There is no camping in the A section or on the south side of the river across from Little Hole. Camp sites along the river are in the B & C sections only. The camps are primarily first come first serve, but there are 6 that can be reserved online at www.recreation.gov. The following sites can be reserved ( listed in order as they are on the river):
Cats Paw
Bootleg
Cottonwood
Trails End
Big Pine 1
Big Pine 2
Unless reserving online, registration for campsites must be made the day of use on the self-service Camp Registration Board located near the host site at Little hole. Each campsite is $13.00 per night. The reservation board lists only the camps on the B section of the river (Little Hole to Indian Crossing). Be aware that all campers are required to have a portable toilet system even if you are camping near one of the restrooms in Cottonwood or Red Creek camps. All sites have tables, fire rings and tent pads for your convenience.
As we go below Little Hole, keep in mind when choosing your site, the first six sites are the most convenient access (for hikers), do to their position along the rivers edge. There is a fishermen’s trail along the river traversing right through the front of these campgrounds. To reach these nearest sites it is best to walk down the trail to the Terrace Pool. Here you will have to climb over the bluff which rises about 150 feet above the river. When you come down the slope on the downstream side the first camp is about 200 yds Below.
River camp sites
Stonefly # 1 (North side) It is approximately 3/4 of a mile below Little Hole. This is a small campsite surrounded by junipers trees with a capacity of 6-8 people.
Stonefly # 2 (North side) Just below Stonefly 1. Capacity is 8-10 people. These first two campsites are near some very good fishing grounds. Slightly up stream is Minnesota flats which is a very good area for hatches and at low water, a very good stretch for wading. Little Mann’s creek comes off the flats above, creating a chute of water that holds some very good fish.
Sand Camp (North side) true to it’s name, this is a sandy beach and is a bit larger thn the other camps along this stretch. There are several tent pads here making it suitable for 8-10 people. Located about a mile below Little Hole. It has a large open area in front to the river, but there is tree cover in the back of the camp. It lies right below Mann’s chute.
Boot Leg Camp (north side) situated right below Sand Camp it makes a very good partner campsite for more people. It is a smaller camp, but has very good cover, surrounded by pines and backed by a small cliff. This is the most private of the first six campsites
Cats Paw Camp (north side) 1 ½ miles below Little Hole. There is a trail from Little Hole that takes off right at the entrance gate wandering up into Goslin canyon and then up onto Mann’s flat. It is an old road built for power lines making a very nice shortcut into the Devils Hole valley below. When this trail comes off the flat it comes right past Cats Paw Camp. Cats Paw lies right at the end of a ridge of ledges between it and Bootleg upstream. The table of this camp is right under a large Ponderosa next to the river. It is open behind this camp, but still a nice location. Fishing out in front is very good. Some nice drops right off the campsite. This site is right at the top of Devils hole valley which contains some of the great fishing runs on the river, including the area around Grasshopper island nestled right in the middle of the valley.
Cottonwood Camp (north side) the last of the first six campsites. It is one of the favorites for the hikers. It marks the end of the trees in the valley along the north side of the river. It is situated right on the top end of a backwater of the Marinas Trench hole. As you might expect it is deep. Very good fishing, a lot of cruising fish and a great run coming into the hole. There is a restroom for hikers using the river in Devils Hole about 50 yards behind this camp.
Grasshopper # 1 Camp (south side) first camp on the South side of the river making it more of a float-in-camp. It is on river level with large Ponderosa pines leaning over it. The table is in the open. There are two tent pads here in nice locations. The fishing could not be any better. The river has a mild current and is a bit deep to wade here but creates some great dry fly fishing right from the shore. Wading is not necessary. 100 yards above is a great shelf I’ve called the New Zealand bank because of the sight fishing that can be accomplished there. There is also a small backwater just above the camp I named the kiddy pool, because of the numbers of fish feeding on the surface there. Behind the camp is a mild sloping shelf filled with junipers and pinyon pines allowing for much hiking and exploring from this camp and the next camp.
