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Bill Thompson's Outdoors and Camping Site

Welcome to my site about the outdoors and about camping there.

Without the items on my list below you could get in some trouble so make sure you have it all.

CAMPING STOVE
The Stratus Trailstove is as close as you can get to the perfect back packing stove. It's very light, very cheap, and very dependable. What kind of fuel? Well wood of course, what other fuel is there in the woods, or did you want to carry some type of fuel with you?

LIGHT
A good flashlight is very good to have around the campsite and if you need to walk in the dark it's absolutely necessary. If you do need to walk in the dark and don't have a light source it's better to stay where you are and wait 'til the sun comes up.

BUG PROTECTION
Bring mosquito coils, a mosquito candle, or some other anti mosquito stuff.

SLEEPING PAD
Never underestimate the value of a good nights sleep. Make sure you can sleep comfortably even if it means carrying a bit more weight. A sleeping pad will keep you warm but not comfortable. I recommend an air mattress.

BACK PACK
Be very careful when you buy a backpack, many of the big brands are selling low quality junk and charging you big bucks for the brand. If you're looking for a top of the line backpack it's good to look at less known brands that have a good reputation. These kinds of brands are generally very local and it's hard to know what to get. If you're looking for a good backpack but are not ready t spend $250 or so just get a well known non-fancy brand, nobody will think you're cool but you'll have a good backpack.

Make emergency snowshoes

Making a pair of emergency snowshoes to get to safety is extremely simple. It's surprising how many people try to get to safety in knee deep snow and drop from exhaustion.

Find two stocky branches about 3 feet long with plenty of small branches and plenty of green, preferably from a fir tree but other trees will do if there are no firs in the area.

Tie one branch to each foot at the front end of the branch. Thread the string through something on the front of your boot otherwise your foot will slip out of the binding. Make sure your foot can swivel enough to walk, the snowshoe should drag on the snow slightly in the back.

That's it, you're ready to go!

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Coolidge, AZ

For over a thousand years, prehistoric farmers inhabited much of the present-day state of Arizona. When the first Europeans arrived, all that remained of this ancient culture were the ruins of villages, irrigation canals and various artifacts. Among these ruins is the Casa Grande, or "Big House," one of the largest and most mysterious prehistoric structures ever built in North America. Casa Grande Ruins, the nation's first archeological preserve, protects the Casa Grande and other archeological sites within its boundaries. You are invited to see the Casa Grande and to hear the story of the ancient ones the Akimel O'otham call the Hohokam, "those who are gone."

CONTACTS

Email - CAGR_Superintendent@nps.gov

Fax- 520-723-7209

Write to
1100 Ruins Drive
Coolidge, AZ 85228

Phone
Headquarters - (520) 723-3172

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Open all year from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed December 25

Getting There
CAR - Transportation is by private vehicle. The park is in Coolidge, Arizona, about an hour-long drive from either Phoenix or Tucson. From Interstate 10 take the Coolidge exits and follow the signs to the park entrance off Arizona Route 87/287.

Weather & Climate
This is desert country. Summer daytime temperatures may exceed 100 degrees. Winter temperatures range from the 60's to the 80's. Spring and fall are warm and dry, with highs in the 80's and 90's. During summer months, be prepared for hot temperatures. Protective clothing, hats, sunscreen and personal water containers are highly recommended.

Accessibility
All facilities and the Ruins Trail are fully accessible.

Getting Around
Allow about an hour to visit the Ruins. Take a guided and/or self-guided Ruins tour, view the visitor center museum exhibits, and use the picnic facilities. The visitor center and parking lot are located at the end of a 7/8 mile long paved entrance road. From the visitor center there is a 300 yard self-guided walking trail around the ruins with wayside signs provided.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
ENTRANCE FEE
$3.00 for One Time
The entrance fee is $3.00 per person. Children 16 and under are admitted free. The National Park Pass, Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and Golden Access Passport cards are honored.

FACILITIES

Visitor Centers
CASA GRANDE RUINS
Open All Year 8:00-5:00
Closures - Christmas Day
Special Programs - Special archeological tours are offered during the Arizona State Archeology Month in March. On National Parks Day, August 25, entrance fees are waived. During Native American Month in November, special events are held throughout the local area. Special tours and events are occasionally offered through a permit system. Please call for further information.
Exhibits - The Visitor Center includes a museum with exhibits.
Available Facilities - There is an information counter, a museum exhibit area, a book store, a public phone, rest rooms, drinking fountains, and a wheelchair available.

Some content donated by Hikercentral.com and the National Park Service

CAMPING STOVE The Stratus Trailstove is as close as you can get to the perfect back packing stove. It's very light, very cheap, and very dependable. What kind of fuel? Well wood of course, what other fuel is there in the woods, or did you want to carry some type of fuel with you?
LIGHT A good flashlight is very good to have around the campsite and if you need to walk in the dark it's absolutely necessary. If you do need to walk in the dark and don't have a light source it's better to stay where you are and wait 'til the sun comes up.
BUG PROTECTION Bring mosquito coils, a mosquito candle, or some other anti mosquito stuff.
SLEEPING PAD Never underestimate the value of a good nights sleep. Make sure you can sleep comfortably even if it means carrying a bit more weight. A sleeping pad will keep you warm but not comfortable. I recommend an air mattress.
BACK PACK Be very careful when you buy a backpack, many of the big brands are selling low quality junk and charging you big bucks for the brand. If you're looking for a top of the line backpack it's good to look at less known brands that have a good reputation. These kinds of brands are generally very local and it's hard to know what to get. If you're looking for a good backpack but are not ready t spend $250 or so just get a well known non-fancy brand, nobody will think you're cool but you'll have a good backpack.