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67avion's avatar
67avion
Explorer II
Apr 26, 2016

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 reluctant to give directions to these sites. The reasons stated are that the sites are fragile, or they shouldn't be over run by campers. Oftentimes that makes sense.

But, what about favorite campsites that are tucked away and seldom visited by the larger RV community?



This photo shows our campsite at Devil's Backbone Park in Grand Tower, Illinois. It is located directly on the Mississippi River, in a dramatic bend that includes Tower Rock on the opposite shore in Missouri. Being that close to the Father of Waters means that almost always there is a Spring clean-up after the floods of winter. This year is no different.

Tower Rock was ascended by Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery as they set out for the West on their famed expedition. Here it is as viewed from the Missouri side of the River.



Nearby on the Ohio are the remains of mussel fishermen who boiled mussel meat out on the riverbank...and drilled out mother of pearl buttons for the garment trade. There are one or two musselmen left, but most activity stopped after the introduction of plastic buttons in the 1930s. The piles of mussel blanks are revealed by one flood and then buried by another.



Or if its a good day for fishing you can see the men struggling on the river with carp or river catfish.



Please write up the Best Little Campsite that no one knows, except you.

24 Replies

  • 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:
    ----------------------------------------------

    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.









  • Don't know the name of it, never did know what it was called. We got connected through our daughter that was living in Hubbard at the time. Here's the coordinates on Google maps for the entrance:

    42.303250, -93.222711

    and the address:

    24575 270th St.
    Eldora, IA 50627

    Map link if this works: Click here.

    On the map, follow the graveled road North. That's the campground.
  • What was the name of the campground near Hubbard, Iowa?
  • Edit: oops sorry... Truck camper forum... but if you're looking for great locations: (end of edit).

    How about McCormick's Creek State Park in South Carolina in March when the campground is empty and you're the only one there, or almost the only one there!









    Morning fog over the water:



    Evening sunset on the other side of the campground peninsula:



    Or, morning sunrise on March 9, 2016, the view standing at our door looking out!





    This was a little private campground outside Hubbard, Iowa! Absolutely a fantastic little private campground. Yes, we had full hook-ups!