FJ Cruisers of Northern California

"backcountry" camping in Norcal area?

Hey guys,

I'm planning a trip to go camping in the next few weeks and I'd like to try some "backcountry" camping. Anyone have any ideas on some good places to go that are within 2-4 hours away from San Jose?

I'm looking for places I can wheel to and set up camp within the area. I'd like to find a place that doesn't have designated bathrooms and showers. I'm relatively new to this and don't know exactly what type of camping this is called.

Are there any permits I would need to get for this type of camping? I am fully prepared to be out there but just want to get some ideas on some good places to go to. Some hiking or fishing close by would be great. I am very open to anything. I just want to get "out".

If you have any ideas or can offer me any advice, I would greatly appreciate that. Thanks in Advance.

- Mark C

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Permalink Reply by Sonof40 on March 15, 2012 at 4:29am

You're looking for primitive camping. You could spend a lot of time planning with maps and phone calls depending on your comfort level, or you could just wing it and see where you end up. Be aware that roads are closed in many areas and fishing season doesn't start until April though there are many exceptions.

It's kind of a loaded question but if you need to just get out I totally feel ya.

This might get you started:

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/campgrounds-northern-california-1005...

Also check out some backcountry roads books at REI or Ant Mountain type stores.

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Permalink Reply by tacocat on March 16, 2012 at 3:16pm

If you're new to camping, try Indian Creek Reservoir. It's a haul from you (Markleeville), but it's the Taj Mahal of campsites. It has 24/7 hot showers, lit flush toilets, good bear boxes, excellent tent pads, warm weather, and a good lake for fishing. The RV section and tent camping sections are very seperated.

Indian Creek Reservoir

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/carson_city_field/blm_programs/recre...

Other BLM sites, no hot showers in these, but good facilities and locations.

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/recreation/camping.html

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Permalink Reply by Overlander36 on March 15, 2012 at 8:34am

I was in the coast ridge road area of los padres national forest last weekend. Miles of dirt roads with lots of primative camp sites and some undeveloped camp grounds. The weather was beautiful wich is often the case this time of year, great views, and wildflowers are just starting to come out. I went in from hwy 1 on Los burros rd at Treebones resort. There is a nice forest service campground on highway 1 just north of Treebones resort -Plasket - with bathrooms etc., though it doesn't sound like that's what your looking for. The road just south of Plasket shows access to coast ridge road on the map, but has been gated by a private land owner about 5 miles up. You can also catch coast ridge road south from nacimiento rd. No real hard core wheeling, but a nice back country adventure. Roads are steep and can get very muddy during rain so if you are going by yourself you may want to bring recovery gear.
As far as fishing the area is rather limited. Last year I fished the big sur river in January. It was open Sat. Sun and Wed. days, west of hwy 1 as long as flow regulations were met - barbless hooks, catch and release. Regulations change year to year so be sure to check.

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Permalink Reply by paraextreme on March 15, 2012 at 3:54pm

My favorite place is iron lakes right above oakhurst and below Yosemite. I have neen wanting to get the fj forum members to have a camping trip there.i usually go for my birthday july 25th.it is a great place with everything you are asking for.but the trail doesn't open till june.last time i went in late june and i couldn't make it all the way to much snow.it is a great place to go usually i stay 5 days and never see one person. Google iron lakes i think you will really like it.it has 2 small lakes and a small island .i am really tring to go this july anyone interested in making a group trip?the only down side is probably cand only have 10 to 15 rigs

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Permalink Reply by himynameismark on March 15, 2012 at 4:02pm

that sounds pretty cool. how's the fishing around the lakes? heh my bday is at the end of july too

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Permalink Reply by downy_ball on March 15, 2012 at 6:25pm

... and my birthday is july 21 ! Gotta love those summer birthdays !

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Permalink Reply by tacocat on March 16, 2012 at 3:06pm

Iron Lakes is cool. The fishing is OK, mostly small brook trout. It's not a long technical trail to the lake. Star Lakes is nearby and that's a fun trail too. It's been a while since I have been up there.

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Permalink Reply by Dave(man) on March 18, 2012 at 2:10pm

the whole Fresno Dome area (Iron lake Star lake) off of highway 41 has places to take off on short 4X4 trails...also check out south of there off of highway 168 east of Fresno..there are a ton of places up that way...Brewer Lake is pretty cool...Red Lake...Coyote lake.....Voyager campground right next to Chicken Rock at the beginning of the Dusy Ersham trail next to Courtright reservoir to name a few....but pretty much all of this will require a wait for the snow melt now....

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Permalink Reply by paraextreme on March 15, 2012 at 4:49pm

Not sure how the fishing is i never fished there.every year i say im going to but never get my license.you can see all the way to the bottom the water is so clear and every time i go i see fish .

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Permalink Reply by RiDE on March 15, 2012 at 8:08pm

Thanks for all of the responses. This is definitely going to help narrow down a spot for me. I'm leaning towards the Coast Ridge rd area as mentioned by overlander. I've been seeing that place mentioned more then others.

Any more suggestions would be great. This is definitely a good thing.