Sheep Camp and Brandy Creek Campgrounds- Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

I cruised through these 2 campgrounds a few days ago, scouting a potential trip for us. Sheep Camp (see right photo) is small- 4 sites, and though it is close to several trails, it lacks structure and privacy.  It looks as if campers have just driven through wherever, leaving the area denuded of vegetation, although the site could be pretty if there were actually some understory left. It is right on a dirt road, and the campsites get the dust cloud from vehicles driving by. The Brandy Creek trail is very close, and the trail to Brandy Creek Falls is just up the road.

We ended up camping later at Brandy Creek Campground (see left photo). It has just 2 sites, tucked peacefully back off the road. The 2 sites are not close together, so privacy is very good. In fact, site #2 is one of the most secluded campsites I have seen. The campground sits above the creek, and though access is possible, it is steep and inconvenient. The Brandy Creek Trail goes right through the campground, and it is also just a few miles from the Brandy Creek Falls Trail, which we hiked, and wow! It was really beautiful. Highly recommended. 

Once again, I have to add that Whiskeytown NRA is close to town, and is therefore subject to the effects of campers who come out to party. Our campsite, though nice and quiet, had some graffiti (which was scheduled to be painted over the next day), and there was plenty of broken glass around. Our kids like to collect bottle caps from each of our campsites, and we gathered more here than anywhere else!

Gumboot Lake Campground- Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Gumboot Lake Campground looks like a sweet spot. It is a primitive campground, with just a few sites scattered around the edge of a little lake. We stopped by there to check it out on our way to the Gumboot Trailhead on the Pacific Crest Trail, which is just a few miles up the road from the campground. We didn't stay this time, but perhaps we will need to plan a return trip! It is a pretty easy trip from I-5 to the campground, so I am wondering if this place attracts the partying crowd...? The hiking on the PCT northbound was great by the way, interspersed with views of Mt. Shasta, the Trinity Alps and several small lakes down below the crest.

***Added June 29, 2009*** Stayed at Gumboot last weekend. The lake is beautiful and our kids had an excellent time swimming for 2 days straight. There were quite a few visitors to the lake, but we had our section of shore all to ourselves. But I was right that this spot does attract partyers. The campground is really just like dispersed camping, with no picnic tables or water and only one vault toilet. My book listed some walk-in sites across the creek, but people drive across, and that area was crowded. We had a good site at the end of the road, but it was barren from over-use. There is no fee to camp here, which is a bonus, but I felt like some campers had been there for an extended time. I would stay here again, but on a weekday, and I would want one of those camping tables to cook on.

Tuolumne Meadows Campground- Yosemite National Park

Tuolumne Meadows is a large, crowded national park campground. Some sites are very small, others are ample. There are enough loops in there to cover half the alphabet, and if you arrive after dark, it may take you a while to find your site. You might have to wait in line for the bathrooms. But we spent almost a week there and loved every minute of it.

It is the incredibly beautiful Tuolumne Meadows area itself that makes it all worth it. There are a plethora of hikes to choose from, many of which you can do with children. The kids went to a great Junior Ranger program and couldn't get enough of playing by the river. The store is within easy walking distance, so if you run out of beer or bananas, you can make a quick run. Going off trail and climbing some of the smaller domes was a favorite for the kids too. They love walking right up that sticky granite.

For more info, and to find out about making reservations, go to:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/

Tahkenitch Campground- Siuslaw National Forest- Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

First let me say that the Oregon Dunes area is a great place to camp. The beach is always an exciting trip for the kids, but adding in the elements of tall sand dunes to climb and warm freshwater lakes to swim in really makes for some serious fun.

Warning: This area has very heavy OHV use, so you must use caution in choosing both a campground and your beach for day trips if you are not into that sort of thing. I would really rather not hear the drone of a 4-wheeler all day long, so my goal is to avoid that entirely. Some campgrounds in the area allow and cater to OHV use, and others do not.

We stayed at Tahkenitch Campground, which was a smaller, relatively nice spot. There is a big dune right among the trees at the campground, which the kids loved to climb. There is also a trail leading right from the campground to Threemile lake, and beyond to the ocean. The sites are small, so plan for that. We did get 2 medium sized tents in one site, but the walls were practically touching. The campground is too close to Highway 101 for me. You could definitely hear traffic noise. And there is nothing like some nosey campground hosts to put a damper on the fun. 

However, we really enjoyed the area despite those negatives. We spent one day at the beach in the Siltcoos area (the beach is near a plover nesting site, so no OHV use allowed). The Waxmyrtle Campground near the beach access looked like a good option for a return trip. And many years ago, we camped at J.M.Honeyman Memorial State Park, which I remember being very good.

We had one very rainy day, and still had a great time with the kids, going to the Umpqua Discovery Center museum in Reedsport, and touring the lighthouse at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park. Stop at the Reedsport Coffeehouse for a good cup.

Relevant links- Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/recreation/tripplanning/oregondunes/index.shtml

http://www.umpquadiscoverycenter.com/

Fowlers Camp- Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Fowlers is another of the nice campgrounds just south of beautiful Mt. Shasta, and it is situated within easy hiking distance to the waterfalls of the McCloud River. The river is lovely, and the falls are a great hike to do with the kids. The Lower falls are very close to the campground via an accessible trail, and I remember the trail to Middle falls being short and easy for the kids to accomplish. Middle falls are quite spectacular. Continue on the same trail to catch a glimpse of Upper Falls. There is swimming in the river, and I believe the trail is actually about 10 miles long, leading to Algoma Campground as well.

Bridge Camp- Shasta-Trinity National Forest

I like lovely little Bridge Camp. It is at the end of the road, at the popular Stuarts Fork trailhead. The trail leads right into the incredible Trinity Alps, and the first few miles are a nice, gradual uphill- perfect hiking for the kids. You can keep going for 15 miles and beyond if you like. The campground is right next to the river (Stuarts Fork of the Trinity), and there is a great place for the kids to play. If you are so inclined, you can also go back down the road a few miles and have yourself a tasty ice cream treat at the Trinity Alps resort, which you will pass on the way to and from the campground.

McCloud River Bridge campground- Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Went to McCloud River Bridge this weekend. It's a keeper. I was pleasantly surprised by this excursion to the Shasta Lake area. I am not much interested in camping at the lake since the level is so low, but this campground sits off the lake, just above where the river comes to a halt. Beautiful views, really beautiful river, nice campground. The best thing was just hanging out by the river- swimming, relaxing, playing, jumping. The lupines were incredible- huge swaths of purple flowers all along the riverbanks.

The campground itself was a bit overdone, with pavers and even steps and hand rails leading to the tent pads. But most of the sites were open, with just enough shade. If you are camping with another family or small group, take note that each site can only accommodate one tent in most cases.  We had 3 families, and needed 3 sites. There is no hiking right from the campground, but we did find a short but cool trail to a cave not too far from there. The kids loved exploring there, and we even saw a tiny salamander.

Note: I have seen some photos, apparently when the lake level was much higher, where it seems the campground is in fact next to the lake rather than the river. So if the lake level ever gets significantly higher, this campground would be a different experience.

Here is some info from the Shasta Trinity: www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity/recreation/nra/shasta/index.shtml