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Those were really nice camp grounds when I was a kid back in the 60's & 70's, but the BLM has decided that we can no longer use them because we are stupid. I hope that the state camp grounds on the Olympic Peninsula are still open.
YOU just hit the nail on the head, "WE are stupid" and THAT is why the Gov't can get away with this crap. Trashy People and the people that DON'T do anything about said individuals is what caused this to happen. SOMEONE has to clean up the mess and if WE don't do it on our own, the Gov't is Invited in and we all KNOW they know little to NOTHING about what it right and what is wrong. Remember."the Gov't NEVER came in and took over, WE invited them in by being irresponsible". Old story, still true. My elementary school teacher was DECADES ahead of the times. But then again that was Before PC and Teacher's Unions. She had TWO saying:#1 Your rights END where the next person's BEGINS#2 We have a LOT of Freedoms in this country, BUT, with those Freedoms comes responsibility. and when WE are irresponsible WE will LOSE those rights. And wouldn't it be GREAT if everyone lived by THOSE rules.... the lady was VERY Smart and observant as well.
+Newton Washinton I wasn't ready for this closure. I understand things happen because the state gives up and doesn't feel like policing things, but this closure really hit me hard. Almost makes me mad at how easily they gave up. And, did they hire a 10 year old to write that letter? I counted 7 serious grammatical errors in that letter. Wow.
The abuse of public lands by meth cookers, irresponsible homeless and irresponsible fully-homed people are an ongoing issue for state parks. They have a limited budget for maintenance and upkeep, and assholes who trash things and leave it for others to clean up are destroying public lands. Not to mention in predominantly conservative areas, public lands and recreational space are very low on the totem pole for legislators.
It's for sale to the highest bidder, the international banking interest that has co-opted the US government and to some level the state government. They want these lands as a trade for any debt defaulted by the government just like Puerto Rico. This debt based system will gradually force Americans off their lands and into an urban slum compact area that your overlords will dictate to you what you can and can't do. Mexico has done this back in the 1980's when their Peso hyperinflated and forced most of Mexico population off their rural lands through rising property taxes and other expenses and into the slums of Mexico city. Only the powerful and elite class benefited from this currency collapse which is also coming to America.
They tried that in Minnesota too, but after people provided evidence that there claims about the camp ground were fake, and local authorities even backed up the evidence, as no reports or disturbances that they claimed as a reason. Turns out, the state was going to sell the land illegally, and in response quickly reopened all 11 camp grounds in that zone, and even put it a new park at each one. Government corruption and actions of stupidity must be addressed, so I would still pursue this issue, as claims need to be backed up with fact, not fiction.
I'm from your neck of the woods. Years ago, my partner, Bonnie, and I used to camp at the various primitive campgrounds right over Chinook Pass on HWY 410 between Chinook Pass and Naches. When we went back to what were some of our favorite remote and pristine places to camp, years later, we experienced the same thing you did, ditches and boulders blocking access to the campsites, which were generally some distance from the highway there. We couldn't figure out why the state would do this to us campers, depriving us of our campsites, because all of these places were self-sustaining and really needed little or no maintenance. While driving back via Hwy 12, we stopped along the road at what used to be one of our favorite spots. It was located only a short distance from the highway along the Tieton River, but was hidden from the road by being located in a large dense growth of trees. We had complete privacy and used to skinny dip in a deep rocky area there, which was sectioned off from the rest of the river. Long story short, when we looked around at what was once our paradise, there was garbage, rotting food, feces, toilet paper, beer cans, broken glass, etc., as far as the eye could see. Judging by the food containers, magazines, various papers with names of individuals - some Mexicans, apparently working the local farms in this eastern Washington area, had been living there for months or years, turning things into a Tijuana garbage dump. So, with the Mexicans squatting in these areas and tearing up these places, we surmised that the state just decided the best thing to do was to make them physically inaccessible to all. The only reason they couldn't do this to the place along Hwy. 12 was because there is no one road in and out, the area being adjacent to the highway. So, whether the state closes these campgrounds or the homeless Mexicans contaminate these areas with their garbage and filth, or contaminate the areas with their mere presence alone, our ability to use these areas for camping is gone, one way or the other.
DNR is very good at making sure budget cuts affect as many taxpayers as possible so that taxpayers complain to politicians. Proper thing for DNR to do is reduce administrative costs by laying themselves off, good luck with that.
Well, nothing is ever FREE. The taxpayers pay for government campgrounds. So it our responsibility to pay real estate taxes, and if we do not contribute we cannot expect it to be free and available. The fish habitat needs to be protected from free loaders who damage those sensitive areas, so I can see why they turn those areas back to nature. Looks bad, until vegetation takes over once again.
