toedtoes wrote:



The Lee Vining / June Lake area is another great option. A bit longer drive than you were looking at, but plenty to see and do.

toedtoes wrote:

There are no restaurants within walking distance, but Codorniz Recreation Area fits the rest. It's about 20 minutes off highway 99 at Chowchilla, so about 3-4 hours away from you. There are electric only sites, full hookup sites and dry sites. Dry sites look out over Eastman Lake. There is plenty of hiking all over the hills, including a trail that circles the lake. At night, the coyotes howl along the lake. Firepits and picnic tables at all sites.

Another easy reach campground is Sycamore Grove just outside of Red Bluff off I-5. Again, no restaurants within walking distance. The campground is manicured grass with dry and water/electric sites. No dump station or sewer hookups. Nice nature trails, some with a nice view of Mt Shasta. Sacramento River runs between it and the freeway.

You can also look at NF campgrounds near Sierra City, Sierraville, etc along highways 49 and 89. There are some that are within walking distance of the towns. They will be dry camping, but usually sit alongside rivers, creeks or lakes. The Lakes Basin area near Bassett Station is very scenic. And it looks like most are open through October/November this year. Going during the week will definitely help.

New Hogan and New Melones reserviors offer great quiet off season dry camping. The campgrounds are open year round but don't get the party crowds off season. Plenty of hiking to do with lots of wildlife around. As they are in the foothills, they don't get the snow and the weather will be similar to what you have at Travis. Campsites are dry - no hookups. And again, no restaurants within walking distance.

All of the above are federal gov campgrounds (NF, COE, etc) and can be reserved through recreation.gov.

There are private RV Parks throughout the foothills too. Look for places along highway 49 south of Sacramento. Look around San Andreas, Mokelumne Hill, Twain Harte, Calaveras, etc.

And you can try some state parks. Bodega Dunes, Calaveras, Mt Diablo, Mt Tamalpais, Samuel P Taylor, China Camp, etc.

Lots of options if you're willing to look.

dedmiston wrote:

Another vote for boondocking.

Most of our camping is on the eastern side of the Sierras, so I can't help you with specifics, but there is plenty of boondocking on the west too.

I guess the only place I can name specifically is Shaver Lake. The drive is pretty steep and twisty and might not be fun depending on your setup. But the payoff is pretty good.

There are plenty of other places though. And if you don't feel like driving up into the hills, I would definitely look at Harvest Hosts closer to the wine country. Since we're talking about next weekend though, it's probably going to be cooler in the higher elevations.

I just looked at the map and it's about four hours from Travis to Shaver.

It's only 1.5 hrs up to Coloma in the Gold Country. We stayed at an RV park there (primitive) and it wasn't very expensive. You can walk to dinner and goof off in the river during the day. It's too late in the season for rafting since the river is so low now, but it's still pretty nice up there. There's also plenty of history nearby if you want to see Sutter's Mill, etc. Placerville is nearby too and it's a fun little town.

I got stuck up there in Coloma one summer when the DEF pump went out on my truck. The local Dodge dealer was really good and got Dodge to cover it under a courtesy claim, but stuck is still stuck. They had my truck for a week and my wife had to catch a ride back home to get back to work. Luckily I had my laptop with me and I could walk across the highway to bum their wifi at the coffee shop there in town. I've never drank so much coffee, but at least I didn't lose any work.

Long story short, there are lots of places out there. Some of them are free to boondock. Some are borderline free since you need to buy some wine to stay there (Harvest Hosts). And some are cheap-ish. The season is definitely over in Coloma, so I assume it's cheap to camp there this time of year.

Good luck.

NamMedevac 70 wrote:

You have a lot of requirements, or I would suggest Cotton Wood creek, Cold creek along highway 89 north of Truckee or Boca or Stampede campgrounds on I 80 East of Truckee in the Tahoe NF. Always have enjoyed quiet camping off season in the week. Further away is my favorite Grasshopper flats at Lake Davis (Plumas NF)

There are no easting places within walking distance at any of these tho. Have to drive for several miles for food. Part of Tahoe NF is closed due to Mosquito Fire.

toedtoes wrote:

I suspect part of the issue you are having is that you are looking at RV Parks in highly congested areas. Yes, RV Parks in Tahoe or San Francisco are crowded and expensive and/or run down. Just like hotels in those places. They are international vacation spots.

It's sort of like the person who goes to Disneyland and then complains about the crowds and commercialism. That's why you go to Disneyland - if you don't want that then you go elsewhere.

Look for places that are not international tourist attractions. Look at campgrounds rather than RV Parks. All the federal places I identified in my prior post are under $40 a night (under $30 for dry campsites) - no need to pay $150+ a night to get away.

Matt_Colie wrote:

Synergy,

You do not include very much information except California.

If you do not have to have an FHU site, you might investigate Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome. They are two very different versions managed by the same group.
HH places you at commercial establishments. Most are limited to a single night and it is hoped that you will buy some of what they are selling.
BW is just people with room to park for a night (or maybe more - usually in the profile).
We are BW hosts in Michigan and we get to meet a lot of interesting people.
Matt

mike/kellie wrote:

We run away to Ocean Cove just north of Timber Cove Lodge. No hook-ups but some beautiful ocean bluffs to walk on and a nice restaurant across the highway ( 2 lane) with views of the ocean. Closes up for the winter, first come- first serve.

autorot8 wrote:

Can try campgrounds out by Collins Lake, or between Truckee and Graegle, Gold Lakes area.

synergy_58 wrote:

For this trip, we’re hoping for some east, close amenities to just relax. Maybe we’re getting lazy. Tired is more like it really. I don’t feel like cooking/grilling, cleaning, etc. I just want to sit, walk, talk, play cards, eat and drink, stare at the stars, views and reflect on life and wife, the dog. NO chores, no house, no work, no nothing! LOL! Thanks!

valhalla360 wrote:



So you want some place with all the qualities of a tourist resort but without the tourists but in a wild remote area and you want it cheap and you want it local?

Honestly, I think you have too many conflicting needs and will be disappointed if you try to meet all of them.