Tag Archives: car camp

Camping, Hot Springs, Mountain Biking, Primitive Hot Springs, Trailheads

Remington Hot Springs

February 19, 2020 DanaMite

lower kern river
hike-in hot springs

Remington Kern River

Remington Kern River

This place was the alternate choice to Miracle Hot Springs, but since that one is now closed – this is the main attraction out here, along the lower stretch of the Kern River.

USFS Forest Hobo Campground is about a mile away and it may be closed due to landslide repairs. There is also plenty primitive style camping options if you so choose.

Remington is by far, one of the nicest primitive hot tubs in the whole region and easy to access. If you can find it, the rewards are great!! Can be crowded on weekends. If the dirt parking lot is totally full, come back later or wait it out. You can find travelers, mountain bikers, dirt bikers, hikers, backpackers, campers, off-roaders, RVers, burners, desert rats, military boys, local kids, LA couples, techno DJs from Russia – a wide variety of people soaking at this not-so-secret spot.

These unique hand-crafted stone tubs are located on the Lower Kern, overlooking the big river and the fish. 3 volunteer built cement & river rock hot spring pools sit adjacent to the Kern River. There is also another small cooler tub on the trail perched above the thick brush.

This prime recreation spot is located a few miles west of Hobo Campground (old Miracle Hot Springs) is sometimes busy: dirt parking lot, minimal sign & the tubs are not viewable from the road. From parking area you must hike down a steep grassy trail for about a mile.

Bring towels, beverages & everything you will need from the vehicle, as turning around to go back & get everything half way down will prove to be a challenging trail up. Boulders & oaks on steep hillsides. A few campsites down along main trail. Wildflowers here are wonderful in Spring (April-May). Please pick up litter & keep this place beautiful.

West of Kernville & Lake Isabella, CA
along Kern River in the Lower Kern Canyon Gorge, Southern Sierra Nevada mountains

Remington primitive hot springs are located inside the lower Kern Canyon, southwestern part of Sequoia National Forest. Take Highway 178 east to the 4 lane portion, look for Borel Road right turn which climbs a steep hill up to Old Kern Canyon Road. At this stop sign you will see a sign for Remington Trail (3.5 miles) pointing to the right.

Remington Trailhead (signed) & dirt parking lot across from trail, is located on Old Kern Canyon Rd, which runs parallel to the 4-laner Hwy. 178 on the opposite side of the Kern River. The well known Kern Canyon Road is also labeled as “Cort 214” on GoogleMaps.

Remington Ridge Trail #32E51 – Mountain bike, hike and horseback trail

Breckenridge Road #28S06, access via Havilah, CA. Breckenridge has pine forest at higher elevation, and is the tallest mountain to the south of Kern River.

lower Kern hikes

clothing optional is the norm

Ardell’s Tip: Remington is one of the few spots in California that you can fish a major river from inside a hot tub.

Best Naked Fishing — click on the photo for more

lodging in nearby towns

camp

Minimal camping spots with very little privacy at the main dirt parking lot at Remington Hot Springs. The best tent camping is located down on the trails, so you may choose to hike-in to the secluded oaks to the sandy beach camps below. No facilities at Remington, no tables, no toilets, no electricity, so come very prepared to “rough it”.

USFS Sandy Flat Campground and Hobo Campground are a few miles away (to the east), on the same Kern Cyn Road; Breckenridge Campground is on a tall pine forested ridge just to the south, but requires a long drive around the mountain, or a super rugged 4WD vehicle for a steep dirt road.

Folks seeking more seclusion can choose to primitive camp along the narrow paved road leading to the west. Motorhome campers like the option of road side boondocking with great views; several level pullouts can accommodate most any camper. 4×4 camping is closer to Lake Isabella @ Keyesville or BLM River Camping. Primitive camp spots on numerous dirt roads are located in this Lower Kern River area, but you will need to check with Sequoia National Forest ranger for gate closures, fire permit & fire current restrictions.

View Remington Hot Springs in a larger map

Campgrounds, Creeks

McGee Creek Campground

September 4, 2019 DanaMite

NFSlogo

McGee Creek Campground NFS

near Crowley Lake, CA
Inyo National Forest Campground, Eastern Sierra Nevada camp

• Elevation: 7600′
• Number of Sites: 28
• Vehicle Accessibility: RV 22′
• Camp Fee: Yes
• Campsites Reservation: Yes
• Length of Stay: 14 Days
• Season: May – September
• Trailheads: McGee Creek, John Muir Wilderness

Mc GEE CREEK CAMP is located –
8 miles north of Mammoth Lakes exit
4 miles from Lake Crowley
2 miles from McGee Creek Canyon trailhead

Aspen trees line McGee Creek that flows down from the Eastern Sierra peaks. Autumn is short and sweet, when the fall colors come and go – usually within a week or two. First snow fall of the season is generally in October and the camp closes for the winter season.

