Our 4th time here, and probably more fun with kids. Our second trip up since both sons were grown,…read morebeautiful surroundings with cabins that are a bit rustic; 2 bunk beds and 1 single (sleeps 5), heater and electrical outlets. You're advised to never turn off your heater because it gets quite cold at night and after lights out, they won't be out to fix it if you can't get it back on again. There is table tennis, archery sign up, crafts, nature talks, s'mores around a campfire, hikes, etc. that are all optional.
Saturday night our Ranger even told "ghost" stories, like the time he was patrolling Griffith Park (where he still works), and spotted a lone woman walking the road near Travel Town around 3 AM. Turning around to see if she was alright and pulling next to her; her face was like porcelain and she appeared to be holding something which she was trying to hide. She responded "I'm okay" then walked off toward an extremely thick growth of brush, disappearing before his eyes. He stated that the whole experience gave him "the creeps" and didn't seem real. But our ranger, who shall remain nameless in my review, was also a great guide and leads all 4 hiking excursions. And if you're up to it, if nothing else, do the hike to Heart Rock. Maybe 2-3 miles round trip, but requiring a lot of up-and-down climbing over rocks and roots on the trail. Heads Up: There are wild animals in the vicinity; and yes, bears and bobcats have been sighted. Owls can also be heard late at night. Storing food in your cabin is highly discouraged. And one more note; none of the cabins have locks on their doors.
Also more of a rustic, not romantic getaway. Not much romance with only single and bunk beds provided. With thin plastic mattresses that weren't made for comfort. And you supply your own bedding or sleeping bags; don't make the mistake of forgetting your pillow like I did this time. I had to use one of my wife's extra sheets as a makeshift pillow. Not good! I paid for it with less then 2 hours of sleep. I was in a sleeping bag.
The road up to and down from Crestline, Hwy 138, is a bit more treacherous then I remembered as well. Check In is from 10 AM - 12 PM Saturday, and Check Out is at 2 PM Sunday. But for 1 night, it's a very full weekend experience, and at $55.00 per person, which includes 4 meals, everything else is inclusive. That is, everything but water. For some strange reason, all camp drinking fountains have been put out of commission. I'm still scratching my head on that one. Yet throughout the entire day, the general store building provides free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate but you have to pay for bottled water. With the exception of free bottles given out this past Sunday while me and Jackie just happened to be playing a game of ping pong. And there is water at each table during mealtimes. A nice getaway though if you don't mind roughing it for 1 night.
Camp Seely is owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles.