27 Jul
Posted by admin as Free Accommodation
free campgrounds
FREE Summer Camping Opportunities In The National Forests - Sno-Parks
While traveling the high country this summer writing my travel blog (Oregon to Florida) I discovered a wonderful camping experience; US National Forest Sno-Parks. These parks are used in winter as staging areas for winter sports but are ignored in summer months. These Sno-Parks make an excellent summertime retreat.
As a bonus Sno-Park use in the summer is FREE. In winter a parking permit is required to use the parks. This minimal fee is used to pay for snow removal and other costs. FREE summertime camping does have its price; the services are minimal. As a rule “Pack It In - Pack It Out” is the standard for most Sno-Parks.
The facilities and activities vary from park to park and most are suitable for family camping. In fact many Sno-Parks have large warming huts with wood stoves, tables & chairs and a few have facilities for electric hook-ups for portable generators. These large fully equipped parks are great for group get-togethers and parties. You can not reserve warming huts.
Sno-Parks are maintained by the USFS and are well kept and clean. Services vary by ranger district. Contact the district ranger station for details before leaving home. Some parks are winter staging areas only and not suitable for family camping. All parks have toilet facilities.
Sno-Parks were designed and located for the winter sports enthusiast. Snowmobile riders are the predominate users and snowmobile trails are abundant. Cross-country skiing and dog sled trails can be found in some areas. Most parks offer maps of these trails which can be hiked in summer months. Contact the district ranger station for map information.
In general summertime activities are minimal with hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and ATVs being the primary activity. As all these activities are not permitted in all areas; check with the district ranger station before leaving home. Water sports are rare and usually require travel. Remember these are not high use campgrounds; these are underused FREE summertime Sno-Park camping opportunities.
I am Mike Edwards author of Sno-Parks.com where you can find:
1) Sno-Parks listed by state and National Forest.
2) USFS contact information for each forest and ranger station.
3) Facilities, services and activities for listed Sno-Parks.
4) Sno-Park photos and GPS co-ordinates for rated parks.
Because Camping should be fun this information is TOTALLY FREE, no sign-ups, no pop-ups.
Lists, alphabetically by state and by reservoir, all Corps of Engineers campgrounds and provides directions to the sites, describes facilities and activities there and includes the most current camping fee information.
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