Simpson Springs Campground

The campground is fairly clean and well maintained, though the signposts could use some touching up. The vault toilets were a bit messy but this site is rustic and doesn't have a host, so it makes sense. Shade is sparse.

The views on the drive out are very pretty, I stopped multiple times to take photos. A good chunk of the drive is on dirt roads that can be a bit bumpy. They're maintained enough I don't think a sedan would have issues getting to it, but I was definitely grateful for my SUV.

The best way to describe this site to me is deserted. I was the only person there, and with the lack of shade and heat, I didn't do much exploring, which was a shame to me since I booked it because it was on the Pony Express trail.

I think this site is best if you are:
A: In a big group
B: Really into ATVing or horseback riding and plan to spend most of your time doing that
C: Planning a trip early June/late August when the heat isn't as bad.

This was a great, secluded campground. There are scorpions so watch for that. Number 1 spot was the best for the shade, but is not close to the restrooms. The rest of the spots do not have shade so plan accordingly. They have tent spots but they are gravel and it is hard to get your tent stakes to go in the ground and stay. It is a 24 mi drive out on a gravel road and that’s what takes the longest to get there.

This was a great, secluded campground. There are scorpions so watch for that. Number 1 spot was the best for the shade, but is not close to the restrooms. The rest of the spots do not have shade so plan accordingly. They have tent spots but they are gravel and it is hard to get your tent stakes to go in the ground and stay. It is a 24 mi drive out on a gravel road and that’s what takes the longest to get there.

On Thursday a group of families moved in and set up camp and then proceeded to let their group of 10 to 12 year old sons run loose throughout the campground. Those families apparently didn't care that their kids were bothering the rest of the campers. I came back Friday afternoon and found that the families with the disruptive kids had torn down their camp and left. Either they were asked to leave by other campers or even the families could no longer stand their own kids. It was not a pleasant experience having disruptive kids running loose throughout the campground. I know there isn't a campground host but in this case it surely would have helped.

On Thursday a group of families moved in and set up camp and then proceeded to let their group of 10 to 12 year old sons run loose throughout the campground. Those families apparently didn't care that their kids were bothering the rest of the campers. I came back Friday afternoon and found that the families with the disruptive kids had torn down their camp and left. Either they were asked to leave by other campers or even the families could no longer stand their own kids. It was not a pleasant experience having disruptive kids running loose throughout the campground. I know there isn't a campground host but in this case it surely would have helped.

Great place to stay until the wind kicks up. Campground is nice!

Great place to stay until the wind kicks up. Campground is nice!

Clean and isolated. Perfect

Clean and isolated. Perfect

The site itself isn’t bad but it was a HUGE mistake going here in the heat of the summer as a minimalist camper. That’s on me. If you have an RV or a shade/cooling setup, go wild. My son and I spent all day chasing shade and chugging water until the sun went down because there are no covered rec areas here. But on the flip side, the view of the stars at night was AMAZING! Don’t be like me; research the weather and the area and plan according to your means.