Tag Archives: wildflowers

Camping Picnic

Picnicking & Camping

This picnic page is dedicated to various ways to eat outdoors around a camping or road trip. Whether it be a backpacking adventure, a car camping excursion or a quick stop “en route” while on a longer road trip, these tips may help you plan to eat better while enjoying the outdoors.

Ice (or refrigeration) – during winter this is less of an issue. Don’t let your food spoil with warm temperatures. Ice Chest or Cooler Backpacks are key to keeping your food fresh. Block ice will last longer than cubes, so make some at home ahead of time.

picnicsonora

Paper Plates – easier than washing dishes outdoors

The Tools – kitchen knife, utensils and a perhaps corkscrew. Storing utensils inside the ice chest is acceptable. Ziplock bags, paper bags, paper towels and a beach towel are all handy items to carry.

Thermos – thermal insulated bottle for storing hot beverages like coffee, hot cocoa or even homemade soup.

Screen Room – when bugs and mosquitoes are expected, plus you plan on staying in this location all day, then bringing a screened tent might be a good idea.

The Food Bag – This is one, strong grocery bag with all the food items inside for easy transport and access “on the road”.

If you are parking in Bear Country (where bears live) then you may be required to store your food items inside a steel locker/bear box located near the parking lot or campsite. Being able to grab a cooler and one bag and move these to the bear box will be less cumbersome if you have all your food condensed. Sharing boxes with other visitors is quite common, so keep your belongings compact.

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Camping is often one long picnic, spending much of the time in cooking, preparation, campfires, and of course, cleanup.

camping

Day trips from camp, may lead you away from your base camp most of the day exploring, so you should always bring the FOOD BAG and the cooler in the car/truck/van. Have mostly prepared food – all ready to eat for quick access and minimal hassles.

FRESH FRUIT + NUTS

CHEESE + CRACKERS

SANDWICHES + CHIPS

SOUP + SALADS

BEER, CIDER + WINE

Hunting and fishing trips are often done with overnight camping. Cooking over the open flame, primitive style is key to the fun. Bring a hand saw for firewood, lighters or matches for flames. See more on Campfire Cooking

Water

Hunger can come on sudden when outside exerting oneself.

If you are planning a big “all day hike” or even a “half day hike”, packing a picnic lunch to eat on the trail is always advised. At minimum, you should pack a snack and water for any hike.

hiker

desert picnic

SEATS, TABLES – or SIT on the GROUND

Camp chairs, lawn chairs, beach chairs and solid picnic tables are all considered luxury items in the wilderness. Finding a picnic table location will be easier near parks, campgrounds and trailhead parking. Bring a blanket, beach towel or large tarp to throw down and dine on. Carry your own portable chair if you cannot sit on the ground. Truck tailgates make fine benches for eating.

silver lake picnic

Top Destinations for Picnics:

alpine lakes

Summer is the best time to find a lake in the mountains, as most are located at high elevations, covered snow during winter. Luckily, California Lakes come in all shapes, sizes and elevations.

beaches

The coastlines are the most popular locations in all of California. Locating an uncrowded beach will be easier during the non-summer months.

big meadows

Meadows are very popular spots for picnics and most require some walking to reach. This mountain terrain is usually buried in snow half the year, so these are summertime spots.

deserts

The California deserts are best visited in non-summer months. Considered winter playgrounds, deserts hold mining history, ghost towns, abundant off road trails and first-of-the-season wildflower blooms.

ridge lines

Mountain ridges are awesome places for views, sunsets and stargazing. Find a dirt road, instead of a paved highway for the best experience.

rivers

California has plenty of rivers to enjoy. Picnic tables and parks, plus campgrounds can usually be found next to these bodies of water. Rivers can also be dangerous during spring run-off, where the river swells with the high country snow melt. Find California Rivers

meadow

Leisure

wildflowers

Planning to camp out, maybe bike and/or hike? Explore the wildflower blooms and relax longer with a meal. Low deserts  began blooming as early as late February, and can last well into May.

star party

Night skies with meteor showers or a lunar eclipse can mean plenty of free time to sit and watch the sky. Celestial events. Snacks, sandwiches, caffeine beverages.

sledding

Winter picnics should include hot beverages, or perhaps a barbeque or cooking over a fire. Bring the Camp Stove for instant heat options. Campfire permits may be required if you plan to build a fire outside of a developed site.

picnic table

camptruck

save fuel, stay put

You do know that you don’t have to drive all over the park, cramming in every sightseeing destination? You could choose to spend MOST of your time at camp, or maybe walking distance from camp. 