Located about a mile away from Highway US 395 in the wide open high desert. Sage meadows w/ minimal trees at camp. USFS has built shade structures for each camp site, so your time here is not spent in direct sunlight. Summer can get hot and it can also be quite windy at this location.

backpacking
camping
fishing
hiking
mountain biking

more McGee?

Closer to US 395 highway, there is a McGee Creek Lodge & Restaurant, right along the frontage road (Crowley Lake Drive).

And also, a more commercial camp called McGee Creek RV Park & Campground at the junction of McGee Creek Road.

Back Roads, Campgrounds, Campsites, Campspots, Creeks

23S16 – Sequoia NF

July 9, 2019 DanaMite

Sugarloaf Ridge, Greenhorn Mts
Alta Sierra, Kern River Canyon

sugarloafrd — Sugarloaf Road, above Kern River Canyon

SOUTH SIERRA: This route is located in between the Western Divide Highway and the cedar community of Alta Sierra, CA

Sequoia Camping

Sugarloaf Ridge: Forest Rd# 23S16 – Thompson Camp Spring, The Den @ Sequoia National Forest

Driving north on Sierra Hwy N of Kernville, California; Passing Fairview & the Johnsondale bridge; After the R Ranch @ Johnsondale, take the left fork on the main highway; After you climb in elevation, look for brown signs on right side of road & turn left on Forest Service Rd# 23S16. Primitive camp sites are located throughout this area along Packsaddle Creek. Do not turn left up Sugarloaf Rd. There are no good camp sites up that way (unless you wanna make one).

RV campers are very common at Thompson Camp Spring, as this road is paved up to this point. The paved road is windy & narrows after this point. It is not advised for trailers or long motorhomes past Thompson.

For the more adventurous, Bear Meadow & Packsaddle Mdw are located up the dirt road a bit on #23S64.

Paved Sequoia route# 23S16 continues to climb, which leads to the Speas Meadow, the Greenhorn Mountains & you best have a real good map if you are heading up this way. 20 miles of awesome open meadows, small streams, dense forest, wildflowers, some primitive camp sites & great viewpoints overlooking the Kern Canyon. All passenger car accessible! Elevations between 6000-7000′. Sugarloaf Peak has cross country skiing.

Side route #23S05 will take you to White River Campground w/ 12 spots. The paved road winds west down the mountain to Posey & eventually Glennville on Hwy 155.

Instead, to easily reach Hwy 155 – you’ll need to get on dirt for a few miles. While on 23S16, look for the Panorama Campground (@ 7400′ elevation w/ 10 sites). Take dirt road #24S15 to get back to civilization @ Alta Sierra, California.

NFSlogo

Sequoia National Forest

Sequoia National Forest MAP

Sequoia Forest Topo Atlas

nearby small towns are:

Vbeardrive

kernwildflowers — Kern River Wildflowers (April) w/ Sugarloaf Mountains

Campgrounds, Lakes & Reservoirs

Lake Tahoe Campground

December 7, 2018 DanaMite

Indian Valley Campground, Tahoe National Forest

Lake Tahoe Campgrounds

Cabins

Tahoe Forest Campgrounds

Lake Tahoe California

Listed below are developed camp grounds and RV camps around Lake Tahoe, run by various agencies. Most require reservations and are only open half the year (or less).

Lake Tahoe campgrounds: blue links lead to camp info.

campground	elev	spots	veg	toilet	water	notes
Bayview Campground	6000′	10	pines	vault	–	Emerald Bay
Camp Richardson Tahoe	6500′	330	pines	flush	piped	South Lake Tahoe
Campground by the Lake	6000′	157	pines	flush	piped	South Lake Tahoe
D.L. Bliss State Park	6000′	168	pines	flush	piped	Westshore, Lake Tahoe
Eagle Point Tahoe	6100′	100	pines	flush	piped	California State Park
Emerald Bay State Park	6000′	16	pines	flush	piped	South Lake Tahoe CA
Fallen Leaf Lake Campground	6737′	205	pines	flush	piped	South Lake Tahoe CA
General Creek Campground	6000′	175	pines	flush	piped	Westshore, Lake Tahoe
Kaspian Campground	5800′	20	pines	flush	piped	Westshore, Homewood CA
Lake Forest Campground	6300′	21	pines	flush	piped	Northshore, Tahoe Vista CA
Meeks Bay Campground	6000′	17	pines	flush	piped	Westshore, Tahoma CA
Mount Rose Campground	8500′	24	pines	flush	piped	in Nevada @ Tahoe
Nevada Beach Campground	6200′	54	pines	flush	piped	Nevada Lake Tahoe
Pope Beach Campground	6000′	49	pines	flush	piped	South Lake Tahoe CA
Sandy Beach Campground	6300′	44	pines	flush	piped	Northshore, Tahoe Vista
Sugar Pine Point SP	6200′	30	pines	flush	piped	Westshore, Tahoma CA
Tahoe Pines Campground	6000′	49	pines	flush	piped	Meyers California
Tahoe Valley RV Campground	6000′	413	pines	flush	piped	South Lake Tahoe CA
Tahoe Campground SRA	6200′	16	pines	flush	piped	West shore, Tahoe City
William Kent Park	6300′	95	pines	flush	piped	Westshore, Tahoe City
Zephyr Cove Campground	6200′	170	pines	flush	piped	boat rentals Tahoe NV

ranger All Tahoe Campgrounds will charge a fee for day use or overnight stays; Many require advanced reservations. Nightly rates vary per park, but tend to be expensive in this region. Most campgrounds are closed during the winter due to the big snow. Check with the ranger districts listed here.

