We arrived on at the Pinyon Flats campground to find many sites available. However, having stayed here before I knew that I wanted something on the fringes. This campground can be really packed with everyone burning a big fire at night and the air is then thick with smoke. We quickly found the perfect location. It was surrounded by trees and had no close adjacent campers.
\
The space was a little small for us but with some creative driving we fit within the boundaries.
We had a nice view out the front of the camper.
I like staying in the national parks as they always have ranger talks and other interesting activities for free. We made it to one of the talks at the amphitheater and it was very good.
Is that big brown box at the campsite a bear-proof food locker?
ReplyDeleteYes it is.
ReplyDeleteHi! We will stay there in summer 2012. Which site is the best ? We are 2 adults & 2 kids. Unfortunately we can only make an onlinereservation for Loop 2.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your help ;-)
Lg Chrissy
Hi Chrissy,
ReplyDeleteThere are great views at the end of loop 2. However it is quite a hike to the amphitheater. There are no trash cans in the campground (very unusual). You have to take everything to the dumpster below the amphitheater.
The campground tends to be pretty smokey from the campfires. I think being on the edge toward the mountains may give you the best chance of the wind blowing the smoke toward the dunes.
We were at the beginning of the loop which was great for walkablility but got a ton of noise from the group areas where the scout troops were allowed to run wild. The individual sites had much more considerate campers.
There is a great trail in the middle of the campground that goes to the dunes. The deer seem to hang out along it too.
There is also a great trail from the group camp ground to the main visitor center.
Do try and make it to Zapata Falls.
You will have a great time!
Michelle