which slowly warmed up. We got breakfast, and scared off some birds (probably crows or ravens) so they wouldn’t get into our gear and food. Next, we returned to the visitor center to get permits for Fiery Furnace, then hiked to Tower Arch. Later that afternoon, we headed back to the campground to hike the route to Sand Dune, Broken, and Tapestry Arches. The trail passes through the campground, so it was convenient to do while staying there.

The trail was fun, but the weather was becoming increasingly windy, foreshadowing what happened when we arrived back at our campsite. Our tent had blown free of half its stakes, and the poles were bending considerably. Thankfully, we were able to wrangle everything and prevent it from blowing away. If we had gotten there a few minutes later though, who knows what would have happened. If we stay at a similarly exposed site next time, we would secure the tent with some rocks. This was the tradeoff for those views we wanted.

After the mishap with our tent, we decided to sleep in our car. It was chilly, but our double quilt kept us fairly warm (though individual sleeping bags would have been better in this situation). In the morning, the wind had died down. It had been our last night in the campground, so we packed up and headed to Devils Garden Trail, a popular nearby hike.

Since Arches tends to have excellent conditions for stargazing, I had really wanted to do some night photography. In the end, I only took a few photos, due to the wind and cold nighttime temperature.

Even with a few weather-related complaints, we really enjoyed staying at Devils Garden Campground and highly recommend it. It’s one of our favorite campgrounds so far. And the location is perfect – many hikes are close by, and you don’t have to wait in line to enter the park every day. Just…don’t leave a backpacking tent on an exposed site during a very windy day without securing it further.

Devils Garden Campground | 51 Campsites

Dates Visited: March 24 – 26, 2018
Location: 18 miles from the park’s main entrance (Google Maps Directions)
Amenities:  Potable Water | Fire Pits & Barbecues | Picnic Table | Flush/Vault Toilets | Amphitheater | Trash and Recycling| Firewood for Sale
Dates Open: Year Round (with reduced availability in winter)
Prices: $25/night for individual tent campsite | $75-$250/night for group campsite depending on number of campers
Reservations: All sites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance for visits between March 1 and October 31. From November to February, all sites are first-come, first-served.
Highlights: Views, Located in the Park, Skyline Arch
Best Sites: The sites on the north and east sides of the campground, with numbers in the 10s and 20s, typically have better views and are more exposed to the elements. Sites in the south of the campground, numbered in the 40s and 50s, have more rock formations for wind protection and privacy. For the best views check out sites 18, 20, 21, 23, or 24. If you’re looking for a site that’s spacious, private, and near large rocks, look at 48, 50, or 51. But you can’t really go wrong with any site.
Notes: There are two group campsites and 49 individual sites. Check-out time is 10:00 am.

Places

• Devils Garden Campground | 38.7782749, -109.5860319
• Skyline Arch | 38.7782749, -109.5860319

Maps

• Devils Garden Campground Map

Links

• Devils Garden Campground (NPS)
• Devils Garden Campground Reservations (Recreation.gov)
• Cryptobiotic Soil Article (NPS)

Interactive Map

The post Devils Garden Campground appeared first on KTNPBlog.

We had just finished hiking Mount Scott, also in the southeast section of the park. It was an easy drive to Pinnacles Road, which intersects with East Rim Drive at Phantom Ship Overlook. Plaikni Falls was our next destination, 1.1 miles down Pinnacles Road.

Plaikni Falls Trail

The trail to Plaikni Falls is an easy 2-mile out and back hike. The trail, constructed in 2011, is mostly wheelchair accessible. The exception is the short section at the end which allows visitors to walk closer to the falls. The name “Plaikni” comes from a Klamath Native American word that means “from the high country.”

Rocks line the manicured path, and distinctive benches are placed periodically along the trail. Meandering through a forest, the trail passes a large rocky outcropping on the left. Red, yellow, and purple wildflowers were scattered along the trail. I was surprised by the plant diversity given how short the trail is. There were columbines, monkey flowers, orchids, bleeding hearts, and more!