+Geoffrey James A.I.A. State parks receive hardly any revenue from property taxes. Ironically it comes from people who drive and pay gas tax, and purchase items and pay sales tax, or earn an honest living on TH-cam and pay income tax, people like Eric.
Dont feel bad. A campground I started going to as a kid that was clean and well kept has become nothing but beer cans and trash, graffiti every where. Needless to say you know who started showing up.
Sounds like they are going to consolidate campsites into fewer areas so that they can a) be policed, so that homeless/indigent people do not try to take up full-time residence and b) so they won't have the expense of maintenance. It is sad, but it is happening everywhere.
Sad as it is.....it will happen more with folks who do not care. That creek is protected, and homeless folks dropping trash and doing nasty things in the water ruin it for all. Prior to prop 13, Jarvis Gann tax caper there were thousands of free campgrounds that were beautiful. Funding was cut for caretakers and they closed them forever. I dont like paying for campgrounds but have to. We can all help by playing by the rules, picking up trash left by idiots, and stopping careless vandalizing.
Vandalism is a big problem. Some young star just got fined $1000 recently for defacing red rock in the Sedona, AZ area by carving her and her boyfriend's initials in it.
***** Wouldn't it be nice if everybody truly were free to live peaceably any way they liked? I am for Liberty. Not being an Objector to Liberty, I favor you living as you like so long as you do not harm others. You can live in a box, on a car, in a tree or a mansion. I do not choose to live in an RV like most people, unlike most, I respect your or his natural right to do so if they please.
The liberal urban mentality is to blame for all of this. Find yourself a $35.00 a night campsite and get used to it. 99% of my good old free or cheap campsites from 10 years ago are gone. Camping used to be a cheap way for families to enjoy the outdoors. Now only the high dollar retired RV'ers can afford it..... How sad. Shame on Amerika!
I was boondocking at a Walmart last night. Police knocked on my door at 1AM, but the 70K RV beside me was allowed to stay. had its slide out and everything. I even patronized the Walmart. It's all about the rich nowadays. Most of them got or inherited their wealth off the backs of people like me who've worked hard for the last 30 years.
Makes sense, maintenance is covered by camping fees in these areas which there are none, couple that with a bunch of people living there in their vans or RV's for weeks at a time disrespecting the campgrounds by littering and trashing the place and you can easily understand why they are closed. It also sounds like they are citing protection of a fish.
This is a problem in Ohio too. They are taking homes away from people, these are houses and properties where no money is owed, least not for the house itself. Taxes, fines ect. in some cases the county sheriffs are working with the banks to make everyone homeless so they can corral them like cattle into homeless shelters. I suspect they will go after drivers and driving too. If they can steal one's house, impounding their vehicle will be easy. I've been in these homeless shelters, they are hell. They pack you in tight, if your lucky enough to get a bottom bunk, there will be someone above you in a top bunk. No pets, no food. You eat when they they tell you in their cafetera or not at all, your in at a certain time and you have to leave at a given time during the day. Easy to get kicked out not following the rules and when they do kick you out cops are called. Then they the cops decide if or not to take you to jail rather than have you wandering in the streets. You get as tiny locker, you supply the lock, whatever isn't locked up will get stolen. You get one shower a day and it's only supposed to take 10 or 15 minutes, this is mostly only enforced when there is a long wait to use them. I was kicked out for complaining about the smoking in the dorms. They allow smoking, but no food or drinks. It's only slightly better than jail, and for many those are the only two choices.
What a shame about those two campgrounds.. I could sense your disappointment ..Hopefully all will fall into place after Friday. You and Jax stay safe , healthy, and keep on living the good life..
It is becoming a "We hate poor people" nation. Internet is getting too expensive; T.V. is too expensive; meat is too expensive and camping is not bringing in money for hotels so also closed. If you are poor our nation HATES you. Don't even get me started on benefits for the poor...
we are losing more then just campgrounds. you can see your shock and dismay. America is changing each day. 2016 is pivotal year, lots more to come. it doesn't surprise me the internet says it is stiil open.
Um... False. They made over 14Million last year in Discover Pass sales...It's not "free" to camp here. $35/annual pass. They obviously aren't managing the money right. That demo alone cost over $15,000 - no way it cost near that per 20 years to clean up after the few offenders. Please do your research before you speak your foolish opinions....
+Nomadic Fanatic foolish opinions ? you said in the headline they were free camp grounds. So that's why I made that statement if they could not get money out of you they closed them...just following your lead line. Please don't be such a hot head so fast. Geeze.
Why? Crime, trashy people and a complete disrespect of the forest around it. At some time you have to do something and closing it was the cheapest option. People are the reason and NOT the local, state or federal Gov't. Like Welfare, Etc, when people get things for FREE, some people do NOT respect it. Someone had to clean up the mess and THAT costs ALL of us $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. This is what people do to themselves. And THIS is how the Gov't is invited into OUR lives,,,WE let them in by being irresponsible. We have lost our way,,,Thanks Trashy people. I miss the 50s when kids had respect and discipline and parents were still PARENTS.
