American & Yankee Boy Basin Camping

Hello,

I was curious where you guys crash when you go to American & Yankee Boy Basins for extended periods? Is it legal to tent camp at/near these locations? How about just parking somewhere and car camping? I can imagine with all the bugs this time of the year that car camping has its advantages.

Thanks,

- Derek

I know Yankee Boy is on private property, so you can't camp there. But there is a small camping area on your left a little before you get to Yankee Boy. I'm not sure about American, but I assume its BLM or national forest land, so you should be able to camp there or at least car camp.

Car camping is definitely OK at American. I wouldn't suggest tent camping, since the bugs are a bit um, shall we say, voracious?

We tent camped at American right at the trailhead (killer campsite on the right!) and didn't have any bug problems. At YBB we camped in the trees above the main parking lot. There are lots of fire rings, etc. and I've seen people camping there before. I always thought the private property ended at the main parking lot and that anything above that was open game. Either way, great camping!

Thanks guys,

Thats a big help.
I am a bit surprised Bret had no bug problems. Aren't they going 'Hog Wild' in both spots right now with all the wildflowers?

- Derek

The only time we ran into problems with mosquitoes was on our hike to Highland Mary Lakes. Melissa was eaten alive. Aside from that, we really didn't have much of a problem with them at all. I was really surprised!

On my last three trips the mosquitoes were thick but would leave you alone using Deep Woods Off. They were still annoying buzzing around. For my trip next week I picked up some 30% DEET lotion at REI that I hope works well.
These were tent/backpacking trips - no hiding in the car . But I'm sure Derek is concerned about his kids. My eleven year old came back from Missouri lakes eaten alive because he wouldn't let me keep spray on him.

They are a pain this year!