As we approached the end of the trail, a stream flowed on our right. Upstream we saw the beautiful Plaikni Falls, where a few other groups enjoyed the scenery. After a brief wait, we had it all to ourselves for a few minutes. We were able to get close enough to the falls to feel drops of water, which was very refreshing. Late afternoon is the perfect time to photograph Plaikni Falls to avoid glare from the sun.

Although there were a few mosquitoes, particularly close to the water, this short hike has great payoff. The trail is wide and flat, so it’s easily accessible for people of all abilities. We usually prefer more rugged terrain, but this hike is well-maintained and culminates in a captivating waterfall.

Pinnacles Trail

After enjoying Plaikni Falls, we drove further south to Pinnacles Trail, at the end of Pinnacles Road. On the way, we stopped to check out Lost Creek Campground, which the National Park Service operates. The first-come, first-served primitive campsites cost $10 per night. It was very quiet, and we wished we had stayed there rather than Mazama Campground. The campground bathrooms (outhouses) are the only in the area, as Plaikni Falls and Pinnacles don’t have any facilities.

We parked in the small lot near Pinnacles Trail, along with a few other visitors. A sign details the geological formation of the nearby spires, some of which we could see from the parking lot. The spires, also called fossil fumaroles, were formed by volcanic gases and steam that were released through tubes in ash that covered the area. Over time, these tubes hardened and the ash surrounding them eroded, leaving the spires.

Although you can see some volcanic spires from the parking lot, a 0.8 mile out and back hike takes visitors along a rim overlooking Wheeler and Sand Creeks. Like Plaikni Falls, Pinnacles Trail is wheelchair accessible. Covered with gravel and sand, the trail is easy and flat.

Along the trail are several lookouts into the canyon, providing views of the pinnacles and Sand Creek. Clusters of pinnacles line the trail side of the canyon. Looking across to the other side are lone pinnacles amongst the trees. Some spires were fun (and difficult) to pick out from the trees! Afternoon is not an ideal time for photography; morning or midday might have provided better lighting.

At the end of the trail is a large stone structure which marks the historic eastern entrance to the park. The structure was built by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) in 1937 and the entrance was closed in 1973 due to disuse. We noticed how similar it looked to the north entrance.

Beyond that point, the trail becomes a forest road and continues into Fremont-Winema National Forest. After relaxing a moment in solitude, we turned around and headed back to the parking lot. This is a short and unique hike, especially for those interested in geology.

Places

• Plaikni Falls Trailhead | 42.907286, -122.0684791
• Pinnacles Trailhead | 42.849872, -122.0074557
• Lost Creek Campground | 42.8793819, -122.0369873

Links

• Plaikni Falls Trail (Crater Lake Institute)
• Crater Lake East Entrance (Oregon Hikers)

The post Plaikni Falls & Pinnacles Trails appeared first on KTNPBlog.

Mazama is the largest and most centrally-located campground in the park. When we visited, it was managed by Xanterra, a concessioner that manages guest services in a number of parks. This was new to us, as every other campground we’ve stayed at in a National Park was run by the NPS. Since our visit, Aramark has become the concessioner, so some of these details may no longer be accurate. In general, we’ve had better experiences at NPS-run campgrounds.

Finding a Campsite

We reserved a campsite online when they first became available a few months in advance. Unlike the NPS-run campgrounds we’ve visited, where we reserved the site of our choice, we were only able to reserve a “type” of campsite based on size – in our case, a 12-ft x 12-ft tent site.

As we drove into the campground area, we found parking in a large lot next to Annie Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop. We checked in at a nearby kiosk, and the attendant told us to go find a campsite that had a blue marker on the campground post. But he couldn’t tell us which ones were “blue.” So we wasted a lot of time driving around looking for an empty campsite. The roads are narrow, so watch out for people walking and kids riding bikes.

Eventually, we found a site in Loop G, a tent-only camping area. It turns out that there were only four blue marked tent sites left when we arrived. So really, it’s first come, first served as far as getting a good site. The best sites are the ones in the back of the loops, which look into a canyon and Annie Creek. The trade-off is that they’re further from the bathroom.

Our site, G11, was closer to the road and bathrooms. Given what was available, it was the best of the worst. There was trash in our campsite, the picnic table was broken (but still usable), and there were lots of mosquitoes. It seemed crowded, with neighboring campsites in close proximity, and people everywhere. We set up our tent, ready to make the best of it.