primitive camp spots — Sawmill Lake 4×4 Camp

Tahoe National Forest encompasses a large region of the Sierra Nevada mountains surrounding the north portion of Lake Tahoe. areas included – Donner Pass, American River, Yuba River, Northern Gold Country; Lakes Basin Recreation Area; Small lakes and reservoirs with excellent fishing, all surrounded by lush forests.

15milesto20

Campgrounds with mid (5000′) to high-elevation (8000′) locations close annually for winter snow. Many are open for a few short summer months.

Listed below are Tahoe Campgrounds located away from the Lake Tahoe Basin; Inside Tahoe National Forest Smaller camps are on a first come, first serve basis. blue links lead to camp info.

campground	elev.	spots	veg	toilet	water	notes
Ahart Campground	5300′	12	pines	vault	–	American River
Alpine Meadows	5900′	25	pines	vault	–	Martis Creek
Bear Valley Campground	6600	10	pines	vault	piped	OHV trails, Sierraville
Berger Campground	5900	7	pines	vault	lake	Packer Lake, Lakes Basin
Big Reservoir Campground	4000	18	pines	vault	piped	non motor lake, Foresthill
Boca Campground	5605′	26	pines	vault	–	boat launch
Boca Rest Campground	5605′	25	pines	vault	piped	on Boca Reservoir
Boca Spring Campground	5800′	17	pines	vault	piped	horses
Bowman Lake	5585	7	pines	vault	lake	Donner area
Boyington Mill Campground	5680′	12	pines	vault	–	Boca Reservoir
Cal-Ida Campground	2000′	21	pines	vault	piped	Yuba River, Downieville
Canyon Creek Campground	6000′	20	pines	vault	creek	Donner area
Carlton Flat Campground	2200′	21	pines	vault	piped	Yuba River, Downieville
Carr Lake Campground	5900′	5	pines	vault	lake	Carr Feeley Lake
Chapman Creek Campground	6000′	29	pines	vault	piped	Yuba River
Chute Hill Campground	3400′	30	pines	flush	piped	Malakoff Diggins SP
Cold Creek Campground	5800′	13	pines	vault	piped	Sierraville
Cottonwood Campground	5600′	24	pines	vault	piped	Sierraville
Dark Day Campground	2200′	16	oaks	vault	piped	Bullards Bar Reservoir
Diablo Campground	5800′	20	pines	vault	–	Yuba River
Donner State Park Campground	5850′	154	pines	flush	–	Donner Lake
East Meadow Campground	6100′	46	pines	flush	piped	Jackson Meadows Reservoir
Fiddle Creek Campground	2200′	15	oaks	vault	piped	Yuba River, Downieville
Findley Campground	6100′	14	pines	flush	piped	Jackson Mdws Res
Fir Top Campground	6100′	12	pines	vault	flush	Jackson Mdws Res
French Meadows Campground	5300′	75	pines	vault	flush	French Meadows Reservoir
Garden Point Campground	2000′	19	variety	vault	–	fishing boats
Giant Gap Campground	3700′	30	pines	vault	–	fishing boats
Goose Meadow Campground	5800′	24	pines	vault	piped	fish Donner
Grouse Ridge Campground	7400′	9	pines	vault	–	Hwy 20
Hampshire Rocks Campground	5800′	31	pines	vault	piped	fishing camp
Independence Lake	6900′	20	pines	vault	piped	fishing
Indian Springs Campground	5600′	35	pines	vault	piped	fishing, Yuba River OHV
Indian Valley Campground	2200′	17	pines	vault	piped	Yuba River, Downieville
Jackson Creek Campground	5600′	14	pines	vault	creek
Jackson Point Campground	6100′	8	–	vault	boat access	Jackson Mdws Res
Lakeside Campground	5700′	41	–	vault	boat ramp	Prosser Reservoir
Lake Spaulding Campground	5000′	24	–	vault	boat ramp	PG&E Campground
Laiser Meadow Horse Camping	6200′	11	–	vault	piped	High Sierra PCT access
Lewis Campground	5300′	40	pines	flush	piped	French Meadows Reservoir
Lindsey Lake Campground	5900′	7	–	vault	lake
Lodgepole Camping	5800′	18	–	vault	–	Lake Valley Reservoir
Loganville Campground	6000′	29	–	vault	piped	Yuba River, Sierra City
Logger Campground	6000′	252	pines	flush	piped	Stampede Reservoir
Long Ravine Campground	2300′	28	pines	flush	piped	Rollins Reservoir
Lower Little Truckee	6000′	15	–	vault	piped	Truckee River fishing
Madrone Cove Campground	2000′	11	–	none	–	Bullards Bar Reservoir
Meadow Lake Campground	7200′	15	–	vault	–	Sierra fishing camp
Meadow Lake Shoreline	7200′	10	–	vault	–	High Sierra Nevada
Mumford Bar Campground	5300′	5	–	vault	–	Foresthill Road
North Fork Campground	4400′	17	–	vault	piped	American River
Onion Valley Campground	2300′	5	oaks	vault	–	Sierra fishing camp
Orchard Springs Campground	2300′	15	oaks	flush	piped	Rollins Reservoir, Colfax
Pack Saddle Campground	6000′	15	pines	vault	pump	Packer Lake Lakes Basin
Parker Flat OHV Camping	3900′	7	pines	vault	–	off roading trails
Pass Creek Campground	6100′	30	pines	flush	piped	Jackson Mdws Res
Peninsula Campground	2300′	58	pines	flush	piped	Rollins Reservoir
Pine Aire Campground	2700′	75	pines	flush	piped	South Yuba River Camp
Poppy Campground	5300′	12	pines	vault	–	French Meadows Reservoir
Prosser Campground	5800′	29	pines	vault	–	Prosser Res.
Ramshorn Campground	2600′	16	pines	vault	piped	Yuba River, Downieville
River Rest Campground	2700′	105	pines	flush	piped	South Yuba River Camp
Robinson Flat Campground	6800′	5	pines	vault	well
Rocky Rest Campground	2300′	pines	–	vault	–	Yuba River, Downieville
Rucker Campground	5800′	10	pines	vault	–	Rucker Lake fishing
Sagenhen Campground	6480′	10	pines	vault	–
Salmon Creek Campground	5800′	32	pines	vault	–	fishing Lakes Basin
Sardine Campground	5800′	29	pines	vault	–	Sardine Lake Lakes Basin
Schoolhouse Campground	2200′	56	oaks	flush	piped	Bullards Bar Reservoir
Scott’s Flat Campground	3200′	86	oaks	flush	piped	Scotts Flat Reservoir
Shirttail Creek Campground	3700′	30	pines	vault	–	Sugar Pine Reservoir
Sierra Campground	5600′	16	pines	vault	–	Yuba River, Sierra City
Silver Creek Campground	5800′	27	pines	vault	–	Truckee River fishing
Snag Lake Campground	6000′	12	pines	vault	–	Gold Lake Lakes Basin
South Yuba Campground	2700′	16	pines	vault	–	South Yuba River Camp
Sterling Lake Campground	6500′	6	pines	vault	lake
Talbot Campground	5600′	5	pines	vault	–	American River
Union Flat Campground	3400′	11	pines	vault	piped	Yuba River, Downieville
Upper Little Truckee Camp	6100′	26	pines	vault	–	Truckee River fishing
Webber Lake Campground	6800′	60	pines	vault	lake	Sierra fishing
White Cloud Campground	4200′	46	pines	flush	piped	biking, Nevada City
White Rock Lake Camp	7800′	8	pines	none	–	High Sierra Nevada
Wild Plum Campground	4400′	47	pines	vault	piped	waterfalls, Sierra City
Woodcamp Campground	6100′	20	pines	flush	piped
Woodchuck Campground	6300′	8	pines	vault	creek
Yuba Pass Campground	6700′	12	pines	vault	piped	Yuba Pass, Hwy 49

