Arif B.recommendsJanuary 15, 2025
Sunset Oaks VW Bus
VW Van was glamped-out and awesome
We camped in the glamped out VW van for NYE and it was awesome! There weren't too many photos of the inside of the van, so we were skeptical at first, but my wife and I were pleasantly surprised to see how roomy it was. Just a heads-up, though, the sliding door is pretty old and janky and can fall off the track pretty easily if you are not careful. Also, one of the small front windows are missing, so be prepared for that if you are camping in the winter. It is easy to cover it with a cloth, though. The overall area is small and cozy and includes a nice fire pit and removable grill cover which came in handy for cooking. The closest outhouse is a bit of a walk away, but it was not an issue to walk there. There is also another campsite directly below you, at the bottom of the cliff, and you can hear your neighbors really easily but it was fine for us since it was New Year's Eve, after all. But if you are expecting a quite a secluded camp site, I would not choose the VW Van. Overall, we enjoyed the experience and would come back again.
Hilltop Hideout
Hilltop Hideout pro tips
I love the concept of the farm. I love that the owners are utilizing the land to it's fullest potential. Clearly there is a vision to offer nature to a wide variety of campers.
I chose Hilltop Hideout campsite because it offered the most privacy. I also added fire wood to be delivered to my campsite to avoid the hassle of packing enough wood in the car. A very nice option/ service.
When I arrived at 4pm, there was no wood. I didn't bring a stove and was planning to cook on open fire. Since it was getting dark and I wasn't sure my request had been acknowledged, I had to make a decision of having a potential cold night with no dinner or taking my daughter (with motion sickness) back down the windy mountain roads in search of wood. I wasn't sure if I sent a message through the app ( as instructed) if it would reach someone in time. However, I sent the message, waited a few minutes then made the journey back to town to spend $82 on enough wood to get through the night. When I returned there was a pile of wood down the hill from the fire pit, that I had to "relocate".
Another thing worth mentioning. The tent that is pictured in every single photo of this campsite, is not included in the "base price" and is additional. I wish I had known that. Maybe that's on me. I guess I should have asked. Based on other places I've stayed and the furniture in the tent, I just assumed it was a more permanent addition to the site. I was wrong.
Farm is very remote with not much to do there.
Sarina L.recommendsJanuary 6, 2025
Baby Oaks Oasis
Nice Little Getaway
Split Rock was a fun place and great opportunity for my friends and I to camp cook and have a good time. We had a total of 7 vehicles and everyone was able to find a spot to park and car camp. The campsite itself is fairly big and lot to explore. We liked how things were set up and how there was a designated fire pit, a hose on site, and a local outhouse that wasn’t smelly! My favorite parts were the views and just where the camp site is, we were able to catch a gorgeous sunset, stargazing moment, and a lovely sunrise. I rly like how the campsite was not cramped and fairly secluded from the other sites. And huge plus were the free roaming animals that we encountered including the sheep alpaca pig goats and the fluffy dog! Definitely made the experience wonderful. I would say the site is more worn down than the pictures I saw. The geodome looked like it had a door and curtains that are gone. The “camp cafe” was present but lots of trash like a jacket and beer/soda bottles and papers. We tossed it otw out. We ventured to camp store but it didn’t have any necessities that we saw just board games and dusty pots. The hot shower was not as i expected but it is a shower and kinda far from baby oaks. None of the string lights worked. And the playground/platform is very wobbly. It’s climbable but at your expense. I think overall it is lacking a little TLC but again we brought all we need. It did feel a bit over promised is all. I would come back!
The Oak Grove Communal Camping
So, I should have read between the lines based on the price of camping here.
It turned out to be "fine", but pretty sure we wouldn't go out of our way to get back there. To be fair it was a holiday weekend, but there were a lot of people there, and our "campground" (ie general parking area) was right next to the "van life" area where people are clearly living long term. Everyone was spaced apart and we had zero issues, but it wasn't anything I'd seek out again as a destination.
On a positive note, the female camp host who brought us firewood was a gem, and the fire rings were nice.
It does make me nervous in this current stage of dry landscape they are allowing fires, but I guess they are allowed since it is private property....?
The goats were entertaining. The livestock guardian dog had no qualms coming right up to investigate our dogs (who were in a pen), so I could see if you had an unfriendly dog that might be an issue. She badly needs a bath and dematting, she's got to be uncomfortable. :(
If you're looking for a stopover or cheap place to park for a few nights, this is fine. But glamorous, private campsite it is not.
Allyson H.January 3, 2025
Rock Bottom w/ a View from the Top
Desert terrain with magnificent roc
This is an arid,surreal landscape.Beautiful sunrises and sunsets.I think better maps and signs would be a big plus.The Rock Bottom site,while having a killer view has the road running through it.Even though there is zero traffic it bothered me.The shower and toilet are very nice touches.
Jessica W.recommendsJanuary 3, 2025
The Oak Grove Communal Camping
Great for Stargazing
I loved camping here. My husband and I brought our dog and stayed near the communal area and I was impressed with the bathroom they have set up in a shipping container, and the toilet even has a bidet! The showers were hot and outdoors. Sten was so helpful, kind and welcoming. Nice hiking areas with beautiful views. I brought a telescope and the stargazing was amazing! We stayed 2 nights following the new moon, and even though there was some light pollution on the horizon from neighboring cities, I was still able to get great views in the sky.