It costs more to keep them open than let them go back to natural surroundings Plus this way you have to pay to camp, it also keeps people in one local. .
Regulations within a national forest or wilderness area is that camping within 100-200 feet of a waterway or trail is prohibited to preserve the vegetation.
It's a shame that in today's world, there can't be any areas for us to have access to without a nursemaid to watch over us at all times. You know if there isn't any supervision, the few WILL screw it up for those of us that do give a damn. I feel your pain, as I have experienced similar events.
It costs money $$$$ to maintain public land. Do you really expect to be able to use it for FREE? Isn't there a state park sticker or such that is required in addition to site fees?
they want you to park your rv's in nice straight lines on a black top parking area and pay $30.00 a night, this is for your own safety of course. I wonder if they also used the trees that were cut down to make brochures of how they are improving the public lands. the BUREAUCRAPS are always looking out for our best interest.
They did the same thing in British Columbia a few years ago, closing all the smaller one & two unit Forest Service camp sites because they didn't what to maintain them anymore. Because of "liability" issues they cut up all the picnic tables and filled in the out houses with them. So sad
Hire Eric enjoy your videos.Your travel videos are are giving me a look of America that I did not know existed. I also live in a beautiful country. New Zealand
The Tribes had all Salmon fishing closed down on the Olympic Peninsula in WA State, (2016) due to lack of numbers in Salmon. But the Tribes OVER FISH Salmon 10s of thousands every year (seen it). All in the name of environmentalism. What a CROCK! Campgrounds next to rivers next?
So sorry Eric--- I can understand how this hurts--you get attached to places. I know you will make new memories at other campgrounds and some of them will be come as important as this one was to you.
Horrible, just horrible. There was no evidence of vandalism, except for what the government did. We all need to call and insist they repair the damage, and reopen the parks. That land belongs to ALL the People.
That's a sickening sight! How can they justify such 'legal' vandalism?! Another perfect example of bureaucratic stupidity! Why not just post a sign saying the state would no longer maintain the grounds and you drive and/or park at your own risk?
Good work keeping us all informed of the bad news. However you never can make up for the loss of a campground by adding campsites elsewhere. So sad. But thank you for your channel.
Sadly the government doesn't want to help the homeless. Tearing up campgrounds to keep them out seems like a negative solution. After all most RV and Vandwellers could be technically included in the homeless group as you don't have a sticks and bricks home. I would doubt it would have been hard to have volunteer camp hosts if they could stay for free.
Glad you showed the loss of the campgrounds. When so many more persons are camping, it seems areas are being closed off as natural preserves or no longer supported as camping spots. Maybe this will help others who have land and space to share might take the opportunity to make space available.
+Gardener Earth Guy It says they plan to add a walking trail to the water later this year... That way those littering a-holes can still stop by for an hour and throw beer bottles everywhere, trash the place and then leave. Meanwhile, we can't camp and take our trash away with us. BRILLIANT, OLYMPIA!!!
Good show Eric and Jax Nice to see ya. Really sorry about the changes in the parks. Hang in there. I admire your attitude. When you are faced with difficulties.
Hi Eric, sorry to see the campgrounds closed especially he memories you had with the RC's:) I just toured with Shameless Xplorer and it was super in the RV- WHAT FREEDOM! Shameless Xplorer said to say hi to you Eric also.
That's terrible, our tax dollars pay for those great parks, now they want those two lost parks to be packed into one enlarged park, which means more noise from rude campers & etc. The decision to close the parks wasn't even voted on by the citizens, the money grubbing politicians do what ever they want after they're elected, even lying about what they promised to do if elected. How sad America slowly going down the crapper.
Same thing here in IL. Our conservation area had a really nice little campground for $6 a night. No hook-ups. The campground was part of the larger area on a river with a boat launch, picnic area, etc. The campground was typically 70% full every weekend, had just had new pit type toilets put in, a new playground, and also had a dump station. The following year they closed and locked the gates. Typical government, the said budget cuts, so in my confused state I said then why would you close the ONLY revenue generating portion? No answer from them.
This is a good example of government efficiency. Ten years of notice and they could not get their website corrected. It would be interesting to note when the website gets updated.
