My wife and I are looking for someplace to get away to on our anniversary, and are considering some type of over landing style camping. We have a AWD Lincoln MKX (Ford Escape), with a little off road experience (from growing up in the midwest).
Ideally we'd like to be able to camp out near some water.
Thanks :)
Posted Jul 9, 2020, 6:15 PM UTC
How far northern cal are you referring to? Sacramento, or the Oregon border?
We live in Oakland, but we are rather flexible, would consider up near Shasta, but cool with Sac/Tahoe or even more central CA
NE CA is your best bet, in one of the national forests. Fewer people (it's mobbed everywhere else in CA) and less of a COVID problem. Even Lassen Nat Park gets fewer visitors. Up near Lava Beds, Medicine Lake, etc.
Tahoe NF has some crazy networks of trails but not all are camp-friendly. Check out Kyburz flats and the surrounding trails for some beautiful meadows and easy but pretty fun driving.
I'm not an expert on the area but I camped at Grouse Ridge Campground last year and the views were stunning. Some of the best sunsets I've seen in my life. It's free.
There are some short hikes down from the ridge to water. The road up is dirt with switchbacks and deep potholes. It shouldn't be a problem in your SUV but just enough to be fun.
There's a bunch of other areas like this outside of Tahoe too.