Grasshopper # 2 Camp (south side) a close companion to number 1. It is set on the shelf about 15 feet off the water in a grove of junipers. These two camps are only 50 feet apart. The shelf keeps them separated. This is truly a nice site with a steep trail coming up from a small boat alcove off the river. It is straight across the right channel of Grasshopper island at the top. A great vantage point for viewing fish in the flats above the island, fish can be spotted the entire width of the river
Jackson Creek Camp (south side) another float in site on the South side of the river. Little Jackson creek flows right through this site coming off Diamond Mountain. It has several large Box Elder trees for it’s shade. There are five tent pads and two tables here. It is an isolated camp site where you will not be bothered by hikers and any other campsites. It is about 1/2 mile below the Grasshopper sites. There is a run above it named Joe’s Hole, after a deceased gentleman who would fish no other spot on the entire river. It is probably the deepest on the river and contains the heaviest population of trout for it’s size on the river. Big swirls and backwaters surround this run. They can be fished from shore or in a boat drifting down the middle or back up on either side. It could be called an all day hole. Below Jackson creek is a great riffle created by runoff from the small creek. Several drops make this riffle very good wade fishing.
Cicada Camp (south side) another site that is on a hill above the river, although only a few feet. It is not flat except for the tent sites. There are a couple of Ponderosa pines and thick junipers surrounding the site so there is ok shade. One can walk back to the riffle below Jackson Creek Camp for good riffle fishing. It is about 200 yds below Jackson Creek Camp. The water in front of the camp is deep with many fish feeding in the scum lines. It is very good fishing from the boat. You can wander the banks but the back-cast will be in the trees much of the time. Due to the large pool in front of you, one can take a boat across the river giving you very good walking access to points up and down the river on the north side. The terrain downstream on the south side of the river is steep making it a bit more difficult hiking. But there is access all the way, and I’ve had great fishing along the water in Big Pine below, and you can reach the faster water of Washboard rapids which is exquisite fishing water.
Trails End Camp (north side) This basically marks the end of the trail, although you can still make it below by climbing up over a ledge that juts into the river. Camp sits on a small ledge with a small island in front of you. It is also straight across the river from Cicada Camp. The large pool in front of these two camps is wide enough to keep your privacy. There are ponderosa pines here but they do not give much shelter because they lean more over the river. If there is any foot traffic along the river here they must go through your camp. Luckily since this marks the end of the trail and the fact it is getting farther from Little Hole it is not traveled much. When there is a dry fly hatch right in front of this camp can be as fun as anywhere on the river. It would be all sight fishing.
Big Pine # 1 Camp (north side) the two Big Pine camps are situated in an alcove off the cliffs behind. They acquired their names from a tremendous Ponderosa pine that dominates these sites. The tables are under the pines, and there are many tent pads for larger numbers. Number 1 is right on the river under the tremendous tree. Another good camp from which you can sit at your table and watch the fish feeding and cruising in the deep pool while eating or resting.
Big Pine # 2 Camp (north side) this camp is a very desirable camp for those wishing total privacy from boats. It sets back away from the river a bit. It is at the back of the alcove in a dense grove of Ponderosa, junipers, and pinion pines. Numerous tent pads and a lot of extra room to move around in. There are two pads near the river. And the best part, it is right at the head of Washboard rapids. A great piece of river for wading, but watch closely for poison Ivy along the edge of this rapid.
Pugmire Camp (south side) is in a great spot by itself. It is on the side of the river where there is no foot access, and there is no reason for passing boats to stop here either. You are definitely alone except for passing boats. It is in a very long lake-like run about 300 yds below Washboard rapids and 1/2 mile above Red Creek Rapids. This is another campsite that you use your boat to move up and down river to some ideal fishing. The flow is such that you can row up river. There is excellent fishing along the shore in front of the camp. There will be many fish working at all times in easy casting distance (watch your back cast). You can hike up the edge of the south side of the river from your camp into Washboard, but you cannot hike down stream because of the large boulders blocking your way. There is a small hidden canyon right behind this camp good for hiking . The entire hill or mountain behind this camp is good for climbing for exercise or sight-seeing. There are two tent pads and plenty of shade from pines and box elders. Another good site for viewing fish from your table.
Red Creek Camps 1 & 2 (south side) Can be used as two separate camps or one large one for bigger groups. Combined, there are two tables, two fire rings,and six tent pads. There is also a restroom next to these camps.
Tree Tops Camp (south side) Very secluded and lies about 1 mile below Red Creek on the south side of the river. It is situated on a narrow shelf back against a steep hill. The foliage is quite thick surrounding this camp with an open front. There is good shade from the trees and foliage. A calm pool in front holds some nice cutthroats with a small riffle above, near a giant square boulder that creates a very nice fishery.
That concludes the sites on section B, there are more down in Browns park but all those can be reached by vehicle.