There's no such thing as "FREE" campgrounds. Somebody has to pay (taxpayers). Maybe they need some more taxes in Washington. Everybody loves taxes. Right?
it's so sad to see such a beautiful camping spot looking like that but mother nature has taken it back so i guess thats a good thing. have a great day mark
Wow! That's just sad! Hey Eric, I'm on a cross country road trip and will be in Yosemite national park tomorrow! Fort Lauderdale to Michigan, to Phoenix, Yosemite, then east back to Michigan. You truly inspired me to make the trip! just me and my little dog Daisy! Thank you for allowing myself to finally take that huge step that I've been afraid to do!
you mentioned Riffe lake. Now a days, the only camping is at the Tadnapam (not sure of the spelling) park. It used to be, before they put in the park, That there were many places to camp along the Champion Haul road and on up onto Elk Mt. on the south side of the lake. Many of which had fresh water sources. The 'piowers that be' decided that they did not want people living in those 'free' camping areas, so removed the water sources, trenched and bermed the access and camping areas. Then put in the Tadnapam camping park. IMO: only so they could glom on to that 15 dollars a night, showers extra money. Then they did not create nearly enough camping spaces to handle the actual number of campers. A sad testimonial to the shortsightedness of the Fish and Wildlife, parks board, PUD, Tacoma City Light and similar entities.
I grew up with 500+ acres of woods behind my house and one year I moved away and when I came back, developers were in "our" woods. Now there's all of these $400,000 houses in a "natural" setting. I still can't go back without my stomach lurching. Sometimes progress sucks.
They are passing laws in Congress that are insane. we need to hold those we elect locally accountable for what they do and demand they explain why they do things. Hope you find a great place to camp.
That is sad about that campground. It cost them more to dig it up rather than just use the concrete blocks to close it. Unfortunately many RV's, truck campers etc have the means to move the blocks and gain access even if they want it closed. So that's probably why they dug it up too. Really enjoying the 1080 videos. Resolution is great. THANKS.
Oh wow! I'm sorry to hear they closed your favorite campgrounds. Not fully sure where you are at. From the look of the plants and greenery you must be in my home state of Washington. Born at Ft. Louis outside of Sea-town. One thing I love about Washington is the green-ness of the land. Down here in Cali everything turns brown/straw yellow burned looking in the summer.
A retired USFS employee told me this and how to locate the info . She said by 2020 1/3 of access roads and 1/2 of recreation/camp areas will be closed to the public. The idea is accessibility will eventually be by foot only to some areas and no access to the majority of Federal Land.
I was out in the forest Monday to check out the Fall Creek Campground and had noticed that those two campgrounds were removed from the DNR maps. I camped at Sherman Valley and North Creek the past two years and I am not surprised of the closures. These campgrounds were in the part of the forest off limits to off road, mountain bikes and horses. The hiking trails weren't very maintained, if at all. It's an ever changing forest with an ever shrinking budget to manage it.
Silly man, you think public land is "public?" Anything but... They no longer want you on THEIR land.
Its easier to keep track of people in the N.W.O. by tearing down these camp grounds. People will be hearded where the government wants them to go.
i agree. i was thinking same thing
Control and money is why. They wanna know who is where and what you are doing at all times. Even in the woods!
vote the government out of our lives
Those were really nice camp grounds when I was a kid back in the 60's & 70's, but the BLM has decided that we can no longer use them because we are stupid. I hope that the state camp grounds on the Olympic Peninsula are still open.
YOU just hit the nail on the head, "WE are stupid" and THAT is why the Gov't can get away with this crap. Trashy People and the people that DON'T do anything about said individuals is what caused this to happen. SOMEONE has to clean up the mess and if WE don't do it on our own, the Gov't is Invited in and we all KNOW they know little to NOTHING about what it right and what is wrong. Remember."the Gov't NEVER came in and took over, WE invited them in by being irresponsible". Old story, still true. My elementary school teacher was DECADES ahead of the times. But then again that was Before PC and Teacher's Unions. She had TWO saying:#1 Your rights END where the next person's BEGINS#2 We have a LOT of Freedoms in this country, BUT, with those Freedoms comes responsibility. and when WE are irresponsible WE will LOSE those rights. And wouldn't it be GREAT if everyone lived by THOSE rules.... the lady was VERY Smart and observant as well.
that's a shame closing those beautiful parks, even the drive in was beautiful. thanks eric
+Newton Washinton I wasn't ready for this closure. I understand things happen because the state gives up and doesn't feel like policing things, but this closure really hit me hard. Almost makes me mad at how easily they gave up. And, did they hire a 10 year old to write that letter? I counted 7 serious grammatical errors in that letter. Wow.
It's called not your national or state Forrest it's the government's Forrest.
Are they closing all the parks next to running water? They did that in other states, and gave the water to Nestle.
The abuse of public lands by meth cookers, irresponsible homeless and irresponsible fully-homed people are an ongoing issue for state parks. They have a limited budget for maintenance and upkeep, and assholes who trash things and leave it for others to clean up are destroying public lands.
