Saturday Night in July, #33. Just me and the ladies on a quick overnight getaway. This spot isn’t technically on the water, but there is no site across from you, it might as well be lakefront. It’s tucked up against a hill and surrounded by trees, so it was easy to find shade throughout the day. There’s a picnic table & an L-shaped firepit with a grill - this trip, the grill had broken off the pit and was lying in the dirt. Still functional but didn’t flip over properly. The pit is surrounded by a few tree stumps that work well as seats & tables.

Most importantly, access to the water is quick & easy, the sun was high but not too hot, and the temperature of the lake was perfect.

This was a long family camp trip in an amazing location. Our campsite was a walk-in, fairly secluded spot partially up a steep hill. There were only a handful of spots on that pathway, so there weren't many neighbors. Camp had a picnic table, fire ring, bear box, & lots of nearby trails & paths for exploring. Toilets with showers, and dishwashing stations were nearby as well.

The highlight of this campground is the ample opportunity for wandering. There are many trails, easy walks through ancient redwoods, moderate trails to beautiful waterfalls, and tougher trails for dedicated hikers.

At the lodge area, there's a store, restaurant, and gift shop, plus educational programs, family events, and community campfires. The kids went on a guided hike to become junior rangers, which gave the parents some free time in the afternoon.

It's an amazing place to be, and we definitely need to spend more time there.

We met up with some friends at this spot, nestled on Wickiup Reservoir. Spots are on the smaller side and not very private, and being near the boat ramp adds a little extra traffic. The beautiful reservoir with sandy beaches is the real draw for this campground. Sunsets are stunning, and a nighttime walk along the shore reveals countless stars and an occasional deer.

This was a spontaneous one-night trip with just me, the kids, & the pup. Our spot was very small, but nestled in soft moss among towering trees. It was cool & well-shaded, with a short path to the lake. There was a picnic table & a fire ring, water & electrical hookups (though we were in a car), & restrooms were a short walk away.

The lake was beautiful & inviting & great fun for the kids.

This is a small campground on the Wickiup Reservoir. It has two loops, and the smaller loop dead ends at a large quiet spot (or 2) with a quick trail to the water. Big, flat campsites have picnic tables and fire rings, with nearby restrooms and dishwashing stations. Many are surrounded by tall trees, but 12 & 13 get a lot of sun the afternoon.

The best part of this spot is the beautiful, sandy beach down a short trail. We set up chairs and a canopy and stayed by the water all day. It's great for swimming & kayaks & paddleboards & floaties. There were also some people camped ON the beach further up, but that might be dispersed camping rather than a reservable spot.

Campground itself is close-quarters car camping, with lots of flat grassy spots in the center of the loop. Spots along the eastern side of the loop are more rugged and less flat, but have big trees for hammocks & boulders for climbing. They all have picnic tables & fire rings.

There's a playground and grassy park area in the middle of the loop, good for kids & lawn games. Four-legged friends will be happy to see a fully fenced dog area. Firewood is available, and there was a small ice cream stand too, but it wasn't open when we were there.

The canyon surrounding the campground and Lake Billy Chinook is stunningly beautiful, but the cliffs can't be seen from the campground. The lake is a only short hike or drive away.

I've stayed at this campground several times and always have a great experience. Single spots along the water usually have direct access - some spots have nice beaches, some are more marshy. There's lots of space between most campsites, so you get some privacy from other campers.

The yellow loop is great for big groups, with 15 spots separated from the rest of the campground. There's a small private beach beside the boat ramp, and a bigger, more sandy beach near the day use area.

There are lots of trees for hanging hammocks and giving shade in the afternoon. The reservoir is great for kayaks & paddleboards & floating & swimming. And if you keep your eyes on the sky, you just might see a bald eagle - we see him every time we go, so now we call him Earl.

If you forget anything or just need an ice cream, there's a cute little resort store that's only a short walk from anywhere in the campground.

Small campground along the edge of the lake; every spot has a beautiful view of the mountains and the lake, and has quick access to the water. Spots on the eastern side of the campground are bordered by a steep hill or thickly forested area, great for providing morning shade and a fun area for kids to hike up and play "I'm king of the world!" Spots on the western side sit right on the lake and all have unobstructed sunset views. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings, nearby vault restrooms, & dish washing stations. The camp host sells firewood.

Campsites are a bit close together, with trailers and tents all in the same area. Some are much bigger than others, but each is unique. Sites near the boat ramp get more traffic, but it's not too busy.

Great for kayaks, paddle boards, or just floating. Hiking trail from the campground goes all the way around the lake, with natural hot springs on the way. There's also the nearby Paulina Lake Lodge, serving meals & cocktails.