less if they know every
CAMPSITE DECODER
campsite in Idaho or just
With so many camping locations nearby, finding the right one
for your family can be challenging,
know
but not anymore.
about Idaho’s most
popular campgrounds
storykarleigh deeds
like
Ponderosa State Park in
McCall’ ’We wanted the
book to be useful for a
person who’s looking for
a small’ remote campground
in the backcountry’ and
also people looking to take
T
he crackling of a campfire, the intoxicating best of the best and put together a compre- just know about Idaho’s most popular camp-
aroma of pine needles and fresh air, the hensive and user-friendly book. grounds like Ponderosa State Park in McCall.
laughter and company of good friends: this “We wanted the book to be useful for a person
is camping. It doesn’t matter if you backpack, who’s looking for a small, remote campground
car camp, or use a recreational vehicle to en- in the backcountry, and also people looking to
joy Idaho’s wilderness, the point is you get out take their families to a developed area where
and experience the outdoors. it’s easy to camp in comfort,” says Phillips.
Luckily for the camping inclined, Idaho is The book is organized by travel corridors
covered with campgrounds. Some have com- with a brief introduction so campers get an
plete bathroom facilities, paved paths, run- idea of what to expect in that region. For ex-
ning water and RV hook-ups, while others are ample, campgrounds in the US 95 and Idaho
merely a fire pit and a clearing big enough to 71 corridors are appropriately described by
park your car. If you’re not familiar with the “rugged canyons, wild waters and wildlife”,
surrounding options, it can be a little daunt- whereas campgrounds in the Central Idaho
ing to find just the right camping spot on your mountains are described as “lakes, ponderosa
own, but the Idaho Statesman’s outdoor writ- pines, and cool summer getaways”.
ers Roger Phillips and Pete Zimowsky are on a
Phillips and Zimowsky were extremely
mission to change that.
thorough with the information they provide
Phillips and Zimowsky have taken all the for each campground. Besides giving read-
guess work out finding the right campsite in ers a general description of the grounds and
their book Southwest Idaho Camping Guide. surrounding areas, they also tell you how to
For years, Phillips and Zimowsky have been get there, what activities to expect (like hot
bringing Idaho Statesman readers tips and springs, ATV trails, hiking, fishing, etc.), ameni-
suggestions on camping in Idaho in their ties, nearest place to get supplies, fees/reser-
weekly publication Idaho Outdoors. Instead vations, RV and tent ratings, and contact info.
of letting all these great tips go to waste on a
Readers will find this book helpful regard-
Each entry also has a map of the area.
forgotten server, they decided to compile the
less if they know every campsite in Idaho or
July/august 2009 29
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