Not to mention in predominantly conservative areas, public lands and recreational space are very low on the totem pole for legislators.
i do think the environment needs to be protected but not at the cost of those wishing to enjoy it, damn tree hugging lobbyists
It's for sale to the highest bidder, the international banking interest that has co-opted the US government and to some level the state government. They want these lands as a trade for any debt defaulted by the government just like Puerto Rico. This debt based system will gradually force Americans off their lands and into an urban slum compact area that your overlords will dictate to you what you can and can't do. Mexico has done this back in the 1980's when their Peso hyperinflated and forced most of Mexico population off their rural lands through rising property taxes and other expenses and into the slums of Mexico city. Only the powerful and elite class benefited from this currency collapse which is also coming to America.
This is undeniable
They tried that in Minnesota too, but after people provided evidence that there claims about the camp ground were fake, and local authorities even backed up the evidence, as no reports or disturbances that they claimed as a reason. Turns out, the state was going to sell the land illegally, and in response quickly reopened all 11 camp grounds in that zone, and even put it a new park at each one. Government corruption and actions of stupidity must be addressed, so I would still pursue this issue, as claims need to be backed up with fact, not fiction.
Important point..
*Closing camp grounds, just another good idea of our screwed up government*.
*How about moving OUT Muslims that would be a smart idea*.
Our wicked Godless government being evil, does not surprise me
I'm from your neck of the woods.
Years ago, my partner, Bonnie, and I used to camp at the various primitive campgrounds right over Chinook Pass on HWY 410 between Chinook Pass and Naches. When we went back to what were some of our favorite remote and pristine places to camp, years later, we experienced the same thing you did, ditches and boulders blocking access to the campsites, which were generally some distance from the highway there. We couldn't figure out why the state would do this to us campers, depriving us of our campsites, because all of these places were self-sustaining and really needed little or no maintenance.
While driving back via Hwy 12, we stopped along the road at what used to be one of our favorite spots. It was located only a short distance from the highway along the Tieton River, but was hidden from the road by being located in a large dense growth of trees. We had complete privacy and used to skinny dip in a deep rocky area there, which was sectioned off from the rest of the river.
Long story short, when we looked around at what was once our paradise, there was garbage, rotting food, feces, toilet paper, beer cans, broken glass, etc., as far as the eye could see. Judging by the food containers, magazines, various papers with names of individuals - some Mexicans, apparently working the local farms in this eastern Washington area, had been living there for months or years, turning things into a Tijuana garbage dump.
So, with the Mexicans squatting in these areas and tearing up these places, we surmised that the state just decided the best thing to do was to make them physically inaccessible to all. The only reason they couldn't do this to the place along Hwy. 12 was because there is no one road in and out, the area being adjacent to the highway.
So, whether the state closes these campgrounds or the homeless Mexicans contaminate these areas with their garbage and filth, or contaminate the areas with their mere presence alone, our ability to use these areas for camping is gone, one way or the other.
what a shame. they are doing the same thing in Oregon
This is how Republicans save taxpayers money.
Democrats don't do anything any differently. This really isn't a Partisan Issue. Politicians will do what they do, and they're all the same!!!
DNR is very good at making sure budget cuts affect as many taxpayers as possible so that taxpayers complain to politicians.
Proper thing for DNR to do is reduce administrative costs by laying themselves off, good luck with that.
Well, nothing is ever FREE. The taxpayers pay for government campgrounds. So it our responsibility to pay real estate taxes, and if we do not contribute we cannot expect it to be free and available. The fish habitat needs to be protected from free loaders who damage those sensitive areas, so I can see why they turn those areas back to nature. Looks bad, until vegetation takes over once again.
+Geoffrey James A.I.A. State parks receive hardly any revenue from property taxes. Ironically it comes from people who drive and pay gas tax, and purchase items and pay sales tax, or earn an honest living on TH-cam and pay income tax, people like Eric.
That's very disheartening... Seems more and more good nature places are disappearing.
Looks like maybe another case of a few screwed it up for many.
Dont feel bad. A campground I started going to as a kid that was clean and well kept has become nothing but beer cans and trash, graffiti every where. Needless to say you know who started showing up.
This is where a mountain bike, large backpack, and ninja camping skills come in handy. Different style than all the comforts of an RV though.
Sounds like they are going to consolidate campsites into fewer areas so that they can a) be policed, so that homeless/indigent people do not try to take up full-time residence and b) so they won't have the expense of maintenance. It is sad, but it is happening everywhere.
Eric is Homeless...
Wow, what a bummer. Those were beautiful places. So sad
Sad as it is.....it will happen more with folks who do not care. That creek is protected, and homeless folks dropping trash and doing nasty things in the water ruin it for all. Prior to prop 13, Jarvis Gann tax caper there were thousands of free campgrounds that were beautiful. Funding was cut for caretakers and they closed them forever. I dont like paying for campgrounds but have to. We can all help by playing by the rules, picking up trash left by idiots, and stopping careless vandalizing.
