Waitabit Creek Recreation Site

My partner, Hans wrote a detailed review, but I wanted to add a few things. First we had only planned on staying here for three days, unfortunately on a hike, I sprained both my ankles and the location and the river worked out well for my rehab.
My partner walked our dogs on some of the back roads, logging roads, and all along them are huckleberries easily picked in large amounts. Unfortunately, with my sprained ankle I wasn’t able to do this. A man named DAN, who has his RV near the entrance, not on the river side was picking them and selling them. He apparently has put himself as the observer/ ranger of this area. I think he stays all summer. There was another gentleman named Carl who said he stays for 2 to 3 weeks and then moves to a different campground. There is a sign at the beginning of the campground that says it’s a recreation area but it does not indicate that there is a 14 day limit, although anyone should assume so. Most people stayed for one night but the area at the beginning of the campground to the left where some larger rigs were parked seemed like they stayed there long term.

There is a Campground called Campers haven right down the road, they have washers and dryers there that are brand new, 4 washers and four propane dryers. $2.75 each. They will allow you to come in and use them since they are coin operated. Also, they will allow you to dump for five dollars and fill with freshwater for five dollars.
I only saw one fire marshal drive through the campground the entire time we were there. There were no fires allowed and three guys from Ontario decided to start one. The guy named DAN at the very beginning of the campground told him to put it out, the fire marshal said he would have fined them if he was found them.
You are approximately 20 minutes from downtown Golden, there are two grocery stores. On Wednesday they have a farmers market right aside the river.
The loop in the campground is extremely pot hold, and some are very deep. I would not bring a mini Cooper or other really low tide vehicle in here especially if it was raining. There was a drive-through site that had holes and roots and was so unlevel that we only saw one person camping there in our weeklong stay.

Arrived around 3 and most sites were occupied, the last one by the river was taken by the car ahead of me in the road. It was noisy with truck traffic as it’s near the logging road. I stayed near the entrance beaches the back lots had lots of dogs running around and I didn’t want to deal with that being with my dog. There were a few outhouse/pit toilets. It looked like a lot of people have been there for more than the 14 days. Overall for free car camping it did the trick

We arrived around noon and parked at the top of the road and walked in. We have a 35’ 5th wheel and a crew cab long bed and wanted to make sure we could get out again. There are about 4-5 large spots at the bottom of the hill. We backed into the first spot. And there are several more for smaller rigs. This is first come first serve and fills up fast. No amenities. Pit toilets. There was a burn ban on so no campfires. We stayed 2 nights and had lightning, thunder and downpours both nights. Nice quiet spot for a good rest. One note: Don’t follow GPS. When you turn off the Hwy go to the stop sign at the end of Donald before turning left. Our GPS had us turn early and through a logging yard to a blocked road. Stay on the pavement until the stop sign.

We dropped in on a Thursday in mid-July around noon in our 34’ motorhome and found many of the campsites already occupied, including the easy access area at the beginning on the left; this area is what’s visible in the satellite shot with RV’s present. There were four RV’s in there including a 30’+ motorhome. There was only one campsite left that we could get into, and it was several hundred feet down the narrow and snaking access road. Getting to it required us backing the rig down the road as there was no certain way to turn our MOHO around. We accomplished this with a lot of caution and ended up in a wonderful creekside campsite.

The point here is that this is a very popular boondocking spot with limited big rig sites. By the late afternoon nearly every campsite was occupied, even the small ones with truck and car campers. So be warned that if you’re traveling in a bigger rig, you’re best off scoping the campground before venturing in. And you’d be advised to arrive around noon for your best options. As for us, we’re OK with having to earn a free campsite.

We were able to setup our STARLINK dishy to get an excellent signal, but it required placing it on a gravel bar in the creek. There is decent cell service here.

It was serene and quiet excepting the rushing sound of the fast moving creek behind our campsite.

I would caution users, particularly big rigs, to know the weather conditions. Although the access road is hard packed, there are lots of sizable potholes that pond water. It hadn’t rained in several days, and a large one was still full. We tested passage with our Jeep prior to negotiating it with our MOHO. I’m uncertain how the road would be for larger rigs beyond the first campsites if it was raining.

Located just a short distance off Hwy 1, this is a gem of a location for boondocking with approximately 25 established camp sites; 8 to 10 of which are located directly on the Waitabit Creek.
Coming in from Hwy 1, I nearly turned around my 24k lb RV when I approached a 1-Lane wooden bridge (no guardrails as I recall) with what looked like a 100’ drop to the creek below. l questioned the capacity of the bridge as there were no “max weight” signs like I’m accustom to seeing. After further review of the situation, I found signs indicating the road (and bridge) were used by heavy logging trucks. I also found (below the wood planking) the bridge deck to be supported by massive (4’ tall or so) steel beams. Needless to say, I made it across the bridge just fine (or I wouldn’t be writing this review!).
Access to the sites are through the forest, so expect a few tree branch scratches on your Overlanding vehicle, but the camping spots are well worth it. Just a beautiful place with the sounds of gently flowing water (hence a lower score on “noise” below). I slept with the bedroom window in my RV facing the creek open and it was wonderful. Would definitely stay again

We stayed one night here while travelling west with our 29ft travel trailer. There are around 4 sites to the left of the entrance that can take larger rigs. I wouldn't try making it around the loop unless you are smaller than we are. Definitely scout it first.

The creek is loud enough that you don't hear the highway or the trains, but if you are close to the loggin road you will hear the trucks hauling.

I didn't use the outhouse, so I can't comment on them. Pack in - Pack out only, no dumpsters here.

Had Full Telus LTE here.

This campground is very well maintained on level ground with picnic tables and fire pits. It's crazy that this spot is free. We were able to secure a spot under some trees and even received solar. It is big rig friendly and right by a flowing creek. The sites were very clean as well. The best part is we received really strong att cell service! There is some road noise with logging trucks driving past the campground. However, we would stay here again.