
Boondocking
For those of you that prefer campgrounds over boondocking you will find two free forest service campgrounds to choose from.
– Mill Creek Campground is about a mile and a half below the Smuggler Mine. There are approximately 10 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. The campground features freshwater via a hand pump and vault toilets. Maximum RV length is listed as 22′ but several of the spaces will accommodate much longer units.

Lower Branham Lake
– Branham Lake Campground is at the end of Mill Creek Road about 4 miles above the Smuggler Mine. The campground is located on upper Branham Lake, contains 6 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. The campground features a boat ramp and vault toilets. Due to road conditions past the Mill Creek Campground, only shorter high clearance vehicles will want to make the drive to this campground where they will find ample room to camp.
Those of you that like to boondock will find multiple sites along the creek in which to do so. You will find the first boondocking campsite (Pictured) at: N45° 28.754 W112° 05.106 about 6 miles up Mill Creek Road from Sheridan.
The freedom of a RV combined with free camping and free exploring on public land is one of the greatest adventures in RVing!
If you go:
Head east out of Sheridan on paved Mill St, which becomes Mill Creek Rd (FS111). After about 3 miles the road will turn to dirt and enter public forest. The forest road is primarily single lane with some rough spots, but navigable by RV for those comfortable with this type of road. After the Mill Creek Campground, the road is signed not recommended for RVs or trailers.
You will find the Mill Creek Campground at N45° 28.675′ W112° 04.167′
You will find the Branham Lake Campground at N45° 30.972 W111° 59.465′

Creek Side Camping

Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
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