Camping And Fishing In Northern California - There are so many camping lakes in Northern California that it can be difficult to choose one that fits what you're looking for.
Let this list be a handy guide to help you plan the lakeside camping adventure of your dreams.
Camping And Fishing In Northern California
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The best lake lands in Northern California are near the Sierra Nevada region, the Lake Tahoe region, and the San Francisco Bay Area (Napa County).
Most of the campgrounds on this list are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Few options fail with only basic equipment, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in its beautiful scenery and get back to nature.
You'll also find campgrounds that offer a few amenities, such as clean restrooms, hot showers, RV hooks, and on-site amenities.
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Spawling Lake is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Nevada County, about an hour and a half from Lake Tahoe.
Nestled among lush ponderosa pine trees and surrounded by granite boulders, Spawling Lake Campground is a campground on the Great Lakes in northern California.
It offers a peaceful and private atmosphere, perfect for couples and families with children who need a peaceful camp, especially after a day of outdoor activities in and around the lake.
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There are also several hiking trails nearby and an epic swimming hole for you to escape the heat.
Spawling Lake has an elevation of 5,014 feet, so the average high temperature in July, the warmest month, reaches 84°C.
Lone Lake is a beautiful reservoir located in the El Dorado National Forest and is one of the most popular camping lakes in Northern California.
Loon Lake Campground is located on the south shore of Loon Lake and is more popular with tourists than the North Shore Campground.
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Campgrounds are close together, making the grounds popular with RVers, campers with horses, and large groups.
That said, the lake is gorgeous and there are plenty of outdoor activities nearby to keep busy during your stay.
Also, the access to the boat launch makes this an excellent place to launch your angler's boats and catch a day's fishing for rainbow trout and brown trout.
Tip: The drive to camp is very windy, so be prepared with Dramamine in case you get car sick.
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Union Valley Reservoir is a man-made lake surrounded by ponderosa pines located southwest of Lake Tahoe.
Located on the east bank of Union Valley Reservoir, Sunset Point is a beautiful sheltered area of tall cedars and ponderosa pines.
Its three villages, Sunset, Meadow and Shady, have many sites, many even sitting on the banks.
Although its main attraction is the reservoir and its family water activities, the 4.5-mile boardwalk that leads to the lakeshore is also popular among campers.
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With 121 sites, this campground has a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, making it ideal for families with children.
"First come, first served" is still on the site, so if you haven't been to the site, you don't really know it's there.
Ice House Reservoir is a beautiful mountain lake located on Highway 50 between Plakerville and Lake Tahoe.
Two Ice House Campground Villages are located on either side of the Ice House Reservoir boat launch and are popular with hikers, bikers, boaters and fishermen.
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Surrounded by ponderosa pines, the scent of sweet vanilla wafts through the air, adding more to the rather laid-back and relaxed atmosphere.
The Ice House Reservoir is great for swimming, especially for kids, because of the easy access to the lake, the soft sand area and the pleasant water temperature, especially in late summer.
However, the orientation and location of the campsite seems to create noise throughout the campsite, which can be a bit noisy when there are partygoers or large groups nearby.
Lake Berryessa is a large 20,000 acre lake located in the mountains that separate the Sacramento Valley from Napa wine country.
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If you want to get straight to the water, Spanish Flat 55 is a good choice for camping, although the shade is quite limited.
Camandiropka rates are usually good for 2 people, but for 8 people there is an extra charge of $4-5/extra.
Most of the campsites are far apart and most areas lack trees and shade, so camping here can feel a bit exposed.
Lake Berryessa is a popular site for the younger crowd, giving the area a bit of a party atmosphere.
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Lake Tahoe's crystal blue waters and beautiful beaches attract millions of tourists to this high mountain in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Lake Tahoe easily tops the list of best camping lakes in Northern California. Bliss National Park has some of the most beautiful beaches on the lake.
And because it's absolutely beautiful, you have to book 6 months in advance as soon as it's booked, otherwise it's impossible to get a seat.
The campground is divided into three villages, with Beach Village having the easiest access to the lake.
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Although the sites are close together, they are spacious and well laid out, giving them a secluded and private feel.
This is one of the best camping spots in Lake Tahoe, so make sure you make reservations early, if not, watch for cancellations and you might get lucky.
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Fallen Leaf Lake is a little hidden gem about two miles from Lake Tahoe's famous Richardson Campground.
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This pet-friendly campground is located on the north shore of Lake Tahoe's less populated neighbor, Fallen Leaf Lake.
Fallen Leaf Lake Campground has over 206 sites and is one of the best camping lakes in California.
Campsites are spacious and spacious, surrounded by tall old pine trees that provide even more privacy, so campers still feel secluded.
Although this campground is not as popular as Lake Tahoe, it is still recommended to make reservations months in advance.
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You can hike and bike and enjoy the best waterfalls in Lake Tahoe.
This Northern California campground is very well maintained, so the restrooms are always clean and conveniently located in case you need to grab some supplies.
At 7,300 feet, Alpine Lake is located in Bear Valley, Big Trees, about half an hour from SP and 2.5 hours from Sacramento.
Alpine Lakes West Shore Campground offers plenty of shade for privacy.
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The campground's proximity to the water makes it a great place to camp.
Alpine Lake is one of the best lakes for camping in California, and it's also great for fishing and kayaking.
The lake is at 7,303 feet, so the water is too cold for swimming.
If you're looking for a new place to camp on the lake this summer, this campground is clean and quiet with clean campsites.
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French Meadows Reservoir is fed by the Middle American River, between the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Lake Tahoe.
The lake is about 1.5 hours away from the city of Forest Hill and requires you to drive a narrow, winding asphalt road to get to the area.
The view of the canyon is amazing, but driving at night can be scary, so try to arrive when it's still light.
Upon arrival, you'll be rewarded with a spacious and quiet campsite that feels remote enough to make you feel like you're in a nature retreat.
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Some sites have easy access to the lake, but this one gets a bit steep.
French Meadows Campground is very remote and has no cell service, but you do have water and outhouses.
The nearest town is Forest Hill, about an hour and a half away, so make sure you pack your supplies.
Donner Lake is located outside the city of Truckee and is the sister lake of neighboring Lake Tahoe, just 20 miles away.
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Located on the southeast shore of Donner Lake, the historic Donner Memorial State Park Campground is divided into three villages, and Splitrock Campground is a short distance from the lake.
Its 42 sites may not be far from each other, but they're still relatively private and quiet.
Summer is a great time to bring the kids and have them participate in the park's Little Rangers program.
It is a 1-2 hour nature and history walk
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