Happy Campers

 http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/plants/ind…

The government is at it again. Right now there is talk about raising the rates for campgrounds in a large portion of the state.  Here is the sight.. What really upset me was when I looked at their justification, they didn't spend over $200,000. In other words this public body made money from you and is working on making more unless someone says something about it.






I wrote this in response and urge everyone to do the same:

Dear Amy Tinderholt,

 

I was doing some research on camping for next year and came across the Campground, Group Campground and Recreational Fee Increase Proposals for 2008. I normally have no problem with paying fees particularly when it comes to outdoor activities as it is something that my family enjoys. I was however disgusted at when I looked a little further at ‘What did your campground fees accomplish on the forests last year’.

 

There was $197,397 in unspent revenue from recreation fees in the Okanogan and Wenatchee Forests and you are still raising the fees? In the past three years, my wife and I have came across sites in both sections that were in need of repair, shoddily designed or have been days with out seeing a ranger. There are sites without water because the well is no longer functioning. What is even worse is when we go out of state and find their camping facilities cheaper and more maintained.

 

If you can not spend our money now on basic services then why are our rates being increased?

 

Sincerely,

Matthew A. McColm

 

Wakey-wakey, WA Camping -- need some info:

Has anyone tried exploring any of the forest service roads to the east of North Cascades National Park, or the forest service road that runs south out of Marblehead and towards Eldarado Peak?

I found this link.. It is a good list of sites near Bellingham and North Cascades area. It includes government and private. Does anyone out there have similar lists?

Gone fishing, first day out.

We found a Camping Crib after months of looking. It's the Pea Pod by Kidco and looks like this:



It's got a little inflatable matteress, skeeter netting and even a little sleeping bag. We gave it a test run today and the little dude seems delighted by it. We are taking it on it's first outing next week.

Has anyone camped up at Mt. Rainier? My girlfriend and I and a couple friends of ours are camping up there for four days this weekend. We have a spot at the Ohanapecosh campsite.

I am a new camper in washington. i moved from california to portland last year so the majority of my camping has been california.

Has anyone camped in Mt. Rainier Nat'l Forest? Has anyone camped at the Ohanapecosh site?
How is it? What was your experience like?

I am super excited to go camping again, and from what i find online it seems like a cool place to camp up there.

Wow, dead community it seems.  Let's see if I can change that.

I am thinking that I'd like to go camping soon.  It would only be a short weekend trip, perhaps 2 or 3 weeks from now.
The only campgrounds I am familiar with these days is Twin Harbors at Westport.
I'm just a wee bit north of Seattle, and due to the short trip and the fact that I have a toddler, I don't want to go any more than a few hours away at max.  And obviously I'd need something that isn't all booked up at this point.

Okay... so now spam me with your ideas!  The more fun for a toddler (1.5 years old), the better.  And for that reason I'd also need a campground that at least had a sink, and some kind of potable water preferred ... in other words, no backwoods in-the-middle-of-nowhere camping.

Have I rambled enough?  Oh good.

Thank-you!

I found an interesting site for parents, here. We have already started looking at what to do for next year. Since we will have a baby, it will be a very interesting time. Any tips or suggestions?

Hello community! My friend and I are currently in negotiations for our next camping trip. I'm a slightly experienced car camper in poor shape and he is a hardcore hiker and athlete. Needless to say, we normally have to compromise on visually stunning places with easy hikes near them.

Right now my hope is to talk him into the Olympic Peninsula. Right now I'm looking at Hoh specifically, with some consideration towards Mora and Seal Rock. I have some questions...

1. Which of those three have the nicest "short hikes" with great views?

2. We're going for three days starting Sunday the 18th of Sept, since none of these campsites have reservation systems, how full should I expect them to be? Am I dreaming the impossible dream?

3. Any suggestions of somewhere better?


Thanks a lot for any help you can give.