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frankdamp · 07-30-2010, 08:54 PM

On our recent shakedown cruise, we definitely discovered that Steamboat Rock State Park in late July wasn't one of our more inspired ideas!

We gave up our second night's reservation and went looking for somewhere more palatable.

We found a very pleasant CG just south of the junction of US2 and US97 in Peshastin. It's called "Blu-Shastin RV Park". The directions in the 2007 Trailer Life directory left a little to be desired, but we found the place after some maneuvering in downtown Peshastin.

The park backs up to a shallow river, about 25' across and only 9" or so deep. We got a site on the river bank and our two Labs were very pleased. We were surprised, when checking in, to find that the female half of the ownership couple was from a town in Northern England only 6 miles from where my wife and I grew up.

It's apparent that the park layout pre-dates slide-outs. The sites are a bit close together if both you and your neighbors all have them. Overall, though, worth a visit.

Heading out from home eastwards, we also found a nice CG in Cle Elum, called "Whispering Pines". It's a Good Sam facility, bordering the Yakima River. Our slot was a back-in, directly against the levee. Our Labs were ticked off that they couldn't go swim, but the current was going by at better than 15 knots and the water is about 20' deep. A nice place for a brief stop en-route, and very easy access from I-90.

Although Steamboat Rock was a downer, overall the trip was a success.

nuketea7800 · 08-03-2010, 12:19 PM

Can I ask what about Steamboat Rock that was not good for you? Just wondering, for we are considering going there to do some tent camping.

Thanks

//Karl

Wayne M · 08-03-2010, 10:00 PM

We stayed at Whispering Pines. Nice stop, and a little maneuvering even in the pull through's, but doable. There is a nice trail that runs along the river. We took our dog on it and she found a couple places to access the river and get her feet wet. It was shallow enough. Funny, on the way back she remember the entrance to where she had been and had to get her feet wet again.

frankdamp · 08-04-2010, 04:04 PM

Karl:

Firstly, Steamboat Rock was very hot - should have expected that in mid-July (duh!).

Secondly, we had problems with the mosquitoes starting around 5:00 pm, despite the signs everywhere saying they spray to keep the mosquito population down. I sure wouldn't want to go there if they didn't spray.

Thirdly, the only retail store within 30 miles is the one at the boat launch/beach area, which is some distance from the campsites. We don't pull a toad and didn't feel like finding out how far it actually was to the store in that heat. We wanted to buy some stronger insect repellent!

If you're into temt camping and boating/fishing, and have a vehicle that isn't your living quarters, I'm sure you'd love it. Banks Lake is about 40 miles long, so there's lots of room for boats.

My guess is that well over half the sites were occupied by tent campers, often extended familes with three or four tents.

It just doesn't suit our retiree life-style and we're not into boats and fishing.