Help a southerner: camping recommendations

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Colicious

Colicious

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Sep 30, 2006
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14
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422
Location
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
hey guys,

im going to be coming through Arizona from baton rouge on my way to California in may and would like a nice place to camp. my friends who are riding with me have never been out west, so we're doing a quick grand tour. we'll be camping around Ouray, CO the night before then probably swing over to Moab, then south towards the grand canyon. Im thinkin i'd like to camp somewhere around the grand canyon or flagstaff. Any suggestions? The more secluded and "wilderness-y" the better, but we'll be in my 2500 so i'd like to avoid any crazy trails (forest service roads are cool)

thanks for yalls help

-Cole
 
LandCruiserPhil said:
Hopefully you are talking the North rim...there are tons of spots to meet your requirement at the North Rim and more in the Flagstaff area.

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well basically, we're completely open to where we go. ive been out there before several times, but its been years and i'm not really familiar with the specifics and where to go (i was riding with my parents).

pretty much the only stipulations is that we'll be in Ouray the night before, and we need to be in las vegas the night after. depending on where camp is i would also like to go down through flagstaff and check out sedona, cotton wood, prescott, and back up towards vegas. so maybe since we're not rushed at the grand canyon, pickin a place to camp around there would be best (would rather not set up camp in the dark) and we could hit flagstaff on the way to nevada the next day.

edit: a place to camp on the north rim to see the sunrise would be pretty cool
 
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The Rim is awesome. Tons of area. I found a really nice spot below the rim near Trout creek. It's off a forest access road, pretty secluded, BEAUTIFUL views of the face of the rim.

It's not in the pines, but I love high desert too. If you want pines the north rim is the spot.

Forest road 300 will take you out to many nice areas along the N. rim ...
 
dbleon said:
The Rim is awesome. Tons of area. I found a really nice spot below the rim near Trout creek. It's off a forest access road, pretty secluded, BEAUTIFUL views of the face of the rim.

It's not in the pines, but I love high desert too. If you want pines the north rim is the spot.

Forest road 300 will take you out to many nice areas along the N. rim ...
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searchin around and reading on the Natioanal Park Services website, it mentioned something about a Back Country Permit being required if we plan on camping anywhere besides a designated camp ground. also, the North Rim campground was full, except for a few walk-up sites. what are some options if the campground is full; should we get the back country permits?
 
North Rim/Kaibab NF south of Jacob Lake doesn't open until mid-May due to snow but is THE place to camp esp if you're going from Ouray to Vegas. There are 2 campgrounds @ Jacob Lake but not exactly "wildernessy" and still pretty cold this time of year.
 
and if you are going after mid-May you can camp anywhere in the Kaibab NF - right outside of NP and best rimtop campsites - for free without a permit. Really no reason to camp in park which would require permit.
 
wilburluvsyotas said:
and if you are going after mid-May you can camp anywhere in the Kaibab NF - right outside of NP and best rimtop campsites - for free without a permit. Really no reason to camp in park which would require permit.
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ok that sounds awesome. we're going to be there may 19th, which from what i see on the websites, the park/forest will be open.

now what are the rules and etiquette on driving and camping out there. ive never really camped anywhere outside of a official camp ground before. do i just drive along a forest road until i see a clearing i like and set up camp? and what about camp fires?

-Cole
 
Also that weekend of may 19 is also overland expo. Just south of flagstaff less than 20 miles south of flag allways worth a day trip or even camp there for the weekend. And yes plenty of camping north and south of the canyon without paying for camping. Plus a back way into the GCNP without paying the 20 park fee and wonderful if not beautiful camping and all 2wd low Clarence friendly
 
Colicious said:
ok that sounds awesome. we're going to be there may 19th, which from what i see on the websites, the park/forest will be open.

now what are the rules and etiquette on driving and camping out there. ive never really camped anywhere outside of a official camp ground before. do i just drive along a forest road until i see a clearing i like and set up camp? and what about camp fires?

-Cole
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Kaibab National Forest - Home oodles of info there :cheers:

camping guidelines http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5313083.pdf

look for fire restrictions - they may change, so have to check closer to your travel dates

be prepared: you may not want to come back to this humid hell-hole that is Baton Rouge :flipoff2:
 
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