Four high-alititude campgrounds within easy driving distance

Don Quilici, Nevada Appeal
April 23, 2008

One way to escape the summer heat is to sneak off for camping in the nearby mountains. Here is some detailed information for some selected high-altitude U.S.F.S. campgrounds where you can temporarily get away from the miserable heat.

If you're interested, the following are some nearby U.S. Forest Service campgrounds in the Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts. Pick one, go there and have a nice cool, fun-filled weekend.

If you do pick one, be sure to take a warm jacket and a good sleeping bag. If you don't, you'll be sorry at night.

Bridgeport Ranger District, Bridgeport, Calif. (760-932-7070)

1. Trumbull Lake Campground (9,500' elevation):

• Located at the end of the paved road to Virginia Lakes, about 7 miles west of Conway Summit on 395. Conway Summit is about 15 miles south of Bridgeport. This is the highest campground that you can reach in California by vehicle.

• A total of 45 camp sites. The reservable sites are Nos. 1-18 and 34-43.

• Has water and vault toilets.

• Fees are $15 per night.

• This campground is scheduled to close for the season on Oct. 17.

2. Obsidian Campground (7,800' elevation):

• Located on a dusty dirt road about 7 miles from U.S. 395. The turnoff to the campground is about a half-mile south of the Intersection of U.S. 395 and S.R. 108 (The Sonora Pass Highway).

• A total of 14 campsites. No reservable sites.

• Has vault toilets but no water.

• Fees are $10 per night.

• This campground is scheduled to close for the season on Oct. 11.

• There are black bear in the area. Take precautions with food.

3. Green Creek Campground (7,500' elevation):

• Located on a rutted dirt road, about 7 miles west of U.S. 395. The turnoff to the campground is about 10 miles south of Bridgeport.

• A total of 11 camp sites. No reservable sites.

• Has water and vault toilets.

• Fees are $15 per night.

• This campground is scheduled to close for the season on Oct. 10.

• There are black bear in the area. Take precautions with food.

4. Leavitt Meadow Campground (7,000'):

• Located off Calif. S.R. 108 (Sonora Pass Highway), about 7 miles from the intersection of U.S. 395 and S.R. 108, about 15 miles north of Bridgeport.

• A total of 16 camp sites. No reservable sites.

• Has water and vault toilets.

• Fees are $15 per night.

• This campground is scheduled to close for the season on Oct. 11.

• There are black bear in the area. Take precautions with food.

Carson Ranger District, Carson City (882-2766)

1. Mt. Rose Campground (8,900' elevation):

• Located just off Nevada S.R. 431 at the Mt. Rose Summit, between Lake Tahoe and Reno.

• A total of 24 camp sites. Reservable sites are Nos. 2-6 and 11-20.

• Has water and flush toilets.

• Fees are $13 per night.

• This campground is scheduled to close for the season on Sept. 5.

2. Hope Valley Campground (7,300'):

• Located on the Blue Lake Road, off of Calif. S.R. 88 in Hope Valley.

• Has a total of 19 camp sites.

• The reservable sites are No. 1-8, 10-14 and 18.

• Fees are $14 per night.

• This campground is scheduled to close for the season on Sept. 11.

3. Kit Carson Campground (6,900'):

• Located on Calif. S.R. 88 in Woodfords Canyon, between Woodfords and Hope Valley.

• Has a total of 12 camp sites. No reservable sites.

• Has water and vault toilets.

• Fees are $14 per night.

• This campground is scheduled to close for the season on Sept. 5.

4. Silver Creek Campground (6,800'):

• Located on Calif. S.R. 4 (The Ebbett's Pass Highway), about 16 miles past Markleeville.

• Has a total of 31 camp sites.

• The reservable sites are Nos. 1-10, 133-15 and 19.

• Fees are $15 per night.

• This campground is scheduled to close for the season on Sept. 13.

• There are black bear in the area. Take precautions with food.

Special note: Campground reservations can be made up to 240 days in advance by contacting the National Recreation Campground Reservation System at (877) 444-6777 or at website www.recreation.gov.

Don Quilici is the Outdoors editor for the Nevada Appeal.