Camping

Camping, a popular pastime among young and old alike. Are you a camper and have a favorite local spot you'd like to suggest? Add it here.

Also see Hiking and Backpacking and Climbing.

Local Campgrounds and Campsites

• Cache Creek Canyon Regional Park is a decent spot, about an hour drive from Davis. There's a good deal of wildlife roaming around including many wild turkey. Facilities are simple but not rustic. Swimming (at your own risk) in the river. Empty in the off season however during peak season it is packed. Campsite rental is fairly inexpensive and has a firepit with water faucets nearby. If you go there, the campsite is very easy to miss so keep an eye out for the roadsigns as you will likely drive right past it. It isn't the prettiest spot around but during the off season it is quiet and a good place to get away.

• Lake Solano County Park

Not-so Local Campgrounds and Campsites

• Lake Berryessa
  

• Folsom Lake
  

• Lake County

Camping Enthusiast Groups

• Discovery Club
  

• Outdoor Adventures

You can also try KOA, which is camping for people who don't do camping. They tend to be mediocre, if you are used to camping at a decent state park for instance, but have facilities that many smaller state parks lack. In general though, they are to be avoided as they attract loud groups of annoying and sometimes shady people. KOA isn't for people who are looking for a destination, they are for people who need a place to stay immediately and don't want to spend the money on a hotel room.

You can find tips to better your camping experience in a July 2010 blog post from Davis Life Magazine. There are many places in Northern California that provide adequate campgrounds and camping is an especially fun activity to engage in during the summer.

Another site for general camping tips is ND Parks - Directory of Parks. It gives campground, gear and family camping recommendations. There's a good piece on choosing choosing hiking shoes for men that I recommend.