We are not free...
Vandalism is a big problem. Some young star just got fined $1000 recently for defacing red rock in the Sedona, AZ area by carving her and her boyfriend's initials in it.
Governments are in the business of selling access to resources, not providing.
***** Wouldn't it be nice if everybody truly were free to live peaceably any way they liked? I am for Liberty. Not being an Objector to Liberty, I favor you living as you like so long as you do not harm others. You can live in a box, on a car, in a tree or a mansion. I do not choose to live in an RV like most people, unlike most, I respect your or his natural right to do so if they please.
Lol it's going to cost them more to do that then it would to have left the other camp sites open. They want total control over your movements.
I was waiting for somebody to turn on the hose while Jax was playing with it!
Sometimes change sucks. Saying goodbye to a place that held so many memories, and seeing it destroyed, is heartbreaking. It is a deep loss. I'm sorry.
The Economy Eric, it's affecting a lot of businesses!! Start preparing with storage food and water cuz u never know!!!
The liberal urban mentality is to blame for all of this. Find yourself a $35.00 a night campsite and get used to it. 99% of my good old free or cheap campsites from 10 years ago are gone. Camping used to be a cheap way for families to enjoy the outdoors. Now only the high dollar retired RV'ers can afford it..... How sad. Shame on Amerika!
I was boondocking at a Walmart last night. Police knocked on my door at 1AM, but the 70K RV beside me was allowed to stay. had its slide out and everything. I even patronized the Walmart. It's all about the rich nowadays. Most of them got or inherited their wealth off the backs of people like me who've worked hard for the last 30 years.
Makes sense, maintenance is covered by camping fees in these areas which there are none, couple that with a bunch of people living there in their vans or RV's for weeks at a time disrespecting the campgrounds by littering and trashing the place and you can easily understand why they are closed. It also sounds like they are citing protection of a fish.
It's bad enough they decided to close them but then they have to go and destroy them :-(
This is a problem in Ohio too. They are taking homes away from people, these are houses and properties where no money is owed, least not for the house itself. Taxes, fines ect. in some cases the county sheriffs are working with the banks to make everyone homeless so they can corral them like cattle into homeless shelters. I suspect they will go after drivers and driving too. If they can steal one's house, impounding their vehicle will be easy.
I've been in these homeless shelters, they are hell. They pack you in tight, if your lucky enough to get a bottom bunk, there will be someone above you in a top bunk. No pets, no food. You eat when they they tell you in their cafetera or not at all, your in at a certain time and you have to leave at a given time during the day. Easy to get kicked out not following the rules and when they do kick you out cops are called. Then they the cops decide if or not to take you to jail rather than have you wandering in the streets.
You get as tiny locker, you supply the lock, whatever isn't locked up will get stolen. You get one shower a day and it's only supposed to take 10 or 15 minutes, this is mostly only enforced when there is a long wait to use them. I was kicked out for complaining about the smoking in the dorms. They allow smoking, but no food or drinks. It's only slightly better than jail, and for many those are the only two choices.
Time to gather up some people and take it BACK. The government does not "own" this. The people do.
More taxes fees and permits required to close our parks and eliminate our beaches.
What a shame about those two campgrounds.. I could sense your disappointment ..Hopefully all will fall into place after Friday. You and Jax stay safe , healthy, and keep on living the good life..
There is a movement to outlaw Off-Grid or Stealth camping. Thank your local tree hugger and possibly the EPA.
Nothings for free you need to pay taxes
Sorry Eric.
It is becoming a "We hate poor people" nation. Internet is getting too expensive; T.V. is too expensive; meat is too expensive and camping is not bringing in money for hotels so also closed. If you are poor our nation HATES you. Don't even get me started on benefits for the poor...
Gee, I wonder if the tree huggers bothered to ask the people what we wanted to do with our land.
+Beeper Man It's not just the tree-huggers. It goes way beyond that. Much more nefarious.
War on the homeless....
we are losing more then just campgrounds. you can see your shock and dismay. America is changing each day. 2016 is pivotal year, lots more to come. it doesn't surprise me the internet says it is stiil open.
Come November, vote smart! We need to replace a lot of politicians, at every level!!
The reason their stopping it is there is no money in it for them to get out of you.
Um... False. They made over 14Million last year in Discover Pass sales...It's not "free" to camp here. $35/annual pass. They obviously aren't managing the money right. That demo alone cost over $15,000 - no way it cost near that per 20 years to clean up after the few offenders. Please do your research before you speak your foolish opinions....
