First overnight kayak/camping trip suggestions

I'd like to pack up the kayak and do an overnight camping trip in the next few weekends and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on where to go. Looking for a spot we can paddle to and test out all our backpacking gear. I was thinking anywhere from Sacramento to Tahoe on 50 or I80.

Thanks!

Ahjumawi hot springs

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=464 
http://calipidder.com/wp/2013/05/ahjumawi-lava-springs-kayak-camping/

Lake Sonoma and Bullards Bar Res have boat-in campgrounds.

Could also hit most other Sierra lakes and camp anywhere it's legal on Forest Service land.  Double check on fire regs - because of the high wildfire risk this year some of the National Forests are already limiting campfires to fire rings in designated campgrounds (heard the Eldorado NF implemented this restriction for the lower westside Sierra this morning). 

Loon Lake, has a nice boat in camp ground.its a few mile paddle I think.
 I have never camped there, but park a boat there and hike in to the upper lakes.

I'd like to pack up the kayak and do an overnight camping trip in the next few weekends and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on where to go. Looking for a spot we can paddle to and test out all our backpacking gear. I was thinking anywhere from Sacramento to Tahoe on 50 or I80.

Thanks!

I'd highly consider Lake Sonoma.  There are some GREAT camp sites just a couple mile paddle from the marina.  It's not in the direction you mentioned but it would be my vote.

~Bill

Spicer Meadows Reservoir near Lake Alpine on Hwy 4.

Epic boat in camping.

I second Spicer. Very beautiful there!

I'd like to pack up the kayak and do an overnight camping trip in the next few weekends and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on where to go. Looking for a spot we can paddle to and test out all our backpacking gear. I was thinking anywhere from Sacramento to Tahoe on 50 or I80.

Thanks!

I'd highly consider Lake Sonoma.  There are some GREAT camp sites just a couple mile paddle from the marina.  It's not in the direction you mentioned but it would be my vote.

~Bill

Lake Sonoma boat in is great! I have done it twice. Good sites and decent fishing near them BUT be warned there are Rattle Snakes all over the boat in sites during the summer!

My paddle group is trying to coordinate a camp/kayak weekend for July or August...we were thinking about Utica Reservoir, up HWY 4 past Big Trees. There is an island you can paddle to and camp on. It's a beautiful area!

-Cherie

Utica is on the same road as Spicer. Do yourself a favor and drive the extra mile and check out spicer, much better fishing and camping. Probably less people at Utica.

I will have to check out Spicer...but I like the idea of having less people at Utica and not fighting power-boaters!

Lake Spaulding has a rustic camp site at the back of the lake near the inlet. There's also a trail behind and up the hill that goes along the stream up to a waterfall. Beautiful lake very little pressure but can be windy at times.

Lake Spaulding has a rustic camp site at the back of the lake near the inlet. There's also a trail behind and up the hill that goes along the stream up to a waterfall. Beautiful lake very little pressure but can be windy at times.

It is not allowed to camp back on the headwaters of Lake Spaulding anymore. There was a rough campsite at the mouth of Fordyce Creek that was nice. Someone blew it and its all off limits back there now. Bummer.