The Trinity Alps region surrounding Sawyers Bar, California offers diverse RV camping options at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,500 feet. The area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often reaching 90°F and cool winters with occasional snow at higher elevations. Cell service varies dramatically throughout the region's deep canyons, with most campgrounds experiencing limited connectivity.
What to do
**River access spots: At Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort, campers can access the Trinity River within walking distance of their sites. "Just around the corner from the campground is access to the river. The whole family enjoyed dipping in when it's warm outside," notes a recent visitor.
**Fishing opportunities: Regional lakes provide productive fishing within a short drive of most campgrounds. "We fished Lewiston lake less than 10 min. away and Whiskeytown Lake about 20-25 min. away with great luck," reports one camper at Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort.
**Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer natural wildlife habitats. At Elk Country RV Resort & Campground, visitors frequently spot Roosevelt elk. "There's a heard of elk that roam the campground which is pretty cool," one camper notes, while another mentions "We even saw a bear across the Klamath river!" at Klamath River RV Park.
What campers like
**Well-maintained grounds: Many RV parks near Sawyers Bar maintain grassy sites. "The spots are grassed, all clean and well maintained," writes a camper about Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort, while another notes Klamath River RV Park is "well maintained and groomed. The sites are on grass, mainly pull through and had full hook ups."
**River views: Several campgrounds offer waterfront sites. "Spring for a river view site and you'll have the most gorgeous view of the river and mountains," recommends a visitor to Klamath River RV Park.
**Friendly management: Campgrounds in this area frequently receive praise for hospitality. "We also loved meeting the owner, Gary, who was involved in everything going on around the park. Free coffee in the mornings and communal fire pits in the evenings made it even more welcoming," notes a Klamath River RV Park guest.
What you should know
**Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely throughout the region. "There's limited cell service in the camp ground," reports a visitor to Elk Country RV Resort & Campground, making it important to download maps before arrival.
**Site spacing concerns: Several RV parks have closely positioned sites. At Waiiaka RV Park, one camper noted "Only down side is the sites are tightly packed together. My door was only a couple off feet off of my neighbors hook ups."
**Long-term residents: Many parks accommodate permanent or seasonal residents. "The park is about 1/4 full time residents, 1/4 permanent vacation spots that people keep trailers at and visit from time to time and the other half is campers," explains a visitor to Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort.
**Shower facilities: Most campgrounds provide shower facilities, though costs and quality vary. "Showers have nice hot water for a minimal fee," notes one Waiiaka RV Park visitor, while another advises "RUN THE SINK WATER HOT BEFORE USING THE SHOWER. It makes the shower then hot when you run it."
Tips for camping with families
**Kid-friendly amenities: Some RV parks include play areas. "They have a small play structure with swings for the kiddos. Which my daughter enjoyed," shares a visitor to Klamath River RV Park.
**Water recreation: Riverside campgrounds provide natural swimming opportunities. At Hi-Lo Motel & RV Park, "Behind the RV parking is a grassy area with a babbling little creek. There are a few picnic tables scattered throughout the grassy area."
**Pet accommodations: Most RV parks around Sawyers Bar welcome pets. "My dogs did love the dog run area, it wasn't too bad, nice for them to stretch out & run around a bit & it wasn't filled with dog poop," reports a Waiiaka RV Park camper.
Tips from RVers
**RV size limitations: Several parks have restrictions on larger rigs. At Del Loma RV Park and Campground, smaller RVs can find better sites as one camper notes, "If you are tent camping or in a smaller RV, there are some better sites that are further away from the permanent old Travel Trailers closest to the entrance."
**Navigation challenges: Access roads to some rv parks near Sawyers Bar require careful driving. "We were able to easily enter the Motel entrance and drive down the hill to the RV parking with our 35-foot motorhome towing our driving vehicle," reports a Hi-Lo Motel & RV Park camper.
**Site selection: When reserving at RV parks in this region, request specifics. At Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort, one visitor advised "Biggest I would put in here would be about a 30 foot trailer. You have to disconnect your tow vehicle."
