Primitive Sprinter Camping

[stmlandplan]

I'm always envious of you west coast folks that seem to have the wide open spaces to go exploring and camping. One of the most appealing aspects of the Sprinter life is the ability to spend a night or two outside of the often crowded campgrounds that tend to harbour lots of huge motor hotels with generators and kiddies on big-wheels. It would be great to start a thread where people could share those really neat places where camping is allowed that are more primitive. At the risk of exposing your favorite spot it would be great to list (by State) where one could pull in on a road trip and enjoy a restful nights sleep would be great.

To start it off we've found Dick Cross Wildlife Mangement Area near John H. Kerr Lake in Southside Virginia to be a real treasure. Bald top hills for great sunsets near the larger lake and its only you, the deer, coyotes and a few owls. Please leave with what you brought and be respectful.

Any other takers out there? Please share just one of your favorites.

:thumbup:

[Diamondsea]

I live in southeast Virginia and have a DIY Sprinter camper and understand the problem. If you have the time go to Nova Scotia and try the Provincial parks. Also Maine is good.

[Losos]

Great idea - maybe the European members could do the same :hmmm:

[stmlandplan]

Thanks for the response. I saw on another thread where someone noted a few Pennsylvania Parks that sounded promising. I know some of the normally crowded places can be good during the off-season.... so don't hesitate to list those too.

[windsprinter]

Forestry campgrounds near Mt Hood, Oregon are quiet and relativey inexpensive I think it was $10 per night. No hookup of course and no hot water in the camp. The best deal I found in Oregon was the Overflow camping at Rowena on the Columbia Gorge - near empty when the rest of the camp was solid prebooked, picnic table beside the parking, a little close to the highway (fine for me, near deaf one ear :laughing:, and no closer than some in the main camp) but there was a huge grass field with small groves of trees for walk-in tenting, you still got the showers etc at the main camp 2 minutes walk, and it was only $5 a night. I'd check with other state parks there for similar overflow spots - they can be much nicer than the main camp.

In BC Forestry camps are the way to go if you want quiet and beautiful and are self-contained. No running water at many, pit toilets, but also generally free.

[Aqua Puttana]

FWIW. Too many years ago we stayed at Grundy Lake Provincial Park which is just south of Sudbury, Ontario Canada. It was a very nice "natural environment" camping area. It is located in a beautiful area of Ontario Province. They have a range of camping style preferences.

http://www.ontarioparks.com/ENGLISH/grun.html

I looked around a bit and couldn't find any listing of rates. You'd think they'd have a specific link for that. There is a box near the middle of the page that you can use to find other "Natural Environment" parks which may interest people looking for a more basic camping style. Hope this does some good. AP/vic

Edit: Oops. This is the USA section. I'll leave this info here anyway. Canada is just a quick trip across a bridge for many of us.

[nebep]

Primitive camping for us so far has been staying in the Flyin' J when we get tired of Drivin'!! So, not a lot to offer yet - still getting the truck sorted out for doing more primitive stuff.

Keep 'em comin'! - We're looking forward to doing more and will be checking here regularly for stuff we can add to our "bucket list"!