North Yuba River @ Union Flat Campground

Tahoe National Forest

Tahoe Topo Maps

Campgrounds

San Diego Camping

October 6, 2018 DanaMite

Cleveland National Forest Camping – San Diego Campgrounds – Desert Camping Anza Borrego – SD County Campgrounds – BLM Campgrounds – San Diego Beach Camping – San Diego Mountains

campground	elev	spots	veg	toilet	water	notes
Bobcat Meadow	3800′	16	oaks	vault	no	no RVs
Burnt Rancheria	5000′	100+	pines	vault	piped	Sunrise Hwy
Cibbets Flats	4200′	23	oaks	vault	piped	Interstate 8
Corral Canyon	3500′	20	oaks	vault	piped	OHV near I-8
Dripping Springs	1800′	26	oaks	vault	piped	Hwy 79, E Temecula
El Cariso North	2600′	24	oaks	vault	piped	small RV
Fry Creek Campground	4900′	20	oaks	vault	piped	Palomar Mountain
Indian Flats Campground	3600′	17	oaks	vault	piped	off Hwy 79
Laguna Mountain	5500′	75	pines	vault	piped	Sunrise Hwy
Palomar SP Campground	7000′	13	pines	vault	piped	Palomar Mountain

Anza Camping

Anza Borrego Desert Camping & Campgrounds

San Diego County Campgrounds

Sweetwater Reservoir, Otay Lakes, Agua Caliente, Vallecito
Camping Reservations 877-565-3600 or 858-565-3600

San Diego BLM Camping

Lark Canyon, Cottonwood @ McCain Valley near Interstate 8
El Centro Desert OHV, Hot Springs, Colorado River

Coastal Cliffs San Diego

San Diego Beach Camping

Coastal Towns with Camping near San Diego –

Chula Vista
Coronado
San Diego
Mission Beach & Bay
Del Mar
Cardiff
Carlsbad
Oceanside

Indian Flats Campground

Indian Flats Campground is located on a dirt road off Hwy 79, near Warner Springs CA. Boulder ridges & manzanita surround this oak filled secluded canyon. Small seasonal creek & waterfall is a short walk from campsite.

