So if there are other Zu driving 4wheeling people who just might happen to find themselves in Moab during a particular week in May what is the place of storytelling and fireside trip planning? Is the Portal still an option or is Archview the place to be again?

I think most people felt Archview is too far from town, and too windy (it was nice enough otherwise). Portal is a possibility, I know my dog sure enjoyed cooling off in the pond there. But I think the big field we have enjoyed in the past is being developed into permanent camper pads; they have aspirations of becoming a big-time resort.

I am thinking Portal or Canyonlands, but neither will accept dogs in the cabins so I guess I will be tenting it. At least tents are a little less vulnerable to winds in town, compared to Archway up on the plateau. But I would be interested in hearing what others are thinking about this...

I liked Portal the 2 times I stayed there. The bathrooms/showers were always clean and the people running it were very friendly. I am thinking of reserving a tent spot there. Plus it is close to town, groceries and gas! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Doesnt seem to be alot of space for tents at portal ( Portal map ). I think thats the big reason so many went to archview last year. My only real complaint about archview (after getting steel tent spikes that would pound into the concrete they call dirt) is the sound of the trucks at night. The speed limit is higher there so the truck tires are loud.

There is also Moab Rim campground on the south side of town. No idea how big it is. There is also a small tent only spot in the middle of town called up the creek but have to carry everything in, no parking near the tent sites.

Portal has one of the torque-y-ist cammodes I've ever had the pleasure of eliminating in. One flush puts it south of mexico by my reckoning.

I don't think Up The Creek would work for our crowd, nice as the idea is. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Based on a survey of the websites, one of the nicer looking (wooded and quiet) campgrounds is Pack Creek. It is not far from the start of Steelbender FWIW. Only downside is no cabins for those who want them. But the tent sites look very nice and shaded, and it is one of the few campgrounds where you won't hear the trucks much. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/sleeping.gif" alt="" />

There is also Canyonlands right in the heart of town. Pretty nice, and a really convenient location, but you definitely will hear the trucks and traffic there. But I think it's location promotes more of a "party" atmosphere... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I believe Pack Creek was home of Zu Zoo II.

It was nice but at the time, we out grew it. We may have shrank back down to fit in nicely.

Portal has the same amount of tent space as it did before (acording to the map). The group area has a lot of room! The tent areas in the back are nice and have canopies over the tables.

I can't say nobody seen that coming or tried to fore warn. Anyway if you guys really want portal why don't you attempt to contact the owners directly and skip the facility manager? The owners are Sorenson and I want to say Bilger. They are both rock crawlers. I've been on one run with them, not good enough to lock in a special deal, but I bet whomever you have as a camp coordinator or whatever can do so. Sorenson has a pretty sweet built and wrapped JK by TFP. Can't miss it it has Portal RV Resort across the windshield. Both owners are from the Salt Lake valley. Just a thought.


Edit: to add to this last month when I was down there in Moab I didn't see any signs of this big tranformation that the camp ground was alegedly going to go through. That is of course what was observed rolling down the highway. I know they still have camping in the overflow and they still had those covered campsites in the back of the lot by the pond.

I seem to recall last May that it looked like the overflow area was already gone. Filled in with RV spots... ?? Maybe I was dreamin' though.

--Dan