FREE CAMPOUT - SAY WHAT?
The Great Outdoors Palm Springs (GOPS) Chapter is giving back! This is a FREE campout for the first 50 Great Outdoors (GO) members who register. We'll be staying in a group site where both tents and RVs are welcome. The weekend will include one complimentary dinner and two continental breakfasts.
Escape the summer heat and join us for a relaxing weekend. Sit around the campground, play cards, board games, go on your own hike, etc. The theme of this campout is relaxation verses a list of planned activities hour by hour.
Hurkey Creek Campground: Our campground is set high up in the San Jacinto Mountains (4,500') near the town of Mountain Center. Our group camp site is nestled in a grove of pine trees and offers a wide range of opportunities including beautiful scenery, a group fire pit, hiking and mountain biking trails and group activities. Just 9 miles away, the mountain town of Idyllwild offers the chance to shop, dine or visit the picturesque town’s museum. If it’s water you like, fishing and boating is available at nearby Lake Hemet.
Meals: We are providing a complimentary meal on Friday night consisting of: Hot Dogs / Buns, Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad, Chips, Ice Cream and Bottled Water. We'll also provide continental breakfasts (coffee, danish or muffins and OJ) on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
You are on your own for Saturday activities, lunch and dinner. If you don’t wish to cook, there are many fine restaurants in the mountain town of Idyllwild (just 9 miles away). If you need a suggestion, the Trip Leader highly recommends Cafe Aroma (reservation probably needed).
There is a small store on SR-74 1 mile from the campground at Lake Hemet. Stores are also in the nearby town of Idyllwild.
Schedule Of Events
Friday, Aug 2
- 2 pm - Check-in at gate (your name will be on a list)
- Before Dinner - Relax and enjoy. Grab a buddy and go on a hike, go mountain biking, etc.
- 6 pm - Hot Dog dinner with all the fixings or dinner on your own
- 8 pm - Group campfire activities - bingo and popcorn
Saturday, Aug 3
- 7 am - Continental Breakfast
- During the day - relax and enjoy. Grab a buddy and go on a hike, go mountain biking, etc. Check our camp board for any scheduled activities as a group.*
- 5 pm
- 8 pm - Group Campfire activities
Sunday, Aug 4
- 7 am - Continental Breakfast
- During the day - relax and enjoy. Grab a buddy and go on a hike, go mountain biking, etc. Check our camp board for any scheduled activities as a group.*
- 1 pm - Clean up our campground area. Check Out. Safe travels home.
*Check campground white board for updates and hike/outing details.
Prices: This campout is free if you currently are a paid GO member. If not a GO member, you will have the option of joining for $25 per person for a one (1) year club membership during the online registration process. Each person going must complete a separate registration and electronically agree to our Terms and Conditions.You can also click here to join and then return to this page as well. Needless to say, there are no refunds for this trip. ;-)
Campsite Amenities: We will be in Group Campsite D which has clean restrooms (which have electricity, flush toilets, running water and hot showers that take quarters), picnic tables, fire rings, water and level campground spots for your tent or RV. There is a small store near Lake Hemet on CA-74 with limited supplies. Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am.
Amenities For RVs: This is a dry camping event. There are no RV hookups for electricity, water or sewer but you can bring your RV to our group site. Fresh water spigots (bring a hose) are available around the campsite to fill your RV's fresh tank before parking on the very level ground in our site. Generators are allowed 6 AM – 10 PM (but please be considerate of the tent persons sleeping near you).There is a dump site ($15) located at the nearby Lake Hemet campground.
What to Bring: Camp chair, camping/cooking gear, food, warm/cool weather clothing, shorts, one bundle of firewood per person. Please do not bring particle board, old furniture, plywood or construction materials. These cause the release of toxic gases when burned. Firewood is for sale at nearby Lake Hemet. We recommend you read our suggested Ten Essentials.
CONSIDER GOING GREEN! Please bring your own plates, cups, mugs, eating utensils, napkins, paper towels, camp soap, etc. There are water spigots located in the camp or in the nearby restroom for washing dishes.
Directions: The Hurkey Creek Park & Campground is located at 56375 CA Hwy 74, Mountain Center, CA 92561. It is Located 4 miles SE of Mountain Center off of CA-74.
- SPECIAL NOTE -
D
Climate & Elevation - Check the weather forecast - click here. The park is located at approximately 4,500’.
Contact/Questions:
Photos: To see some photos from prior trips to Hurkey Creek - click here.
Quiet Hours - 10 PM - 6 AM
Cell Service -
Pets: Pets are permitted if they are properly restrained and under the control of the owner. Dogs must be licensed, restrained on a leash not longer than six feet, and attended at all times. Please bring doggie bags and clean up any of their waste. Please be aware there are snakes at this location.
Health Problems/allergies: It is the responsibility of participants to carry on their person a record of significant allergies, medications and medical history in the event of a medical emergency. Discuss any medical concerns with the hike leader if you wish.