Surrounding Amenities

By the time we got set up, we were starving. It was too late to cook dinner, so we decided to check out Annie Creek Restaurant. We’ll leave a review in our restaurant post (spoiler alert: it wasn’t good). While we ate, the weather took a turn for the worse and it started storming. Hail that was 3-4 mm in diameter fell from the sky, which was cool to see, though we grew a bit concerned since we were camping. The hail piled up initially, but stopped – and melted – by the time we left the restaurant.

Back at our campsite, we got ready for bed. The sky glowed a beautiful reddish purple after the storm. The restrooms were near our site, and they had soap and paper towels, which is always a bonus. The other campers were relatively quiet, which we appreciated.

The following morning, we started hearing voices around 7 a.m. – which isn’t bad when you’re camping. We checked out the camp store, where we bought some food and firewood. They also carry ice, dehydrated meals, beer and wine, gifts, and other helpful items. Outside the shop is a gas pump. And thankfully, they also have an air compressor, which came in handy when our rental car developed a small leak in one of the tires.

There were only a few moments it didn’t rain that day. That evening, we built a roaring fire, roasted marshmallows, and generally had a warm and toasty evening. And we were glad, because the storms resumed shortly after. According to some Xanterra employees, rain in Crater Lake is unusual in July. We had planned to stay a third night in the campground, but with the thunder, we bailed and found a room at Diamond Lake Resort, north of the park.

So. Mazama Campground is a campground, and it’s an okay campground. We weren’t wowed. We didn’t like the site selection process, our broken picnic table, the mosquitoes, the crowds, or the overall vibe. It was nice to know we’d have a site waiting for us, though. And we were glad it was quiet and had some amenities.

If we visit again, we would stay in Lost Creek Campground – the other campground in the park – which we drove through after a hike to Plaikni Falls. It’s a smaller, NPS-run, first-come, first-served campground, so we’d also have to consider a backup outside the park. Sites have more sun exposure, are larger, and seem quieter and more peaceful. It doesn’t have as many amenities – but sometimes we prefer that.

Mazama Campground | 214 Campsites

Dates Visited: July 24 – 26, 2017
Location: 7 miles south of Rim Village (Google Maps Directions)
Amenities: Showers | Potable Water | Fire Pits & Barbecues | Picnic Table | Flush Toilets | Bear Boxes | Camp Store | Gas Station | Laundry | Amphitheater
Dates Open: Mid-June through Late September
Prices: $21/night for tent campsite | Between $31-$42/night for RV site | $5/night for walk-in campsite
Reservations: 75% of sites can be reserved in advance for July-September. Otherwise, all sites are first-come, first-served.
Highlights: Annie Creek flows adjacent to the campground.
Best Sites: Campsites to the back of the loops next to Annie Creek. Loop G is tent-only. Other loops have a mix of tent and RV sites. Get there early to select your site.
Notes: Managed by Aramark. Check-in time is between 12:00 pm and 9:00 pm, check-out is 12:00 pm.

Places

• Mazama Campground | 42.8676392, -122.1676625
• Annie Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop | 569 Mazama Village, Crater Lake Hwy, White City, OR
• Mazama Village Store | 42.8675139, -122.1666105

Maps

• Mazama Campground Map

Links

• Mazama Campground (NPS)
• Mazama Campground Reservations

Interactive Map

The post Mazama Campground appeared first on KTNPBlog.

We reserved our campsite the day it became available so we wouldn’t miss out. We went through the same process for our stay at Gold Bluffs Beach Campground. Since then, the reservation process has changed, but can still be challenging to navigate.

After our dinner at SeaQuake Brewing in Crescent City, we arrived at Jed Smith campground. Our site, #18, had a bear box, picnic table, and fire ring. It is conveniently located across from one of the three restrooms in the campground. Each restroom has flush toilets, sinks, and showers. There was no soap, or even sanitizer – we definitely recommend bringing your own!

To continue the glamping experience, we also took hot showers. There were two shower stalls, each with a changing area. It cost $0.50 for two minutes (a steal), and $0.25 for each additional minute. The water took about 30 seconds to warm up, and was well worth it. The bathrooms were clean, and we were grateful for a hot shower.

