Boondock At Hoodoo Ski Area ?

[hohiso]

I'll be traveling west from Sisters, OR to Florence in a couple of weeks and wondered if it is possible to overnight somewhere around the Hoodoo Ski Area. Know it is closed for the summer but thought the parking lot or approach road might be good for boondocking. Anybody know ?

[greenrvgreen]

The SnoPark referred to is right next to Hoodoo. Coming off the highway on the access road, the Hoodoo parking lot is to the right and the SnoPark is to the left--close enough to walk to the lifts with boots on, carrying skis.

According to OR DOT, you can use the SnoParks during the summer if you have the winter pass. However, these things are typically deserted during the summer, so I doubt you would be hassled.

FWIW, Hoodoo also rents RV parking spots with Elec hookups during the winter. In the summer you might find one or two staffers hanging about but they're not going to let you park in the lot, and they WILL roust you.

Are you coming from Sisters? Because Sisters is swimming in great boondocking, and the Hoodoo area really doesn't offer all that much. For info on Sisters boondocking, check in at the NFS ranger station, they are very helpful. Sisters also runs a city RV park, a tidy little place that offers free water to RVers in the area.

[Lowsuv]

the other 2 oregonians know their stuff .
good reccomendations.
i would not overnight at hoodoo lot .
too much chance of an unexpected overnight storm at the peak elevation .
hoodoo is a ski lift !
plus it is only a few miles from Sisters ..
from sisters it is only about 60 miles to get to the McKenzie Bridge area.
Paradise CG , Delta CG , McKenzie bridge CG are all good choices that are
These are close enough to the highway if you are on your way to Florence .

[goducks10]

If your stopping during the week, Suttle will be all but empty. The little lake near Hoodoo is actually called Big Lake:), but is notorious for massive amounts of skeeters. Been up there a couple of times and no kidding just getting out of the car and back in there must've been 1/2 dozen in the car. Down the mtn a couple miles on the right (heading west) there's a small lake that's fairly shallow, I believe it's called Lost lake. There's no CG there but we see people there on the weekends. Take road NF-835 on the right just as you approach the passing lane. There's also Cold Springs CG on hwy 242 outside Sisters. Pretty remote, never full. There's also road NF-12 (Jack Lake road) right before the Suttle lake turn in as you're coming from Sisters. You can take that road down towards Lake creek, right at the creek there's a real quick entrance to a dry camp spot. Big enough for a couple rigs.

There are some large snowmobile parking lots around Hoodoo that are camped in during the winter. Not sure if they're useable during the summer. Worth a try.

[donn0128]

Just go over to camp Sherman area for a nite. 10 miles off the hwy and some of the prettiest scenery you can imagine. There is also a small lake with camping facilities just off the highway near the summit before you get to Hoodoo. Or as a last resort, Suttle Lake is also just off the highway with 5 nice camp grounds around it.