NorCal Kayak Anglers
Kayak Zone => Places to Launch and Camp => Topic started by: AlsHobieOutback on March 22, 2022, 11:57:46 AM
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Since the Angel Island post was brought up, I was looking to find information on what the best boat in camping destinations are. But there are such varying conditions such as water levels for lakes like Lake Sonoma, or Lake Mendo where they would be good if the lake was full. So asking for peoples favorite spots to boat in camp at, as well as if it's doable with low water levels.
So where do you like to boat in camp? Aside from Lake Del Valle :smt044
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Tomales Bay has always been one of my favorites. You can camp on almost any of the west side beaches North of Indian beach.
Tomales Bay Boat-In camping info:
https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/kayak_libc.htm
(https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/kayak_libc.htm)
Tomales Bay Boat-In camping map:
https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/upload/map_boatincamping.pdf (https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/upload/map_boatincamping.pdf)
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+1 on Tomales.
For freshwater I've had great times at Spicer going back into the wilderness section. The last two trips have been in August (2 and 3 years ago) and the water levels were manageable, but I didn't like having to keep an eye on all the ridgelines worrying about a wildfire while we're back in that far.
Last year we did Englebright in August and the water level was fine. As the last damn on the Yuba they seem to keep that one pretty full. Had a great trip.
Did Lake Sonoma for many years, but the water is just too low.
Cheers,
Brad
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+1 for Englebright. Went with the fam last May and had a great time. My wife liked that it wasn't cold at night. Plenty of trout and panfish. Towed my 8 year old daughter on an SUP all the way to the campsite. I didn't think it was Bear country but we saw one across the cove from us an hour or so before dusk. The campsites, while well appointed, don't have bear lockers, so I packed everything in the hull and as far as I know we didn't get a visit that night. Just keep that in mind as there was nothing posted or in the literature we were given about bears.
Union reservoir is also a great spot and and there are no power boats. Would love to hit Spicer backcountry. I didn't know dispersed camping was allowed there.
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Alex - I moved your post from the Angel Island thread to this one.
This is one of my favorite places for fresh water fishing. I have fished it from kayak and boat. I have kayaked past lunkers that do not give trolling lures the time of day. Usually no problem picking up a limit of stockers but the big boys are a different story.
Not sure how the water levels are this year. Beautiful area though.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sierra/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5245570
You also may be lucky enough to experience something like this. :smt002
https://www.bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=4929
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Englebright Info:
http://www.californiasbestcamping.com/oroville/englebright.html#map (http://www.californiasbestcamping.com/oroville/englebright.html#map)
Pat R.'s Englebright report:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=26657.0 (http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=26657.0)
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Lake Don Pedro http://www.californiasgreatestlakes.com/pedro/pedro_camping.html :
Boat-In Camping
Location: Shoreline camping is allowed in most places around the lake, but in certain areas lakeshore camping is not permitted, mostly around marinas and campgrounds. See Don Pedro Lake Camping Map
Campground Facilities: Restrooms at some locations
Campsite Amenities: None
Website: Don Pedro Lake Recreation Area
Note: Pets Allowed
Fees: $10 per night
https://www.donpedrolake.com/recreation-area/camping/
DISPERSED AREA CAMPING
Don Pedro Lake, with over two million acre-feet of water storage, is the fifth largest reservoir in the state of California. Don Pedro is surrounded by a federally licensed project boundary. All lands and water within this boundary constitute the Don Pedro Recreation Area. Don Pedro is one of the few lakes in the state where lakeshore camping along undeveloped shoreline is still permitted. Abiding by all Regulations and adhering to safe, courteous, and sanitary practices will not only protect the surrounding environment but will also help to ensure that this privilege of Lakeshore camping at Don Pedro can continue.
