Cabin camping near French Gulch, California provides access to nearby Trinity Lake and the Trinity Alps region, with elevations ranging from 2,000 to 9,000 feet across the area. The area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F, while winter brings cooler weather with occasional snow at higher elevations. Trinity River flows through the region, creating opportunities for fishing, kayaking and wildlife viewing within walking distance of several cabin properties.
What to do
Fishing access from cabins: Many properties offer direct access to prime fishing spots. At Lakeview Terrace Resort, guests enjoy convenient lake access. One camper noted the "Super cool spot right by the lake, they have it all here even a pool! The jungle gym for the kids was sweet and a cool tree house… the kids loved it."
Kayaking on Trinity River: Several cabin properties provide river access for water sports. The Trinity River is suitable for beginners and experienced kayakers, with multiple put-in spots within 15 minutes of cabin locations. According to a visitor at Trinity Lake KOA Holiday, "There are plenty of dirt paths out to the lake both from the KOA and nearby. Many people brought ATVs to utilize these and it looked like a great time. We used out truck and mountain bikes to tootle around on them."
Trinity Alps hiking: Cabins serve as base camps for exploring nearby wilderness trails. Multiple trailheads within 30-60 minutes of cabin locations offer day hikes ranging from 2 to 12 miles. "It is a fantastic location central to Trinity Lake, Lewiston Lake, Whiskeytown reservoir, and the beautiful Trinity Alps, with plenty of boating, swimming, water skiing, hiking, backpacking adventures within 30-60 minutes," reports a camper.
What campers like
Quiet cabin settings: Many properties maintain peaceful environments away from crowded camping areas. At Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort, one visitor shared, "This is a great little mom and pop rv campground. There are tent sites away from the rv part, but we never checked that area out. The rv spots are very clean, and even though they're close together with no privacy it was an amazingly quiet park."
Cabins with outdoor spaces: Several properties feature decks, patios, or yards for outdoor relaxation. A visitor at Mountain Gate RV Park appreciated the natural setting: "Well maintained and clean park. Actually has grass, not all gravel. Sites level. Nice pool and laundry room."
Full kitchen amenities: Many cabins come equipped with cooking facilities, making meal preparation convenient. Refrigerators, stoves, and basic cooking equipment are standard in many locations. A visitor noted, "We loved our stay. We felt safe and it's probably one of the most cleanest campground and facilities I've ever been to. Clean bathrooms, showers, zero trash around. All around a great visit."
What you should know
Seasonal availability varies: Trinity Lake area cabin operations typically run from May through October, with limited winter options. Many properties close during winter months due to weather conditions. According to a reviewer at Lakehead Campground & RV Park, "This campground is very spacious with lots of trees for shade which was great since we I went when it was extremely hot."
Booking early recommended: Cabins fill quickly during summer months, particularly weekends. Holiday weekends often book 3-6 months in advance. One camper observed, "It tended to fill up on the weekends (sometimes completely) but was fairly quiet during weekdays with only a handful of people."
Wildlife awareness needed: Bears and other wildlife frequent the area, requiring proper food storage. A camper reported, "The other issue is the bears. Its wasn't an issue of them bothering us, we only physically saw them one time in four weeks. They got into the trash pretty regularly though. It was very evident in the morning when the cans would be knocked over and rummaged through."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Some properties offer playgrounds, pools, and recreational facilities specifically for children. A visitor at Pinewood Cove Resort on Trinity Lake enjoyed the "Breath taking view of the lake" and family-friendly setting.
Cabin size consideration: Family groups should book larger multi-room cabins with sufficient space for everyone. Many properties offer different cabin sizes to accommodate groups. One camper advised, "The A frame and the mid size cabin both have patios to bbq (grills provided) and hang out on, full kitchens, and very comfortable living room and bedrooms."
Entertainment options: Bring board games and outdoor activities for evenings at the cabin. While some properties offer Wi-Fi, connectivity can be limited. A visitor mentioned, "There are plenty of games like bocci and ladder ball. All in all we had a great time and would highly recommend it."
Tips from RVers
Site navigation challenges: Some properties have tight turns and narrow roads that can be difficult for larger RVs. A reviewer at Antlers RV Park and Campground cautioned, "This place has the tightest spots ever! Feel like a sardine. It's pretty but would never spend $80 to smash in with other campers!"
Hookup verification: Confirm electricity, water, and sewer connections when booking cabins or RV sites. Not all properties offer full hookups at every site. One camper advised, "The rv spots are full hook up with nice green grass, no cable but ok Verizon signal and we got a few local channels on the tv antenna."
Cellular connectivity: Cell service varies throughout the area, with stronger signals near towns. A visitor noted, "There's a cell tower on the way in to the campground. You can expect two to three bars of LTE from both AT&T and Verizon (we use both)."
