Catfish Lake – Site 9 (Shangri La Island)

The Shangri La campsite is an enormous island site set on a hill and fronted by beautiful rock slabs that turn into hard packed dirt and grass at the top of the island. Up top is where you’ll find the deluxe fire pit and, if you take a walk towards the back of the island, a really nice view to the east from the top of a surprisingly tall cliff. The site is awesome. It’s got plenty of flat ground for tents, 360 degrees worth of views, good cover, great sunsets and awesome swimming. Those rocky slabs and ledges at the water’s edge make for a fantastic place to sit and watch the water, and the fire pit/kitchen area gives you everything you could want for food prep. Admittedly, that last bonus is kind of lost on me since my food prep means pouring boiling water into a bag but if you’re more of a Michelin Star kind of backcountry chef, you’re not going to be upset with what you find on Shangri La.

As much as I love this spot, there are two things you might consider before making it home for the night.

1. I’m not kidding when I say it’s an island set on a hill. There is a lot of terrain change for this site. While the various levels are decently flat (the fire pit and kitchen area in particular look like someone came through with a cement roller), you will be climbing up and down rock and dirt slopes to get to and from the water. It’s not particularly treacherous terrain, but you do have to watch your step.

2. I have heard that there have been cockroaches on this site in the past. I did not see a roach (of any kind), but I can’t promise you’re not going to run into one yourself. That said, you’re camping. There are bugs everywhere already.