Free Camping — Anza Borrego Desert by far has the best free camping options available near San Diego.

Maps Mountains / Desert Topo / San Diego Area Maps

CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST MAP
CLEVELAND TOPO ATLAS
AGUA TIBIA Wilderness Map
ANZA BORREGO DESERT MAP
SAN DIEGO BACKCOUNTRY MAP (Tom Harrison)
PCT Trail Map – Southern California
PINE CREEK /HAUSER Wilderness Map

Camping, Campsites, Native American, Off Road, Sand Dunes, Trailheads

Bureau of Land Management

April 12, 2017 DanaMite

California BLM

desert figure blythe — Giant figures INTAGLIOS, on desert floor, near Blythe, CA

Camping while traveling. The east-west corridors across the California deserts are well traveled routes. If you plan to camp, get to know areas managed by the California Bureau of Land Management.

All BLM Offices in California

4×4
Back Roads
Car Camping
Canyons
Deserts
Dirt Bike Trails
Dunes
Hiking
Historic Sites
Hot Springs
Intagios
Mountain Bike
Off Road
Palm Canyons
Petroglyhs
River Camps
RV Camping
Slot Canyons
Tent Camping
Wildflowers

BLM lands in California are often known as the ‘free camping’ option. No charge camp sites, convenient, in-route locations, many areas along major highways or interstates. Campfire permits are always required for any open fires, BBQs and campfires.

BLM Field Offices in California located in neighboring towns can provide maps, information and campfire permits.

DESERT WILDFLOWERS can be found annually, February – April in most of these areas. Springtime blooms draw the crowds, but few visitors actually camp out overnight.

When searching out premium camp sites – drive slower than 50 mph & look for the brown recreation signs. Since people like to drive fast in the desert, make sure to put your hazard lights or blinkers on, so traffic knows you are slow poking. Typically dirt roads are only marked with small, thin reflectors, maybe numbers or letters, if you’re lucky.

Traffic noise will be minimal if you camp away from the main drag at least ONE mile or more. Motorhomes may not have the luxury to travel that distance; they often prefer to stay in large, level, flat pull outs, right near the pavement.

If daring to venture more than 2 miles from the pavement, be prepared for rough conditions. 4WD drive may be needed in certain spots, or in the wettest of weather. Wind is always a factor in desert regions, so keep that in mind. Deep sandy washes, tow strap anyone? No facilities, no services, no toilet. Spotty cell phone coverage. Basically – the boonies!

BOONDOCKING
is the latest phrase for “open, free camping”

SEEKING QUIET CANYONS? stay away from the off-roaders. They usually congregate in dunes and specified OHV areas. Trails and dirt roads are for multi-purpose use, so a variety of recreation can be had. Many people use these public lands, so leave them clean and better than you found it. Boulder coves, palm gardens, primitive hot springs. There are plenty of hidden camp spots within the vast desert region of SoCal.

Several BLM lands are near Wilderness Areas. Camping is allowed close by, mountain biking & hiking are usually abundant. Off roading prohibited within Wilderness boundaries.

URLs within the official BLM site keep changing, which is why we are rebuilding our BLM pages. So you can find what you need, easily.

ca.blm.gov
blm.gov/ca
www.blm.gov/ca
https://www.blm.gov/california

Back Roads, Backpacking, Campgrounds, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Lakes & Reservoirs, Picnic Areas, Rock Climbing, Snow, Trailheads, Wilderness

Silver Lake @ Bucks

December 18, 2016 DanaMite

Silver Lake @ Bucks Lake Wilderness

(Plumas Co)

Plumas Road #24N29, off Bucks Lake Road
East of Bucks Lake, California.
a six mile, one lane, dirt road is the only vehicle access into this high elevation, dammed reservoir, tucked back against the wilderness. Secluded lake campsites await, you’ll just need to get a little dusty first. The turn off, at a small brown sign reading “Silver Lake”, one which is very easy to miss – due to the amount of homes, cabins, fencing and driveways in the vicinity.

bucks trailhead

Bucks Lake Wilderness
Plumas National Forest

All Bucks Lake Campgrounds

No swimming allowed at this Silver Lake, as it serves as a drinking water source for the neighborhoods below. Canoe & kayaking are allowed. Fishing is also popular at this location. Hiking trailheads at Silver Lake lead to the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail), Mount Pleasant, Spanish Peak and a small gem of a swimming hole, we call mini Gold Lake.

