Photos tomorrow on my website but have a few questions to ask you folks about rates and check in/check out times.We live on a road that has many mountain biking trails into private commercial forest land (OKed by owner). We have provided parking for over a year for $1 a day. 10% goes to a local mountain biking organization. We had a spot where we tore down an old barn and have cleaned it up. There is a 15'x15' cement slab and we have added about 4" of gravel in front to make it more or less level. I think the gravel area is about 15'x40'. It is shady under vine maples and backs up to old second growth evergreens. Very private and quiet. We won't provide any services as there are none available (500 feet up our driveway from the house). Some folks wanted porta potties but at a coat of $80 a month, we would lose money if we had no campers. We were thinking of charging $10 a day for camping this close to the trailhead. What do you think? We are not sure about hours, maybe check in at 3pm, check out 1 pm so people could get an evening run and a morning run. Quite a few people come up from Seattle or down from Vancouver. We would post it on 2 local forums and in a newsletter for the local MB organization. It would be pack it in, pack it out, dispersed camping. We have a sort of fire pit but it is primitive. Nearest lodging is about 4 miles away. Any other ideas? Thanks.

Might be wise add those porta potties or you may start finding plastic bags of poo after everyone leaves. Charge what is needed to cover that cost year round.

I think I'd consult my attorney and the local government before opening any type of paid camping area.

Tom N wrote:I think I'd consult my attorney and the local government before opening any type of paid camping area.Good advice :)

We live in unincorporated part of our county so no city jurisdiction. I did ask about the parking lot to see if we needed permits. County planning department said it would fall under trailhead parking and would be okay. We are zoned R5A here (1 house or dwelling unit per 5 acres) so it is fairly rural. So, I am assuming this would be the same. I will call planning tomorrow to see, but they have more important things to do like police incompatible uses or people who flaunt current zoning.There is just one spot for one rig. This is to be a money maker, not a service as we are retired and need extra income. It has to be dispersed camping as renting a porta potti is a pita. If you go to the Maze District in Canyonlands, you have to show the ranger at Hans Flat ranger station that you are self contained or have a bucket. Our TC is self-contained; many USFS or BLM campgrounds have no services. What about people who hike into camping with a tent? No porta potties there. However, we are open to changing our minds. I probably should talk to our insurance agent also about any liability/property insurance issues. Day use has daytime parking; $1 for all day. We want to restrict our camping spot for mountain bikers. On a weekend, 100s ride by our property. 3000 acres in our backyard for recreating.

Our new camping spot | Good Sam Community

TOOBOLD
Explorer
May 24, 2013
I think your are underpriced. I'd charge $15/day for an exclusive camping spot. You can always charge less if no one books the site, but people always grumble when the price goes up.
clikrf8
Explorer
May 24, 2013
Ok, photos are up on my website. Got the okay from county planning as we are rural and RV parking okay. Charge is $7.50 a day/night. Check in is 4pm, check out is 2pm. No facilities, dry camping only for self-contained. If we see a demand that warrants $80 a month charge for a porty potty than we will reconsider. We already have almost $300 in gravel down. The price includes parking for 2 days ($2). Pets okay; we have a dog. If it/they are well-mannered, they can run and play with our dog. Quiet and very close to trailheads on Galbraith Mountain for hiking and mountain biking. We have hikers/bikers/runners with and without their dogs park on our 5 vehicle lot. Just be aware that there are coyotes, mountain lions and black bear on the mountain so be careful with your pet. We are easy to find, about a mile+ off I5 south of Bellingham, WA. We are close to all the Pacific Northwest has to offer. There will be fresh veggies and fruit in season. Thanks. Shoot us a message if you are interested.
Camorhino
Explorer
May 18, 2013
Why not build your own pit toilet? Would save you finding cat holes dug all over, and if it gets out of hand, slide the building back to the house and cover up the hole. Maybe even make it a 25-50 cent coin pay. You could have a potential gold mine in the ground (pun intended)
wbwood
Explorer
May 17, 2013
For no hookups and no services (potty), I would be more incline to maybe $5-7. And just because you think they have better things to do (planning), don't think it will come back to bite you in the butt, because it most definitely will. Get it in writing that you are legal, with everyone. I would up the day use parking to at least $2-3 a day.
Mello_Mike
Explorer
May 17, 2013
Looks like you've done all the research for zoning and permits. I say, go for it! Ten bucks a day sounds reasonable, though 7 or 8 sounds better. I would NOT provide a porta potty. Too much of a PITA. Post signs of your rules. How will you collect the camping fee? Pay box with envelopes?

Too bad the parking site wasn't big enough for two, eh?

BTW, where exactly is this site? I lived in Bellingham for 3 years so I'm pretty familiar with the area.
clikrf8
Explorer
May 17, 2013
We live in unincorporated part of our county so no city jurisdiction. I did ask about the parking lot to see if we needed permits. County planning department said it would fall under trailhead parking and would be okay. We are zoned R5A here (1 house or dwelling unit per 5 acres) so it is fairly rural. So, I am assuming this would be the same. I will call planning tomorrow to see, but they have more important things to do like police incompatible uses or people who flaunt current zoning.

There is just one spot for one rig. This is to be a money maker, not a service as we are retired and need extra income. It has to be dispersed camping as renting a porta potti is a pita. If you go to the Maze District in Canyonlands, you have to show the ranger at Hans Flat ranger station that you are self contained or have a bucket. Our TC is self-contained; many USFS or BLM campgrounds have no services. What about people who hike into camping with a tent? No porta potties there. However, we are open to changing our minds. I probably should talk to our insurance agent also about any liability/property insurance issues.

Day use has daytime parking; $1 for all day. We want to restrict our camping spot for mountain bikers. On a weekend, 100s ride by our property. 3000 acres in our backyard for recreating.
path1
Explorer
May 17, 2013
.
RetSgt7114
Explorer
May 17, 2013
Tom N wrote:
I think I'd consult my attorney and the local government before opening any type of paid camping area.

Good advice :)
Tom_N
Explorer
May 17, 2013
I think I'd consult my attorney and the local government before opening any type of paid camping area.
TMcArthur
Explorer
May 17, 2013
Might be wise add those porta potties or you may start finding plastic bags of poo after everyone leaves. Charge what is needed to cover that cost year round.

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