Sunday, April 13, 2008

Annual (?) Summer Campout



Been talking with Dave & Erin about our campout this summer. On their way back from AZ they stopped in at the Arches campground near Moab to check it out and came back with a good report. We checked availability and found good news and bad news. Among the good news is there are sites available for reservation at recreation.gov at $15 per night. They also have both tent and trailer sites. Nestled amongst the bad news is some of the best sites (which include 44, 46, 48, and others) have already been reserved by a bunch of city slickers and are currently only available in July and August. More on the bad news front - average high temps in June are 93; in July are 100; and in August are 97. Average monthly rainfall: June is .47 inches; July - .68; and August - .81. Want more? No electric hookups for the A/C Dave is installing in his tent trailer. The two group sites allow tents only.

A satellite view can be had
here
. Zoom in and you can see some have shade and others do not.

The Colorado River is within 20 miles so we could plan to go to the river during the middle of the day and only be in the actual campground during the evening, night, and morning hours when it is cooler.

Another idea is to camp at Big Bend Campground (AKA Moose Park) right on the river about 12 miles up from Moab. Photos of this place - that has a sandy beach - can be seen
here
.

Another idea is to camp at Canyonlands. There are 26 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bathrooms, fire grates, picnic tables, tent pads and water available year-round. Group size limit is 10 people and 2 vehicles. Maximum RV length is 28 feet. Fee is $15 per night. Squaw Flat typically fills every day from late March through June and again from early September to mid-October. A very good photo of the campground can be seen
here
. And a map showing Canyonlands (that includes Squaw Flat and Moab) can be seen
here
. Perhaps the biggest drawback to Squaw Flat may be the distance travelled from the Utah families - then again it may not be a problem at all. Climbing and hiking and photographing may be the best reasons to have our family campout at Squaw Flat.


View Larger Map

13 comments:

Daniel Heywood said...

We can only come if it is after July 18th which is when Daniel Graduates.

Dave Heywood said...

All sound good to me...Erin will have class the first two weeks (June 2 thru 13)of June...we forgot about that the other day when we are discussing it with you dad...sorry, but other than that, they all sound good to me. We need to hear back from everyone soon so we can reserve the sites yal... if we don't hear back, we will reserve anyway, and hope yal can make it...if not, good luck next summer!

The Real Jim Heywood said...

June 23-July 4 is out for us.

joeheywood said...

Let's do it the last week of July. After the 24th.

Dave Heywood said...

July 28th thru August 1st is out for me... I have Accident Investigation Training that week!

The Real Jim Heywood said...

I suggest anything past the first weekend in August may be tough for the teachers amongst us. And if we cross off the first weekend in August because of Dave's training (thru Friday August 1st) , and if we wait for Daniel to graduate (on Friday the 18th of July), that leaves the weekend of July 24-27 (Thursday thru Sunday) as the best campout dates of those who have responded. This date is the date Joe prophetically suggested.

All in favor, say, "Aye."
All opposed, say, "Hold on thar, Baba Looey! That date's not good for us!"

Anonymous said...

July 24-27 should work well for us.

Dave Heywood said...

Aye!

Anonymous said...

Our anniversary is July 22...I'll consult my wife-lady.

-Eric

brettsherrie said...

Sounds really fun, however, we will have a newborn. Maybe next summer. - Brett

Anonymous said...

Our anniversary is actually July 21st... and AYE (as far as I know)!

Although "Hold on thar, Baba Looey" would have been more exciting to say.

-Kacie

brettsherrie said...

Not even married a year and he's forgotten your anniversary. I find that doing frequent quizes help keep memories up. -Sherrie

The Real Jim Heywood said...

My favorite quiz is, "What's for dinner?"