|
The following sample sites were found through the excellent Website
http://gaycampers.com,
which provides links to
gay / lesbian campgrounds, B&Bs, inns, and hotels, along
with informative articles, message board, chatroom, and
scads more features (even travel insurance!). Although
there are many other sites listed at gaycampers.com,
these specifically offer bear-themed events or appeal
in other ways directly to bears and bearclubs.
Most facilities offer nature trails and/or gardens;
a communal campfire/bonfire area; and communal bathing/toilet
facilities. RV sites vary greatly, so be sure to enquire
about electrical (30-50 amps), water hookups, and pads.
Bathroom facilities vary wildly in functionality, convenience,
and charm - this is always a crapshoot, so to speak,
so if hiking a quarter-mile to take a lukewarm shower in
a concrete stall without a privacy curtain isn't your cup
of tea, ask the campground for details before you make reservations.
Please note: most of the information below was supplied
by the campgrounds' individual Websites, as of Summer 2003.
As much information as was feasible was verified by phone
(several camps did not return phone calls), but no claims
are made as to the veracity of any campground's statements.
As you should always do when traveling, contact the campground
office directly well in advance of your trip to obtain exact
specifics of facilities and to confirm availability of dates.
ALABAMA
Black Bear Camp
10565 US Hwy 280 West, Waverly, AL 36879 - (334) 887-5152
http://bearcamp.home.mindspring.com - jwbales@mindspring.com
Located on 33 secluded, wooded acres, two hours by car from Atlanta
or Birmingham, Black Bear is a 5-year-old clothing-optional
facility. Based on a hostel model, it features 2 bunkrooms with
free satellite TV and Internet hookup, 2 RV hookups, and tent
camping; hot tub, above-ground pool with sun deck, kitchen in lodge
for guests to prepare food themselves. Drop-in visitors
discouraged - call in advance.
Spring Creek Campground & Resort
163 Campground Rd., Geneva, AL 36340 - (334) 684-3891
http://www.springcreekcampground.net - info@springcreekcampground.net
Located 1 hour north of Panama City and Ft. Walton Beach, FL,
Spring Creek is a year-round facility with rustic tent sites,
pull-thru RV sites, and camping cabins; cabana, built-in pool with deck.
CALIFORNIA
Fife's Guest Ranch
16467 Hwy 116, Guerneville, CA 95446 - (707) 869-0656
http://www.fifes.com - info@fifes.com; stay@fifes.com
Probably the most popular camping destination during LazyBear.
In addition to 49 guest cabins & cottages, Fife's has 85 tent
sites, pool w/ patio, volleyball, workout room, attached
Highlands Resort
14000 Woodland Dr., Guerneville, CA 95446 - (707) 869-0333
http://www.highlandsresort.com/ - muffins@highlandsresort.com
Est. 1920s, Highlands Resort offers year-round cabins, many
with fireplaces, dating from 1940s; secluded spa and pool
with nude sunbathing, guest lounge, Continental breakfast.
Summer tent camping in meadow; day use of resort
available 10am-6pm for fee.
Rancho Cicada Retreat
PO Box 225, Plymouth CA 95669 - (209) 245 4841, (877) 553-9481
http://www.ranchocicadaretreat.com/
Rancho Cicada is a relaxing, nature-oriented retreat located
on 44 acres, featuring 25 two-person tent-cabins on platforms;
River House and Dogwood Cabin available year-round; nature
trails, gardens with a native-plant orientation; a 900-s.f.
Redwood deck, sweat lodge, & hot tub.
FLORIDA
Camp Mars
326 Goff Road, Venus, FL 33960 - (863) 699-MARS (6277)
http://www.campmars.com/ - host@campmars.com
Camp Mars is situated on 40 acres, 10 of which are now
developed, surrounded by woods & farmland, and offers full
hookup RV sites, unlimited tent camping, sleeping cabins,
rental trailers, heated pool, 3200-s.f. recreation hall
Sawmill Camping Resort
21710 U.S. Highway 98, Dade City, FL 33523 - (352) 583-0664
http://www.flsawmill.com/ - FLSawMill@aol.com
Sawmill Resort, a members-only, year-round camp is located on
100+ private, wooded acres adjoining Withlacoochee Nat'l
State Park with a river and nature trails, 24 deluxe &
standard cabins, 35 tent sites w/electricity and water,
unlimited rustic tent sites, and 45 RV sites w/hookups.
They also have a heated naturist pool area with cabana bar,
rec hall with indoor/outdoor bar, bonfire, outpost and
tannery. Sawmill features special themes every weekend
year-round, and is home to the Backwoods Bear Club.
GEORGIA
In The Woods -- Campground and Resort
142 Casey Ct., Canon, GA 30520 - (706) 246-9504
http://www.camp-inthewoods.com - information@camp-inthewoods.com
Opened just this year, In The Woods is a year-round,
clothing-optional, members-only gay campground, on 30 acres,
featuring rustic tent and RV sites, showers and restrooms,
clubhouse, pool, hot tub, walking trails and a breathtaking
sunset along the Northeastern Georgia countryside. Bunkhouse
under construction.
Lumberjacks Camping Resort
Hwy 230 Box 17, Unadilla, GA 31091 - (478) 783-2267
http://www.lumberjackscampground.com/
Opened just this year, Lumberjacks has 22 RV sites,
29 tent sites, and 4 cabins (more coming); clothing-optional
heated pool, general store, 1200 s.f. clubhouse, new
bathhouse for men & women; also park model sales and leasing.