Map that shows closed locations:
http://donpedrolakprd.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/dpra-boat-navmap.pdf
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Oroville floating campsites are the BOMB
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Oroville floating campsites are the BOMB
Heck yeah that looks pretty awesome! https://www.californiasbestcamping.com/oroville/floating.html
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Oroville floating campsites are the BOMB
Heck yeah that looks pretty awesome! https://www.californiasbestcamping.com/oroville/floating.html
:smt007
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Englebright is super nice
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Oroville floating campsites are the BOMB
Heck yeah that looks pretty awesome! https://www.californiasbestcamping.com/oroville/floating.html
Dude. We're doin' this for sure.
https://youtu.be/5IF34-41bVs
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Don’t know about the “best” boat-in camp site but there is Emerald Bay Lake Tahoe. It’s just you, your boat, and the bears. Don’t know about fishing Tahoe, it’s got trout but I prefer saltwater fish for eating. Emerald Bay is full of crawdads if eating those are your thing.
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Just thought I'd add Shasta as a NOT desireable destination with low water levels. I've checked out some of the sites when taking breaks from trolling and when I say "high and dry" I MEAN it. I'd really only consider boat-in camping at full pool. And even then, weekends during peak season are kind of wild up here at the campsites.
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Loon Lake has boat-in camping. Easy hike from there to Desolation Wilderness too
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Good info, fellas.
Keep it comin'.
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Remember this Al?
Point Pinole Boat-in camping.
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=20736.0 (http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=20736.0)
This looks fun, too.
Here's some more recent info:
https://scc.ca.gov/files/2019/02/PtPinoleRS_WaterTrailSiteDescriptionRpt_March2019.pdf (https://scc.ca.gov/files/2019/02/PtPinoleRS_WaterTrailSiteDescriptionRpt_March2019.pdf)
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Never camped at Ahjuwami Lava Springs State Park but walked around in between fishing the areas and checking out some native american fish traps at the springs. AMAZING place to hang out, serene scenery, boat traffic is minimal at best, kayak-in camping is most peoples' best bets. I'm not 100% sure but I think there is a season for camping, and the other launch besides Rat Farm is closed 1/2 the year. Bring the bug spray, the mosquitos are madness. I tried to hang out there a few times last year in late May at the campsite dock before the 100F weather came in to observe the Hex Hatch in its full glory but never got to see it unfortunately. Fall River Brewing Co has an amazing local Hex Hatch IPA that I brought out in anticipation for the event.
Later in the year, especially as Dixie fire raged, I noticed that the Fall River Valley area gets significantly less smoky in that valley than surrounding areas.
https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/464/files/AhjumawiLavaSpringsWeb2016.pdf
Edit: sorry for the photo orientation. I'll try to do better.
Last Edit: Bass fishing in the summer in Big Pond here is a local secret. High tule weedlines, lots of shallow vegetation, shallow levee banks, I keep thinking I'm in the middle of the Delta somewhere out there. The bass and trout all get pretty massive there and since not many people are in the know, they'll hit just about everything.
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Ahjumawi is great, though i haven't paddled and camped there in probably 25 years. The mosquitoes are definitely serious.
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Just thought I'd add Shasta as a NOT desireable destination with low water levels. I've checked out some of the sites when taking breaks from trolling and when I say "high and dry" I MEAN it. I'd really only consider boat-in camping at full pool. And even then, weekends during peak season are kind of wild up here at the campsites.
Pat R.'s Laks Shasta Kayak Camping report:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=31101.0 (http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=31101.0)
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Loon Lake was really nice when I was up there before the fire. There is a boat in campground across from the dam which is also the start to the Rubicon Trail. Many dispersed sites with no amenities.
I brought up this canoe and stayed at the drive in pay campsite. Good crayfish and big stocked Lassen near the boat launch.
Not sure about now after the fire.
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Remember this Al?
Point Pinole Boat-in camping.
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=20736.0 (http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=20736.0)
This looks fun, too.
