Dinkey Creek

My parents have been going to Dinkey since they were teenagers. I have rented the group campground every summer for 8 years. The location continues to be unique and beautiful. However the service, such as it is, was terrible this year.

First, the flush toilets (which we don't even use at the group site) were shut off for vague reasons never fully explained. This sent many campers to the vault toilets that are clearly assigned to the group camp (they are within the area that state the group camp reservation name. Also, several of the vault toilets used by campers at the simple cabins were also offline, and replaced with porta-potties that no one wanted to use, shunting yet more people to the group site toilets. This was a significant inconvenience.

Second, there is no communication with campers prior to arrival. We are somehow e-mailed about payment details, and generic reservation reminders, but never any communication about water drinkability, toilet functionality, or anything else. You show up (in our case after driving five hours) and you get what you get.

Third, one of the camp hosts was unbelievably rude on repeated occasions. When we asked why so many people were using the group site's toilets, we got a snotty tone and a made-up answer that they were for common use (never the case over our previous visits). When we asked for more checks of the toilets for toilet paper due to the increased usage, we got an eye roll. We got chewed out for having small, glass-encased candles in the bathrooms for light and scent. If this wasn't allowed, then no problem, but we'd been using them for the last seven years, and no host or ranger had said a thing. This same host also chewed us out for leaving a small bottle of hand soap at the faucet outside the toilets, our regular practice for seven years. We got repeated demands to read the rules, none of which specifically referred to the things we were being criticized for.

Seriously considering taking at least a year off.

My parents have been going to Dinkey since they were teenagers. I have rented the group campground every summer for 8 years. The location continues to be unique and beautiful. However the service, such as it is, was terrible this year.

First, the flush toilets (which we don't even use at the group site) were shut off for vague reasons never fully explained. This sent many campers to the vault toilets that are clearly assigned to the group camp (they are within the area that state the group camp reservation name. Also, several of the vault toilets used by campers at the simple cabins were also offline, and replaced with porta-potties that no one wanted to use, shunting yet more people to the group site toilets. This was a significant inconvenience.

Second, there is no communication with campers prior to arrival. We are somehow e-mailed about payment details, and generic reservation reminders, but never any communication about water drinkability, toilet functionality, or anything else. You show up (in our case after driving five hours) and you get what you get.

Third, one of the camp hosts was unbelievably rude on repeated occasions. When we asked why so many people were using the group site's toilets, we got a snotty tone and a made-up answer that they were for common use (never the case over our previous visits). When we asked for more checks of the toilets for toilet paper due to the increased usage, we got an eye roll. We got chewed out for having small, glass-encased candles in the bathrooms for light and scent. If this wasn't allowed, then no problem, but we'd been using them for the last seven years, and no host or ranger had said a thing. This same host also chewed us out for leaving a small bottle of hand soap at the faucet outside the toilets, our regular practice for seven years. We got repeated demands to read the rules, none of which specifically referred to the things we were being criticized for.

Seriously considering taking at least a year off.

We have been coming to Dinkey Creek for over 30 years. And it just seems lately that every year things get a little worse. This is not the first time that the water and flush toilets have been shut down. I wish either recreation.gov or Dinkey campground would notify the people that have reservations That things have shut down and they should be aware of before traveling all the way up to Dinkey. It’s getting quite expensive to camp at Dinkey with fewer and fewer services available again. This was not the first time this has happened to us. I think they need to spend some money and update their plumbing system. I understand they receive water from a spring And that the spring was not able to keep up with demand. They said they were shutting the water down so that they would have water to fight fires, but when the firefighters came to put out a fire, they were using the creek water to battle the fire. I guess the bottom line for me is it would be nice to know in advance before going to Dinkey, that certain amenities and utilities, are being shut down.

We have been coming to Dinkey Creek for over 30 years. And it just seems lately that every year things get a little worse. This is not the first time that the water and flush toilets have been shut down. I wish either recreation.gov or Dinkey campground would notify the people that have reservations That things have shut down and they should be aware of before traveling all the way up to Dinkey. It’s getting quite expensive to camp at Dinkey with fewer and fewer services available again. This was not the first time this has happened to us. I think they need to spend some money and update their plumbing system. I understand they receive water from a spring And that the spring was not able to keep up with demand. They said they were shutting the water down so that they would have water to fight fires, but when the firefighters came to put out a fire, they were using the creek water to battle the fire. I guess the bottom line for me is it would be nice to know in advance before going to Dinkey, that certain amenities and utilities, are being shut down.

Absolutely amazing campground and phenomenal staff! Very friendly, professional, and their number one priority is ensuring everyone is having a good time.

Absolutely amazing campground and phenomenal staff! Very friendly, professional, and their number one priority is ensuring everyone is having a good time.

Dinkey Creek has always been a favorite spot for my family. This time didn't fail to be a great adventure. Staff was great and the campsite was good. The toilets shifted to vault, from the flush that were there a few years ago. Temps were good and the bathrooms were clean. Overall a great time.

Beautiful well maintained campsite, right next to a restroom which is a plus for me. Also within walking distance to the creek, swimming pools and rock slides. The road to get to the campsite is filled with meadows of lilacs & other wild flowers! Will definitely be back with my family!

Dinkey Creek has always been a favorite spot for my family. This time didn't fail to be a great adventure. Staff was great and the campsite was good. The toilets shifted to vault, from the flush that were there a few years ago. Temps were good and the bathrooms were clean. Overall a great time.

Beautiful well maintained campsite, right next to a restroom which is a plus for me. Also within walking distance to the creek, swimming pools and rock slides. The road to get to the campsite is filled with meadows of lilacs & other wild flowers! Will definitely be back with my family!