Gifford Campground

We like this campground because it's small and near the river. Our only complaints, and they're fairly recent (since after covid), is that all spaces are reserve only. We liked going up on a whim, which we can't do anymore. The other complaint is the camp hosts are selective on which rules they enforce. Better not have an engine running after 10:00 (ours was mistaken for a generator, when in fact we were leveling our RV, bur parking off the pavement is clearly ok now, which used to be a big no-no. It's still our campground of choice, though.

Love this campground. We have stayed here many times before. The camp hosts are great, the water is awesome, and most sites have a great view of the water.

Very nice spot. Easy access to water. Nice bike loop for the kids. Grass is dead during summer months so make sure to bring some type of ground cover

Very nice spot. Easy access to water. Nice bike loop for the kids. Grass is dead during summer months so make sure to bring some type of ground cover

Beautiful campground, right on the water. We loved it!

Beautiful campground, right on the water. We loved it!

Kayaking here was fantastic and the first 2.5 days of our trip were blissful. Wed afternoon arrival, set up, evening kayak, then Thursday was amazing, but Friday afternoon, things went south. The two sites immediately next to us were taken over by 30+ people. Yes, 10 per site is the limit, but there were far more than that. Many tents, canopies, generators, an A/C unit attached to a tent, five bbqs, outdoor movie screen, garbage everywhere, loud music (metal, inappropriate language), non-stop elevated voices, swearing, smoking, smoking pot... All of which, you do you! I do not care about those things except when you have staked out your space and are a foot from my tent, picnic table, truck, etc. and there is zero personal space anymore. Plus, there was at least one dog per person in this encampment. It was pure hell. The camphost came by around 5 pm, told him I was concerned, and he said he'd keep an eye on things. He did not. He was across from us in earshot and very visibly could see the crazy unfolding. They were still up partying at 230 pm. We left at 7 am.

Until this trip? Gifford was our favorite place to camp. No more :( National Park Service said we should've woke the camphost up or called the sheriff. Um, ok, nope. I'm a fit 60 year old woman who was camping with her 27 year old son who's on the spectrum. That would not have been safe for us.

Kayaking here was fantastic and the first 2.5 days of our trip were blissful. Wed afternoon arrival, set up, evening kayak, then Thursday was amazing, but Friday afternoon, things went south. The two sites immediately next to us were taken over by 30+ people. Yes, 10 per site is the limit, but there were far more than that. Many tents, canopies, generators, an A/C unit attached to a tent, five bbqs, outdoor movie screen, garbage everywhere, loud music (metal, inappropriate language), non-stop elevated voices, swearing, smoking, smoking pot... All of which, you do you! I do not care about those things except when you have staked out your space and are a foot from my tent, picnic table, truck, etc. and there is zero personal space anymore. Plus, there was at least one dog per person in this encampment. It was pure hell. The camphost came by around 5 pm, told him I was concerned, and he said he'd keep an eye on things. He did not. He was across from us in earshot and very visibly could see the crazy unfolding. They were still up partying at 230 pm. We left at 7 am.

Until this trip? Gifford was our favorite place to camp. No more :( National Park Service said we should've woke the camphost up or called the sheriff. Um, ok, nope. I'm a fit 60 year old woman who was camping with her 27 year old son who's on the spectrum. That would not have been safe for us.

Great to camp. Lots of room great boat launch.

Great to camp. Lots of room great boat launch.