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TEN TOP PLACES TO CAMP!
Some truly wonderful campgrounds are just a short distance from your door.
WRITTEN BY BARBARA TWITCHELL
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CAMPSITES
Trying to pick the best campgrounds is like trying to name the best color. (It’s purple, right?)
Camping is a personal experience. Some of us think it’s not really camping unless we sleep in a tent. Others wouldn’t consider roughing it in anything less than a 30-foot-long RV. Some like campgrounds with all the amenities. Others prefer primitive surroundings.
But the fact is, although opinions may differ, the environment we pick for pitching that tent or parking that RV probably is the most essential component to a successful camping experience. For that reason, careful thought and consideration should be given to choosing just the right surroundings.
We’ve done some of the legwork for you by selecting 10 highly rated campgrounds, within easy driving distance, for your consideration. Some are developed, offering many amenities and recreational activities; others are serene, forested locales where peace, quiet, and communing with nature are the main attractions.
Hopefully, some of these will appeal to those who love purple — and some to those who don’t.
1. Camp Richardson, South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
Close to the lake’s shore; 100 RV sites (partial or full hookups); 200 tent sites in forest or meadow setting (separate from RV area). Full resort conveniences: stores, restaurants, bike and boat rentals on site. No pets. Popular, book well in advance. For details, visit http://www.Camprichardson.com
2. Davis Creek Regional Park, Washoe Valley, Nev.
Halfway between Reno and Carson City; 62 tent and RV sites (no hookups) in forested setting; hiking, nature trails, biking and equestrian access; playground and pool nearby. No reservations, first-come-first-served for individual sites. Great for quick, last-minute camping trip. For details, call 775-823-6501.
3. D.L. Bliss State Park, Lake Tahoe, Calif.
150 forested RV (no hookups) and tent sites plus 24 beach camping sites; swimming/sunbathing on one of Tahoe’s best beaches; borders Emerald Bay State Park; hiking and nature trails with outstanding views. Popular, book in advance. For details, visit http://www.Parks.ca.gov
4. Fallen Leaf Campground, Fallen Leaf Lake, Calif.
200 tent and RV sites (no hookups) in forested setting; less than 1 mile from Lake Tahoe but less known so not as crowded; biking, fishing, boating, hiking, historic sites. Reservations required. Popular, so book early. For details, visit http://www.Recreation.gov
5. Grover Hot Springs State Park, Markleeville, Calif.
72 RV (no hookups) and tent campsites in an alpine valley of forest and meadow; swimming, trout fishing, good hiking trails. The hot springs-fed soaking pool and recreation pool are open year round. Popular campground, best to book ahead. For details, visit http://www.Reserveamerica.com
6. Logger Campground, Stampede Reservoir, Calif.
More than 200 single-, double-, and triple-family camping sites, tent or RV (no hookups); forested setting; boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, hiking. On the shore of Stampede Reservoir halfway between Reno and Truckee. Better availability than most. For details, visit http://www.Reserveamerica.com
7. North Shore Campground, Lake Almanor, Calif.
More than 30 tent campsites and more than 70 RV sites with full hookups; located lakeside with beach access to one mile of shoreline. Swimming, fishing, boat docks, and rentals include canoes and kayaks. For details, visit http://www.Northshorecampground.com
8. Plumas-Eureka State Park, Blairsden/Graeagle, Calif.
6,700-acre park with 61 tent and RV sites (no hookups), located in a heavily forested high Sierra setting. Fishing, great hiking with more than 10 miles of trails, mining history museum on site. For details, visit http://www.Reserveamerica.com
9. Sardine Lake Campground, North Yuba River area, Calif.
27 single-family sites, tent or RV (no hookups), situated in a lodgepole pine forest within walking distance to Sardine Lake and Sand Pond. Hiking, swimming, fishing; mecca for mountain biking. For details, visit http://www.Reserveamerica.com
10. Sugar Pine Point State Park, Tahoma, Calif.
175 tent and RV sites (no hookups) in a quiet, densely forested setting on the west shore of Lake Tahoe; park includes 2 miles of lake frontage. Great hiking on 10 miles of trails, swimming, fishing, biking (including mountain biking trails). For details, visit http://www.Reserveamerica.com
Freelance writer Barbara Twitchell has enjoyed several of these campgrounds and plans to dedicate her summer to the tough job of personally exploring the rest.
