Northern CA and Southern Oregon Camping in April

Crater Lake is a long way from anywhere, and there is not a whole lot to do there. But don't miss it! It is one of the wonders of the world, in my opinion. This picture captures the actual, honest to goodness color -- this picture has not been altered at all:



And if you are there in warm weather, toward the end of summer, bring your bathing suit and a towel and hike down to the bottom -- it is amazing to swim around in that indigo blue:

Crater Lake is awesome. It's not a day trip from the coast, but you probably know that. Check the weather, etc. On our first visit in July, 1983, there was still a little snow in the campground, and it was very cold. Last fall we intended to visit, but fires in the area changed that. Crater Lake RV Park got my kind of reviews. Two separate calls (to make reservations & to cancel them) supported that.

My daughter was suggesting a possible visit to the Crater Lake area... Would this be a good place for us to visit? Any folks with experiences there or with recommendations?

Thanks, John S

Did kinda get off topic, huh? While I have been to the Oregon coast a couple of times, I'm most familiar with No Cal's. The obvious draw aside from the coast itself are the redwoods. Prairie Creek is one of my favorite areas, but all the groves are just great. We also are pretty infatuated with Ferndale near Eureka. Old Victorian homes. There are a number of 'awesome . . . off the beaten path . . . " roads that come off of 101 / 1 and head to the sea. Check with knowledgable locals before heading into these areas towing your Airstream. Two quick ones that come to mind are 211 out of Ferndale. Doable towing by much better wthout. The other is the drive down to Shelter Cove. I recently posted about this elsewhere, but it's a handful just getting a truck down that one. I'd never suggest an RV . . . But there's an RV park down there! And great fish & chips.

Thanks for all the campground suggestions.... Any more suggestions for attractions to see or any unique places to eat or enjoy?

I have to agree that Oregon is on the ball with their funding of state parks, at least compared to CA & WA, although I'll miss Oregon's dropping the "Discovery Season" program of low cost camping early in the season.

Most of the California state parks I visited were over crowded, expensive, and as mentioned, rarely had hookups. While Washington's state parks were in better condition, and often offered at least water & electric, they were still quite expensive.

Your information is incorrect, the original ballot measure 66 specifies that the parks money be used to purchase new parks and maintain existing parks. The original ballot measure can be found here.

It specifies "Dedicates half of fund to create, maintain state parks, ocean shores, public beach access areas..."

Here is an article that mentions the hundreds of parks projects.

RambleOnNW wrote:
Oregon voters approved a measure in 1998 that dedicates 15% of lottery dollars to parks and natural resources. This provides around $80 million per year, half for parks and half for natural resources. This has allowed new state parks to open, the first in 30 years, and also make many improvements at existing parks.

The lottery money is only good for new parks....it does not help with the older parks to upgrade or improve. Also.....a lot of parks are running out of their allotment of lotto funds earlier because lees money is coming in due to low lottery sales.

Oregon voters approved a measure in 1998 that dedicates 15% of lottery dollars to parks and natural resources. This provides around $80 million per year, half for parks and half for natural resources. This has allowed new state parks to open, the first in 30 years, and also make many improvements at existing parks.

Given how important tourism is to the California economy, I have often wondered why our park system is so badly under-funded. It seems short-sighted -- if you build it, they will come. The facilities are so run-down and crowded that the parks are driving away users, making California less desirable as a tourist destination.

I wonder why things are so noticeably different (and better) in Oregon?? I can't explain the difference. Politically, the two states are fairly similar.