Looking for suggestions on where to go next with family? Lake or river side camping

[Mauka2Makai]

Hello All, We are having a difficult time finding our next place to set up camp thats on a lake or river near Southern California. Anyone have any suggestions? Ideal place would be somewhat isolated and accessible only by 4wd or a campground that's on a lake or river with trails near by for exploring. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[Mauka2Makai]

Anyone have any experience out at Hume Lake?

 

[nwoods]

Try Soda Lake

Seriously, in SoCal the very few lakes we have are high use recreational areas. The only thing I can think of would be a resiviour (sp?) or two, like maybe the one along San Francisquito /Bonitia Canyon area in Saugus, but I am not sure theres any camping near it. If you head up the 395 towards Mammoth, there are a number of areas near water to camp, but they are mostly developed campsites or for hike-in access only

Rock Creek above Tom's Place, just outside of Mammoth

 

[Mauka2Makai]

Try Soda Lake

Seriously, in SoCal the very few lakes we have are high use recreational areas. The only thing I can think of would be a resiviour (sp?) or two, like maybe the one along San Francisquito /Bonitia Canyon area in Saugus, but I am not sure theres any camping near it. If you head up the 395 towards Mammoth, there are a number of areas near water to camp, but they are mostly developed campsites or for hike-in access only

Rock Creek above Tom's Place, just outside of Mammoth

I think Mammoth may be the ticket. That's where I want to be sitting.

 

[wyojoe]

Bouquet Reservoir is the one in Saugus that was mentioned. There isn't any camping there, and there isn't even any public access to the reservoir. As was already stated, most of the lakes in the southern California area are high use, and generally only have developed campgrounds. There are some areas in central California that you may wish to consider, such as the Fresno County Lakes area (Shaver Lake is the most well known). Some campsites near Courtright Reservoir are only accessible by 4WD or boat. There are some other smaller lakes that are 4WD access only (Coyote Lake for example). There are numerous lakes in the area, and some require 4WD to access them, but most of the larger ones fall into the high use category, like most of the lakes in southern California.

The suggestion for the Mammoth area is good, as is most of the rest of the eastern Sierra. The June Lake loop, while high use and fairly developed, is beautiful and worth seeing. Further north, you may wish to check out the Lee Vining area, Virginia Lakes, or the lakes around Bridgeport. Most of these are also fairly developed and high use, but there may be a few lesser traveled areas to explore.

 

[Mauka2Makai]

Bouquet Reservoir is the one in Saugus that was mentioned. There isn't any camping there, and there isn't even any public access to the reservoir. As was already stated, most of the lakes in the southern California area are high use, and generally only have developed campgrounds. There are some areas in central California that you may wish to consider, such as the Fresno County Lakes area (Shaver Lake is the most well known). Some campsites near Courtright Reservoir are only accessible by 4WD or boat. There are some other smaller lakes that are 4WD access only (Coyote Lake for example). There are numerous lakes in the area, and some require 4WD to access them, but most of the larger ones fall into the high use category, like most of the lakes in southern California.

The suggestion for the Mammoth area is good, as is most of the rest of the eastern Sierra. The June Lake loop, while high use and fairly developed, is beautiful and worth seeing. Further north, you may wish to check out the Lee Vining area, Virginia Lakes, or the lakes around Bridgeport. Most of these are also fairly developed and high use, but there may be a few lesser traveled areas to explore.

wyojoe, Thank you for the valuable input and suggestions. More spots to add to our list.

 

[Mauka2Makai]

Camp 9 at Lake Isabella

We found our spot at Lake Isabella.

Highly recommended for anyone wanting a quick getaway from SoCal, We had the whole area to ourselves.

 

[nwoods]

Looks like a decent spot. I've been there once, but had forgotten all about it. How hot was it? My last time there was 103.... At night! You're kids seem to have figured out the gravity thing

 

[orionkhan]

I never really thought about Lake Isabella because I thought it would be crowded or the lake buzzing with jet skis all day long. I may have to head up there next month. How was the heat during the day?

 

[Mauka2Makai]

I never really thought about Lake Isabella because I thought it would be crowded or the lake buzzing with jet skis all day long. I may have to head up there next month. How was the heat during the day?

We took a chance and by the luck of the week day we had the camp to ourselves except for one other family on the other side of Camp 9. The boys and wife had a ton of fun, very peaceful and quiet. We chose spot 107 as it had the largest water front, we played in the water all day long to stay cool. The afternoon breeze helped keep the heat down as well, at night we had our windows open. I bet on the weekend this place gets packed though.

