Tent camping around Graeagle, California ranges from 3,500 to 7,000 feet elevation, with higher sites typically snow-covered until late May. The region experiences summer daytime temperatures between 70-85°F with nighttime lows dropping to 30-50°F depending on elevation. Most dispersed camping areas lack cell service, requiring offline maps for navigation.
What to do
Kayak fishing: Lake of the Woods offers a small lake perfect for kayak fishing with sandy shorelines. "Spots are first come first served and can fill up quickly. Small lake perfect for kayak fishing," notes one visitor to Lake of the Woods.
High mountain lake swimming: Pioneer Trail near Tahoe National Forest Sierra Campground leads to remote alpine lakes. "We found our way up to deadman's lake about 1 mile south south east. A completely remote high mountain lake. It was a refreshing swim after a steep hike up," shares a camper at Tahoe National Forest Sierra Campground.
River floating: The North Yuba River provides cooling recreation during summer months. "The campground itself is pretty standard, sites are decent size, and lots of shade. There is a path down to the Yuba River, where you can get in the water or float on a tube. The best part about this campground is the river," reports a regular visitor to Loganville.
What campers like
Lakeside campsites: Sites directly adjacent to water for easy access and views. "Pull right off the 'highway' into the campground surrounded by a lake on three sides!! Camp right on the edge of the lake with a view of the sierra buttes," explains a camper at Goose Lake Campground.
Winter camping opportunities: Some areas remain accessible during winter months for cold-weather enthusiasts. "Bowman Lake in the winter is amazing. Wait til the snow melts a bit and you can make your way down to the lake. Absolutely beautiful mornings!" shares a winter visitor to Bowman Campground.
Meadow exploration: Several sites border large mountain meadows for wildlife viewing. "There is a beautiful meadow that goes for miles right next to the campground. Crocker Meadow," notes a camper who stayed at Crocker Campground during field work.
What you should know
Road access challenges: Many tent sites require high-clearance vehicles. "The drive is long and fairly rough. Having a vehicle with some clearance helps. It is possible to get a smaller trailer there but not recommended," advises a visitor to Bowman Campground.
Varying toilet conditions: Facilities range from flush toilets to primitive vault toilets. "The Restroom was scary between the spider infestation and wasps, I'd rather nature potty, but there was little to duck behind," cautions a camper at Bowman Campground.
Temperature swings: Pack for both warm days and cold nights. "We came from 105°F back home to a balmy 55°F day here with frequent winds that increased the chill factor. During the night, the temperature got down to 30°F," warns a camper at Faucherie Lake Group Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Bring water toys: Shallow sandy areas in some lakes work well for children. "The lake is shallow in some areas with white sand. It got a bit windy at night and the mosquitoes were gone by the morning," reports a camper at Lake of the Woods.
Pack for insects: Mosquitoes can be abundant near water during early summer. "Mosquitoes are abundant here. Don't forget your repellent," warns a visitor to Bowman Lake Dispersed.
Check nearby towns: Sierra City provides resupply options during longer stays. "Not too far away is Sierra City, which has some restaurants and a general store for supplies. Lots of PCT hikers stop to restock there," notes a regular camper at Loganville.
Tips from RVers
Road clearance requirements: Access to many campgrounds requires careful vehicle selection. "The trail will take you off road for quite some time, but it's well worth the adventure. Traction boards and a winch could help you through unexpected obstacles and are recommended to have on hand," advises an RVer at Bowman Lake Dispersed.
Dump station costs: Plan for dump fees when camping without hookups. "Did not realize it was $15 for dump until in the queue for a single side, single point dump site. Has water points for spraying out dump hose, spigot for connecting to black tank flush," shares an RVer at Lake Davis Dump Station.
Vehicle size limits: Many tent camping areas cannot accommodate larger rigs. "Class C RV over 16 ft not advised. Tight turns to navigate trees and rocky road. (Not gravel but rock outcropping) standard class B rv a maybe. NO Trailers advised," cautions a visitor to Goose Lake Campground.
