Boat-In Camping Destination Reccommendations

Good info, fellas.

Keep it comin'.

Remember this Al?

Point Pinole Boat-in camping.
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

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.

Ahjumawi is great, though i haven't paddled and camped there in probably 25 years. The mosquitoes are definitely serious.

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

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.

Remember this Al?

Point Pinole Boat-in camping.
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

Now I remember!  That sounds really awesome, long disatance traveling by kayak and camping.  I would like to do this someday, maybe next year.  

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.

Remember this Al?

Point Pinole Boat-in camping.
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

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.

I definitely want to do Tomales, Oroville, and Point Pinole this year.

We'll chat at Del Valle. 

You should plan on New Hogan as well if you can make it on Pat's weekend.  Stripers! 

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! 

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.

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. 

Remember this Al?

Point Pinole Boat-in camping.
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

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