Car Camping in June

[balzaccom]

We take the entire staff of our company for a camping trip each summer. It's a great team-building exercise, and while everyone is free to do what they want during the day, each night a team is responsible for cooking and cleaning up. And since we work in the wine and food world, that means we have some pretty memorable meals.

But finding a group campsite this summer was a bit of a challenge. Of course the really popular sites book up very quickly, but we've usually been able to find a spot without too much trouble. This year is different, and it's different because of the snow.

Yes, Recreation.gov is taking reservations for campsites all over the Sierra. But the rangers in those forests and parks are not in any way sure that the campgrounds will be open, or when they will be open. If we get a warm spring and the melting snow reveals no major road damage, then all is well. But we spoke to rangers in the El Dorado, Calaveras, Tahoe, and Sierra National Forests, and they all admitted they didn't have a firm date of when many of their campgrounds would open- or even the roads.

We found a spot that we think will work pretty well. But if you're looking, you better move quickly if you know where you want to camp--or take the advice of most of the rangers we contacted. They told us to check back in late May!

[dave54]

It is not just a matter when the snow melts out of a campground. The snow damage must be repaired.

Have you considered dispersed camping? A developed campground provides tables, fire rings, toilets, and most of the time potable water. You can easily bring your own tables, fire ring, and water. Portable toilets are a hassle, but give you the flexibility to camp nearly anywhere you want.

[balzaccom]

Yes--but this is a group of 25 people, many of whom camp only once a year. Not quite the right group for a more adventurous spot.

[robow8]

I was thinking Joshua Tree, but it will be too hot in June. And probably too far.

[AlmostThere]

Wind Wolves Preserve would be perfect for that. Very nice hiking in spring, and there are two well appointed group campsites.

[oldranger]

Lots of dispersed camping along big Meadow road. Should be open as far as big Meadow by the end of June, though in early June in 83 I skied from first gate on road to Rowell Meadow.

[balzaccom]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We do have a group campsite reserved. And since this is a very diverse group with limited outdoors skills, the dispersed camping option would be hard to make work...These folks need picnic tables and potties.

[sparky]

reserve a backup site somewhere in the foothills?

[zacjust32]

There's a group campground by Stony Creek in Sequoia Nat'l Forest (Fir Group) that may work out well for you. Stony Creek Village has plenty of amenities: showers, laundry, store, wifi, etc. And there are plenty of things to do nearby, Giant Forest Museum, Buck Rock Lookout, Hume Lake, Grant Grove, horse riding @ Big Meadows Horse corral, and plenty of hiking trails.

There are also a couple by Hume Lake on Ten Mile Road (Logger Flat and Aspen Hollow) that are close to the amenities @ Hume Lake Camp.

Fir Group
Aspen Hollow
Logger Flat

[Big Ed]

What type of daily activities are you looking for? Hiking? How far? What difficulty?