Tent campsites near Avery, California offer access to the Sierra Nevada foothills at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. The area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and cool winters with occasional snow. Most dispersed camping areas remain open from May through October, depending on snow conditions and fire restrictions.
What to do
Swimming spots: The Stanislaus River Campground features a sandy beach area that draws visitors during summer months. A camper noted, "If you hike down river you find a nice moss-covered natural water slide," adding that anglers should "get up early" for the best fishing.
Water sports: Utica Campgrounds offers paddling opportunities on the reservoir. "You can find beautiful, isolated sites on the islands all around the lake. Great hammock camping!" wrote one visitor. The reservoir restricts motorized boats, making it ideal for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards.
Sequoia viewing: Trails through the giant sequoia groves provide educational opportunities about these ancient trees. The campground puts you near hiking paths where you can see some of the largest trees in the world, with some specimens over 2,000 years old.
What campers like
Quiet weekday camping: Lake areas become less crowded mid-week. At Lake Camanche, campers find "Weekends are filled up and busy, but during the week days it's nice and quiet." Winter camping offers even more solitude, with one camper noting they "were the only ones camping on Christmas Weekend."
Star viewing: The minimal light pollution creates excellent conditions for astronomy. At Bear Valley Dispersed Camping, a camper mentioned it was the "Perfect spot for star gazing!!" Another added, "The night views are amazing!" Areas away from established campgrounds provide the darkest skies.
Lake islands: Paddle-in camping opens up secluded options unavailable to vehicle campers. "Even on 4th of July weekend, you can get a fabulous, scenic, private spot if you boat in," explained one Utica Campground visitor, who recommended "any boat will do. Kayak, canoe, blow up row boat, SUP."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many dispersed sites require navigating unpaved roads. At Top of Arnold - FR 5N56 Dispersed, "Dirt road to get to spot is pretty rough but my Taurus wagon did just fine." Another camper mentioned "There are a few people on dirt bikes ripping around trails so not fully secluded."
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites lack basic amenities. At Bear Valley, a camper confirmed "There are no Volt toilets here nor running water but pretty good Verizon signal." Established campgrounds offer more facilities but fill quickly during peak season.
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife interactions. At North Grove Campground, one camper reported, "Bear came through our camp one night hit the Bear box and walked off." Bear boxes or proper food storage containers are essential in this area.
Insect activity: Bees and yellow jackets can be problematic in summer months. One camper at Stanislaus River Campground noted, "The only downfall is bees, lots of them. They want your food."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Shallow swimming areas work well for younger children. North Grove Campground has "trails to hike in this area, easy enough for families with children and rugged trail options for the more experienced hikers." The campgrounds are "clean and spacious with large trees surrounding everywhere."
Junior Ranger programs: Educational activities keep children engaged while learning about nature. One camper mentioned "great visitor center and junior ranger program," adding there's "swimming in the Stanislaus river (cold but refreshing!!)."
Off-season visits: Spring and fall offer comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds. Lake Camanche was described as "Our go to campground for Winter Camping and Fishing," with the camper noting, "We liked the site because we can launch our kayaks from our campground down to the lake."
Short hikes: Many trails near campgrounds offer child-friendly distances under 2 miles. Trails through the sequoia groves provide natural shade and interesting sights at a gentle pace for younger hikers.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups: Most camping areas offer primitive RV spots without utilities. Lake Camanche offers some sites with water and electric, though "No trailer hookups, but very site has a water but can't connect it with the trailer. Park does have a dump station and is included in the space rent."
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires preparation for potential freezing temperatures. At Lake Camanche, a camper noted it was "Great for a weekend stay" but cautioned that "the place could use some more bathrooms and water stations."
Dust management: Prepare for dusty conditions that affect RV interiors. One camper at Boards Crossing noted the site has been decommissioned but still allows walk-in camping, explaining, "The road to the campsites is closed to motorized vehicles, but you can still drive up to a gate where there's space to park about 5 vehicles."
