My recommendation: go during the week. On a whim, I drove down Friday day and secured a last…read moreminute cancellation on a site. The first thing to know is that the facilities were...interesting. Apparently, roots have invaded the water pipes, which meant there was no functioning flush toilets or showers. Portable toilets had been brought in as a substitute. Unfortunately, these particular portables appeared to have been cleaned sometime during the Biden administration.
Still, the campsite location itself was pleasant enough, and the day-use beach is only a minute or so from the campsites. It sits right on the Arroyo Seco River. Sounds wonderful, right? Well... then there are the crowds. Oh, the crowds.
Friday the day-use area brought together people from very different backgrounds, lifestyles, and social environments. I genuinely appreciate diversity, and people are obviously entitled to enjoy the outdoors however they choose, but there's a difference between appreciating diversity and being completely comfortable with every choice being made around you.
During my visit, there was always the smell of smoking, plenty of drinking, loud music, and a few too many people whose tattoo affiliations suggested a world considerably different from mine. None of that is inherently a problem, but at one point, I was sitting there staring off into the distance with local East Bay rap coming in one ear and sierreño con tuba coming in the other, imagining answers to the inevitable, "What are you staring at?" conversation.
Beautiful scenery. Questionable relaxation.
Then Friday night arrived, and apparently the campground had decided that sleep was optional. But before the DJs started, the daytime bugs had already made enjoying the campsite a challenge. The flying insects and yellowjackets were so persistent that sitting outside, especially trying to eat, wasn't really manageable. I eventually had to sequester myself inside the screened porch of my tent and wait until a little after sunset before I could comfortably sit outside again.
And then, just when the bugs finally gave me a break, the campground decided it was time for the evening entertainment. Different DJs started providing the soundtrack from various campsites, so apparently sleep was optional too. Let's just say I didn't feel particularly bad making some extra noise breaking down my tent and starting my car at 7:00 AM the next morning.
Then by 9:00 AM Saturday morning, the parking lot at the day use section was already closed. That's when the Gorge Trail experience began. The trail had been invaded by what appeared to be a small army of REI urban hikers carrying floaties, pool noodles, backpack coolers, and enough recreational equipment to suggest they were preparing for a river-based festival rather than a hike into the wilderness.
To be fair, the swimming holes themselves are fantastic. Getting to them, however, apparently requires a minor in mountaineering. There are ropes dangling down the sides of the hills to help with the climb down, and back up after you've exhausted yourself being in the sun all day swimming.
And yet, despite the crowds, questionable plumbing, late-night DJs, mountaineering requirements, and the occasional feeling that I had wandered onto the set of a reality show I didn't audition for, the place itself, without the people, is ruggedly gorgeous and genuinely fun.
On a final positive note: the person working the gate was super helpful and friendly. Definitely appreciated that!
