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Contact Info

Where is the campground located, and how do I get there? The Triangle Recreation Camp/Bender Creek campground is located in Washington's Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest, near the town of Silverton on the scenic Mountain Loop  Highway. The driving distance is 68 miles from Seattle and 146 miles (234 km) from Vancouver,  British Columbia.   For detailed driving directions, map and other location information, see the location page.

Where can I find out about important dates, special events, etc.?  There is a schedule page on the web site listing major events throughout the season.  Also, the right half of the home page generally lists any events that are coming up.  Finally, you can subscribe to our mailing list to be notified via email of any news or special events.

Is there a list for people wishing to carpool to the campground? Not specifically. For people at the campground, there is a bulletin board at the Host Hut, where campers post messages they wish to publicize. Also, there is an electronic message board on the TRC web site, where you can post and view messages on any topic, including carpooling. If demand for carpooling grows, we may add a separate carpooling board.

Is there a list for people wanting to join a semi-permanent campsite? Like the carpooling issue (see previous question), for the time being we recommend using the electronic message board to post your campmate requests.

Do you have organized hikes, nature walks, or other group activities? Not currently... though leading a hike would be a great volunteer opportunity  for some enthusiastic member (hint-hint ).

What's up with the info line? (it doesn't work). Is there any other number I can call? Our service provider went out of business in June of 1999. We are currently seeking a new provider. In the meantime, count on your web crew to answer any questions you may have ;-). Just them to us.

Does TRC have a fax number?  Nope.

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Membership & Rules

How do I become a member? Is there a membership form to fill out? Can you email it to me? Show up at the campground and register at the Host hut -- there you will be asked to fill out a form, sign a waiver, pay your fees, show your I.D. -- that's all there is to it (see "How to Join" for details). You can get a blank membership form at the campground.

How much does it cost to camp? $15 per night (for the first 2 nights, $10 for additional nights) if you are not a member, or $5 for day use. $150 for an annual membership, includes free unlimited camping privileges (special discounts available for senior & disabled). See our Membership Page for details and minimum costs on Event Weekends..

Can I visit for the day just to check the place out? What would be the cost? Can anyone give us a tour of the place? Absolutely! Everyone using the campground must become a "member", but we offer "limited" memberships for those who are not ready to commit to a full annual membership. Limited memberships cost $5 for day use, or $15 per night. You can usually find a member willing to give you a tour, TRC members are generally quite friendly. Just ask at the Host Hut.

How do I pay for membership? Cash, check or money order. U.S. Funds preferred, but we do accept Canadian money. Just show up and pay on the spot at the Host Hut when you check in (advance payment is not required).

What if we wanted to come up and camp just a couple of weekends this summer, what kind of membership do we need to get? Any less than 10 nights in a calendar year, and you're better off buying limited memberships (i.e., pay per night each time you visit)... unless you qualify for the senior/disabled discount ($100/year), then your break-even point is 5 nights.  If you are close to this, we strongly suggest you go ahead and become a regular member... you'll be more likely to camp, you'll really feel like part of the community, and hey, we need the money!

How old do I have to be to join or visit? You must be at least 21 years old, proof of age required (valid, government issued photo ID).

Do you allow pets? Yes. We ask that pet owners observe some common-sense rules to avoid posing a nuisance to other campers (who may NOT adore your little Fluffy quite as much as you do!) --- (1) Dogs must be on a leash at all times while outside of your campsite, and otherwise under control. (2) Clean up after your pets, and PLEASE PLEASE do not throw poopy ziploc's into the porta-potties, just the poop (it costs us $$ to have the potty-pumpers fish them out... they really get annoyed). (3) No barking! (this means the dog, not you!). If you have an incessant yapper, please leave it at home, or put a sock in it.

Do you take reservations? If not, how can I be sure I will get a campsite? We do not take reservations. All short-term campsites are first-come, first-served. The best way to ensure getting a good campsite is to show up early (or make friends with some semi-permanent campers who will put you up in their site). We rarely get filled to capacity, and have never (to my knowledge) turned any tent campers away (RVs are another story!). But be warned... if you show up late on a party weekend, you just might find yourself squeezed into a site with 10 other campers, or pitching your tent on a slope barely fit for a mountain goat!

Are there any fees you have to pay on each visit once you are a member? Nope.

Is nudity allowed? Yep -- within reason... nudity is allowed on the beach, in your campsite and other private areas. It is not permitted anywhere near the highway (or in view of it), nor anywhere else that you could be seen by the public. You are also encouraged to keep things concealed while on the main trails... there might be someone (theoretically) who doesn't wish to see it, okay?

Can we bring a picnic for the day? Sure, no problem. We have no concession stand we are trying to force you to patronize.

What is the "48-hour rule?" A rule dating back to the early days of TRC that aims to ensure that semi-permanent campsites get used... it requires that each site be occupied by a registered member of that site for at least 48 consecutive hours each week. This rule ONLY applies to semi-permanent campers... chances are, if you don't know what it is, it does not apply to you!

What does it take to become a volunteer for TRC? As TRC is a non-profit organization that survives by the volunteer efforts of its members, there are many opportunities to volunteer... helping out on a work party, working on one or more committees, staffing the Host Hut, or even serving on the board of directors. Anyone can join a work party, you do  not have to be a member. Simply show up at the Host Hut on any Saturday at noon. To join a committee or serve on the board of directors, you must be a regular member. Contact a board member or committee chair to find out more about serving on a committee, or show up at any board meeting to find out how to get involved. Or, send us a short about what you are interested in doing, and we'll see it gets to the right people.

