RIDGECREST ELKS LODGE, RIDGECREST, CALIFORNIA

Our Opinion: Recommend. If you are an Elk and in the Ridgecrest area for some reason, this is an excellent stop at a great price for a 50 amp FHU site.

Date of Stay: May 2, 2008

Weather During Stay: Partly cloudy. High 82 degrees, calm winds. Low forecast to be in the 50‘s.

Sites:14 FHU sites. Site 1-4 and 6 are 30 amp only. Sites 5 and 7 are 50 amp only. Sites 8-14 are 15/30/50 amps. Water and sewer at all sites. Sites are graveled, typical width, level pull-throughs (though backing in was easier for us). Sites 1-7 face west (bottom photo); sites 8-14 face north. Space available for drycamping. We were in site 10 (top photo). Only two other rigs are here tonight.

Rate: $10 FHU, $7 drycamping.

Phone/radio/TV: Strong Verizon phones signal; aircard on Broadband, 4-5 bars. No obstructions to block TV satellite. Probably several TV stations on antenna, but we didn’t bother. Local NPR on 88.1.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: Flat, level parking area at 2,280’ elevation. Views of local residential neighborhood and lodge.

Lighting/Noise: Very low lighting. Typical residential noise (kids and dogs playing). Very quiet at night.

Favorite Sites: All sites are essentially the same, except a few have young trees. Face north when it is warm, west when it is cold.

Hiking/Walking: Sidewalks. Northing interesting.

Comments: Convenient. A much-better-than-average Elks RV parking area in a small city in an arid environment. Good stop to stock up on supplies for a trip north on Hwy 395.