Here's some more recent info:
https://scc.ca.gov/files/2019/02/PtPinoleRS_WaterTrailSiteDescriptionRpt_March2019.pdf (https://scc.ca.gov/files/2019/02/PtPinoleRS_WaterTrailSiteDescriptionRpt_March2019.pdf)
Now I remember! That sounds really awesome, long disatance traveling by kayak and camping. I would like to do this someday, maybe next year. ;)
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Utica Reservoir has been a favorite of ours for the last few years. National forest land, so you can pretty much camp anywhere and there are a few islands. Only down side is that the fishing isn't any good.
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Remember this Al?
Point Pinole Boat-in camping.
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=20736.0 (http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=20736.0)
This looks fun, too.
Here's some more recent info:
https://scc.ca.gov/files/2019/02/PtPinoleRS_WaterTrailSiteDescriptionRpt_March2019.pdf (https://scc.ca.gov/files/2019/02/PtPinoleRS_WaterTrailSiteDescriptionRpt_March2019.pdf)
Now I remember! That sounds really awesome, long disatance traveling by kayak and camping. I would like to do this someday, maybe next year. ;)
We can launch from the parking lot at Point Pinole and just paddle around to the campground.
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I definitely want to do Tomales, Oroville, and Point Pinole this year.
We'll chat at Del Valle. :smt004
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You should plan on New Hogan as well if you can make it on Pat's weekend. Stripers! :smt003
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Union Valley Reservoir: http://www.discoverechosummit.com/lodging/union_valley_camping.html
Seems like a really great place to do some kayak in camping. A couple of the camping spots are walk/bike/boat only and are free!
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Never camped at Ahjuwami Lava Springs State Park but walked around ...
That last picture is amazing--the water and sky almost look right-side up with an upside-down, gravity-defying person.
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Bullards Bar: https://bullardsbar.com/camping/ Reservations and site info for Garden Point Boat-in Campground
Reservations: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10039993
This place looks ideal for a big group of kayakers to do a relatively easy bot in camping trip. I'm not sure of the lake level and how it affects the sites, but the lake level looks decent from: http://newbullardsbar.lakesonline.com/Level/
I would imagine however that it's best to do this in the Spring and maybe Fall, when there isn't a lot of boat traffic.
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Remember this Al?
Point Pinole Boat-in camping.
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=20736.0 (http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=20736.0)
This looks fun, too.
Here's some more recent info:
https://scc.ca.gov/files/2019/02/PtPinoleRS_WaterTrailSiteDescriptionRpt_March2019.pdf (https://scc.ca.gov/files/2019/02/PtPinoleRS_WaterTrailSiteDescriptionRpt_March2019.pdf)
Now I remember! That sounds really awesome, long disatance traveling by kayak and camping. I would like to do this someday, maybe next year. ;)
We can launch from the parking lot at Point Pinole and just paddle around to the campground.
Just down the street homies, let’s get kick it again and not feel like shit haha
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I'm looking to get some better storage to make the crossing. Going to get some Husky totes with waterproof lids :smt003
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Shleping yak ??? If you receive big 5s one day deals it is 89. :smt001
https://www.big5sportinggoods.com/store/details/lifetime-dash-jr.-kayak/3330120870017/_/A-5859392?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=041022%20Weekly%20Ad%20Clip%20n%20Save&utm_term=260%20Days%20Engaged
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I'm looking to get some better storage to make the crossing. Going to get some Husky totes with waterproof lids :-D
Heavy duty garbage bag, fold like a dry bag. Might even float if content is not too heavy :smt044
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+1 on Union reservoir ... beautiful lake ... not crowded ... lots of islands
As a side note, was up there in July last year when there were a series of quakes ... first time i heard an earthquake before i felt it ...
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Adding Goose lake to the list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k_qYbMDaso
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Loon Lake has boat-in camping. Easy hike from there to Desolation Wilderness too
Thanks, Jerry! Loon Lake looks awesome!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU-7COUhylM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zXt8c1qh40
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Utica Reservoir
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djrp8cTzHMU