Cool (temperature) parks in California?

[hobbssb]

Besides along the ocean, do you have any favorite California parks to visit in the summer where it is not hot?

[vairman]

Try Eagle Lake. We really enjoyed the Merrill Campground. It was around 85 at the campground while it was 102 17 miles away in Susanville. One of the nicest campgrounds we have ever stayed in!

Mark

[lfloom]

any of the many beach campgrounds! But they are busy in the summer.

[toedtoes]

Acampingwewillgo wrote:
I just heard this morning that it snowed(lightly) in both Mammoth and Yosemite! The temp yesterday afternoon in Mammoth was in the low 60's....not bad for July.

Honestly, the past few years, there isn't much "forecasting" for the weather - it just does what it wants and we adjust plans as necessary. 🙂

[salem]

Look at EDISON CAMPGROUND at Shaver Lake. Even if the temp. is warm there is usually enough shade to keep you cool. Both partial and full hook-up sites. Although with any cg in CA it may be hard to get a space during this time of the year without a reservation.

[2gypsies1]

Pick a spot along Hwy 395 a beauty of a highway with many choice for RV parks, dry campgrounds or boondocking.

[Acampingwewillg]

I just heard this morning that it snowed(lightly) in both Mammoth and Yosemite! The temp yesterday afternoon in Mammoth was in the low 60's....not bad for July.

[kalynzoo]

Just spent a few days in Benbow Valley KOA in the Redwoods near Garberville. Lovely, shady, excellent (5 star) restaurant, on a golf course, and in the Redwoods. It can get warm, but by SoCal standards, cool.

[toedtoes]

In that case, head up to the mountains and the NF campgrounds. Dry camping. Weather in summer is warm during the day and cool at night. Almost always a body of water (reservoir, river, etc.) at or near the campground. Lots of trees and shade.

I'm in Northern California, so my favorites may be farther away than you'd prefer, but here are a couple of my favorite areas:

Lakes Basin area - Plumas and Tahoe NFs; lots of campgrounds to choose from, some on creeks/streams, some on lakes.

Ice House, Union Valley Reservoirs and Loon Lake - El Dorado NF; lots of campgrounds that vary in clientele. Ice House Reservoir campgrounds cater to water skiers, jet skiers, etc.; Union Valley campgrounds are more family oriented with some boats; Loon Lake is more remote/secluded.

[hobbssb]

We prefer "real" campgrounds for their trees/scenery and their usually bigger sites, but stay in RV parks if there are historic things or museums nearby. Either elec. or dry is fine.

[toedtoes]

Are you looking for California State Parks or RV parks in California? Do you want full hookups, electric only, or dry camping?