Dog-Friendly Camping near Lakeshore, CA

Camping near Lakeshore, California offers a quieter mountain experience at 7,000 feet elevation. Sierra National Forest campgrounds around Huntington Lake feature cooler temperatures, typically 8-10 degrees lower than nearby Shaver Lake during summer months. Campsites in this area provide direct access to alpine lakes, creeks, and hiking trails with temperature ranges that can swing from chilly mornings to comfortable 70s by midday.

What to do

Swimming at the lake: College Campground provides direct lake access with a private beach area. "Marina nearby to rent fishing boats/poles. We rented an aluminum boat for 4 hours one day for $60 and went out fishing on the lake. We boated to the island in the middle to picnic and have some lunch," notes Austin C. about College Campground.

Thermal springs: Visit Mono Hot Springs for natural thermal pools. "There are several different pools located across the river from the campgrounds. They are all over the hillside and range in temperature from lukewarm to bath water to Hot. They also pump the natural mineral water to the bathhouse for the showers," explains Mollie M. about Mono Hot Springs.

Nearby hikes: Multiple trails connect from campgrounds to viewpoints and alpine lakes. "While in the area I recommend visiting the Mt Tom fire lookout if your vehicle is capable. Florence Lake is also recommended. If you have a mountain bike I recommend the road that continues through the campground over a bridge," suggests Collin about Sample Meadow Campground.

What campers like

Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds in the area offer well-separated sites with room for multiple tents and vehicles. "Each site has plenty of room and includes a picnic table and fire pit. It's a short walk to Shaver Lake from virtually any of the sites, and several have a nice view of the lake," shares Angela D. about Camp Edison.

Quiet atmosphere: Huntington Lake campgrounds provide a more peaceful environment compared to busier lakes in the region. "We stayed in site 15 and it was very nice. Large site with plenty of room for trailer and two big tents. Very short walk down to Huntington Lake and was ideal for swimming with the kids," reports Steven S. about Deer Creek Campground.

Clean facilities: Despite being remote, campgrounds maintain clean restrooms and common areas. "The bathrooms are the cleanest I've ever seen at a campground and down by the lake is beautiful," notes Janell M. about Dorabelle Campground.

What you should know

Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require navigating narrow mountain roads. "The last 18 miles over Kaiser Pass took 1.5 hours. A sub-par road surface little bigger than one lane in many places made transit interesting," warns Chris M. about accessing Mono Hot Springs.

Bear safety requirements: All food and scented items must be stored properly in bear boxes. "This is a remote campsite, you are living in bear country; be prepared and secure your food/garbage. We had no problems with any wildlife and found it peaceful," advises Bernadette A. about Sweetwater Campground.

Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds close during winter months due to snow. "The road is pretty haggard to get to the campground. It also gets extremely cold at night so make sure to bring warm clothes and have a good tent and sleeping bag," cautions Darlene M. about Sample Meadow Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Select lake-adjacent sites: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Lakeshore offer direct water access ideal for children. "The cove is wonderful for swimming and mostly kayaks/SUP with plenty of beach space, water temp was perfect," shares Margo A. about Dorabelle Campground.

Morning activities: Plan water activities earlier in the day before winds pick up. "Kayaking is a must each morning before the winds kick in around 10am. The water is glass before that," recommends Marianne H. about Deer Creek Campground.

Pack for temperature swings: Prepare for significant temperature differences between day and night. "Even in June there was so many wildflowers and vibrate green. The creek was really cold so if you need drinking water you should bring some or bring a filter," suggests Darlene M. about Sample Meadow Campground.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookups available: Most pet friendly campgrounds around Lakeshore have minimal or no hookups. "Single sites are $24 with additional vehicles $8 per. This is a bit higher than other forest camps I had stayed at, however in this area in comparison to some of the Yosemite pricing this is a fair pricing," notes Crystal C. about Sweetwater Campground.

Site leveling challenges: Some campsites require extensive leveling for RVs. "The site wasn't level but was manageable. Bathrooms are outdated but clean, and they charge you an extra $5 to use the showers," mentions SpentBrassOffroad B. about Camp Edison.

Alternative camping options: When established campgrounds are full, nearby areas offer overflow camping. "If you can't get a camping spot at Huntington you can also camp at China Peak ski resort. It's not fancy camping but it's cheap and it will do if it's the only way for you to enjoy this beautiful place," suggests June D. about campgrounds near Deer Creek.