nor-cal camping place suggestions

[alloffroad]

I just realized yesterday that next weekend in labor day weekend. I live in Roseville and I want to go camping, but want to avoid the crowds as much as possible. The trailer will not be going this trip. I don't care if it is developed or primitive. I do want to get up the mountain toward Donner or the Feather River to get out of the heat. I know the area very well and usually go up to northern plumas county, almost to susanville, but this is not planed very well. Any suggestion.

p.s. Wife, 2 kids and 2 dogs are going also.

[Kevin A]

I just realized yesterday that next weekend in labor day weekend. I live in Roseville and I want to go camping, but want to avoid the crowds as much as possible. The trailer will not be going this trip. I don't care if it is developed or primitive. I do want to get up the mountain toward Donner or the Feather River to get out of the heat. I know the area very well and usually go up to northern plumas county, almost to susanville, but this is not planed very well. Any suggestion.

p.s. Wife, 2 kids and 2 dogs are going also.

If you could wait for the following weekend, you could head for the gathering up at the Cave campground on Hat Creek.
http://tnttt.com/viewto ... 032#369032

[alloffroad]

I wanted to take advantage of the long weekend and I already have planes the following weekend.

[emiller]

Lassen State Park

[S. Heisley]

One person's preferences may not be another's but, I have driven through and investigated most of the campgrounds south of Burney Falls, in the Lassen area. When you read below, recognize that I don't usually camp on the weekends and things aren't as busy during the week. I'm assuming you are looking to get away and don't want a big campground. Here are my comments on the ones I thought I might like:

Primitive but Private, Big Pine Camp is a half mile in from Hwy 89. Some of the sites are right on Hat Creek and the dirt road to and from the camp parallels the creek and allows for trout fishing. There is an existing small home/farm nearby. There are 19 sites for tents or RVs up to 22 ft. long; drinking water is hand pumped and there are vault toilets. No reservations; 8 miles from the junction with Hwy 44.

The following three campgrounds are very near Hwy 89; so, if traffic driving by bothers you, forget them.

Primitive Honn campground is beautiful but close to the road. It is set near where Honn Creek enters Hat Creek. 6 tent sites; no drinking water; no reservations. On Hwy 89.

Primitive Cave Camp has a couple good sites and is right along Hat Creek. 46 sites for tents or RV's up to 22 ft. long. Has drinking water and flush toilets; no reservations. On Hwy 89, near Old Station.

Primitive Rocky Camp is along Hat Creek. Most the 8 tent sites look down on it. It is along Hwy 89. No drinking water but there are vault toilets; no reservations.

In addition, Hat Creek campground is really nice but big and probably very busy and you need reservations for it.

I used to camp at Potato Patch; but since they remodeled it, I don't care for it anymore. There used to be 20 tent/RV sites but the sites have been squeezed and my favorites were totally eliminated. On the plus side, they have added a hiking path to Deer Creek Falls and the camp sits just above Deer Creek. It is 11 miles south from the junction of 36/89 Hwys, on Hwy 32. I think this one is still no reservations but you might call the ranger station just to be certain.

I also like Battle Creek Camp One end butts up in and against beautiful trees and has big camp sites. The other end overlooks Battle Creek but the sites are slightly narrower. Trout fishing can be excellent there, if the creek has just been stocked. There are 12 tent-only sites and 38 sites for tents/RVs. Drinking water, flush toilets, no reservations. On Hwy 36, two miles below the little town of Mineral. This one has a camp host. I haven't been there this year but in past years, the hosts kept a tight rein on noise. It can be busy on weekends, though.

These may not be what you had in mind but tuck 'em away for future reference.

Regards,
Sharon

[DougH]

It's probably booked for the Holiday weekend but I really like Plumas Eureka state park. If you're into trains the nearby Portola railroad museum is a blast. They're both about an hour north of Truckee.

[alloffroad]

Thanks every one. These are all places I have never been before, and that is what it is all about.