We first recommended “Camp Free” in 2014, and we’re way overdue to recommend it again. This book should be a staple of every Oregonians’ library, and you’re cheating yourself if it isn’t already part of yours. Let’s strike out into unexplored territory with this month’s Book Spotlight…
“Camp Free in the Mount Hood National Forest” by Don Reichert
(review by Charles Letherwood) Our family loves camping, but we’re procrastinators. We aren’t good at planning our trips months in advance, so when we get a free weekend it can be hard to find a last-minute official site. If we’re lucky enough to find one it means paying money to be right on top of the folks next to us and being about as far away from nature as it’s possible to be in a forest. That’s why we were so excited to find Don Reichert’s book. Camping anywhere in the National Forest is legal, but this book points out specific campsites you can try. Reichert defines a campsite as a place with a fire ring and at least enough flat space to pitch a tent, and he’s searched the Mt Hood Forest to find over 200 beauties. Each one has specific location, size, access, and amenity information along with a detailed description and directions. We’ve been trying a different site on each trip, and haven’t been disappointed yet. No crowds, no money, new adventures… rarely can you find so much packed into one book, and this one should be standard issue for any Oregonian bookshelf. You’ll find yourself turning to it again and again over the years, and finding something new each time.
The BOOK SPOTLIGHT at Wallace Books- We always link our Book Spotlight to Powells.com so you can order the book if you’re interested, but our choices are also available at Sellwood’s Wallace Books, in the “Tom Dwyer Book Spotlight” display. Check it out!
