We’re on our way to the mountains!
To get to the Tushar Mountains from Otter Creek Reservoir we motor westward on Route 62 through Kingston Canyon. The East Fork of the Sevier River adds to the beauty of this drive. Golden bullrushes and willows line its banks. They glow in the rays of afternoon sun and the river sparkles as it meanders through the canyon.
Route 62 ends at Route 89. We could go north a few miles to Junction or south a few miles to Circleville.
I turn the PTV northward to Junction.
Okay. Let’s step aside here. I’ve learned from the comments of several readers over the past few weeks that there is an interest in learning how to find boondocks.
Our next camp gives a good illustration of things to consider when looking at a map in search of a free, secluded, and special camp. If you have a Utah Benchmark atlas like I use, great! If not, you may be able to follow along with me using whatever map you have.
First locate Junction.
See how a solid line runs west into the mountains? That’s one of the things I look for — A good road running between town and potential camp. This one is direct and has no switchbacks. (A solid line on the map means it’s a paved road.)
Another good thing is the road traces the course of a creek — in this instance, City Creek. When we drive into the forest, which is the green area on the map, I’ll look for sites along the creek.
How does one know when entering public land?
Usually there is a sign along the road indicating the boundary of a national forest.
Back to the map . . . .
At the end of the paved road is a campground, shown by a tent symbol and labeled City Creek (campground). This is ideal!
The campground serves as a kind of insurance in case a good boondock isn’t found. (I look up the campground online and discover it’s recommended for rigs 24 feet or less. We’re 34 feet altogether. Still, it’s a possibility. The short length of parking at sites and the amenities limited to vault toilet and water spigots tells me this is an older, rustic campground.)
Another good thing about this area that one can see on the map are the dashed lines indicting gravel/dirt roads leading away from the campground and from the end of the paved road. These could lead to boondocks.
Okay, we’re ready to check it out!
Here’s the paved road leaving Junction and going to the mountains . . . as expected, easy driving with a steady uphill grade.
We enter the forest and my anticipation grows!
Vibrant yellow blooms of rabbit brush adorn both sides of the road.
All the way I look for campsites and also for spur roads.
We pass a dirt road going off to the left and I make mental note of it in case we need to come back and explore it for a site.
Ooh, that looked like a campsite!
We’ve already passed it before I realize it’s a campsite. Rather than turn around, we keep going. We can always come back . . . .
The paved road turns to gravel beyond a sign warning of steep grades and sharp curves “not recommended for trailers.” At that same place a gravel road goes off to the right to the campground. (The campground sign is turned facing the other way.)
We haven’t gone far when . . .
Uh-oh. Is that water in the road up ahead?
I stop the PTV and get out to take a closer look.
Water is indeed streaming across the road, a few inches deep. It’s a spillway, with the waterfall to the right in the next photo.
The PTV splashes her way through!
Immediately past the water, on the right side of the road, there’s a campsite!
Inspecting the site on foot with the crew, I find it has the obligatory fire ring, is fairly level, and has a pleasant atmosphere with tall trees for shade, thick grass for the crew to roll in, and a roaring creek for background music.
“Isn’t this nice, guys? I think you’ll like it here.”
I back us in and we’re home!
City Creek rushes noisily past the site (on right beyond bushes in above photo).
We only camp in this site for one night because we find another site we consider as even better!
Within the next few days someone camps overnight in this spot with their cute R-pod trailer.
Although it’s a relatively small campsite, after the R-pod moves out, two big travel trailers move in and sit side-by-side, giving proof that big rigs can be accommodated here.
I hope this shows you how easy it can be to find a lovely, free campsite.
We found this one before reaching City Creek Campground and Recreation Area. Little did we know what was further up the road . . . .
rvsue
CANINE CORNER: “Kibble Picnic” by Bridget and Reggie
“Boy, this kibble tastes great! Munch-munch. RVSue is right. Food tastes better outside. Aren’t you hungry, Miss B?”
“No, Reg, I don’t feel like eating right now. I’m a bit dyspeptic from the long drive. I’ll eat mine later.”
“That’s a swell idea! I’ll save mine to eat later, too! I’m gonna’ look around our new boondock. This place is so cool . . . . See ya’ later, Miss B . . . ”
“Okey-dokey, Reggie.”
A few minutes later . . .
RVSue is right. Food does taste better when eaten outside. And, I might add, also when it’s in someone else’s dish. Munch-munch...
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