080-081_CampingSkiing_NCG_2015_080-081_Camping_Skiing_Recreation_15 6/23/15 4:55 PM Page 80
R E C R E A T I O N
CAMPING, NEVADA COUNTY STYLE
By Mark Winkler
W
HEN WE TALK CAMPING
AROUND here, we tend to shy
away from hectic and overcrowded areas like Lake Tahoe and Yosemite and
set our sights instead on the “North of
Interstate 80” areas in our own backyard.
Around here it’s possible to find the right
campground for every taste whether you are
an adventure seeker, a solitude seeker, a first
timer or a seasoned veteran of the log seat
by the fire ring. We have exactly what you
want if you want none, some or a lot of the
comforts of home. These campgrounds offer
everything from granite clad peaks to pristine remote lakes to lower-elevation cool,
forested sites. There are places for the
camper who wants to explore waterfalls and
wildflowers close to camp but there are also
Malakoff Diggins Camping Cabin
spots for the adventurer who wants to rockclimb remote peaks. If an out-of-the-way
campground is what you desire, your solitude seeking can be easily fulfilled. So try
Nevada County if you are NOT looking for
over-crowded campgrounds with noisy
neighbors and barking dogs. Your camping
trip should be an opportunity to enjoy an
escape from civilization and a chance to
reflect upon quiet and peaceful outdoor settings. We’re confident that Nevada County
camping will be just the experience you’ve
been hoping to find.
Let’s consider a few specific areas and
what they have to offer. For starters, a couple of perfect, lower-elevation campgrounds
for first-timers and families are Scotts Flat
Lake and Rollins Lake. Both offer the fun
of lake play and the convenience of having
stores available on site and civilization not
far away, just in case anything crucial was
forgotten. For similar camping conditions
farther up the mountain, consider Donner
Memorial State Park, near TruckeeDonner Lake is beautiful! For you lastminute campers, all is not lost - check out
the Bowman Lake area! Other than the
group campground areas, the Bowman
Road and Grouse Ridge Area Campgrounds
are both “no reservation” facilities, so even
if you didn’t plan weeks ahead you can still
NATHAN WIDEGREN
Island Lake
80 N E V A D A C O U N T Y G O L D
roll in early enough to grab a choice site.
The Bowman Lake area also has lots to
offer, including the Blue Lake walk-in
campground, which is remote and pristine
and yet relatively easy to get to, with the
added bonus of nearby petroglyphs for
viewing. Also in the area are the Rucker,
Lindsey and Carr campgrounds which are
easier to get to but remain idyllic. There is
also camping available near the Grouse
Ridge Lookout - the scenery is fantastic but
beware of boot chewing marmots.
If you like to hike in to your campsite, a
real treat is Island Lake! It’s only about a
one-mile hike in from Carr Lake for high
Sierra conditions that are primitive but well
worth it. And there are other campsites and
lakes in the area to be explored along the
Crooked Lakes Trail. Another good tip on
the Truckee side of the county is Sagehen
Creek Campground, which offers spectacular wildflower displays and an abundance
of hiking choices.
Now, if comfort is a must , luxury “glamping” is soon to be available, mixing the
perks of being practically in Nevada City one of the most picturesque and historic
small towns in California with sleeping outdoors under Sierra skies. (inntowncampground.com) Or if you are looking for a
great place for “RV Camping” in your vehicle, the Nevada County Fairgrounds in
Grass Valley offers a great atmosphere and
the handiness of being nearly in town. There
are also unique camping cabins available at
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park,
with the Miner's Cabins open from May
through September for the 2015 season. Or
you could choose The Chute Hill
Campground at the park and either way
you’d be spending the night in historic
North Bloomfield!
If you want to camp with horses, there
are horse camps at Little Lasier Meadow
near Truckee and the Skillman Horse Camp,
which is located on Highway 20 above
Nevada City. Either way, the layout is right
for your extra-large friends.
For detailed campsite information:
NevadaCountyGold.com