The annual AYC Summer Campout is back!! We have the Dairy Springs group campsite near Mormon Lake reserved for August 11-13, 2023. Two nights of camping is only $20.00! (Sorry, no refunds if you cancel). The two group sites can accommodate up to 16 vehicles, which are currently filled. Single campsites may be available in the campground; make your own reservation at Recreation.gov and then signup on the waitlist here to let us know you’re coming. If you don’t want to camp, but want to stop by, sign up for free so that we can contact you with the details.
There are lots of activities available in the area:
- Hiking – there are some great trails right from the campground
- Sailing or other boating – Upper Lake Mary is 10 miles from the campground
- Socializing
- Potluck Saturday night
- Horseback riding is available at nearby Mormon Lake Lodge
- Don’t like to camp? Check out the cabins at Mormon Lake Lodge or various hotels in Flagstaff. Feel free to join us for activities during the day and the Saturday potluck!
- Activities for the kids
- Games for everyone
The campground has vault toilets and water but no RV hookups. RVs are limited to 35 feet. Dogs are welcome on leash.
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help, please get in touch with Joanne.Aspinall@gmail.com.
Hope to see you there!!
HISTORY OF AYC CAMPOUT – KINNIKINICK (Click to view)
Al Lehman, Commodore 1980-1981, shares how the AYC campout began: “In the summer, Sandy and I liked camping up north with our friends Bill and Liz Rahr. They would go up early Friday and find a spot in the woods, and we drove up in the afternoon. Bill and I were both ham radio operators, and we would make contact on the ham net so Bill could guide us to the campsite.
‘We had camped a couple of times on the road to Kinnickinnick Lake and thought having our AYC friends join us and sail our dinghies on the lake would be fun. Thus we organized the first event in 1983. Afterward, Sandy wrote this article for the Compass Points member newsletter.”
Tom Ohlin shared this about the campout, “The Kinnikinick Campout started in the early 80’s with three or four couples camping for the weekend. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the break from the heat and the relaxed social atmosphere and it just grew every year. I think we peaked at about 120 folks and have had as few as a dozen or so.
The location was PRIMITIVE! You packed out what you packed in, except AYC provided the required Porta-Johns. The area was bounded by meadows and road, so it was very difficult for kids to get lost if they never crossed a road or meadow. The trees in the area are large Ponderosa pines, so there was some relief from the sun.”
Like most good things, the camping at Kinnikinick has changed. It is now designated as a day-use-only location. The Annual AYC Summer Campout will continue to be held at the nearby Dairy Springs Campground by Mormon Lake. The accommodations are still whatever you bring, from a pup tent to a motor home. We usually have a potluck dinner on Saturday night and have horseshoes, pasture golf, bocce ball, Liar’s Dice, kids’ games, and BS to fill in the day. Some folks come up as early as Wednesday, several on Thursday, but most on Friday.
This is a really fun event and gives new members and long-timers a great opportunity to socialize and enjoy the cool pines. The weather is always cooler in the high country but can be a bit wet. Plan to bring a dish to share for the Pot Luck and come up for a great time!