+Nomadic Fanatic foolish opinions ? you said in the headline they were free camp grounds. So that's why I made that statement if they could not get money out of you they closed them...just following your lead line. Please don't be such a hot head so fast. Geeze.
Why? Crime, trashy people and a complete disrespect of the forest around it. At some time you have to do something and closing it was the cheapest option. People are the reason and NOT the local, state or federal Gov't. Like Welfare, Etc, when people get things for FREE, some people do NOT respect it. Someone had to clean up the mess and THAT costs ALL of us $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. This is what people do to themselves. And THIS is how the Gov't is invited into OUR lives,,,WE let them in by being irresponsible. We have lost our way,,,Thanks Trashy people. I miss the 50s when kids had respect and discipline and parents were still PARENTS.
It costs more to keep them open than let them go back to natural surroundings
Plus this way you have to pay to camp, it also keeps people in one local.
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Regulations within a national forest or wilderness area is that camping within 100-200 feet of a waterway or trail is prohibited to preserve the vegetation.
It's a shame that in today's world, there can't be any areas for us to have access to without a nursemaid to watch over us at all times. You know if there isn't any supervision, the few WILL screw it up for those of us that do give a damn. I feel your pain, as I have experienced similar events.
It costs money $$$$ to maintain public land. Do you really expect to be able to use it for FREE? Isn't there a state park sticker or such that is required in addition to site fees?
Yes, Washington State requires the "discover pass" to access these campgrounds. $35 annually. They made over 14 million last year alone with that fee.
Ahhh, just like Wisconsin. So not totally "free". :)
they want you to park your rv's in nice straight lines on a black top parking area and pay $30.00 a night, this is for your own safety of course. I wonder if they also used the trees that were cut down to make brochures of how they are improving the public lands. the BUREAUCRAPS are always looking out for our best interest.
They did the same thing in British Columbia a few years ago, closing all the smaller one & two unit Forest Service camp sites because they didn't what to maintain them anymore. Because of "liability" issues they cut up all the picnic tables and filled in the out houses with them. So sad
Hire Eric enjoy your videos.Your travel videos are are giving me a look of America that I did not know existed. I also live in a beautiful country. New Zealand
Had the same problem here in UK, with closed sites. it's sad when they go.
The Tribes had all Salmon fishing closed down on the Olympic Peninsula in WA State, (2016) due to lack of numbers in Salmon. But the Tribes OVER FISH Salmon 10s of thousands every year (seen it). All in the name of environmentalism. What a CROCK!
Campgrounds next to rivers next?
So sorry Eric--- I can understand how this hurts--you get attached to places. I know you will make new memories at other campgrounds and some of them will be come as important as this one was to you.
Horrible, just horrible. There was no evidence of vandalism, except for what the government did. We all need to call and insist they repair the damage, and reopen the parks. That land belongs to ALL the People.
drugs, sex. homeless they are closing every thing that is free even in Eureka
Stay strong brother! I'm so sorry to hear they did that to the campground :(
Monsters destroying land can crawl in a hole
Dude, sorry for your loss. The "stricken" look on your face told it all...keep on trucken brother
That's a sickening sight! How can they justify such 'legal' vandalism?! Another perfect example of bureaucratic stupidity! Why not just post a sign saying the state would no longer maintain the grounds and you drive and/or park at your own risk?
Good work keeping us all informed of the bad news. However you never can make up for the loss of a campground by adding campsites elsewhere. So sad. But thank you for your channel.
Sadly the government doesn't want to help the homeless. Tearing up campgrounds to keep them out seems like a negative solution. After all most RV and Vandwellers could be technically included in the homeless group as you don't have a sticks and bricks home. I would doubt it would have been hard to have volunteer camp hosts if they could stay for free.
Glad you showed the loss of the campgrounds. When so many more persons are camping, it seems areas are being closed off as natural preserves or no longer supported as camping spots. Maybe this will help others who have land and space to share might take the opportunity to make space available.
because of homeless?
sad that the state government would do that.
A shame that campsite closed I used to find it really interesting seeing you go to these places each year
Beautiful areas. Thanks for sharing. River sounds was good to hear,like music. Understand why these areas so special to many. Jp
Amazing beautiful area. So sad to see it closed.
watch them be tearing out the road next.
+Gardener Earth Guy It says they plan to add a walking trail to the water later this year... That way those littering a-holes can still stop by for an hour and throw beer bottles everywhere, trash the place and then leave. Meanwhile, we can't camp and take our trash away with us. BRILLIANT, OLYMPIA!!!
What a shame. The current government does not want people living in RV's with free places to park overnight.
chin up mate.. we feel your loss
Good show Eric and Jax Nice to see ya. Really sorry about the changes in the parks. Hang in there. I admire your attitude. When you are faced with difficulties.