What kind of documentation is required for a disabled discount? Besides the usual requirement for a valid, government issued photo ID required for membership, we ask that you provide some official proof of disability... like a medicare card or SSDI award letter.

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Camping Facilities see "Camping" page for additional details.

Does the campground have toilets and/or showers?  No permanent toilets, only porta-potties. No shower facilities or running water (save for the glacier fed river). We do have big plans to drill a well and build permanent toilets in the future, but for now it's PRIMITIVE camping. Many campers opt to use a solar shower (especially from mid-July to late August, when the weather is more reliably sunny), which can be obtained cheaply from any camping supply store; others heat water over a campfire or cook stove, and still others (some of the semi-permanent campers) have built elaborate showers with hot and cold running water... but those are private facilities, so unless you have a REAL talent for persuasion, you're stuck with the primitive options.

Does the campground have potable water? No -- you will need to pack your own drinking water (again, we plan to drill a well as soon as finances will allow). There IS drinking water available from the spring at the cabin next door, the "Gender Bender Fruit Stand", for a small donation. See Jack at the cabin (next driveway up the highway -- watch for the white mailbox on the left, or follow the trail east from the upper parking lot to the cabin).

What kind or cooking/eating facilities are available? What about a grocery store? There are no community cooking facilities, and no snack bar or restaurant. You will need to pack in your own food and cooking equipment. Many food items and other necessities (but not cigarettes) are available at the gay owned Gender Bender Fruit Stand  (the cabin next door to the campground). There is a small market 11 miles down the highway in Verlot (on your way up from Granite Falls), and a restaurant (The Mountain View Inn) -- beware, these businesses close early! Further down the mountain (22 miles) in Granite Falls, you'll find a Red Apple supermarket, a couple of smaller markets, and several restaurants.

What will the weather be like? How can I find out? The weather at Bender Creek is very unpredictable. It is one of the wettest (and most beautiful) areas of Washington. We've had gorgeous 80 degree sunny days in April, and snow in late May (this spring, in fact!). You can count on it  being pretty rainy up until mid-July, when it is generally sunny and warm most of the time, through late August. The nearest weather reporting station is Arlington (see the Weather Channel's web site or Weather Underground for a current forecast). Note: the weather at the campground is generally quite different from Arlington -- if Arlington is cold and wet, Bender Creek is typically colder and wetter.

What sort of campsites are available for "guests"? A bare spot of ground, mostly level, amongst beautiful old growth trees and ferns -- the short-term ("guest" or "limited") camping area is largely situated on adjacent Forest Service land that (unlike most of the campground) has never been logged, and is hence the most beautiful part of the campground. Because it is Forest Service land, we are restricted in the improvements we are allowed to make -- so there are no fire pits or permanent structures in individual campsites, but there are several communal fire pits in the limited camping area (a great place to meet people!).

Are campfires permitted? Only in established fire pits located in semi-permanent campsites, and in the 3 communal fire pits located in the limited camping area. Please note: a burn ban may be in effect during mid-to-late summer months, so please check the fire level (posted near the TRC entrance) for instructions when you enter the campground, and before starting a campfire. Restrictions during burn ban periods may include: No smoking on trails, small campfires only, and  no campfires of any kind. When in doubt, check at the Host Hut, or with TRC's Fire Marshall.

What do I need to bring to "make it in the wilderness?" Tent, sleeping bag, tarps (to shelter you from rain), cooking equipment, flashlights, food, drinking water, bug repellent... for a complete list, see our Supplies Checklist.

Do you allow RV's, and do you have hookups? We have about a dozen semi-permanent RV sites, and a very limited number of short-term RV sites. We have no hookups of any kind, so you must be COMPLETELY self-contained.

Can I sleep in my vehicle (non-RV), or must I hike to a site and sleep in a tent? None of our sites are "drive-in", except for the few RV sites mentioned above -- and we prefer to save those sites for actual RVs. Some people have been known to sleep in their vehicles in the parking lot, in a pinch, but we really prefer you bring a tent... it's only a short hike, and well worth it to get away from car noise and exhaust.

Are there any RV parks nearby? There are several commercial RV parks along the Mountain Loop Highway on the way to Bender Creek, as well as State and National Park campgrounds that accept RVs. We are working on putting together a list.

What is the largest RV you can accommodate? 30 feet? I'm not an RVer so I'm not sure, but we've hosted some pretty humongous beasts. I will check it out.

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People

Are there many wimmen at the campground? Would we really be welcome? Not a lot, it's mostly men... but the few women who do come up and camp are welcome, and they seem to have a good time.

Is the campground for gays & lesbians only? Yes (I know this seems like an obvious question, but somebody really did ask me that -- so let's be perfectly clear about it!).

Do you allow bisexuals? This is a touchy issue, as we are strictly a GAY campground... but insofar as bisexuals are a part of the gay community, they too are welcome. We only ask, Dear Bisexual, that during your visit you leave any heterosexual behavior at the gate and act only on your gay impulses.

What kind of people can I expect to meet? Mostly gay men (a few lesbians), all ages (21 and up), all walks of life... everything from drag queens to leather men, urban professionals to gardeners to waiters to AIDS patients living on early retirement. 25-45 is probably the most common age group.

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