Best Little Campsites that no one knows
From time to time I read about campsites in the West where the pictographs and dwellings are stunning. Or sites along the Great Lakes that are breathtaking. Many times, however, the posters are reluct...
Forum Discussion
Here's a trip report I did for a CG in the north Idaho Rockies called Lost Moose CG. Loved the place, we've rented out the entire CG again for this June.
Original TR:
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I have to say, like that old guy on those beer commercials... "I don't normally stay at campgrounds, but when I do, I stay at Lost Moose Campground."
I REALLY debated whether or not to write this, because I LOVED the place, and didn't want everyone flooding it! If you're into casual offroad riding, this place is for you. You can ride your quad/Side by Side anywhere except the Interstate - through towns, logging roads, we even went bar-hopping on quads!
It's a really small privately owned campground off I-90, south of the bustling metropolis of Cataldo (one bar, post office, no gas station or grocery store, that's it). Due south of I90 8 miles, first 2 are paved, the other 6 are the dustiest logging road you've ever gone down.
But it's worth it.
Fred and Sharon own the place, he's retired ID DOT. They run it with thier son and his wife (sorry, forgot their names). Being retired ID DOT - he keeps the road and and driveway completely dust-free with a water truck twice a day. You'd never know you were camping off a dirt road. insects - In a week I think I counted 6 mosquitoes. Flies and bees were normal for the woods.
The place was IMMACULATE. Fred takes great care of the landscaping. There's only like 15 spots. Spots range in size from TC-only size to full 42 foot Toyhauler. We had 8 rigs total, and every size, shape and size.
Here I am hitched up ready to go....
Coming east on I-90 going down into the Columbia River Gorge at Vantage. I didn't take many pics of the drive because I was, well, driving...
Over the river and through the woods...
Finally here!
Big camping spaces...
Set up for night#1
Next morning, beautiful weather.
My co-pilot. And don't be hatin' on the speakers... we had the entire campground for our group and our group alone. Country music, BBQ, and campfire was the SOP for the week. Fred and Sharon (owners) loved it!
First trail ride -- up to Baldy Peak, a stop at Crystal Lake Trailhead.
Baldy Peak. 47.3638 -116.411695
Next day, another ride through the woods
And what my buddy's black, orange and white RZR looked like....
Next day, lunch and bar hoppin' into town on the quads. The Mission Inn at Cataldo - great burgers, cute waitresses!
Next stop, King's Inn, bartender said it was built in 1874.
A couple locals...
Wallace ID...
Last bar stop, Pioneer Lodge in Wallace ID.
Original TR:
----------------------------------------------
I have to say, like that old guy on those beer commercials... "I don't normally stay at campgrounds, but when I do, I stay at Lost Moose Campground."
I REALLY debated whether or not to write this, because I LOVED the place, and didn't want everyone flooding it! If you're into casual offroad riding, this place is for you. You can ride your quad/Side by Side anywhere except the Interstate - through towns, logging roads, we even went bar-hopping on quads!
It's a really small privately owned campground off I-90, south of the bustling metropolis of Cataldo (one bar, post office, no gas station or grocery store, that's it). Due south of I90 8 miles, first 2 are paved, the other 6 are the dustiest logging road you've ever gone down.
But it's worth it.
Fred and Sharon own the place, he's retired ID DOT. They run it with thier son and his wife (sorry, forgot their names). Being retired ID DOT - he keeps the road and and driveway completely dust-free with a water truck twice a day. You'd never know you were camping off a dirt road. insects - In a week I think I counted 6 mosquitoes. Flies and bees were normal for the woods.
The place was IMMACULATE. Fred takes great care of the landscaping. There's only like 15 spots. Spots range in size from TC-only size to full 42 foot Toyhauler. We had 8 rigs total, and every size, shape and size.
Here I am hitched up ready to go....
Coming east on I-90 going down into the Columbia River Gorge at Vantage. I didn't take many pics of the drive because I was, well, driving...
Over the river and through the woods...
Finally here!
Big camping spaces...
Set up for night#1
Next morning, beautiful weather.
My co-pilot. And don't be hatin' on the speakers... we had the entire campground for our group and our group alone. Country music, BBQ, and campfire was the SOP for the week. Fred and Sharon (owners) loved it!
First trail ride -- up to Baldy Peak, a stop at Crystal Lake Trailhead.
Baldy Peak. 47.3638 -116.411695
Next day, another ride through the woods
And what my buddy's black, orange and white RZR looked like....
Next day, lunch and bar hoppin' into town on the quads. The Mission Inn at Cataldo - great burgers, cute waitresses!
Next stop, King's Inn, bartender said it was built in 1874.
A couple locals...
Wallace ID...
Last bar stop, Pioneer Lodge in Wallace ID.
