| Bear Campground Listings by Ron Suresha |
| 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. ALABAMABlack Bear Camp10565 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 & Resort163 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. CALIFORNIAFife’s Guest Ranch16467 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 Resort14000 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 RetreatPO 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. FLORIDACamp Mars326 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 Resort21710 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. GEORGIAIn The Woods — Campground and Resort142 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 ResortHwy 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 & Resort2311 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. MISSOURICactus Canyon CampgroundPO 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 YORKJones Pond Campground9835 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 CampgroundsRoute 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. PENNSYLVANIACamp Davis311 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 CampgroundsCreek 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 & LodgeP.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. TENNESSEETimberfell Lodge2240 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 VIRGINIALong Fork Campground & RV ParkWalton, 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 CampgroundRd. 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, August/September 2003; copyright © 2003 by Ron Suresha. |