FREE Campground @ Silver Lake, near Quincy, CA

This small campground is actually set downhill from the rock earthen dam, which is something to ponder before/during a big earthquake. With sites 1-5 in a shady forest area and the others a bit closer to the lake, no campsite is too close to another. These are all well-spaced-out sites, providing decent privacy and minimal noise from neighboring campers. No campsites are located at the lake edge, as the rocky dam is a long structure and quite complex with water control measures.

All the campsites have new bear boxes for food storage, cuz ‘wilderness’ usually means black bears are roaming about. Deer tend to frequent campsites 1 & 2.

silver camp 5

Silver Lake Campground NFS

• Elevation: 5800′
• Number of Sites: 9
• Vehicle Accessibility: RV 22′
• Campsite Reservations: No
• Camp Fee: No
• Toilet: Vault
• Water: No piped/potable
• Length of Stay: 14 Days
• Season: May – October
• Trailheads: PCT, Gold Lake, Rock Lake, Granite Gap, Bucks Lake Wilderness

silverbackdrop

As with most of the high elevation lakes in California, winter months can mean deep snow and dirt road closures. This campground is usually open through the end of October, but call head to the local rangers if in doubt.

Plumas National Forest
Mt. Hough Ranger District
39696 State Highway 70
Quincy, CA 95971
530-283-0555

See all Silver Lakes in California

California Coast, California Deserts, California Rivers, Camping, Hot Springs, Lakes & Reservoirs, November, Off Road, Picnic Areas

Camping for Thanksgiving

November 18, 2016 DanaMite

California Camping on Thanksgiving

If you’ve had it with the traditions, the big meal prep, or just sick of the family. Maybe you are a solo traveler, or a new transplant to California and need to explore more. Take a holiday away – for once this time.

Camping for turkey day? What a concept.

VWBus Death Valley
California is the perfect place for camping, all year long!

Stick to the lower elevations, look for canyons, and seek seclusion

California mountains often have snow during November. Avoid camping in snow @ 4000-5000′ elevation and above; Freezing temps above 3000-4000′ elevation.

Deserts, coastal regions and foothills are top choices for late Autumn car camping. Always check the weather ahead of departure, and have a plan B as an alternative. NorCal will be much wetter than the rest of the state.

MEALS: Prepare dinner meals ahead of trip departure. Bake turkey days before your trip and create meals based around that. Make mash potatoes at home and don’t forget to bring the butter. Pack pre-baked turkey for sandwiches, plus other quick snacks & meals for on-the-go travel.

seafood — Non Traditional: Seafood Feast

Desert Camping is premium at this time of year. Luckily the eastern half of Southern Cal is desert. The lower the elevation, the better the temps will be overnight. Be prepared for wind when the ‘storm fronts’ approach, the winds do get a cranking! Dirt roads can become flowing washes during a good rainstorm, so know the weather forecast.

Coastal campgrounds may need advanced reservations. Be prepared for wet weather, especially up north. The redwoods groves are gorgeous anytime of year.

Gold County Reservoirs are prime areas for relaxing in nature, while everyone else is out shopping. Oak hills, rivers and canyons. RV campers love these large lakes; boating, fishing, mountain biking trails, kayak rentals, hiking near historic Gold Rush towns.

River Canyons of California are always beautiful destinations in the autumn months. Many campgrounds can be found at lower elevation, river access areas. California’s abundant Hot Springs are also top picks for holiday weekends.

Joshua Tree Campout

Joshua Tree National Park may be busy during this weekend. Instead try nearby Mecca: Box Canyon and Mecca Hills Wilderness, BLM desert lands near Interstate 10.

Anza Borrego Desert State Park is always a nice, easy and relatively close get-away for any holiday. Open camping on the backroads (for free) makes it one of the most attractive camping options in all of SoCal. Many dirt roads are accessible for passenger cars, if extreme caution is used. Don’t plan on driving more than a few miles on dirt.

Masses of off roaders love to camp out, especially on Thanksgiving weekend. Wheel all day, eat, drink, bon fires every night and rumor has it ‘they roast their big bird outdoors – deep in a dirt pit’. Really? El Centro, Glamis, Imperial Dunes, Ocotillo Wells, Truckhaven Hills, Johnson Valley. All popular off roading areas in Southern California, so consider yourself warned.

Imperial Dunes

Mojave Desert, near US Hwy 395
Jawbone Canyon expect to see RVs, toy-boxes and families outside enjoying the weekend. OHV style. Often the group tries to create a round corral with their huge convoy of vehicles, to keep thru traffic to a minimum around “their camp”. Just stay well away from those gear-heads. In general, it is a very busy area around Mojave up to Hwy 178 during the holidays. Try high desert Horse Canyon instead.

Tent Camping

ghost towns
meteor showers
hot springs

Death Valley National Park is one of the best destinations for Thanksgiving, cuz Panamint Springs serves their free turkey dinner.

