Glamping experiences near Washington, California range from rustic yurt accommodations to cabin rentals with scenic lake views. The region sits at elevations between 2,000-4,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada foothills, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Most glamping sites close for winter (November-April) due to snowfall, though several campgrounds maintain year-round operations with reduced amenities.
What to do
Kayaking at Jackson Meadows Reservoir: Access the water from East Meadow Campground where sandy beaches provide easy launch points. "Super place, hosts are friendly & helpful! Some campers moored their boats/jet skis just off the campground. Gravelly shore and bottom, excellent paddleboarding & kayaking, but be aware this is a water sports lake - so expect powerboats & jet skis," notes a visitor at East Meadow Campground.
Hiking to Sierra Buttes: Trek from Sardine Lake Campground to viewpoints overlooking multiple alpine lakes. "My family has been camping here since before I was born and we love it! It's definitely a gem of the Sierras. I would recommend hiking up to the Buttes if you're looking for a challenge. Be sure to stop at Bassett's for some icecream on your way out!" shares a regular visitor at Sardine Lake.
Fishing in stocked lakes: Collins Lake Recreation Area offers shoreline fishing with regular trout stocking. "We camped here TWICE in 2019. The fishing is awesome on Collins Lake! We fished from kayaks and always caught fish for dinner. There are nice hiking and biking trails in and around the campground as well," reports a repeat camper.
What campers like
Private yurt accommodations: High Camp offers three exclusive yurt sites with dedicated shower facilities. "Jake here from the Dyrt! I had the opportunity to talk with Bonnie about her yurt and the great camping experience she hopes to provide for everyone who stops by," notes a visitor to High Camp.
Clean facilities: Lodgepole Campground maintains well-serviced restrooms and common areas. "The campsite was close to other campers, but not right on top of them. The location is ideal. Bathrooms were the least favorite part, only one bathroom (with 4 stalls?) for one large loop of campsites. Check-in was a breeze. Nearby visitor center and camp store was convenient," explains a camper at Lodgepole Campground.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Lake Francis Resort offers cabin rentals with lake views and communal amenities. "Words don't do it justice stop on by and see for urself! This here is God's Country!" shares an enthusiastic visitor.
What you should know
Electrical reliability issues: Some RV sites at Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs have been converted to tent-only due to power problems. "There wasn't a single day when some campsite didn't have electrical issues, in fact they turned a lot of their RV sites into Tent Sites because of electrical issues," warns a camper at Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs.
Fire restrictions: Several glamping locations prohibit wood fires year-round, allowing only propane fire pits. "We found there to be a lot of rules at this campground such as no fires, however there is a community fire pit. No driving over 5 MPH, no charcoal grills or smokers, only electric and propane grills."
Insect considerations: Mosquito activity peaks from May through early July. "We were so thrilled to find this clean, family-friendly resort with its own (warm!) little lake in the high sierras. But our group's collective joy was short lived after we were beseeched with mosquitos."
Tips for camping with families
Shallow swimming areas: Sand Pond near Sardine Lake offers kid-friendly water depths. "Great family campground. My family has been camping here since before I was born and we love it! The lake is beautiful and Sand Pond is great for swimming."
On-site recreation options: Collins Lake Recreation Area provides boat rentals and an ice cream parlor. "We love Collins!! Very nice for paddle boarding and kayaking. Clean sites and pet friendly. We took the boat on our last trip here and had a great time. Great fishing spots!!"
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds feature regular deer sightings. "We had such a fun time at this campground. Each day a family of deer came thru our site and were so tame they ate fruit right out of the kids' hands. So cool!" shares a visitor at Collins Lake Recreation Area.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites require leveling blocks. "Definitely a place I'll put on my list to camp at again, especially when they figure out their electrical issues. From what I could tell when driving around the majority of the sites were level; we had 4 spots and all were easy to back in."
Connectivity limitations: Most glamping areas near Washington have minimal cell service. "Very nice campground, but cell coverage is nonexistent outside of one small area," reports an RVer.
Early arrival recommendation: Arrive before noon to secure preferred water-access sites. "The down side is how quickly the easiest access to the lake fills up. Everyone has to drive over from the tent RV site to access the water. There are other places you can drive and park to get to the water, but there it a drop off into the water from there vs a gradual walk in."