Learn to stay put, really relax and take it all in. The trees, the birds, the breezes, the sound of the creek. Less driving means saving on gasoline cost.

hiker

walk more, drive less

Choosing to camp in large campground near the best attractions, could mean more walking and less driving. Picnic grounds are common in most all State Parks, National Parks, National Forests and even in county parks and small historic towns. 

State Historic Park

State Historic Parks are great places to find picnic tables. This oak and wildflower hillside is located at Coloma, CA in the Gold Country foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Marshall Gold Discovery State Park at the south fork of the American River.

Yosemite BLM Camping

merced BLM sign

BLM Merced River
Cheaper Camping
West of Yosemite NP

California Highway 140 (CA State Route 140) accesses Yosemite National Park from the west side @ Mariposa, CA. This not-so-secret camp spot is set in an ideal location, off the main highway and right on the river.

river road

Merced River crosses the highway near MidPines @ Briceburg Road, with 3 small BLM campgrounds located along the river. These river camps are open all year round, are dirt cheap and only available on a first come, first serve basis. There are numerous walk-in camp sites, where you must haul your gear and park a short distance away.

railroadflat

Briceburg River Road

BLM Briceburg Visitors Center
OPEN ONLY Saturday and Sunday 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Dirt road access w/ turn off at the Briceburg Information Center on California Highway 140. West of El Portal, CA and east of MidPines. Nearest grocery and services are 12 miles away to the west in Mariposa, California

BRING ALL YOU NEED for your overnight stay, as driving in and out on this (20 mph) dirt road can be an easy “half-day affair” with road conditions, passing traffic, potholes, stops for lunch, sightseeing and a gasoline stop. If you plan to do day-trips into Yosemite National Park – be aware that Yosemite Valley is ONE hour away from Briceburg, eastward via paved mountain roads.

Driving this non-paved route requires crossing a narrow suspension bridge, where big vehicles, RVs, trailers and rigs longer than 18′ are not recommended. The one-lane, dead-end dirt road hugs the cliff edge, above the river, is one lane in some spots, and mostly graded with a few pot holes; almost 5 miles long – ending at a locked gate with trailhead parking. Next to a vault toilet. (Not an ideal spot to be stuck at)

briceburg bridge
Briceburg Suspension Bridge
  • camping

  • fishing

  • hiking

  • kayaking

  • river rafting

  • swimming

  • wildflowers

campground full

Merced River Recreation Management Area

rare empty campsite

camp

BLM Campgrounds @ Merced River

vault toilet, picnic table, fire ring
and an overnight fee to go with

McCabe Flat Campground

Willow Placer Campground

Railroad Flat Campground

last camp view

BLM Hiking @ Merced River

This rugged canyon was the site of the historic railway called YVRR (Yosemite Valley Railroad), which hugs the Merced River for many miles. Now numerous hiking and biking trails. Dog friendly BLM campground. Walk-in campsites.

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The old Yosemite Valley Railroad Grade
wildflower merced
California milkweed

merced poppy patch

Countryside Camping California

destination: outdoors

wine country, gold country, river canyons, oak hills, reservoir lakes, hot springs, wildflowers, covered wooden bridges, suspension bridges, mountain foothills, railroads, ranchlands, historical parks, museums, tribal reservations

tehachapi pass
Tehachapi Mountains, Southern Sierra

California Country Terrain
Baja California
Southern California
High Desert California
Coastal Foothills
Central Valley:
San Joaquin & Sacramento Valley
Central Coast Inland
Central Sierra
Eastern Sierra
Southern Sierra
Western Sierra
Cascade Mountain Range
NorCal: North State California

camping

Amador City Campgrounds
Angels Camp, Gold Country
Auburn Camping, American River

Baja California Mexico
Benton Hot Springs
Bridgeport, E SierraTwin Lakes
Bridgeport South Yuba River, Gold Country

Caswell Memorial SP, Stockton
Cerro Noroeste Road, Kern
Cleveland NF, San Diego Mountains
Clear Lake Fishing Camps
Col. Allensworth SHP
Coloma, River Camping
Columbia, Gold Country Camp
Crowley Lake Camping
Cuyamaca Rancho SP, E San Diego

Figueroa Lupine
Peppermint Lupine of Figueroa Mtn.