Did someone say FREE?

4x4 Camps OHV, 4x4 Routes, Back Roads, Backpacking, California Deserts, Camping, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Off Road, Off-Road Trail, Picnic Areas, Trailheads, Viewpoints, Washes

Horse Canyon

November 18, 2016 DanaMite

Horse Canyon Mojave

Horse Canyon California

Southern Sierra / Mojave Road SC 65

Mojave Desert meets the Sierra Nevada Mountains
North Highway 14

North of Mojave, CA
North of Red Rock State Park
North of Jawbone Canyon

South of south of US Hwy 395, south of jct Hwy 178

elevation: 3000′-7000′

Horse Canyon is a dirt road up a high desert canyon, with joshua trees and wash outs. 7000′ elevation pinyon pine ridges above w/ PCT.

Most would say the see a whole-lotta-nothingness out here in these deserts…. when they zoom by at 70 mph on the blacktop highway.

at Total Escape, we beg to differ.

Solo Driver SUV

Intersection on Hwy 14 @ SC 65, dirt route will travel west into the mountains. Initial desert road follows Little Dixie Wash, but veers north up to Horse Canyon and the higher forested ridges.

Horse Cyn is a scenic, desert, dirt road that becomes a rugged 4×4 trail the higher it climbs in the canyon. The route traverses a ridge line and dead ends at the old cabin; No through route, no loop. The PCT continues on to the Walker Pass @ the 178.

The lower Horse Canyon is area quite accessible by standard truck or SUV. High clearance is recommended out on these kinda roads. Vegetation is quite sparse at first, but improves with the miles traveled. Wildflowers can be awesome, usually April-June. Picnic spots everywhere; primitive camping sites can be found out here, off the main dirt road. Please reuse existing camp sites when possible.

Passenger cars may attempt this, but should watch for unexpected deep dips and rocks, washed out in the road. (No tow service in the middle of nowhere). Road conditions do change with the seasons out in the boonies. Cell phone reception could be spotty back in the deepest of canyons.

PCT
PCT trail access: Pacific Crest Trail follows this ridge road for miles. They call this range the SCODIE Mountains; Old cabin at the end of the road.

cabin mcivers

Sage Canyon and Cow Heaven Canyon are both to the north, along with Freeman Canyon (CA SR 178). Bird Spring and Dove Spring Canyons are both to the south, along with the most popular regions of Red Rock State Park and the Jawbone OHV area.

nearby towns:

INYOKERN, CA
LAKE ISABELLA, CA
MOJAVE, CA
RANDSBURG, CA
RIDGECREST, CA

4x4 Camps OHV, 4x4 Routes, April, Back Roads, California Deserts, Campsites, Campspots, March, Motocross, Off Road, Off-Road Trail, Washes, Wilderness

Turtle Mountain Road

May 2, 2016 DanaMite

Turtle Mountain Road
BLM Road # NS477

off U.S. Highway 95
in between Needles & Blythe, California

BLM: Bureau of Land Management – Desert Camping

Several miles south of the town of Needles numerous desert washes cross the highway with dirt roads leading off into both directions. Turtle Mountain is just one dirt road to explore in this region, but there are many more unmarked, secluded roads. This region is perfect for “campers in-route” traveling who need a quick overnight camp spot (off the freeway).

Turtle Mountain Road is a one lane dirt road that runs next to a wash, in between Turtle Mountain Wilderness and Stepladder Mountain Wilderness. Leading approx 12 miles from US Highway 95 to the northern edge of the desert wilderness. The Turtle Mountain route continues westward to meet Water Road with Old Woman Mountain Wilderness nearby. Sunflower Springs Road continues north to Essex @ Interstate 40

BLM signage along US Hwy 95 is minimal. Look for vertical brown markers w/ reflectors, numbers or names. Driving slower than typical traffic, coast at 50 mph and keep your eyes peeled to the west side. Turtle Mountain Rd is marked at the pavement, but the marker is very small.

Eastern California Desert Wildflowers

Exploring the eastern side of Southern California, one can find the Colorado River and Arizona border region an excellent destination for winter camping. Springtime offers wildflower blooms, open camping and decent weather with sunny 70 degree days. Wildflowers and BLM beauty awaits those who venture off the paved routes.

Pink Cactus Bloom

Palo Verde trees line the washes and much vegetation can be seen throughout this remote region. Cacti include the cholla, ocotillo, barrel, beavertail, just to name a few. Wildflower blooms here are just as good as Anza Borrego Desert SP.

MARCH & APRIL are both prime months for the desert bloom

Drive more than a mile from the highway if you plan to camp in peace and quiet, as the overnight truck traffic goes all hours.

RV accessible camp spots are few and far in between. They can be found in large, level pullouts close to the main road, but you will be hearing traffic zoom by. Some dirt roads are in better shape than others; Seasonal storms in the low desert can wash out even paved roads. 4×4 may be needed in some areas.

