Fishermans Group

I was really excited to try this new spot out. I'm not rating this poor as in the spot was poor, it was more getting there that made the experience poor. The directions to get there were fine up until the last portion. Taking highway 18 the Green Valley lake was the easy part. when the road forked, there were no signs wahtsoever about fisherman group. I had to call recreation and get someone on the line to help me. When I followed her instructions, it took me down a steep windy road and I had to turn around. I ended up not being able to enjoy the new site and went to Dogwood campground instead.

The campsite was beautiful. Clean and well-kept. Not sure why they call it Fishermans group because there was no fishing in the area the water level was really low.

Great campsite. Big sites and secluded. The bathrooms were really clean.

We camped in sites 3&4. 3&4 are creek adjacent and the water was running. Camp, including the vault toilets were clean.

The campsite was still very accommodating and fun. No complaints. However, the trail maintenance from Crab Flats to the campsite was in terrible condition. So many fallen trees that getting backpackers through, over or around them was a significant challenge and cause for considerable delay. It needs trail maintenance badly.

Trail was not very well maintained and had no markers, great trail anyway. There are a few patches about 2/3 of the way to the campsite where the trail is just sand on a steep hillside - a bit tricky to walk across with a heavy pack on. There are lots of downed trees; some are small enough to just step over but other require more effort. You do have to cross a stream 1/2 way through but it was not slippery at all, super easy to walk over. There are many parts of the trail that are overgrown and require a bit of effort to push through. There are no trail markers so I highly recommend checking a map often and paying attention to the pre-existing footprints in the gravel.

I stayed at the camp for three days but had to park in the Crab Flat Campground because the last mile to the campground is very difficult to maneuver with a 2WD vehicle. Tons of lizards, quail, deer, and other wildlife for viewing. The water at the campsite is incredibly nice to swim in and hang out near. There are a lot of flies at the site but not a ton of mosquitos, did encounter a wasp that wouldn't let me near my tent for a bit. Lots of shade. No fires allowed but a portable camp stove was allowed. No bear boxes but there were plenty of suitable trees for handing food in. I was alone the whole time and didn't see anyone else on the trail / at the campsite. Great site if you don't want to hang around a ton of people.

The road that Google Maps recommended is part of a Boy Scouts camp and doesn't allow access to the campground, you have to take the 3N16 service road and hike in. I recommend leaving the site early in the morning if you need to walk to your car - it gets hot very quickly and there isn't much shade.

Overall - 100% worth the effort to get to the site and the trail is great for birdwatching.

If you are looking for a secluded and peaceful campground, this is the one. The creek that runs adjacent to the campground is truly a rare gem. However if you think it is easy to get there you are very mistaken.

The 2.5 mi hike trail to arrive to the campground is in HORRIBLE CONDITION, fallen trees everywhere, extremely overgrown with thorny vegetation and not to mention the erosion of the sandy/gravel trail that in many situations create a very dangerous environment, especially when carrying camping gear, one wrong step and that is it for you.

In terms of the campground, the vault bathrooms were filthy but at the end of the day its part of the camping experience. The bear proof trash containers were impossible to use, not because of it malfunctioning but due to the amount of trash inside already left by other campers. We had to take the risk of leaving our trash outside due to poor management, which increases the chances of bears and other animals at the campground.

Great fun hike with Teens!
But be aware the drive to the trail head is only possible with a 4WD car for the last mile!!! We parked before and hiked that mile.
Trail is overgrown but fun!
The camping spot is amazing! We booked weeks before No4 and when we arrived someone camped there, he was told it was first come first served! Idk.
Luckily the other spots were available and No3 was an amazing spot!
Bring a bear box! We did see a bear, but who knows.
We enjoyed the tables and the whole area and flowing river a lot!
We will be back!!!

Fisherman's Camp is a beautiful spot that my husband and I used to visit often as newlyweds over 30 years ago and have visited several years back. This recent trip was planned to introduce our 7 yr old granddaughter to backpacking. We knew this was a distance/elevation she could handle, and that water was available from the creek near the camp. We obtained our permits and called the ranger station ahead to be sure the trail had been maintained recently (she assured me that it was). Once we hit the trail however, it was obvious the TRAIL HAD NOT BEEN CLEARED. The brush was overlapping the trail above our heads from both sides for much of the trail, there were a number of fallen trees to climb over and under while wearing our backpacks, and there were several stretches of gravel trail surface that were difficult to pass due to erosion.
Though the trail leads to a lovely camp, I CANNOT REOMMEND it due to the lack of trail maintenance. If you go, be prepared to bushwhack!

Couldn't find the location using my GPS. Took me to a road that had a chained up gate. There was no address listed