Desert Tortoise Campground

We had a great shakedown cruise to start the year here. We were in the Desert Tortoise Campground, Den Loop, site #151. The loops have codes and security gates, which helped us feel comfortable. The site had a gorgeous view of the lake, and the only thing that keeps this from being a 5 star is that the water and electric hookups were on the wrong side. What's with that?

For more info, see blog TravelsWithTrailer: https://travelswithtrailer.blogspot.com/2020/04/getting-ready-for-pandemic-camping.html

We were here during the week and it was very quiet, we had our loop almost all to ourselves. Everything was clean and gates at entrances to campground loops provided extra security.

Showers were some of the best we've used, free and nice, hot water.

Sites so seemed pretty level some had concrete pads.

Nice hiking trails, well maintained park throughout.

Stayed Friday - Sunday. Was busy on Friday, but there were only a couple other people camping near us on Saturday.
There is an additional $2 per day per kayak fee to enter the park with kayaks.
Our site overlooked Sunset Cove. The path down to the lake is quite steep, but we managed to carry our kayaks down to launch.
There is a nice covered picnic table at the site that we were able to hang hammocks on, which was nice!
The site was fairly level. We’re able to pull through with our small rig!

We are full time RVers and chose this lake so we could kayak, which was full in late March due to the rainy and snowy winter! Made reservations online a few weeks prior in Desert Tortoise campground (only available) where we paid an $8 reservation fee that is reflected in the nightly rate (otherwise our site is $22 night for dry camping, no hookups). Lake is easy to find and upon arriving 40 mins before 1:00 check in the girl at the gate said we owed $8. We asked for what (she was handed a copy of our paid reservation). She said it’s $2/day for a kayak and we had 2 of them on our roof. Wow ok. Thankfully we didn’t get charged for our dog too but what about those people with blowup kayaks and rafts we saw on the lake? Did they pay the $2 fee as well? Highly unlikely’(and we launched from our campsite not a boat ramp).

I had to ask for some park maps and how to get to our site. Just as we started to make our last turn we were greeted with a closed gate arm to the campground loop. What do we do now? Sign said enter code so I frantically looked on the vehicle tag given to us at the front gate for a code. Seeing nothing I then looked on our printed reservation form and finally found a code that said for “after hours use”! Would have been nice to be told this at the front gate! Now I know why I always print out my reservations! LOL

We stayed Wed-Fri and it was peaceful in our little cove. A little buggy and the water had a little bit of an odor but it was very pretty terrain. When we kayaked we could see lots of RVs camping on the shore which looked inviting until a few parked in front of others or in the “path” to get in/out or were running their VERY loud generators all day (witnessed this at the spillway parking area with a group).

Talked to one person who was here the Sunday before and she said the lake/camping was VERY crowded.

Our loop had nice and clean bathrooms with running water.

The campgound was easy to get to. There were few "semi-flat" locations for a big rig to park and easily get somewhat level, but after a lot of moving and shifting, finally got situated.

The evening was nice. There were a few more RVs and tents close by, but not terribly busy for an October evening.

I would recommend staying here. The beach sites have no amenities. I did notice some people using some portable bathrooms that were on site, but I had no need to use them.

Next time, I will stay in a developed site. I think some of those have water and maybe even some have electric.

There are cars and UTV's traveling up and down the road at all times.

According to the website everything was booked next to me and around me. Guess they didn't want to show up cause we had no neighbors. except those that try to sneak in which get chased out by MCSO, or park rangers. Had close water access. will add 2 photos. one of the water level in june at spot 120.Here https://www.campendium.com/lake-pleasant-regional-park/photos/163575 and then another same spot but on August 10th . https://www.campendium.com/lake-pleasant-regional-park/photos/163577

Awesome views . easy walk to the water for fishing , Nice free hot showers , fire rings , covered picnic tables. My family and I stayed here three days and 2 night in the middle of Dec. Weather was in high 60s during the day and low 40 at night . Very quite . My only negative is that the campground spots are really really close together other than that a great experience . Very windy

When it's over 90 degrees in March, it seems crazy to have fires in campgrounds. Epecially in Arizona, when there's no air moving and smelly trash is being burned.

Noisy, loud-talking neighbors complete the picture. Time to head home!

Showers are far away in the next loop, but they're hot. Verizon LTE good. Stayed March 21, 2016.

When you book your site online and choose a peninsula spot in the Desert Tortoise campground, you will wonder why these amazing sites aren't already taken. Then you will arrive with your awesome airstream and look at the downward sloping site and think Holy Unlevelness, our airstream is going to slide down this hill into that beautiful (deep) lake down below. It will happen in the middle of the night while we are sleeping and no one will know where we went.

But get over it. Get our your levelers and be creative. Chock the heck out of your wheels. Then look around you--a ridiculous backyard in your site that goes down to the water, picturesque to the nines. Marvel at the surrounding mountains. Get out your chairs, go down the the point, take some libations with you. Wish it were warmer so you could swim in the crystal clear blue lake.

Build a campfire and find some friends to invite over. Or hang out alone with your introverted self. Watch the moonrise over the mountains. That night in bed, try not to think about your potential for ending up in the lake if your chocks fail.

In the morning get out your mountain bike and ride right from your campsite. Or hike if you like. Or swim if you are cold blooded, or get out your inflatable SUPs. Throw your kayak in the mix. Put your boat or jet-skis in. Lay in the sun. Its all here for your recreational pleasure.
And don't miss the wild burro.