RV camping near Twin Bridges, California offers access to alpine reservoirs and wilderness trails at elevations between 6,000-7,000 feet. The region experiences heavy winter snowfall, with campgrounds at lower elevations accessible from May through October while higher sites open later in June. Most campgrounds require advance reservations during summer months when temperatures range from 70-85°F during the day.
What to do
Swimming in natural settings: French Meadows Reservoir provides swimming opportunities even during drought conditions. "We did an 11-mile hike in Granite Chief Wilderness... On the way back we stopped for a swim in the river that feeds the reservoir... more of a creek currently, but we found a deep still spot perfect for swimming and soaking our tired feet," notes a visitor to Lewis Campground.
Fishing excursions: Anglers can pursue trout in several area lakes. "Great trout fishing" is available according to a camper at French Meadows, though they caution about "extreme fire danger the summer months and closed due to snow in winter."
Mountain biking trails: Ghost Mountain area offers trail systems suitable for various skill levels. A camper at Ghost Mountain RV Campground notes "trails to ride a mountain bike ride or hike" among the amenities, along with volleyball courts and swimming pools.
Casino entertainment: For evening activities, nearby gaming venues provide dining and entertainment options. "You might earn a prime rib dinner if you get a players card and earn enough points," mentions a visitor to Gold Dust West RV Park, highlighting the additional recreation options beyond outdoor activities.
What campers like
Lake access: Proximity to water ranks high among camper preferences. At RV Village Campground At Camp Richardson Resort, one reviewer appreciated the "very close walk down to the Lake and the Beacon restaurant where you can have world famous RumRunner," demonstrating the value of waterfront locations.
Family activities: Organized events keep children engaged at certain campgrounds. "They put on a ton of events like karaoke nights, live music, and smores nights," reports a camper at Tahoe Valley Campground, adding that there were "kids running around and riding bikes."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers receive consistent praise. "Bathroom and showers are adequate and clean," notes a camper at Gold Dust West RV Park, while another reviewer at Carson RV Resort mentions "the bathrooms were amazing and deserving of the 'resort' name."
Wildlife encounters: Natural interactions with animals enhance camping experiences. "We were visited by deer within feet of our tent in the middle of the night, close enough to hear them breathing and munching on the vegetation," shares a Lewis Campground visitor.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Summer bookings require advance planning. "We reserved our campsite online and when we arrived there was as another family who had also paid the host for the same spot," cautions a visitor to French Meadows Campground, highlighting potential booking issues during peak times.
Site variations: Terrain differs significantly between locations. At French Meadows, a camper warns, "two thirds of the campsites were on a slope with no where to setup a tent on level ground," noting the importance of researching specific site characteristics.
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds present challenges. French Meadows visitors describe "long somewhat treacherous drive to get there" with "windy roads along the mountain side" that can be "extremely windy and narrow with no rails."
Bear safety: Proper food storage is essential in this region. One camper at RV Village notes, "Our neighbors told us of bear stories coming up to their camp the day before so I was not sure why bear boxes were not includes for each site."
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Children appreciate water features during summer months. At Placerville RV Resort & Campground, families find "mini train ride around park, great playground, mini golf, showed movie and a lot more awesomeness," making it worth the price because it "kept the kids entertained."
Booking group sites: For family reunions, specialized areas offer more space. Coyote Group Campground provides "large group camp site with lots of flat places to pitch a tent" along with "clean pit toilets, 3x bear food and 4x trash/recycling bins, 2 water spigots, 4 big picnic tables."
Entertainment options: Kid-friendly activities vary by location. RV Village Campground receives positive feedback: "Lake Tahoe is always beautiful so you can't go wrong here. Kids will have a fantastic time and be sure to enjoy a Rum Runner from the lakeside restaurant."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours inconsistently. One camper at Tahoe Valley Campground reported "no night enforcement for quiet hours. Had several rowdy groups keeping us up til 2am. A few air horns, car alarms going off."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Different campgrounds provide varying utility connections. Ghost Mountain RV Campground offers "water and electricity only. There is Honeybucket truck that comes around Monday Wednesday and Friday. A dump station on site."
Site dimensions: Space between camping spots affects comfort levels. At Silver City RV Resort, a visitor notes "sites all have picnic tables but very little privacy or green space," while another mentions, "all flat setups" with "nice office and store."
Weather preparations: Seasonal conditions impact equipment needs. "We ended up camping in a truck camper at Tahoe Valley Campground after being caught in a snow storm... we weren't able to connect to water because of freezing temperatures," shares one winter camper.
Extended stay options: Some locations accommodate longer visits. Ghost Mountain campground members "can stay up to 14 days in one campground for free," providing substantial savings for those on extended trips through the Twin Bridges region.
