2008 Camp Swank

[Disneyphile]

OOOOH!! Check this out:

http://www.evergreenlodge.com/groupcamping.html

Group Camping
The Evergreen Lodge private Group Campground can accommodate groups as large as 50 people. Situated in the serenity of the towering pine trees, the campground is designed for groups looking for a unique Yosemite camping experience without the hassles of public campgrounds. Our campground offers the following amenities:

Private bathrooms for men and women, including hot showers
Large campfire area
Parking for vans
Ample space for small and large tents

However, they don't allow cooking at their site:

Please note that cooking is not allowed in the campground due to bear and fire-related issues.

Catering
Our food & beverage team is happy to tailor outdoor meals and barbecues to fit your group's budget and schedule, and our restaurant and tavern are always open for groups as well.

Recreation
We offer a team of outdoor guides who can help plan naturalist hikes, horseback riding, rafting, and fly fishing tours to give your group a truly memorable outdoor experience. We can also arrange for local park ranger, naturalist and hiking guide presentations, discussions & slide shows. Click here to learn more about our extensive Recreation & Activities program.

School groups find our camping especially fun for their students. With campfires and activities planned especially for your group by our recreation team, students can learn first hand about environmental issues and the wilderness, including the wildlife and plants that make up the beauty of Yosemite National Park and the Stanislaus National Forest.

Pricing
Rates depend on your specific program and group size.

[Not Afraid]

Reservations cn be made through Recreation.gov, but it seems 3 of the group sites are already filled for a big block of May - July. Hodgdon is the only one available.

It is 45 mins from the Valley.

[innerSpaceman]

I don't know where Evergreen Lodge is, but Bridalveil Creek is along the Glacier Point Road, if I'm not mistaken. That wouldn't be horrible.

ETA: Ok, nix that then. Where the heck is Hodgson Meadow??



As for Evergreen ... seriously folks, Not Afraid's bother's place in Oakhurst would be closer.

[Disneyphile]

The pricing for a group site in Yosemite is $40 per night for up to 30 people. That's a hell of a lot cheaper than a bunch of individual sites too.

[Not Afraid]

Evergreen is not in a good location. Hodgson is close to Evergreen.

[Not Afraid]

If we want group sites, I think we need to start thinking of another location, because Yosemite proper is not going to work.

[Not Afraid]

http://www.recreation.gov/camping/ma...tractCode=NRSO

[innerSpaceman]

Yep, the Hodgson location sucks. I had no idea Group campgrounds were allowed to reserve earlier than 5 months out. Um, maybe that's a good idea for next season's Swank Camp. Heheh.

We missed that boat.


Do you guys want to do King's Canyon this year, and Yosemite some other time?

Thing is, the Group sites at Yosemite are simply too far from Yosemite Valley. We'd be in the same boat. It's an enormously popular attraction ... and for good reason. Camping is not going to be as convenient there.



My personal preference would be to let fate decide. Even if we have six people calling and/or clicking on Friday morning, the chances of getting 4 reasonably close together campsites anywhere in Yosemite Valley are slim. So what if we leave it to chance? ... and if we get them, use them. And if not ... well, not?



I had another group camping trip to Yosemite Valley with some different people skuttled because it's just not a place that works for big groups. But the fact remains that too many swankers have never been to Yosemite Valley. That's a tragic sadness.

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Do you guys want to do King's Canyon this year, and Yosemite some other time?

If that's the case, there are quite a few group campsites in Sequoia/KC too.

Or, we could always do it closer to home this year in the Angeles Forest or some other region if it would help more people attend. Just a thought.

[innerSpaceman]

Should we start a new thread with a poll?