 

[wyojoe]

Another spot to consider at Lake Isabella is the Auxiliary Dam. It is basically a dispersed camping area, so it does not have designated sites, but it is right on the water, and it's inexpensive to stay there. Like Camp 9, there is basically no shade, though, so keep that in mind. If you have an "America the Beautiful" pass ($80), it can be used there to waive the $10 daily fee. It's also good for admission to National Parks and other federal lands where there is a charge for admission, such as where an "Adventure Pass" is required. The Mt. Pinos and Piru Creek recreation areas in the Frazier Park area are two such places it can be used. It's not good for most USFS campgrounds, or for parking fees (such as at Mt. Rushmore), however.

Some other neat places in the area are along the river above the lake. There are quite a few small USFS campgrounds there that are right on the river. There are also some neat places in the Greenhorn Mountains west of Lake Isabella.

 

[Mauka2Makai]

Another spot to consider at Lake Isabella is the Auxiliary Dam. It is basically a dispersed camping area, so it does not have designated sites, but it is right on the water, and it's inexpensive to stay there. Like Camp 9, there is basically no shade, though, so keep that in mind. If you have an "America the Beautiful" pass ($80), it can be used there to waive the $10 daily fee. It's also good for admission to National Parks and other federal lands where there is a charge for admission, such as where an "Adventure Pass" is required. The Mt. Pinos and Piru Creek recreation areas in the Frazier Park area are two such places it can be used. It's not good for most USFS campgrounds, or for parking fees (such as at Mt. Rushmore), however.

Some other neat places in the area are along the river above the lake. There are quite a few small USFS campgrounds there that are right on the river. There are also some neat places in the Greenhorn Mountains west of Lake Isabella.

Will keep in mind. Thank you

 

[Ronct110]

A bit of a drive to from S. Cal, but worth it (East of Fresno) is Camp Edison; you can have lake front view/acess of Shaver Lake infront of your camp (need to plan/reserve way ahead of time to get lake front camp site).

Your wife will appreciate the clean/heat bathrooms w/shower & flushing toilets @ Camp Edison; also AC outlets @ ea camp. We go fishing, camping and hit 4x4 trails Bald Mountain not too far from camp.

Here's trip report: Camp Edision is mentioned during Thurs nite camping, and Bald Mtn trail rest; pics of the lake: http://nclrclub.org/forum/showthrea...ecreation-Rescue-Friday-Aug-1&p=4708#post4708

 

[Mauka2Makai]

A bit of a drive to from S. Cal, but worth it (East of Fresno) is Camp Edison; you can have lake front view/acess of Shaver Lake infront of your camp (need to plan/reserve way ahead of time to get lake front camp site).

Your wife will appreciate the clean/heat bathrooms w/shower & flushing toilets @ Camp Edison; also AC outlets @ ea camp. We go fishing, camping and hit 4x4 trails Bald Mountain not too far from camp.

Here's trip report: Camp Edision is mentioned during Thurs nite camping, and Bald Mtn trail rest; pics of the lake: http://nclrclub.org/forum/showthrea...ecreation-Rescue-Friday-Aug-1&p=4708#post4708

Great read and pics. Another trip added to our list. Thank you

 

[wyojoe]

A bit of a drive to from S. Cal, but worth it (East of Fresno) is Camp Edison; you can have lake front view/acess of Shaver Lake infront of your camp (need to plan/reserve way ahead of time to get lake front camp site).

In that same general area (Sierra National Forest/western Sierra), there are also campsites at Courtright, Wishon, Mammoth Pool, and Pine Flat Reservoirs, Edison, Florence, Huntington, and Bass Lakes, as well as Dinkey Creek and some sites along the Kings and San Joaquin Rivers. This area has some very popular destinations, such as Bass Lake and Dinkey Creek, which can become very crowded during peak season. Some of the other places don't get nearly as crowded. Check out the Sierra National Forest on-line, or pick up a Sierra National Forest map from the USFS, to find more information about the region.

We go fishing, camping and hit 4x4 trails Bald Mountain not too far from camp.

There are quite a few 4WD trails in the area, including the famous (and relatively difficult) Dusy-Ershim trail. Some of the others are the Swamp Lakes loop, Coyote Lake, and the previously mentioned Bald Mountain. I've done some, but not all, of these trails. Again, USFS maps and on-line resources are great for learning about the area, as well as learning about the various trails in the area.