BAck country camping suggestion in NOR CAL

[thetrekkerguy]

I'm planning a 12 day trip to the northwest and want to spend a couple days camping out in the back country. I have never been to Calli so I'm looking for some suggestion of places to check out. I have a locked 80 so getting places is not really an issue and will have a roof top tent by then. Any suggestion would be great!

 

[doug720]

Many places along Highway 395 from Lone Pine North to Reno. Lots of tall mountains and beautiful country with great hiking and fishing too.

Doug

 

[thetrekkerguy]

Many places along Highway 395 from Lone Pine North to Reno. Lots of tall mountains and beautiful country with great hiking and fishing too.

Doug

Thanks I'll check it out.

 

[NorCal Cruiser]

What part of the state will you be in?

 

[thetrekkerguy]

We will be coming in from oregon and going south. Would like to drive through the lost coast red woods. Maybe Mt.Shasta. I'm kind of looking for recomendations from people that know. Maybe some remote camping near the ocean.
Thanks

 

[wapitidon]

You could check out Shasta coming down 5 then take 299 or 36 across to the coast from Redding. Head to Shelter Cove and it gets you to the north end of the Lost Coast. Bear Harbor is on the north end of the Sinkyone Wilderness State Park with nice camping area on the bluff. You can drive down to Usal State Park on the south end of the Wilderness in a few hours. Lots of elk all through the area. Lots more to see on the coast route compared to that big flat valley ; )
hth, Don

 

[NorCal Cruiser]

Check out Fern Canyon and Gold Bluff Beach Campground in Prairie Creek Redwoods SP- Prairie Creek Redwoods SP. And hit the Lost Coast Trail and stay at USAL beach.

 

[george_tlc]

A few of my trips to Usal Beach over the years:

Usal Road

Usal Beach 2002

Usal Beach 2009

And my kids getting older and taller each time

cheers,
george.

 

[thetrekkerguy]

A few of my trips to Usal Beach over the years:

Usal Road

Usal Beach 2002

Usal Beach 2009

And my kids getting older and taller each time

cheers,
george.

Great links! We had planned to do the lost coast area. Is it legal to drive on the beach there? looks like a great time either way.

 

[ErikJeanna]

It depends on what you want to see...

You mentioned the beach (and driving on the beach). In that case, I would hit up the Dunes in Pismo. For like $3, you get to drive along the water until you reach the dunes. It's pretty cool.

If you like scenery... check out Yosemite National Park and the Black Mountains along Route 66. Cali is filled with mountains, so there are plenty of places to checkout.

If you're into checking out Gold Rush Americana type things (as I am), there are TONS of ghost towns right off some of the major freeways. Grab a book or two on the subject or checkout the website ghosttowngallery.com. It's VERY basic, but if you find one that looks interesting based on the photos, just do a search for that particular ghost town for more info.

If you're into natural wonders or stuff you just don't see everyday... why not head over to something like The Sliding Rocks of Racetrack Playa and Ubehebe Crater? Or how about checking out a The Albatross, a downed CIA plane from the 50's just sitting on the side of a mountain?

The sites to see are countless! I've lived in SoCal my whole life and have been exploring it for several years. Just find what's important for you to see and make a plan on Google Maps.

Good luck and have fun! Be sure to take LOTS of photos and make sure you're in them. No one wants to see the same photos that you can find on the web. They're truly that much more special when you're involved in the adventure.

 

[2011cruising]

The Tahoe national forest has a lot of back country camping areas and is littered with old mines. There are also a lot of "high clearance" trails throughout the area. If I recall correctly, I think you may need a fire permit which you can get from a ranger station.

 

[Rubiconcruiser]

There are isolated campgrounds south of the Pelican Bay area into Humbolt county, as far south as Bodega Bay, sorted areas south of that. Interstate 5 has a few small spots you can camp as well. Beach driving in Cali is pretty well frowned upon except Pismo as stated earlier., South of Pismo over toward the central Cali area its all desert.

 

[rusty_tlc]

If you get to the Shasta area there are a lot of side roads that branch off of HWY 89 in the Hat creek area. In General Lassen National Forest has a lot of cool stuff, like the Subway Cave Lava tubes. Butte Lake is pretty nice but, IMHO, the campground at Butte Creek is nicer.

Further south, past Susanville, you can head west into the Ferris Creek area and find many great places to camp along with a network of roads that lead all the way over to the Quincy and Portola areas. If you happen to pass through Chilcoot stop at the burger stand and get a bag of frys.