Triangle Recreation Camp — Hotel in Granite Falls

I still remember when we lost Index Campground—what felt like the end of an era turned out to be the beginning of something even more enchanted.

Steve and the gang searched for months, guided more by hope than certainty… until we stumbled upon Bender Creek. From the playful chaos of “Santa Slut Puppies” to becoming “The Bushwackers,” our first three years were spent carving out campsites from wilderness, clearing brush, building winding trails, and unknowingly creating memories that would live in our hearts forever.

My retractable fire pit tarp? A legendary success, if you ask me—LOL. But it’s the trails that linger most in my memory… like the time Helen took Ozzie, my gentle giant of a dog, for a stroll. He outweighed her by at least 15 pounds. Midway across the road, Ozzie spotted a squirrel and bolted—with Helen clutching his leash in one hand, her cocktail in the other, sweatpants around her ankles from the tug—but she didn’t spill a single drop or lose him. Pure magic.

It’s been over 20 years since I last camped permanently at Bender Creek, and my heart still aches with joy and longing when I think of it. I love that Lawrence still goes. And oh, that 4PM cocktail bell—the sacred hour when the forest echoed with laughter, clinking glasses, and the kind of camaraderie that only lives in stories whispered by the trees.

Joe, Bruce, Mark, Darryl, and so many others… I miss you all dearly.

And if you’ve never been? Go. Even for just a day. There’s magic waiting for you in...

Absolutely amazing! A beautiful place to stay and not have a single worry about weird prejudice or harassment. Tent sites surround shared fire pits and picnic tables, covered by tarps overhead. On site portable restrooms with handwashing stations were pleasantly clean and tidy. There isn't running water at the tent sites, but that's not an issue for me. Firewood is available on site at a generous price for the volume of fuel you're getting. Everett is a short drive away if you need supplies, and nearby Verlot has a small store in case you forget something. During my July stay the bugs were out in force, so I heavily suggest bringing some competent insect repellent- save yourself a few bites. Some of the tent sites are on the smaller side (not a complaint) so be sure to book a site that states it can accommodate a large tent if you plan on using one. Super well maintained, comfortable trails, an amazing beach on the river (ice cold snow melt- but such an invigorating swim!) Every long term member I ran into was incredibly welcoming and informative. My partners and I will definitely be returning since we're in...

Very inconvenient. Will definitely NOT go again.

Campsites are not accessible by car; you have to use a wheelbarrow or carry everything over, park the car at a different location, then cross and walk along the highway to get back.

Food has to be either attended or stored in a big metal container, NO THIRD OPTION. They don't care if your food container is bear canister or lockable. Once they found out you didn't put food container in their designated place, you are banished from the site immediately. So either follow their rules meticulously or choose a federal/state campsite.

There's no potable...