Open camping in this desert is free and there is plenty of room to spread out. Imagine not seeing anyone pass by your camp or drive down your road for days. Camping in a sandy wash may seem appealing, but you best know the weather forecast and if rain is at all predicted nearby, be prepared to break camp (in the middle of the night) before a flash flood hits.

The Needles BLM Rangers Office is located on US Hwy 95, on the south edge of town and they can provide maps and more information.

Needles BLM Office
1303 S. US Hwy 95
Needles, CA 92363
760-326-7000

Lake Havasu BLM Office
2610 Sweetwater Avenue
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406
928-505-1200

Campspots

Big Sur Camping

April 22, 2016 DanaMite

ocean of fog

Camping in Big Sur – Los Padres National Forest / Primitive Camps

If you want to escape the expensive redwood campgrounds on the coast, then you’ll need to head for the hills . But what? You are not up for that back packing trip in Ventana Wilderness & long trek over to Sikes Hot Springs. Well, in between back packing & car camping is a new concept – “back roads” camping. Often you will do without a campfire, a table & a toilet, but heavenly skies will grace you, well above the fog.
These are unmarked camp sites & there are no facilities. You’ll hafta search for yours. Nearly half of these prime camp sites have great ocean views.

Check the local ranger station for up to date fire restrictions & to obtain your free campfire permit.

camp area	elev	spots	veg	toilet	water	.
Los Burros Rd	2000′	8	oaks	no	no	Rd# 23S01
Plaskett Ridge Rd	2000′	3	oaks	no	no	Rd# 23S02
Prewitt Ridge #23S05	3200′	12	oaks	no	no	via Naciemiento Ferguson Rd

maps of the area –

Check out the Big Sur Back Roads for self guided routes thru redwood forest.

redwood drives

Hiking

Hiking Sequoia National Forest

March 19, 2016 DanaMite

Kern River Trails & Kernville Hiking

Sequoia National Forest Trails

Hundreds of trails meandering throughout this forest. Granite domes to huge Sequoia trees. Most secluded areas are found in the Eastern Section in the Dome Land Wilderness.

Dome Land Wilderness

Golden Trout Wilderness

South Sierra Wilderness

Sequoia Hiking Maps, Wilderness Maps, OHV Maps

Sequoia National Forest Hiking

Bald Mountain Fire Lookout (2 mi RT)- Sherman Pass Rd #22S05 – views of Southern Sierra & Domeland.
Big Meadow Sequoia @ Sherman Pass
Cannell Meadow Hike – N Kernville; Cannell Creek in early Spring
Long Valley Campground & River Hike – Kern Plateau
Lamont Pinnacles, near Chimney Creek Campground
Forks of the Kern – Kern River Gorge of granite; all day exploring & hiking
Remington Hot Springs (2 mi RT) – tubs on the river edge; trailheads; fish, bike, off Old Kern Canyon Rd
Salmon Creek Falls – N Kernville; on Kern Sierra Hwy
Trail of 100 Giants (1 mi RT) – Southernmost Sequoia Grove; Western Divide Hwy; family hike
The Needles Lookout (4 mi RT) – Western Divide Hwy; easy half day hike. see rock climbing

the lush Lower Kern River on a misty Spring day

Upper Kern Hiking

Lower Kern River Hikes

Sequoia National Forest & the Lower Sierra Nevada Mountains extend from the Tehachapi ranges to the Kings River Canyon; from the Great Central Valley to the Mojave desert.

Sequoia National Forest MAP

Dome Land Wilderness MAP

Golden Trout Wilderness MAPS

Kern River Valley communities include:

Sequoia Mountain communities include:

Lower Kern Camp

April, Back Roads, California Deserts, Campsites, Campspots, February, Hiking, March, May, Sightseeing, Trailheads, Washes, Wildflowers

Anza Borrego Desert Wildflowers

March 1, 2016 DanaMite

Borrego Blooms

Barrel Cactus Anza

By far one of the best viewing areas for native California desert flora in the whole state. Autumn rain amounts determine the next year’s Spring bloom. If it rained real good all over SoCal before New Years Eve, chances are better for a favorable showing of color.

Low elevations, washes, badlands, dry lake beds bloom first in February, followed by March for mid altitude canyons and mountains. Highest desert peaks may not bloom until May.

Some of Total Escape favorite spots include:

Blair Valley
Coyote Canyon Rd
Culp Valley
Di Giorgio Road
Grapevine Canyon Road
Nolino Wash
Old Kane Springs Road
Plum Canyon

S-2 Great Stagecoach Route of 1849

Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Anza Ranger 760-767-5311

April is usually the best month for the wildflowers; it is also the prime time for Spring Break camping. Open car camping for free – all over this huge California State Park. The tourists typically head over to the town of Borrego Springs, to Borrego Palm Canyon and the visitors center; but the REAL wildflowers are along remote stretches of highway, and on the DIRT BACK ROADS. Many roads are passenger car accessible, for at least the first mile, so don’t think you must have a 4×4 vehicle for just simple exploring.

Coyote Ocotillo Garden

lower kern river hike-in hot springs