Willow Springs Canyon below Dam -- where to park?

[ljcygnet]

I'm looking at doing a quick overnight into Willow Springs canyon to do some photography early on Sunday morning.

Am I okay/legal to park overnight at the boat ramp parking lot? I called the forest service and got conflicting information, which seems par for the course lately.

As a side note, I'm doing my bit to end the drought. I went backpacking two weekends ago into Chevelon crossing. Par for the course of my entire life, it rained. I have a very nearly unbroken record, going back to the 80s, of all my backpacking/camping/outdoor stories involving the phrase, "... and then it rained." In light of this curse -- blessing? -- LOLOLOL and the fact that it's almost the start of the monsoon season, how much of a flash flood risk is Willow Springs canyon?

[chumley]

how much of a flash flood risk is Willow Springs canyon

Zero.

I'm not sure if you can park at the boat ramp, but I think you can ... as long as you aren't camping there.

If you don't mind a bit of an extra walk, just find a dirt forest road nearby and park wherever you please.

[Nighthiker]

There is an area to the East Side of the lake and an area just North of Sinkhole campground which I have used in the past. I have also set up base camp at Sinkhole and hiked from there.

[kelly14]

Rim top trailhead has worked for me.

[Alston_Neal]

Yep I second the little pullout just north of the Sinkhole CG entrance.