The campground was quiet, which made for a peaceful night’s sleep. When we awoke the next morning, we could see our campsite a lot better. It was a mostly shaded spot with redwoods, though close to some neighbors. Behind us was a stunning view of the emerald green Smith River and sandy beach. Additionally, directly behind our site was River Beach Trail, which winds around the campground.

The northern part of Jed Smith campground has five “hike and bike-in” campsites. There are also 4 sparse cabins in the campground. They cost $100 per night, which seems steep. Still, part of me wishes we had stayed there, just for the experience.

After a quick oatmeal breakfast, we walked to Jedediah Smith Visitor Center, which is centrally located within the campground. It has a small gift shop, and behind it is an amphitheater that hosts ranger programs a few evenings a week. A day use area also allows river access to non-campers for $8 per car. According to the park website, day access is free to those who hike or bike in.

Next we headed to Hiouchi Visitor Center, where we met for a kayaking trip on Smith River. It’s an easy walk along the road, less than a quarter mile from the campground.

After our kayaking trip, we headed to the beach near our campsite to warm up. It was a sunny afternoon in the 70s, and a number of other visitors were enjoying the area too. A log staircase, with no handrail, led to the beach – so we had to be careful.

While we really enjoyed our campsite, we did see larger sites that were closer to the river and nearer to large redwood trees. Those campsites, 47-58, were on the lower level on a smaller loop. I might try to reserve one of those someday when we return. But you really can’t go wrong with any site in this peaceful and well-maintained campground. This was my favorite campground so far on our adventures, aside from the primitive Duck Harbor Campground in Acadia NP.

Jedediah Smith Campground | 86 Campsites | 7 Hike-in Campsites | 4 Cabins

Date Visited: July 20 – 22, 2017
Location: Jedediah Smith State Park, 10 miles east of Crescent City, CA (Google Maps Directions)
Amenities: Hot Showers | Cabins | Potable Water | Fire Pits & Barbecues | Picnic Table | Flush Toilets | Bear boxes | Visitor Center
Dates Open: Year-round
Prices: $35/night for campsite | $100/night for cabin (summer), $80/night (winter)
Highlights: Redwood trees, beach
Best Sites: We recommend any site, but sites 47-58 are closer to the beach with larger redwood trees.
Notes: Reservations are accepted up to six months in advance and no less than 48 hours; otherwise first-come, first served. Check-in time is 2pm, check-out is 12:00 pm. Most popular dates are mid-May through late September.

Places

• Jedediah Smith Campground | 1461 US-199, Crescent City, CA 95531
• Hiouchi Chevron (for supplies) | 2100 US-199, Crescent City, CA 95531

Maps

• Jedediah Smith Campground Map

Links

• Jedediah Smith Campground Reservations

Interactive Map

The post Jedediah Smith Campground appeared first on KTNPBlog.

Reserving a campsite at any campground in Redwood can be a challenge. Back in 2017 when we reserved a site for Gold Bluffs, we were online the moment the sites became available. Since then, the process has changed slightly, but sites still need to be booked as soon as possible. A campsite will become available on the corresponding day six months in advance (for example, you can reserve a site for July 5 beginning on January 5). We had listed some preferred sites, and we were thrilled when we were able to reserve a site.

According to a sign in the park, the colorful cliffs along the beach preserve part of an ancient river, which eroded gold deposits that were carried to the ocean. Along the way, the gold mixed with sediment and formed the bluffs over time. In the 1850s, prospectors found a way to mine the gold, too. Hence, the area is known as Gold Bluffs.

Arriving at the Campground

After our first hike in Redwood National Park, Lyons Ranch, we drove to Gold Bluffs Beach Campground. The campground is located in Prairie Creek State Park. We turned onto the unpaved Davison Road and were immediately greeted by a dark, dusty scene. Redwood trees blocked much of the sunlight, and plants lining the road were covered with dirt. It was a bit like entering another world.

From the intersection of Redwood Highway and Davison Road, the drive is about 5.6 miles, according to Google Maps. At dusk, we could see an occasional ray of sun peeking through. This gave off an eerie vibe which we didn’t expect. It felt like a long trip, though it only took about 20 minutes.

