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Keetley campground is a hike-in campground for tent campers who want more of a secluded experience away from other campers. Some are available for reservation, but most are walk-in only (available on a first-come-first-serve basis). Showers are available in the main campground at Murdock Camp Services.
Just camped out here near the waters edge over the father's day weekend 6-20-20 and it was a good spot. Had a fire pit and enough area for our tents. There is a heck of a hike that if your not the type who exercises regularly you will definitely have trouble with and be winded while hauling your belongings about a 3/4 mile walk from the parking lot to your camp spot, which sits in a rattle snake habitat per the sign at the entrance of the trail. MY BIGGEST SUGGESTION!!! is to pack VERY VERY VERY LIGHT. Trust me you will thank me later.
There are big 4 wheel wagons that you may find near the restroom at the top of the parking lot to help carry your belongings down the trail. Your best chances of finding one would be if you arrivejust before your check-in time. Because during that time the people who are leaving will be leaving themin that area. Otherwise because of how difficult the walk is, most people keep their wagon at their campsite until they're ready to leave because it's not easy to find them.
We also want to take a second to mention a lady who works at the park, her name is Jill. She is a completely amazing lady who is extremely nice and appears to enjoy her job. We had the pleasure meeting and speaking to her while we were thereand there's really not enough I can say about her other than she's totally awesome. If you have any questions about the park, and you see Jill, ask her. She will answer all your questions for you. All in all I did enjoy camping out here.
Omg! When they say hike in, prepare for a friggen hike! Plan on 3/4 mile to 1mile and its dirt/gravel, up and down hills some are steep, some not bad. They fo have big hand carts if you can find them but they are heavy empty and Ridiculous hard to keep from getting run over going down the hill and to pull up the hill, it's a 2 or 3 man job! We had a site "on the water" but still had to hike up and down 10ft to get to water! I'll never be back!!!!!
Secluded spots right near the water, bit of a hike, pack smart. A most excellent view of the marina and the nightly fiasco of folks loading/unloading watercraft. We were fortunate enough to watch someone submerge their whole vehicle, absolute carnage. Bring binoculars and good friends. 5 stars, would watch again.
The hike to our Campground was about 3/4 of a mile. They do have carts available although it is still quite a difficult hike up and down Hills. There is no shade at the campground or around and the garbage cans are all the way towards the entrance. There are rattlesnakes and low Shrubbery which you should not burn because it will produce a lot of embers and it's a very dry around. Bring your own firewood. In august, it was very cool at night and almost unbearably hot during the day. You do have a nice view of the marina, which is filled with boats. Also you're quite far from others, although if they are talking loud, you'll hear them
UPDATE - 6/27/2023
To rephrase, this "used" to be a great place to escape & enjoy the reservoir. As of current there is a multi townhouse development currently being excavated. They have ripped out all of the landscape to the west & down the hill behind the camp host site to erect multi-million dollar townhomes. That being said, it is noisy 6 days a week from early morning til dark, extremely dusty, and sickening to see. They are building right up to the property line to destroy every last inch of beautiful terrain that was once home to many species of wildlife, birds, wild flowers & trees.
The sites on the waterside are a little better, they are reservable (the only reservable sites) there are 7. So, if you keep your back to the west you can still enjoy the camp loop. Pack light as stated before it is a somewhat long walk in. Please pack out what you pack in, DO NOT attempt to collect firewood as it is against the law, please use the bathrooms & not the bushes and DO NOT KEEP WAGONS AT YOUR CAMPSITE as there are a limited number & everyone will want to use one.
A great hike in semi primitive campground with fairly close water access. Wagons are provided for hauling your stuff in with a good trail to get there. Note: don't go thru the gulley but take the wagons around the longer way to save yourself the effort as it is fairly steep and hard to pull them up the hill! Bathrooms with flush toilets as well as 2 porta-potties in the lower section. Some shady sites. All the sites have a concrete pad with a picnic table & a fire pit with grill. They ask you pack out what you pack in (trash) there's a dumpster at the trail head. Dogs are to be kept on a leash and fires are discouraged this year but allowed. The camp host can provide you garbage bags if you need which is a nice plus. The tent areas in some sites are fairly small but only 2 tents per site are allowed anyway and a couple sites on top actually have elevated tent pads. Oh, and your supposed to haul your wagon back to the trail head after you unload your gear, the camp host was helpful in hauling them back for you sometimes if she's around. Lots of birds and deer.
