Campsites near Belden, California nestle at elevations between 3,000-5,000 feet where the northern Sierra Nevada meets the southern Cascades. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-85°F with cool nights even during July and August. Most forest campgrounds in this region don't offer cell service or internet connectivity, with visitors noting that even boosters struggle to maintain signals in the mountainous terrain.
What to do
Fishing at Silver Lake: The lake offers good trout fishing opportunities throughout summer. One camper reports, "there is good fishing at silver lake, but the highlight of camping here is the potholes. The river carved some unusual holes in the granite. great escape from the heat."
Kayaking at Lower Bucks: Launch directly from several campsites with shoreline access. A camper notes, "We slept on a hill overlooking the water. We caught several 8 to 12 inch trout. We kayaked, and we had a wonderful time."
Swimming at Spanish Creek: Clear swimming holes provide summer refreshment with rocky beaches. According to one visitor, "The water is clean and inviting, the beach is wide and covered with shake rocks, and the views up the sides of the steep banks are beautiful!"
Hiking the Maidu Soda Springs: Yellow Creek Campground offers access to historic indigenous sites. A camper explains, "There's a natural soda spring on the entrance road where the local indigenous Maidu used to gather and drink for healing."
What campers like
Waterfront access: Many campsites at Lower Bucks Campground offer direct lake frontage. One camper shares, "Site 6 is great because it has its own water access which our dogs loved!!"
Wildlife viewing: Several camps offer opportunities to see local fauna. A Spanish Creek visitor reports, "We battled meat bees and mosquitos a bit. We heard bears fishing and roaring just feet from us. Coyotes visited, raccoons, squirrels and chipmunks."
Quiet weekday camping: Most campgrounds experience lighter use midweek. At Whitehorse Campground, a camper notes, "The campgrounds is small, which was perfect. A total of 19 spaces, but on a Sunday night there were only 5 filled spaces. Trees and birds! Chipmunks!"
Swimming holes: Spanish Creek Campground offers excellent water features. A visitor mentions, "This place is all about the swimming hole. The water is clean and inviting, the beach is wide and covered with shake rocks."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to remote sites can be challenging. One camper at Rocky Point notes, "If your rig is over 30 ft you will have a more difficult time getting into spaces. The roads are narrow and don't leave a lot of room to maneuver."
Bear country protocols: Bear boxes aren't available at all sites. A camper at Haskins Valley Campground advises, "Not all of the spaces have bear boxes and we had a nice visitor one morning. Be sure to put your food in your car if you don't have a bear box."
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience railroad noise. A Spanish Creek camper reports, "The trains were definitely loud in the night, because the rails cling to the sides of the canyon, and the wheels scrape against the rails on the curves."
Campground reservations: Many sites operate on first-come, first-served basis. A visitor to Sundew notes, "Bucks lake is our family's favorite. This camp specifically can get busy and is a first come first serve basis so sometimes is tough to find spots."
Tips for camping with families
Crawfish catching: Kids enjoy catching crawfish in calm waters. At Plumas National Forest Hallsted Campground, a parent shares, "The river is warm and slow right there and it has crawfish. My boys caught a handful and had a great time!"
Beach access for children: Look for campgrounds with gentle water entry. A Rocky Point camper notes, "Beautiful views of the lake and nice little beach for kids. It's packed pretty tight and we were on a slope but booked it again this year."
Ice cream proximity: Some campgrounds offer easy access to stores with treats. A Haskins Valley camper mentions, "It's close to the lake and market. We love to get ice cream before dinner."
Trail connections: Some sites connect directly to hiking paths. At Whitehorse, a visitor reports, "Walking trails connect to the campground! What a delight and right near Bucks Lake!"
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups: Most Forest Service campgrounds offer minimal services. A Rocky Point camper reports, "Priced at 30$ for dry camping only was pricy. Only vault toilets, but clean. Dump station but not included in camping fee."
Road conditions to sites: Access can be challenging for larger rigs. At Whitehorse Campground, a camper warns, "Biggest downfall of this area is the hour long drive with a trailer down the wash board road."
Site selection for larger vehicles: Some campgrounds accommodate bigger rigs better than others. At Spanish Creek, campsites are described as "a little small/close together, but they are well delinated with trees and logs."
Limited services: Plan for self-sufficiency at most sites. A visitor to Whitehorse notes, "Only downside was no dump or fresh water and it's a 30+ minute drive to town."
