| TUTTLE CREEK
|
 Up to this point we have only talked about places where one can stay for a night or two but now we’re getting into FREE campgrounds where longer stays are permitted. There is no better place to start with than TUTTLE CREEK campground in LONE PINE. Without a doubt this BLM campground is the crown jewel of the FREE places to stay that will follow. The main reason for being the very best campground are the hosts Jerry & Pat Vine. 
They have hosted this campground for the last 6 years. The restrooms are impeccably clean as are the campsites. Last year the Vines were rewarded for their hard work with a trip to Washington, DC when they were chosen as one of 9 outstanding volunteer teams as part of the BLM’s "National Volunteer Awards." What started out as a camping trip in a tent trailer some 12 years ago, evolved into a more than a decade of traveling all over the US which included campground hosting in North Dakota and Montana. Beyond the call of duty they have planted trees at every site, often using their own money. They also collect the empty aluminum cans that people leave behind and use the money for improvements. A collection box at the gate is where you can drop off a donation. Something noteworthy; the money collected is only used for improvements and/or maintenance for the camp- ground where it is collected. The Vines like to spend their winters (when Tuttle Creek is closed) in Arizona. 
And then there is of course the creek that Dutchess can’t howl enough about.
Stocked by CDF&G, the creek runs through the whole campground and that makes this a
favorite place among anglers. For more information about the town of Lone Pine and the
surrounding area please visit our other Web site called: General information: Tuttle Creek CG, open early March until Nov.1; no potable water, first come - first served, 85 RV/tent sites with picnic tables and campfire rings/BBQs, pit toilets. Elevation 5,120 ft. NO Fees/ FREE.
GOODALE CREEK
If you want to get away from it all for a couple of days (up to two weeks) than this is the place for you. It must be the best kept secret at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. I have camped here several times and never found it crowded with people. The reason must be that it is not close to any stores except for a small general store in Aberdeen, a trailer park community that you’ll pass after leaving the highway. Otherwise you have to go to Big Pine to the north or Independence, 16 miles to the south. Since it is located in a "bowl" the summers can be hot. Best time to camp here is during the spring or fall. Watch out for snakes during the summer months. The picture you see is one that I took some years ago before I had "The Hollandia" As you can see we had very few neighbors and that was in the spring while there was still snow on the mountains. Gen. Info. Located 16 miles north of Independence at an elevation of 4000 ft. Take the Aberdeen Cutoff Road and go west for 2 miles. Managed by BLM. Open from the second week in April until Nov. 1. No piped in water but Goodale Creek, which runs right through camp and is stocked by CDF&G, has plenty of water for everything but drinking. There are 62 spaces all with picnic tables and fire rings. Some even have shade trees. Five pit toilets, trash dumpsters at the gate, where you also will find an Iron Ranger to accept your donations. PLEASE BE GENEROUS after all this campground has NO fees -- it is FREE. |
|
