Your Favorite Streamside/Lakeside Campsite

[Black_Fly]

Im trying to remember my wife and my favorite campsites. The one that stands out is a state campground in the UP of Michigan on the Manistique River, south of Germfask, the Seney Wildlife Sanctuary is on the opposite shore. Local outfitter was happy to shuttle. Don’t know if that still applies.

I think states generally do a better job of small, intimate campgrounds. Depends on the state, I guess. Some folks may like noisy RV ghettos. Not for me. Care to share your favorite camp?

 

[eckilson]

After last week's trip to the West Branch of the Penobscot, my new favorite campsite is Ogden Cove on Lobster Lake - white sand beach and beautiful sunsets - kind of like being on Gilligan's Island.







A close second is Gero 1 on Gero Island on Lake Chesuncook.







If it wasn't for the cold, the wind, the bugs, the sleeping on the ground and using the outhouse, my wife would love it...

 

[Gamma1214]

Sorry for the slow response but this thread caused a very enjoyable stroll down memory lane.

I've been blessed to visit many terrific sites and (since you include "streamside" in your title) I didn't limit my thought to just canoe trips. The title does, however, use the singular "campsite", so I took that to mean the single, best one and that took some thinking.

Many of the sites probably benefited from the circumstances surrounding my stay and the site on Gripp Lake was one of those.



A great site in its own right, the fact that I was finally free of civil interaction certainly had an influence.

The same is true for the island site on Diablo Lake. It's a nice site on its own but, regardless of which portage(s) you take to reach it, you're pretty happy to hit that landing.



The site at the North end of Steel Lake is exactly the same... great site but you're extra glad to see it after the day you've had.



I've had some great sites in the BWCA with the beach site on Alice standing out as spectacular



while the site on Kekakabic was so secluded & cozy, it was easy to believe that I was alone in the woods.



In the end though, my favorite of all time is probably this gem on Stone Lake in NW Ontario.




Not only is it a great site with excellent fishing but reaching it means that you've spent a few days in a gorgeous part of the planet (and already camped at some pretty awesome sites that week).

It's not really on the route when I do the larger version of the Marshall Lake loop but I'm seriously considering a detour for a pseudo layover day next time I'm past.

Anybody else like to share their all-time favorite (singular) & why? Pick your top 5 (or 6) like me if you'd care to but I'm interested in why it makes the list and how it reached GOAT status.

 

[Black_Fly]

Don’t have to be accessible only by canoe. We’re looking at Boondocking in a camper in October. Found a few nice places, but none on water yet. Here’s one I’m fond of, overlooking the Little Missouri River and Medora, ND. I can think of several I’ve loved in the backcountry, one that was ruined by over use and neglect. Privacy, fishing from camp, a beach, good landing, tent pads, views - all key components. I’ll have to look at photos.

 

[Art D]

Too many to list them all. Here are three.

1. Ledges on the Allagash. The trick is to climb to the top of the hill where you’ll find a beautiful tent pad covered in soft pine needles. There are just enough trees to break a strong wind while also affording a view of the lake.

2. The island campsite in Moose Cove on the north shore of Pemadumcook Lake, Maine. A sand beach and views of Mount Katahdin.

3. The unnamed, unofficial campsite at Little Falls on the Machias River. Tent pads on a bluff overlooking the river, a great flat for a community kitchen and tarp, and the sounds of the rapids in the background.

 

[eckilson]

Too many to list them all. Here are three.

1. Ledges on the Allagash. The trick is to climb to the top of the hill where you’ll find a beautiful tent pad covered in soft pine needles. There are just enough trees to break a strong wind while also affording a view of the lake.

Tried to stay there a couple of times, but it was occupied when we got there. Grey Brook is OK, Jalbert is vey nice.

 

[ppine]

My favorites were on the Grand Rhonde River in Oregon. Deep canyon with sandy sites in the shade of pine trees on a the first terrace above the river. Wild scenic so there was no trash, and no campfire rings. The most wildlife of any place I have been outside Alaska or Yellowstone. I took a nap and woke up with a mule deer fawn 6 feet away looking at me. Herds of elk swimming the river below camp. 25 bald eagles a day. Beaver, mink and otter swimming under the boats. Splendid.