Great experience for early risers
The gibbons were so cool and I’m really glad we came here! Visiting the gibbon conservation center is definitely worth it, camping or otherwise.
We stayed here in a van, which is not really the intended setup. There’s a place for tent and cooking that’s up behind the house on the hill, but we were essentially in the middle of the gibbon center since we were in our van. This was fine for us—but don’t come without a tent and expect privacy.
As others have said the gibbons begin “singing” at dawn and it is intensely loud, though cool. You need to be quiet after dark so this is definitely an early to bed early to rise experience.
The bathroom is just inside the house, off the kitchen used by the family and volunteers. There is one shower, sink, and toilet.
On Sunday morning, Alma and volunteers began feeding gibbons by 8am. The center opened to the public at 9:30. There was a public tour we joined (included in our stay) which lasted over an hour and was very informative about gibbons!
We did have a tough time booking—getting responses to questions and having our booking expire once. Seeing all they are managing at the conservation center I understand why, but it was a challenge.
Past trips
Beachside Farm Campground
in Beachside Farm Campground, CaliforniaConvenient stopover near slo
The Beachside Farm is very convenient to San Luis Obispo and to Avila Beach. It's a small farm and the HipCamp area is very clearly marked, which made it easy when we arrived after dark. The sites are in full sun, between rows of apple trees. I'd guess each site is ~20x50' and they're probably 20-30' apart, separated by one empty row between apple trees. There's a cute bathroom on the porch of the host's home that has an outdoor shower, sink, and toilet. It's different than the event bathroom pictured in the listing. We enjoyed the sound of the frogs at night and saying hello to the goats and chickens. We arrived late so didn't really meet the host or hang out on the property much.
Stay Wild Campground
in Gibbon Conservation Center, CaliforniaGreat experience for early risers
The gibbons were so cool and I’m really glad we came here! Visiting the gibbon conservation center is definitely worth it, camping or otherwise.
We stayed here in a van, which is not really the intended setup. There’s a place for tent and cooking that’s up behind the house on the hill, but we were essentially in the middle of the gibbon center since we were in our van. This was fine for us—but don’t come without a tent and expect privacy.
As others have said the gibbons begin “singing” at dawn and it is intensely loud, though cool. You need to be quiet after dark so this is definitely an early to bed early to rise experience.
The bathroom is just inside the house, off the kitchen used by the family and volunteers. There is one shower, sink, and toilet.
On Sunday morning, Alma and volunteers began feeding gibbons by 8am. The center opened to the public at 9:30. There was a public tour we joined (included in our stay) which lasted over an hour and was very informative about gibbons!
We did have a tough time booking—getting responses to questions and having our booking expire once. Seeing all they are managing at the conservation center I understand why, but it was a challenge.
Fairholme Campground
in Olympic National Park, WashingtonMoney Creek Campground
in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forests, WashingtonOhanapecosh Campground
in Mount Rainier National Park, WashingtonSwift Creek Campground
in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forests, WashingtonKodachrome Basin Campground
in Kodachrome Basin State Park, UtahGoblin Valley Campground
in Goblin Valley State Park, UtahMather Campground
in Grand Canyon National Park, ArizonaVerlot Campground
in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forests, WashingtonSilver Lake Campground
in Silver Lake State Park, VermontColonial Creek Campground
in North Cascades National Park, WashingtonCorinne's lists
All 33 saves