Best Local Campsite/Worst Local Campsite

[BigTom]

One of our own, Tom P, is going on an extended tour this season and needs to know about good cheap/free camping. Got me thinking:nuts1:

What/where is your best local free/cheap place to camp? Well known place to stay away from?

I'm going to have to answer twice.
1. Senators Wash. Actually in California above Laguna Dam. You can swim, fish, ski, PWC, 4 wheel and camp for the $5.00 daily BLM fee. Pretty shaky to get to a 'good spot' with the ST. On the weekends, there is sometimes an impromtu concert. One is a digeroo, one is wood drums. Great sound over the water.

2. Anyplace 100 yards off highway 95 between here and Quartzsite. The darkness is complete, the stars are amazing.

[Styles]

The best is easy: Willaby (http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/pacficnw/olymcmp.htm#willaby), in the Olympic National Forest, a half mile from the Lake Quinault Lodge (http://www.visitlakequinault.com/).

You've the pleasure of camping cheaply -- with the joy of walking along lake for drinks and/or dining.

"Civilized nature" is the operative phrase.

Styles

[wrk101]

OK, here is my worst. Ruby Inn, outside Bryce Canyon. From the road, it looks just about perfect. Once you register and pick out a tent site, you find out the truth. First, there is little/no grass and no pavement. And the cagers tend to speed through the park. So it is a continual dust cloud. Secondly, they let groups reserve almost the whole area, there are no designated tent "sites". So every place I started setting up my tent, I was quickly told, "This area is reserved for the Johnsons", etc. Next time, I will go further east on highway 12 where there are numerous campgrounds available.

[wrk101]

Styles, I used to live in WA State, one of my favorites near you was the county park in Sequim, on Dungeness Spit. Incredible scenery and location, overlooking the straights.

[George]

I have a favorite spot just north of Ojai, CA on CA 33. It's a secret. ;)

Another good one is _way_ down a dirt road into the national forest somewhere west of Bakersfield. I could find it again if I need to.

Bad one was a National Forest campground near (??) don't really remember. Ranger charged me $15 for a dry camp! Said, "If ya need a shower, it's 30 miles <-----<<<< that away." Another bad one was the Denver city campground west of Golden, Colorado. ~$28/night, only facilities were the showers! It was actually _cheaper_ splitting the hotel room at the Marriott with 2 other guys.

Several improtu sites come to mind, side-of-the-road-after-dark. Always turn the bike to face the road so the reflectors don't flash as the locals go by. I've done that too many times to count.