I am a single mom of a 2 1/2 year old girl, and am thinking about taking her camping for a night or two this summer. Any Moms out there know of any great places? I do not want to drive more than and hour or so ... near lakes or rivers would be great! Thank you!
We camped at a reservoir just east of Placerville- Sly Park. We thought it was a great spot. He was only 10 months, but good camping, a lake, places to walk. We went off season but seemed like a good family place.
I was very impressed with Collins Lake off of Hwy 20 close to Bullards Bar. My mother and I took my 12 son and his friend camping there last year. As a single mom I felt very secure and comfortable. The resort is very family friendly/oriented (not a party lake) with a swiming beach, playground, etc. They lock the gates into the resort at night and employees of the resort are constantly policing and monitoring the campgrounds. The website is www.collinslake.com.
You might try Rancho Seco Recreation area. It is run by SMUD and the camping area has a beach and a lake. You can also do fishing there. You can find more information about it on the SMUD website, but it is inexpensive and the sites are nice. I've gone there with a Girl Scout group and we camped in the group area, which was on grass!
Hi A.-
My family loves to camp at Donner Lake. Its a State run park with lots of hiking trails, a lake with a nice beach, a lagoon where you can rent canoes and paddle boats and its a 2 minute drive to Truckee in case you forgot anything. It also has large clean restroom buildings (no porta-potties) and coin operated showers. The campsites are level with picnic tables and fire pits and water faucets are always nearby. Staying at the park includes admission to the Donner Museum also on the property. Great family park. It takes us about 1.5 hrs from Roseville but its worth the drive for all the ammenities.
Have fun!
I'm also a single mom and I go to Scott's Flat lake out of Nevada City -- it's a little over an hour drive but worth it. There's a little store and a lake. I've always felt very safe there and we've been going for 10 years now! On Labor Day weekend they have a band play -- we're friends with them and it's a great time! There are paddle boats that can be rented and also fishing boats. Nevada City is a great little town to go through and there's a mine that's a fun stop. Good luck and have fun.