Agenda 21
Hi Eric, sorry to see the campgrounds closed especially he memories you had with the RC's:) I just toured with Shameless Xplorer and it was super in the RV- WHAT FREEDOM! Shameless Xplorer said to say hi to you Eric also.
That's terrible, our tax dollars pay for those great parks, now they want those two lost parks to be packed into one enlarged park, which means more noise from rude campers & etc. The decision to close the parks wasn't even voted on by the citizens, the money grubbing politicians do what ever they want after they're elected, even lying about what they promised to do if elected. How sad America slowly going down the crapper.
Same thing here in IL. Our conservation area had a really nice little campground for $6 a night. No hook-ups. The campground was part of the larger area on a river with a boat launch, picnic area, etc. The campground was typically 70% full every weekend, had just had new pit type toilets put in, a new playground, and also had a dump station. The following year they closed and locked the gates. Typical government, the said budget cuts, so in my confused state I said then why would you close the ONLY revenue generating portion? No answer from them.
If we messed up land that close to a creek the EPA would be on us like stink on s**t
Nooooo...!! Those grounds were so nice!
You're a really great editor! From what they were to how it is now who would've knew!
This is a good example of government efficiency. Ten years of notice and they could not get their website corrected. It would be interesting to note when the website gets updated.
There's no such thing as "FREE" campgrounds. Somebody has to pay (taxpayers). Maybe they need some more taxes in Washington. Everybody loves taxes. Right?
I just paid $70 for my Texas Parks pass. Camping fees are extra. Glad to do it.
it's so sad to see such a beautiful camping spot looking like that but mother nature has taken it back so i guess thats a good thing.
have a great day
mark
Wow! That's just sad! Hey Eric, I'm on a cross country road trip and will be in Yosemite national park tomorrow! Fort Lauderdale to Michigan, to Phoenix, Yosemite, then east back to Michigan. You truly inspired me to make the trip! just me and my little dog Daisy! Thank you for allowing myself to finally take that huge step that I've been afraid to do!
Developers will get it. New subdivision coming soon. Bye bye nature.
you mentioned Riffe lake. Now a days, the only camping is at the Tadnapam (not sure of the spelling) park. It used to be, before they put in the park, That there were many places to camp along the Champion Haul road and on up onto Elk Mt. on the south side of the lake. Many of which had fresh water sources. The 'piowers that be' decided that they did not want people living in those 'free' camping areas, so removed the water sources, trenched and bermed the access and camping areas. Then put in the Tadnapam camping park. IMO: only so they could glom on to that 15 dollars a night, showers extra money. Then they did not create nearly enough camping spaces to handle the actual number of campers. A sad testimonial to the shortsightedness of the Fish and Wildlife, parks board, PUD, Tacoma City Light and similar entities.
Good grief. The comments here are ridiculous. Everything from conspiracy theories to "Obama did it".
I grew up with 500+ acres of woods behind my house and one year I moved away and when I came back, developers were in "our" woods. Now there's all of these $400,000 houses in a "natural" setting. I still can't go back without my stomach lurching. Sometimes progress sucks.
They are passing laws in Congress that are insane. we need to hold those we elect locally accountable for what they do and demand they explain why they do things. Hope you find a great place to camp.
Eric, that's a shame they're closing these down. We live in Olympia and had planned to try and explore all those campgrounds in there.
It's a big bummer all those nice campgrounds are closed....
Our tax dollars at work! Makes me mad. You'd think the DNR site would have been updated since this has been planned.
That is sad about that campground. It cost them more to dig it up rather than just use the concrete blocks to close it. Unfortunately many RV's, truck campers etc have the means to move the blocks and gain access even if they want it closed. So that's probably why they dug it up too. Really enjoying the 1080 videos. Resolution is great. THANKS.
Oh wow! I'm sorry to hear they closed your favorite campgrounds. Not fully sure where you are at. From the look of the plants and greenery you must be in my home state of Washington. Born at Ft. Louis outside of Sea-town. One thing I love about Washington is the green-ness of the land. Down here in Cali everything turns brown/straw yellow burned looking in the summer.
A retired USFS employee told me this and how to locate the info . She said by 2020 1/3 of access roads and 1/2 of recreation/camp areas will be closed to the public. The idea is accessibility will eventually be by foot only to some areas and no access to the majority of Federal Land.
What a shame . And I don't think it wright ! Need to start a petition we want our parks back !
Jax is like did you see me totally destroy that deadly Cobra dad?
I was out in the forest Monday to check out the Fall Creek Campground and had noticed that those two campgrounds were removed from the DNR maps. I camped at Sherman Valley and North Creek the past two years and I am not surprised of the closures. These campgrounds were in the part of the forest off limits to off road, mountain bikes and horses. The hiking trails weren't very maintained, if at all. It's an ever changing forest with an ever shrinking budget to manage it.