Davy Brown Campground, Central Coast
Eastern Sierra Camping
El Dorado Camping, West Sierra

Figueroa Campground, Central Coast
Folsom Lake SRA, Sacramento
Fort Churhill Camping, Nevada
Frazier Park Camping, N Los Angeles
Fremont Peak SP, South Bay SF

Farms of Arroyo Grande
Farms of Arroyo Grande, CA

Garcia Wilderness, Central Coast
Gaviota Hot Springs
Gold Country California
Green Creek Road, Eastern Sierra

Henry W. Coe State Park, East Bay SF
Inyo Forest Roads, Eastern Sierra
Idyllwild Camping, SoCal

Jackson Campgrounds
Jamestown Camping, Gold Country
Keough Hot Springs
Kern River Camping
Kings River Camping

Lake Cachuma Camping
Lake Cuyamaca, San Diego Mts
Lake Isabella, Southern Sierra
Lake Hemet, SoCal Mountains
Lake Henshaw Cabins
Lake Kaweah Camping
Lake Oroville Camping
Lake Perris SRA Campground, SoCal
Lake Piru Camping, N Los Angeles
Lake Success, Tule Campground
Lake Sutherland
Los Olivos Wine Country
Los Padres National Forest

Mammoth Hot Springs
Marin Camping Point Reyes
Mason Valley Truck Trail, Anza
Matilija Wilderness, Ojai

McCain Valley BLM, E San Diego
McConnell SRA, Merced River
Mendocino National Forest
Millerton Lake SRA Camping
Miracle Hot Springs, Kern
Mono Lake California
Mount Diablo State Park, E Bay
Murphys Camping Gold Country

US395

cabinicon

National Forest Cabin Rentals
Fire Lookout Towers

Nettle Springs Campground, Los Padres NF
New Melones Lake Camping
New Bullards Bar Reservoir, N Gold Co
Northern California Mountains
Northern Sierra Nevada

Oak Bottom Campground
Oakhurst Campgrounds
Ojai Camping, N Los Angeles
Orange County RV Parks
Ozena Campground, Los Padres NF

Pinnacles NP, Central Calif
Pine Flat Reservoir, Kings River
Pine Creek Wilderness, E San Diego

Rancho Cuyamaca State Park, San Diego Mts
Redinger Lake, Western Sierra
Rock Front Ranch, 4×4 Camping

tent camping

Sacramento River Camping
San Diego Mountains
San Jacinto Camping
San Jacinto Wilderness, SoCal
San Luis Reservoir SRA, Central Calif

Santa Barbara Camping
Santa Lucia Camping
Santa Lucia Wilderness, Central Coast

Sequoia National Forest, Kern River
Sespe Wilderness, Los Padres NF
Sierra Canyon Wildflowers
Sierra NF – Road #9

Sierra City, North Yuba River
Sierraville, North Sierra Valley
Silverwood Lake SRA, Los Angeles
Small Campgrounds on Creek
Snow Mountain Wilderness

Springville, Giant Sequoia
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Susanville Camping Lake
Sutter Creek Camping

Tent Cabins in California

Trimmer Campground, Pine Flat Lake
Turlock Lake Camping, La Grange
Tuttle Creek Campground, Eastern Sierra
Tuttletown Recreation Area, Gold Co

Valle Vista Campground, Los Padres NF
Wine Country RV Parks
Ventucopa, California
Woodson Bridge SRA, Sacr. River, Chico
Woodward Reservoir Regional Park

Quatal Canyon
Camping Chumash Wilderness, Quatal Canyon

Desert Camping California

destination: outdoors

high desert mountains, mining camps, ghost towns, 4×4 trails, low elevations, hot springs & desert resorts

Free Camping US 95

camping

Afton Canyon Campground BLM, Mojave
Alabama Hills, Eastern Sierra

Angeles National Forest
Ancient Bristlecone Pines
Anza Borrego State Park

Baja California, Mexico
Barker Ranch, Panamint & DVNP
Benton Hot Springs
Bodie Ghost Town State Park
Borrego Springs California
Box Canyon BLM, Mecca

