bishop images.Par .abd5c22e.Image .600.400BLM Campgrounds in Eastern Sierras Reopen

 Some campgrounds in the Eastern Sierras managed by the Bureau of Land Management’s Bishop Field Office are open to the public with major upgrades completed.

The project – to renovate five campgrounds managed by the BLM – began in the spring of 2011.  The upgrades were long overdue said Jeff Yanez, BLM project manager.  “These campgrounds, with the exception of Pleasant Valley Pit Campground, were constructed in the late 1960’s and have long exceeded their expected lifetime.  Our goal has been to upgrade the sites in order to lower maintenance costs, provide universal access and protect wildlife habitat in the area.  Where feasible, we have provided potable water and RV dump stations to better serve the needs of the public.”

The camping fee will remain $5 per night and campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Tuttle Creek Campground is now open with a new state-of-the-art solar-powered potable water system and recreational vehicle dump station. It also has a new group site that is available for reservation, two walk-in tent sites and several new pull-through sites for larger RV’s. It has been upgraded with new vault toilets, fire rings and picnic tables. Future plans include the installation of horse corrals.

Horton Creek Campground is open and should have potable water online by the middle of July.  It also has a new RV dump station and pull-through sites for larger RV’s.  Horton has been remodeled with new vault toilets, fire rings and picnic tables. The final planned upgrade will be to pave the site road which will occur in the late fall or early spring.

Crowley Lake campground is currently open, but will close July 8 to finish the installation of a potable water distribution system. When reopened in mid-September, it will have a RV dump station in addition to potable water.  It will also have new vault toilets, fire rings and picnic tables.

Goodale Creek Campground should open by early August, with some pull-through sites for larger RV’s and new restrooms, fire rings and picnic tables.  The BLM also is in the process of constructing an interpretive nature trail for the public to enjoy which will highlight various natural features found in the area including local flora and fauna.

“Despite our best efforts, Goodale Creek Campground will remain a dry campground as attempts to drill a well have been unsuccessful due to the unstable and unpredictable nature of the local geology.  We will still be able to irrigate the trees and clean the restrooms with untreated surface water but we will not be able provide potable water to the public,” he said.

Further information can be found on the BLM Bishop Field Office website at http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop/camping/index.html.

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