We arrived at the campground after 5pm, so the registration kiosk had closed. Our campsite was reserved and labeled with our name. We set up our tent, then explored the campground. We planned to pick up our parking pass the next morning.

First, we went to the camp host to purchase a bundle of firewood (sold from 5-8 pm except on Wednesdays and Thursdays). The camp host site is near the restrooms, which lacked lights, but they had flush toilets and were fully enclosed! Also nearby are solar showers, which are free for campers. The hot water doesn’t last long (if at all), but it’s warmer than jumping in the ocean. It was finicky, but pushing the button in firmly finally got it going.

Finally, we checked out the campground’s biggest attraction: the adjacent beach. But the weather was miserable – cold, grey, and dreary. Likewise, the ocean was rough and chilly. We hoped a hot dinner (hot dogs, of course) would improve our mood. The wind made it tricky to start a fire, but we used our backpacking stove to light our firestarter. Aren’t we creative?

We kept our food in the bear box while preparing dinner because there were large birds throughout the campground. All went smoothly, until a crow swooped down and tried to fly off with hotdog buns I had mistakenly placed on top of the bear box for a moment. He managed to impale the buns in the front of the package, but it was too heavy and he dropped it. Thankfully, we were able to salvage a few buns.

It was cold, and we were worried about the birds dive-bombing our dinner, so we ate in the car. This wasn’t quite the “beach camping” experience we had in mind. At least our tent was cozy. When we awoke the next morning, the campground was still blustery and cold (in the 50s or so). To avoid the wind, we opted for a quick breakfast (you guessed it…in our car).

Warming Up

That morning, we left Gold Bluffs to hike the James Irvine & Miner’s Ridge Trails. On the way, we stopped by Elk Meadow Picnic Area, located at the end of Davison Road near highway 101. We had read that it’s (not surprisingly) a good place to spot Roosevelt elk, and we saw four of them! Apparently, elk frequent Gold Bluffs Beach Campground, but we didn’t see any there.

Later that day, we walked through Gold Bluffs Beach Campground while hiking the James Irvine & Miner’s Ridge Trail. The sun had come out, and the campground and beach had warmed up significantly. The ocean looked blue rather than the colorless abyss we’d left behind that morning. The black and white sand had gotten quite hot in places. We enjoyed the beach, but we couldn’t linger since we planned to hike 12 miles that day.

Our visit to Gold Bluffs Beach Campground was a reminder that we should stop and relax every once in awhile rather than trying to see everything. But the next morning, we awoke to an unfamiliar sight – the sun was coming out! We had to check out by noon, which gave us plenty of time to enjoy our last day at the campground.

As we packed up and ate breakfast, the sun slowly warmed up the world. The area was finally “gold” like its name suggests. It was warm and sunny with the beachy vibes we’d been hoping for. Our experience wasn’t exactly what we had in mind, but we learned a lot about flexibility and the climate of northern California.

Gold Bluffs Campground | 26 Campsites | 1 Hike-in Campsite

Date Visited: July 17 – 19, 2017
Location: Prairie Creek State Park (Google Maps Directions)
Amenities: Solar-powered Showers | Potable Water | Fire Pits & Barbecues | Picnic Table | Flush Toilets | Food Lockers
Dates Open: Year-round, though reservations are required May 15-Sept 28. First-come, first-served otherwise.
Prices: $35/night for campsite
Highlights: Beach, ocean, Fern Canyon, elk
Best Sites: We prefer those that are closer to the ocean on the outside of the loop (e.g. 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19)
Notes: Reservations are accepted up to six months and no less than 48 hours in advance; otherwise first-come, first served. Check-in is 2pm, check-out is 12:00 pm. Most popular dates are mid-May to late-September.

Places

• Gold Bluffs Beach Campground | Davison Rd, Orick, CA 95555
• Elk Meadow Picnic Area | 41.3223801, -124.0427265
• Orick Market | 121175 US-101, Orick, CA 95555

Maps

• Gold Bluffs Beach Campground Map

Links

• Gold Bluffs Beach Campground Reservations
• Roosevelt Elk (NPS)

Interactive Map

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