2026 Johnson Shut-Ins Campout

Our Scouts work hard to plan and attend an event every month. Many times these events are weekend campouts, but they also include various day events, Council or District events, and even week-long summer camps. While our Scouts love to try new places, we have a short list of camping destinations that have become an annual tradition, and the Johnson Shut-Ins trip is definitely on that list.

There are many great aspects to a trip to Johnson Shut-Ins. One of them is the campsite itself.

Nestled way in the back of the campground is a group campsite that is intended specifically for youth groups. It is located in its own area that is isolated from the rest of the campground. There are no neighboring campsites close by, and with it being in the back, it’s quiet and there’s little-to-no traffic.

One of the best features is its amenities. First, there’s a massive pavilion right in the middle with a concrete floor, picnic tables, lights, and even power. (All of these features are a rarity at our normal camping locations!) It’s a great place for escaping from the hot sun or avoiding those rainy times, which was definitely needed this year. We’ve even had several situations when our Scouts have moved their cots from their tents to the pavilion and slept there overnight.

As if that’s not enough, there’s even a restroom and shower house building right on the site. That’s right…showers! To say that’s a rarity would be a huge understatement!

While in the area, we always include a stop at nearby Elephant Rock State Park. If you’ve never been to this park, you need to pay a visit. It’s incredibly unique. Plus, if you like climbing on rocks, it’s a ton of fun. The views from the top of some of the rocks are pretty amazing as well.

Aside from the rocks themselves, there are a bunch of old remnants of mines and railway tracks. There’s information throughout the park that illustrates the history of the area.

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A trip to the area isn’t complete without a visit to the shut-ins itself. It’s hard to describe the area if you’ve never seen it. Despite the massive flooding that occurred just weeks prior to our visit, the water level was fairly low. This meant the flow was slower as well. This made navigating through the water and over the rocks much easier than normal. At times, when the river is higher and the water is flowing more quickly, it can be a challenge to get from one area to another.

Typically when we are at Johnson Shut-Ins at the end of July, we’re all looking forward to getting into the water to cool off. This year was a bit different. On the Saturday we were there, the temps barely made it out of the 70’s. It was crazy! Of course, even though the water (and the air) was chilly, that didn’t stop our Scouts from enjoying the area.

We usually have great weather for this campout. (It’s no coincidence we plan a water-related trip at the end of July.) Of course, there are always exceptions, and this year was definitely one of them.

First of all, we were fortunate to be able to go at all. Just a few weeks prior to our trip, the park was mostly closed due to massive flooding in the area. The situation was so bad we had pretty much assumed that we’d have to cancel the trip. Somehow, the park staff managed to get things cleaned up and reopened in time for our trip. It was pretty amazing. Aside from a few areas, it was hard to believe that the place looked much different just a few weeks prior.

While the weather wasn’t actually that bad, the threat of rain and storms was there most of the time. After we arrived Friday evening, we had a little time to get things set up and enjoy the campfire before the storms rolled in. (Once again, the new tents we got this Spring were much appreciated!) Fortunately the rain held off while we were at Elephant Rock State Park and the Shut-Ins. However, after we got back to camp, the drizzle started, and it pretty much didn’t let up until sometime during the night. Fortunately we had that pavilion to help keep us dry while we made chicken pot-pie for diner and gooey cinnamon rolls for dessert in the Dutch Ovens!

By Sunday morning, when it was time to pack up, the rain had passed. We were all very thankful. Packing in the rain is no fun! 

We unfortunately didn’t have a big group at this event. Many of our Scouts were busy with other activities and commitments. Regardless, the Scouts who were there seemed to have a great time, despite the cooler-than-normal and “slightly damp” conditions. We’re looking forward to going again next year!