Loon Lake question

Hi,
For those familiar with the boat-in campground at Loon Lake, do you know if it generally fills up?  There are 10 spots at the campground on a first-come basis.  We will probably not get up there until Saturday early afternoon, and I am wondering the likelihood of getting a spot that late in the weekend.

Cheers,
Sean

Sean - with what the weather is like these days - it will fill up. I suggest a back-up plan - maybe just pitch a tent on one of the primitive camp sites just in case the boat-in sites are full.

Good luck!

I would also count on it being full.  Definatly go with a backup plan.

I have only been to Loon Lake one time ... years ago.  Are there plenty of places to set up a primitive camp along the shoreline?

Thanks,
Sean

There should be - just drive along the opposite side of the lake - across from the designated regular family camp sites...you should be able to spot some fire rings along the way.

But your best bet is to ask the resident park ranger (lives in a small trailer home with a dozen chihuahuas) - I'm sure he will be able to point out some sites.

I have camped at Loon many times.  I have never seen the boat in full, heck its rarely occupied.  There is a fee campground on the southern shore, which does get full, there are a million dry camps across the dam, where there is always something.  Just be careful where you camp on the dry side, it can get lots of crazy hill billys that decide to shoot firearms after a long night of drinking.  The fee side is generally quieter since the $ keep the riff-raff out, but the fee side has way more bear problems.

Unfortunately, I did not get this last bit of advise until I returned.  I learned the hard way that the "dry side" is not the best place to camp.  The people who hang out around this area seem to judge their self-worth based on how loud their vehicle is, how much dust they can kick up while driving on the dirt road and how large their tires are .. interesting crowd.  And yes, at about 11pm on Saturday night, some group thought it was a good time to shoot some guns.

Turns out the boat in site had lots of space, and even if it did not, there are many places to camp along the lake for the boat-in camper.

And no fish to speak of, although I really did not try that hard.

Loon lake is beautiful and very clear.  Great lake.  Too bad there are so many yehaws!

crazy hill billys that decide to shoot firearms after a long night of drinking.

Sean - it's funny that you mentioned this. We actually heard gunshots later that evening.   (not the first time either) ...and not to mention the hootin' and hollering all night