Tent camping near Lewiston, California centers primarily on the Trinity Alps wilderness area with campsites positioned between 1,500-2,000 feet elevation. Summer temperatures range from 55-90°F with nighttime lows dropping considerably even during peak season. Winter camping requires preparation for potential snow at higher elevations and limited accessibility to certain primitive sites.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Mary Smith Campground provides excellent lake fishing access. "Stayed here this last weekend and wasn't sure how hot it would be. Luckily the weather was so amazing especially being right next to this beautiful clear clean lake," reports Azizah T. from Mary Smith Campground.
Creek exploration: Cold, clear water runs through many camping areas. At Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground, "There's a small narrow dirt road, but easily doable even in a loaded down sedan. You can only buy the pass online so make sure you get it ahead of time," notes Lily S.
Hiking nearby trails: Multiple well-maintained trails surround the camping areas. "Advanced hiking 3k-6k summit peek, beautiful trails and swimming holes, nature and wildlife surrounding a dark night sky," states a camper about Deerlick Springs Campground.
Natural mineral springs: Access the local mineral springs from Deerlick Springs. "There is a mineral spring that you can access via an easement from a paid campground (trinity outpost) which is directly next to this free campground," explains Mindy G.
What campers like
Night sounds: The creeks create natural white noise for sleeping. "We were able to arrive at 9pm and still get a spot through recreation.gov. No running water. There were a lot of branches on the ground for us to be able to build a fire. Right next to a creek/river so great water sounds all night," writes Stephanie W. about Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground.
Solitude: Many campgrounds offer a sense of separation from other campers. At Sheep Camp Primitive Campground, "This site has only 4 camping sites, all for tents only. There is a small stream running on the boarder making for perfect white noise to fall asleep to. We were camping in mid-October and the only ones here," states Jennifer Z.
Evening temperatures: Despite hot days, nights cool significantly. "It was really hot during the day like 90s but site #9 is shady and the river is freezing so it's easy to stay cool. Gets pretty cold at night," notes Stacy L.
Wildlife viewing: Abundant wildlife visits the campgrounds regularly. "About 3am something woke me up sniffing around my hammock. I was not able to see it without moving, but it bumped me and was large enough to make the hammock sway," reports Rick A. from Crystal Creek Primitive Campground.
What you should know
Water availability: Most primitive sites require bringing your own water. "They have pit toilets and fire-rings in most sites. There is a creek (Browns Creek) running through most sights," mentions a reviewer about Deerlick Springs.
Site access challenges: Some sites require extra effort to reach. "We had the campground to ourselves as they hadn't put up the glamping tents yet. We set our tents up on the platforms and had a great view of the lake and trinity alps in the distance. This campground is hilly and one must pack gear down or up to one's spot which was a pain but once settled it was a fun and relaxing time," cautions Karen O. about Mary Smith.
Bear precautions: Food storage is critical in this region. "Picnic tables and lantern hooks, along with bear lockers make it safe and cozy. We loved camping here with our two pups," says Jennifer Z. from Sheep Camp Primitive Campground.
Campsite spacing: Site proximity varies significantly between campgrounds. "Small campground. Easy entry off 299. A gravel road and car accessible. Bear boxes. Pit toilets at entry, 200 meters from Campsite 9," reports Kent G.
Tips for camping with families
Shallow water access: Several sites offer kid-friendly water areas. "We stayed at site 14, across from us was a small path that led you down to the water. We took tubes out and laid in the water and soaked up the sun," describes Azizah T.
Shade availability: Look for sites with substantial tree cover. "The campground is overgrown with weeds/grass and I think the store is a house now. There was one camper in the northeastern part but it looks like he lives there," warns Susan H. about Shell Gulch Campground.
Trail difficulty: Consider trail ratings before hiking with children. "Very quiet campground mid week. Had the place to ourselves. Great little hiking trail steps from our site. Easy access to the water for some swimming," recommends Ann W.
Local store access: Some campgrounds have nearby conveniences. "There is also a cute little store (Deerlick creek store) just next to these sights and you can purchase ice, firewood, and other basic things here," mentions Mindy G.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Many access roads present challenges for larger vehicles. "Road to get there is dirt road, but we'll maintained. There's a lot of tree cover, so bad for solar or satellite," advises Zeek H.
Limited RV-friendly options: Only certain campgrounds accommodate RVs. "They have 13 sites (tent) but I did see some RV's get into a few spots. The drive in could be a challenge for an RV, so I'd caution anyone to check it out first, before pulling a trailer in," cautions a reviewer.
Parking limitations: Most sites restrict vehicle numbers and sizes. "Don't think we could have fit more than 1 car to park there," notes Stephanie W.
