While my book about camping in Oregon gave this campground very high marks, I was not so impressed. Sitting right on the shore of Diamond Lake, there are a few lakefront sites with an incredible view of its namesake, but most do not have that advantage, and seem crowded and tucked back in the dense trees. This campground is obviously popular with fisher folk, and maybe for good reason. We stopped here in late June on a Thursday evening after finding the campground at Crater Lake National Park snowed in, and Thielsen View was completely full, so make plans accordingly if you are headed here. We went back up the road just a few miles and easily found a site at Broken Arrow Campground.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Sunset View Campground-Green Lake Provincial Park, BC
This was our first stop in BC when we drove to Alaska this summer. It is off the main highway, maybe 10 km or so, but that means no road noise, and we thought it worth the extra time. It is a lovely, open campground among the aspens. Our campsite was quite spacious. Many sites are near the lake, the outhouses were very clean, and the hosts came around selling firewood. There is a small playground right on the lakeshore. My kids heard their first loon call here!
More info on this and other BC parks and campgrounds can be found here.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Chena River State Recreation Site - Fairbanks, AK
If you are spending a few days (or longer) exploring the Fairbanks area, this is a great urban campground. There is a perfect mix of sun and shade here, large campsites and a WiFi hotspot! When I say urban campground, I mean it. You will hear road noise, and the location is close to the airport, so planes fly over several times a day. But honestly, camping in town doesn't get any better than this. We tried an RV park for a day in order to do laundry and shower, and it was terrible!
This campground is within walking distance of 2 major grocery stores, laundromat (with showers!), coffee houses, the campus of University of Alaska, and more. It is right on the Chena River, and a day use area offers a large field, volleyball court and swings. Camping limit is 5 nights during the main summer season (too bad, since that means we must leave in 2 days!).
Click here for more info from the State of Alaska.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Big Lagoon - Humboldt County
Big Lagoon is a nice alternative to Patrick's Point State Park if the aforementioned is full or you just want to avoid some of the crowds. It is more rustic and much less expensive than its state park neighbor, yet only a few miles north. Not only that, but dogs are allowed on the beach there, making it a more pleasant trip for the 4-footed friends. The walk to the beach is easy, any many sites back right up to the lagoon. My husband and sons rented a kayak in the adjacent day-use area, and had a big time, paddling for several hours in the calm waters of Big Lagoon. For more info, click here.
Friday, May 28, 2010
DogWood Campground in the San Bernadino Mountains
On our way to Big Bear, Ca to watch the Amgen Tour of California Bicycle Race; my family and I stayed at a lovely campground high in the San Bernadino Mountains. Dogwood Campground is at 7000 feet in elevation, it features: nice newer bathroom facilities, beautiful trees, affordable fees, spacious sites, minimal highway noise, friendly staff, firewood, fire-pits with grill, picnic table, tent and RV sites. When we stayed, we had minimal neighbors and a restful night's sleep. Highly recommended! To book a stay click here.
Sunset Beach-Camping Near Santa Cruz, Ca
Looking for a camping spot near Santa Cruz, Ca? My family and I recently stayed at Sunset Beach near Watsonville. This campground offers tent camping about 3/4 of a mile from the beach. It has the typical amenities you would expect: bathrooms with showers, water at every site, bear box, fire pit with grill, and firewood for sale. Not a lot of highway noise, beautiful trees and landscape, easy access to the beach. When we visited the campground was about half -full, we ended up with noisy neighbors, but I think that is always a gamble at any campground. To make a reservation click here!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Black Rock Campground - Lassen National Forest
This place is a real gem, tucked into the mountains between Red Bluff and Chico. I had no idea this special place existed at low elevation so close to home. On the edge of the Ishi Wilderness, it feels very isolated. The drive in is a bit arduous, as it is about 20 miles of dirt road, some places very slow-going, with one creek crossing. We were able to do it in our Subaru wagon, which I would not really consider a high-clearance vehicle, but a sedan might not be the best bet for this winding, rocky, narrow road. The dirt section took about 1.5 hours, but has several great views and passes through some beautiful territory (as well as some recently logged areas). We came in from the north side, off highway 36, but access can be gained from the Chico area as well (we were told this was the rougher of the 2 roads).
The campground itself is primitive, with no potable water available, so bring your own or a filter. There is one outhouse, which seemed generally unmaintained (bring your own toilet paper!). We had two lovely sites right at the front of the campground, with large grassy areas and just the right balance of sun and shade. The sites further back were more shaded, but less private. There is a trail into the wilderness that leaves right from the campground.
This has been an unusually cool year, so the creek was still flowing very rapidly, and the weekend was chilly, so we did not do any swimming. But I am certain that in warmer weather, you could find some great spots to cool off. We actually got snowed on- in May! The kids loved exploring up the creek and found a beautiful waterfall not far from the campground.
I highly recommend this unique place if you are willing to do the drive. You will not be disappointed by this area and its namesake monolith.
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