Calico Ghost Town, Mojave
California Poppy Reserve, Antelope Valley
Canon Sin Nombre Slot Canyons, Anza
Carrizo Gorge Goat Trestle, Anza
Cerro Gordo Ghost Town, Inyo Mts
Chimney Creek Campground
Chimney Peak Backcountry Byway
Chumash Wilderness, Los Padres NF
Colorado River RV Camps

Death Valley Charcoal Kilns
Death Valley California
Death Valley National Park
Dove Springs OHV Camping

Goler Wash, DVNP
Great Overland Stagecoach Route of 1849
Guadalupe Canyon Hot Springs, Baja

Horse Canyon, N Mojave

Inyo Forest Roads, Eastern Sierra
Inyo National Forest

Jawbone Canyon, N Mojave
Johnson Valley BLM, Mojave
Joshua Tree Campgrounds
Joshua Tree National Park

Kelbaker Road, Mojave NP
Kelso Dunes, Mojave NP
Kelso Valley, Kern County

Desert Lake County Park
Lake Cahuilla Park, La Quinta
Lake Havasu
Lake Mohave Camping Fishing

Mahogany Flat Campground, DVNP
Mojave Desert Camping
Mojave National Preserve
Mojave Road Map
Mojave RV Campgrounds

Mono Lake, California
Montgomery Ghost Town
Mortero Wash, Anza Borrego

Newberry Springs, Mojave
Nipton, California

Panamint Springs, California
Panamint City Ghost Town
Panamint Springs Resort & RV Camp
Panamint Valley Camping
Pichacho Peak SRA
Pioneertown, Yucca Valley
Providence Mountains SRA, Mojave
Quatal Canyon, Los Padres Rd #9N09
Randsburg Ghost Town
Red Rock Canyon SP, N Mojave

boys at alabama hills

Alabama Hills
Alabama Hills @ Lone Pine, CA

Saddleback Butte State Park, L.A.
Saline Valley Hot Springs, DVNP
Salton Sea Camping
San Bernardino Forest (eastside)
Sequoia National Forest (eastside)
Silverwood Lake SRA
Split Mountain Anza Borrego

Thorndike Campground, DVNP
Topaz Lake, Eastern Sierra
Trona Road
Turtle Mountain Road, Needles
Tuttle Creek Campground BLM, Lone Pine

Wildrose Campground, DVNP

Yucca Valley, California

desert escapes

DESERT CAMPING – AZ, NV, UTAH

Arches National Park, Utah
Bryce National Park, Utah
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Capital Reef National Park, Utah
Cedar Breaks National Park, Utah
Dolomite Campground, Vegas
Grand Canyon National Park
Lake Mead NRA, Vegas
Moab, Utah
Mount Charleston, Vegas
Red Rock Canyon, Vegas
Vegas Camping, Nevada
Yuma AZ Camping
Zion National Park, Utah

Smith River Camping California

Panther Flat

Forests & Parks near
Smith River California

Del Norte Redwoodspinetree
Florence Keller Park
Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP
Siskiyou Wilderness
Six Rivers National Forest
Smith River NRA

camp

Campgrounds along the Smith River

listed from north to south

Patrick Creek Campground (open May – Sept)

Grassy Flat Campground (open May – Sept)

Panther Flat Campground (open all year)
coin operated showers; walk to town, Gasquet, CA

North Fork Campground (open all year)

Jedediah Smith Redwoods
State Park Campground
(open all year)

Big Flat Campground (open May – Oct)
remote location, off County Road 405

Florence Keller Park
County Park & Campground
@ US Hwy 101

Panther Flat CG

camptruck

Dispersed Camping on River

Water

NFS Cabin Rentals

bycounty

PDF Smith River Map & Guide
6.5  MB download
20 page river guide w/ trailheads mileage and information, navigable runs detailed, campgrounds, picnic sites, fire lookout tower, plus cabin rentals

USDA Smith River page

Smith River NRA Visitor Center
10600 Highway 199
Gasquet, CA 95543
707-457-3131

Epipactis gigantea-1-lg

towns near the Smith River: