US Forest Service campgrounds
Sorry, this is a bit of a rant, but I also have a question. In my explorations of fire trails and dirt roads within my home county, I've come across rustic federal campgrounds that demand payment. ...
Forum Discussion
Desert Captain wrote:
To get to any of the CG's at Roosevelt Lake you have to drive past a number of businesses that all advertise on large signs along the highway for the Tonto National Forrest Pass. Sounds like the OP just didn't do his homework not knowing that you buy the pass on the way in. Roosevelt lake is just about the best deal in Arizona at $6 a night and yes, $3 a night with our geezer pass (this includes hot showers, flush toilets and beautiful lake view sites), and it is a 2 minute no brainer to simply stop and pick up your pass on the way to the CG. Local knowledge is a wonderful thing. :C
Local knowledge must account for the empty campground the May evening we were there.
Maybe the other campers we saw come in read the sign then leave had local knowledge as well.
But your right I was on a 4 month trip and I did no homework regarding Roosevelt Lake before leaving my Washington State home three months before.
Can't remember any vendor signs about a Tonto Pass. But previous Forest Service campground experience had me believing Iron Rangers would except overnight camping fees.
Prices were good at Cholla campground but we stayed at a Corp of Engineers campground at Mc Afee lake near Cortez Co. that only cost $2.50 a night and the Iron Ranger took the $2.50. Of course many beaches in Baja, Mexico have free camping.
Oh yes we have camped in two FREE Corp of Engineers campgrounds in Washington State.
Even a couple of free ones run by an evil logging company.
