Camping next weekend

[thomascrowe]

Hi All,

I would like to go on a weekend camping trip with just myself and my dog. I live in the Bay Area but I can drive 2-3 hours out of it. I am looking for a place where there's very little people, and I can just set up my tent, my fire, and read a book while my dog chases squirrels. Any ideas?

[WartHog]

Hi All,

I would like to go on a weekend camping trip with just myself and my dog. I live in the Bay Area but I can drive 2-3 hours out of it. I am looking for a place where there's very little people, and I can just set up my tent, my fire, and read a book while my dog chases squirrels. Any ideas?

I got a couple of spots that might work for you.

#1 - Lake Sonoma - Liberty Glen Campground

This spot is about 3 hours from you up in Sonoma County. The campground is up on top of a ridge overlooking Lake Sonoma and has awesome views of the lake & surrounding area. Excellent stargazing at night and good solitude as very few folks use the facility, especially this time of the season. There are bathrooms with showers and should be spigots for potable water.

Drawbacks are that the Camp Host may or may not enforce the requirement that you keep you dog on a leash. There are Coyotes and to a lesser extent Mtn Lions in that area but the Yotes are what you should worry about, mainly at night. Also, no shooting is allowed - protection of your self or your dog in a life-threatening situation might be explainable to the CH or a Ranger but as always, best to not go there.

Camping is by Reservation only - call 1-877-444-6777 and make a general reservation & they will give you the access code for the entrance gate. Drive in and pick the campsite of your choice & relax. $15 per night.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Morgan+Hill,+CA&daddr=Liberty+Glen+Campground,+Geyserville,+CA&hl=en&ll=38.714179,-123.057346&spn=0.027726,0.061111&sll=38.716975,-123.060029&sspn=0.006931,0.015278&geocode=FQWRNgIdirO_-CltntCxHx6OgDHVXIkgPukSaA%3BFXK9TgIddkqq-CmXXdho7QGEgDHSeaRv4h0gAw&oq=Liberty+Glen+Campground&t=m&mra=ls&z=14

#2 - Lake Pillsbury - Oak Flat Campground

This spot would be a 4 hour or so drive from Morgan Hill and would involve driving over 15 miles or so of dirt/gravel road with potholes that hasn't been graded for awhile but nothing to worry about in even a car as long as you drive slow. The campground is set on the edge of the lake which is currently about 70% full. There are vault (non-flushing) toliets and no potable water due to they have to drain the water system to avoid freezing in the winter. Speaking of winter, be prepared to freeze your arse off if you don't bring enough sleeping bags or clothes as it can get PDC there. Firewood can be scrounged once you get away from the established campground areas. $10 per night, that is if you feel like paying .

The plus to camping here is you are truly out in the sticks here so if solitude is your thing, you should get it. Stargazing is primo as there are no light pollution sources (City's) anywhere near the place. You can let you dog roam off leash at his/hers content but Yotes are even more of a risk in the area so best to keep em' where you can watch, especially at night. Shooting is also allowed at the North end of the gravel aircraft landing strip you cross just before you get to Oak Flat CG. Unlimited Hiking opportunities too.

The minus is the drive's a bit long/bumpy and if you forget something, the closest big store's are in Ukiah over an hour away. There is a Redneck "store" right near the lake called The Soda Creek Store that you might be able to get something like lantern mantles or water but nothing too major. If you go, you should stop by and experience it as it's worth a giggle or two. Oh - leave dog in car as they have loose cats, dogs, and other assorted critters/barnyard animals around the premises.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Ukiah,+CA&daddr=Oak+Flat+Campground,+Potter+Valley,+CA&hl=en&sll=39.049052,-122.678833&sspn=1.766112,3.911133&geocode=FVtiVQIdmf-n-CnjdQGc_mSBgDHmwE2Dl7zccw%3BFfrZWQIdiuGr-CGOpSJi-pAYLSnZXO6N-SyCgDGOpSJi-pAYLQ&oq=Uk,+CA&mra=ls&t=m&z=10

Soda Creek Store - Can ya hear a Banjo playin'?

[WartHog]

PS - just talked to my brother & now we're thinking of going camping/shooting up at Pillsbury next weekend. We have plenty of dry 2x4 firewood we'd be hauling in my bro's little 15' aluminum boat and have camped there many times so you'd be welcome to follow us in if you wanted.

[Dano3467]

Hey warthog....how's your Brother doing ?

[thomascrowe]

WartHog, thanks for the info, Pillsbury sounds like an awesome place to go! However if I go I won't be leaving until 4pm from San Jose on Friday, that means I won't reach camp til 9 or 10pm. That's fine with me, maybe I'll see you up there!

[oregonnative1968]

I like to go to Mineral Bar near Colfax in the off season. I do a bit of gold panning while I am there. Pillsbury sounds good too. Have a fun time.

[thomascrowe]

Well, Warthog, his brother, his dog, my dog, and myself all went out to Lake Pillsbury and had a ton of fun shooting and even some boating. Will post a couple pictures later! Most certainly will revisit.

[riprap]

Chute Hill Campground near Malakoff Diggins State Park. Some of our state’s finest history; perfect time of year to visit. Check out the Diggins on the interweb.

[riddler408]

Blm land or Nat. Forrest, screw a camp ground. Take a chance. I've found awesome places.

[estrom]

Is the Soda Creek store the store at the "Lake Pillsbury Resort" campground with the marina? We've camped there on a couple different occasions (many years ago) and love the lake. By far the best ski lake around here since it's such a pain to get a boat in there.

[WartHog]

Is the Soda Creek store the store at the "Lake Pillsbury Resort" campground with the marina?

No - SCS is at the bottom of the big down grade on the dirt road as you drop down towards Pillsbury coming in from Potter Valley. You come to a "T" with the store straight ahead - turning right takes you to the Resort - turning left takes you to the north end of the lake and the public campgrounds & launch ramps.