The River's Edge Campground & Resort
2311 Pulliam Mill Rd., Dewy Rose, GA 30634 - (706) 213-8081
http://www.camptheriversedge.com/ - web@camptheriversedge.com
The River's Edge is located among 33 acres of tall hardwood
forests with 30 additional meadowland acres featuring
100+ shaded campsites, private or shared cabins, 80+ RV
sites; clubhouse with wide-screen TV, full kitchen, pool
table, fireplace, live entertainment, and café; gym,
in-ground pool, laundry, hot showers, and covered hot tub.
MISSOURI
Cactus Canyon Campground
PO Box 266, Ava, MO 65608 - (417) 683-9199
http://www.cactuscanyoncampground.com/ - mail@cactuscanyoncampground.com
Now in its 5th year, Cactus Canyon is a clothing-optional
campground situated on 180 acres and is open March-Oct.
100 tent sites, 36 RV spots, 6 cabins, dining facility,
hot tub, dry/wet sauna; creek swimming, volleyball,
croquet, bocce ball, hiking.
NEW YORK
Jones Pond Campground
9835 Old State Rd., Angelica, NY 14709 - (585) 567-8100
http://www jonespond.com - info@jonespond.com
Jones Pond Campground is a men-only, clothing-optional,
membership campground located on 100+ acres in the Genesee
Valley hills, open April-Oct. It features 3-acre pond
for fishing and "motorless" boating, in-ground pool with
food court; campground store, recreation center, recreation
sports field, and nature trails.
Rainbow Woods Campgrounds
Route 74 East, P.O. Box 853, Schroon Lake, NY 12870 - (518) 532-9728
http://www.rainbowwoodscampgrounds.com/ - rbw1@nycap.rr.com
The 3-year-old men-only Rainbow Woods is located on the
Schroon River in the Adirondacks, and features a 100-year-old
farmhouse; community bonfire firepit, beach sunbathing,
hiking / mountain biking trails, volleyball, and canoe
rentals; pavilion with cooking area and stereo.
PENNSYLVANIA
Camp Davis
311 Redbrush Rd., Boyers, PA 16020 - (724) 637-2402
http://www.campdavis.com - CampD@aol.com
Camp Davis, now in its 12th season, is clothing-optional
throughout, situated on 30 acres near river, featuring 56
tent sites, 9 RV sites, 4 seasonal & weekly rental rustic
cabins; rental trailer that sleeps 6; pool and patio,
volleyball court, camp store; rec hall with pool table,
pinball; open Apr.-Oct.
Hillside Campgrounds
Creek Rd., Gibson, PA - P.O. Box 726, Binghamton, NY 13902 - (570) 756-2007
http://www.hillsidecampgrounds.com/
Open since 1986, Hillside is located on 225+
secluded acres with 3+ miles of walkable roads,
in-ground pool with patio, volleyball, bonfire, rec hall
with stage, camp store. Tent sites have picnic tables
and fireplaces, most have electric and water; small cabins
available for rent; trailer & RV sites have electric and water
hookups, picnic tables, and fireplaces.
Oneida Camp & Lodge
P.O. Box 537, New Milford, PA 18834 - (570) 465-7011
http://www.oneidaresort.com/
The year-round Oneida Camp, located on 100 acres at the top of
the Endless Mountains, is 23 years old, and offers 150 wooded
campsites, most with water and electricity; rooms for rent in
two lodges; perm sites; and private rental cabins. Sunbathing,
swimming at 2 ponds, pool w/ concession & cabana, nature
trails, volleyball, sauna, rec hall with fireplace, pool
hall, gym, communal bonfire, outdoor stage, and fully enclosed,
state-of-the-art nightclub / dance hall.
TENNESSEE
Timberfell Lodge
2240 Van Hill Rd., Greeneville, TN 37745 - (423) 234-0833, (800) 437-0118
http://www.timberfell.com
Timberfell Lodge is a clothing-optional men's camp located
on 250 acres, with 35 units, 24 RV sites, and 10 perms.
Opened 1985 as a B&B, Timberfell has expanded to include a
pool with bar/café, bathhouse, redwood sauna, and 8-man hot
tub; lodge guest rooms incl. breakfast & dinner; playroom,
weight room. Open Mem. Day - Labor Day.
WEST VIRGINIA
Long Fork Campground & RV Park
Walton, WV - (304) 577-9347
http://www.longfork.com - steven@longfork.com
Long Fork, with a primarily gay and lesbian clientele, sits
on 100 acres of heavily wooded hills and valleys split by a stream,
with tent and RV camping and cabin rentals. Leather Bark
Campground is for men only; they also offer separate campground
for women, and a mixed area for both genders.
Roseland Guest House and Campground
Rd. 1, Box 185b, Proctor, WV 26055 - 304-455-3838
http://www.rcvideo.com/roseland/ - roseland@rcvideo.com
Now in its 8th season, Roseland Campground is located on
222 acres of rolling mountains and pastures, approx. 2/3rds
of which are pasture; the remainder is forest with 3 ponds,
a stream, and 10 miles of hiking trails. Facilities include an
updated 1850 Guest House, a two-story log cabin with a cut
stone foundation and root cellar rooms and other cabins;
100 tent and trailer sites, pool with deck, food service,
convenience store, rec hall, workout room, and indoor and
outdoor hot tubs. They are affiliated with Burgh Bears, CUB
(Columbus Ursine Brotherhood, & Mountain State Bears (WV).
Originally published in American Bear magazine, Aug/Sept 2003;
copyright © 2003 by Ron Suresha.
|
