Fishtrap Recreation Area

The gravel road IS horrendous. Even below 5 mph was too fast. I'm not kidding. Once you make the right turn off Miller Ranch Road and onto the road leading to the trailheads and parking, there's no place to turn around until you get there. Once there, might as well park it so that's what I did. I opted to stop in the first parking area for my stay because I just could not drive another foot on that extremely horrible washboard road. I kept trying to keep one side of my 40 ft motorhome on the edge of the grass to minimize the shaking and any possible damage that might occur to my steering. (Yes, the washboard is THAT bad....)

This first lot has a lot of loose gravel in it but I found a somewhat stable spot parallel to the fence (facing the vault toilets) to park and level. I was the only one here for a few hours and then some other folks came in.

I did notice people coming and going from the second parking area further down the washboard road but I didn't unhook my car to go take a look... I'm not going any further so it doesn't matter. That second lot is supposed to be better (less loose gravel) from what I've read in the reviews and was where I really wanted to go but the washboard road, concern for my steering system and common sense prevented me from going further.

There are no views to speak of other than the night sky. There are no trees on this lot so it's wide open (great for star gazing). I don't hear any road noise. Verizon signal is strong (5 bars). I passed s a bunch of cell towers not far from here (I'd say within a mile or so if I remember correctly).

If they would rake the road it would be great but would I stay here again? Only if I had no other options. It IS very close to I-90, though. 4 miles or so from exit 254 to Miller Ranch Road. This is NOT the lakeside campsite. BTW, the asphalt road (Sprague Hwy East) is also not the smoothest but no potholes. Just bumpy.

As for noise, nothing really except for vehicles passing on the washboard road heading to the next parking area and the very faint sound of a passing train whistle from time to time. I don't really hear the train, itself.

I'm here because I needed some pet medications forwarded to a post office for me to pick up and Sprague Post Office (closed on weekends, btw) is only 6.9 miles away.

We didn’t stay. This place is a gravel lot accessed by a washboard dirt road. Plenty of room for a big rig but the ride in will be slow. I had to check my fillings after towing our 35’ 5th wheel with our F-350 down that road. If you do go, definitely take the exit 254 entrance. The other entrance is a sharp turn down to access the road. We did a couple of people shooting into the hill up the road a bit.

We have a F250 with a 35ft grand design fifth wheel and had no problem accessing, turning around, or traveling the road. We did take other reviewers advice and took the 254 exit :)
There’s a trail head leading out to the lake- we did see a rattlesnake on our way back so just a heads up to watch your feet! Cool spot, we’re here on a Tuesday night and there were 3 other campers with room for more! 😊

All the reviews about the continuous washboard and occasional potholes are correct. Also correct is you should get off at Exit 254 - Fishtrap. This way is the shortest way on the gravel road.

We are a 42' long 13'-3" 5th wheel. This place can accept any size rig. There were 3 other rigs when we arrived, and there was plenty of room for more.

We stayed for a week and it was very quiet. There is some occasional gun shooting, but it was across the road and down a ways. No shooting at night and they appeared to be set up responsibly by shooting into a backdrop of a hill.

The lot has large gravel rock to drive on. I am not sure if it has been freshly laid down, but the lower section, down by the pit toilet, had a large section of loose gravel that you could see tire tracks in.

The trail out of the gate down by the toilet has a great 2-person walking side-by-side path 1.6 miles long down to fish trap lake. Pretty flat until you get closer to the lake. Nice easy hike.

Would stay here again for sure.

We arrived in our 38ft skoolie just before dark and the lot was mostly empty. We took the south entrance and I 100% recommend anyone take the north entrance instead. Both roads are bumpy and have pot holes but the north entrance is shorter and a little better. There is a pit toilet and a trail for a nice nature walk. Very little ATT service. Was able to work remotely using a Verizon hotspot
No dump site, trash, or water

Law enforcement should be more present in this area. There's clearly signs posted about no firearms and yet people were firing away wherever they wanted. One person must have forgotten to empty his chamber of the last round because it sounded like it was fired in the BLM lot. Irresponsible usage in my opinion.

They should probably consider building a firing range and have a separate campground for the people who use it, far away from regular campers. If it weren't for the weekend gunfire, I would've given the place 5 stars.

Quiet spot. Designated Wildflower Viewing Area. 1-3 bars for cell service. The road in is washboard, so you need to go SLOW, but it's worth it. Gravel parking area, with pit toilet. No fire ring. Not a local party area, so that's nice. Sunset was amazing! Can't wait to see the stars tonight, since there's very little light pollution. Highly recommend!