San Diego county has numerous recreational lakes, but only a few that allow overnight camping. Oak filled valleys and pine forests are nearby, but if you are seeking alpine lakes, surrounded by granite peaks and towering forests – then look to north for the Sierra Nevada mountains. Southern California landscape is nearly a desert terrain, with seasonal creeks and minimal rivers, so you won’t find lush greenery with natural lakes down here.
California’s north coast has plenty rivers and creeks, but minimal lakes for camping.
Here are the few we found –
San Francisco Bay Area reservoirs & lakes w/ camping include —
California Central Coast has only a few Reservoirs, which allow camping –
Lake Almanor and Chester are a central hub of outdoor summer and winter recreation in NorCal. Snowy Mount Lassen can be seen from Almanor, and it is a popular spot for vacation cabins. Numerous campgrounds and dozens of recreation spots surround the lake. Some spots are busy, while others are vacant. A paved bike path winds thru pine forests along the western shore of the lake, and many dirt back roads leads to primitive camps, creeks and rivers. Most campgrounds are closed during winter months, due to heavy snow.
Listed below are a few camping resorts found along the shores of Lake Almanor, California. All facilities cater to tent camping as well as RV camping; lake fishing, boating, water skiing, wake boarding, kayak rentals & most outdoor recreation.
Almanor Campground
Hwy. 89, 7 miles south of Hwy. 36
West shore of Lake Almanor
Big Cove Resort
422 Peninsula Dr.
Lake Almanor CA
530-596-3349
Big Springs Resort
2655 Big Springs Road
Lake Almanor, CA
530 596-3390
Camp Prattville
2932 Almanor Dr. West
Lake Almanor CA
530-259-2267
Canyon Dam RV Park
29581 Highway 89
Canyon Dam, CA 95923
530-284-7046
Forest Park RV Campground
Canyon Dam, CA 95923
530-284-7405
Lake Cove Resort & Marina
3584 Highway 147
Lake Almanor CA
800-605-6595
530-284-7697
Lake Haven Resort
7329 Highway 147
Lake Almanor CA
530-596-3249
North Shore Campground
Lake Almanor
Chester, CA
530 258-3376
PG&E Campground
Rocky Point Road (Hwy 89 & Hwy 147 jct)
Canyon Dam CA 95923
800-624-8087
Paul Bunyan RV Park
443 Peninsula Dr., Lake Almanor
530-596-4700
Plumas Pines Resort
3000 Almanor Dr. West
Lake Almanor CA
530-259-4343
Vagabond Resort
7371 Highway 147
Lake Almanor CA
530-596-3240
Whispering Pines RV Park
Highway 89
Canyon Dam CA
530-284-7404
See also Butt Valley Lake and Lassen Camping for less crowded, smaller camping lakes nearby in NorCal
Wilderness seeker John Muir called the Eastern Sierra, the range of light. It’s desery & drastic. Tons of granite & wild-ness. The impressive, tallest peak in the lower 48, Mount Whitney towers at elevation 14888′ over the Owens River Valley. Death Valley meets mountains. Ancient volcanoes & fresh granite. Creeks are alive throughout summer. Alpine lake hikes & their wild flowers are incredible. Horseback trails, rentals, pack trips are very popular. Total Escape even list high country Inyo 4×4 routes, that overlook Bishop.
Eastern Sierra forest & parks –
Inyo National Forest
Toiyabe National Forest – north (Carson)
Toiyabe National Forest – south (Bridgeport)
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
Eastern Sierra maps & trails –
Eastern Sierra towns –
Aspendell, Big Pine, Bishop, Crowley Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining, Lone Pine, Mammoth, Olancha, Toms Place
California is epic for mountain lakes. There are dozens of reservoirs & recreational lakes to enjoy, from SoCal to Shasta. Boating, fishing, water skiing, kayaking, biking, hiking, picnicking. Many of these prime lakes even have lodging facilities, resorts or cabin rentals nearby. Some resorts are year round destinations, but a few close up during winter months, due to deep snow & road closures. Below is a list of many California lake locations that you can reserve a lodge or campground.