Smith Creek Recreation Area — Attraction in Friend

It's a great place in and of itself, but there are two "local" families who seem to be having a feud over who can take up the most space for as long as legally allowed. Outsiders wanting to stay even a single night end up getting roped into this feud, which is uncomfortable at best. Not sure how to resolve this issue, but I spent the night locked in my car - was too tired to find somewhere else, but too uncomfortable to set up camp. The two families were taking up 2/3 of the camping spots, and each family stopped me on the way to the restroom to tell me how awful the other family was & how it wasn't safe because of...

This is a really great place for travelers! It's right off the highway. We did have to go a little over 2 miles on dirt/gravel roads but we got to pass some adorable cows, goats, and horses! We got there on a Saturday evening and there were two other groups there but there was still plenty of room and it was quiet enough. I saw some reviews mention pit toilets; those appear to have been replaced by a portapotty. Overall it was a nice place to stay! You can see a lot of stars at night and the pond...

Not bad for free overnight stay/ camping! Area is nice, with lake/ pond on one side and cow farm right next to it. There's a bathroom as well.

I could only find one camping site under the trees with fire pit but it was already occupied, but you can park your vehicle at other available space or set up a tent in the grass area.

It's close to I-80, so the location is ideal but it's not too close that you hear...