Public campground information

Some selected information on public campgrounds in this general area

Now that we are well into the summer camping season, if you are interested in going camping, here is selected "Don Q" information on campgrounds in this general area:

U.S. Forest Service- Carson Ranger District:

-- Centerville Flat (on Calif. S.R. 4, about eight miles from Markleeville at the junction of Silver Creek and the East Carson River): No fee. Has a vault toilet. Large flat area for trailer camping. Silver Creek is within one-quarter mile. Black bears are in this area at times. Take precautions with food.

-- Crystal Springs (at an elevation of 5,800 feet on the West Carson River along Calif. S.R. 88):

There is a $9 daily fee. Less than one mile from Woodfords. Total number of camping units is 20 and all can accommodate vehicles up to 22 feet in length. Vault toilets, garbage pick-up and water.

-- Hope Valley (at an elevation of 7,200 feet next to the West Carson River. Located off Calif. S.R. 88 on the Blue Lakes Road):

There is a $9 daily fee. Nearest services are four miles and 20 units, of which 17 can accommodate vehicles up to 22 feet. Vault toilets, garbage pick-up and water. Hope Valley Group Use Area for up to 16 people and four vehicles: $16 daily fee.

-- Kit Carson (at an elevation of 6,600 feet on the West Carson River along Calif. S.R. 88):

There is a $9 daily fee. Less than one-quarter mile from services. Steep terrain with 12 units, of which three can accommodate vehicles up to 22 feet. Two vault toilets, garbage pick-up and water.

-- Markleeville (at an elevation of 5,500 feet on Markleeville Creek. Located one-half mile from Markleeville, just off Calif. 4 and 89):

There is a $9 daily fee, and 10 units, of which six can accommodate vehicles up to 16 feet. Vault toilet, garbage pick-up and water.

-- Mt. Rose (at an elevation of 8,900 feet on the Mt. Rose Highway (Nev. S.R. 431). Nine miles from Incline Village and 30 miles from Reno):

There is a $9 daily fee and 24 units, of which nine can accommodate vehicles up to 16 feet. Two flush toilets, garbage pick-up and water.

-- Silver Creek (at an elevation of 8,000 feet on Calif. S.R. 4 about 16 miles from Markleeville):

There is a $9 daily fee and 22 units. Two vault toilets, garbage pick-up and water. Black bears are in this area at times. Take precautions with food.

-- Snowshoe Springs (at an elevation of 6,100 feet on the West Carson River on Calif. S.R. 88):

There is a $9 daily fee. Steep terrain on both sides and 13 units, of which nine can accommodate vehicles up to 16 feet. Vault toilet, garbage pick-up and water.

-- Special Note: Hope Valley, Mt. Rose and Silver Creek campgrounds have reservable campsites. Reservations must be made between 5-240 days in advance by contacting the National Recreation Campground Reservation System at (877) 444-6777 or through Internet website www.ReserveUSA.com.

In addition to the U.S.F.S. campgrounds listed above, here are other selected public campgrounds:

-- Davis Creek (Operated by Washoe County. In Washoe Valley, north of Bowers Mansion): There are 63 units, of which 19 are pull-through trailer sites. There is a $11 for non-Washoe County residents, $10 for Washoe County residents and $1 per pet. Picnic area is free of charge. Hot showers, flush toilets, garbage pickup and water. Walk-in camp area for groups of up to 50 people is located on a hill about 150 yards from parking area. Group use area available for groups up to 100 people. Call 849-0684.

-- Grover Hot Springs (Operated by the California State Parks. Four miles from Markleeville via a paved road):

There are 76 units (can accommodate up to eight people and vehicles up to 27 feet) at $16 per day.

Hot showers (quarter operated). Flush toilets, garbage pickup and water. Special Note: Black bears are frequent visitors to this campground. Bear-proof food containers are available. Call (530) 694-2248.

-- Indian Creek (At Indian Creek Reservoir. Operated by the Bureau of Land Management. Located between Woodfords and Markleeville, just off Calif. S.R. 4 and 89):

There are 29 camp sites for tents, campers and R.V.s. There are 19 sites ($10 per day) that can accommodate vehicles up to 30 feet in length and ten other sites ($8 per day) for tent camping only. The group-use area ($20 per night) can accommodate groups up to 40 people for overnight camping in tents only. The group use area is not available for use on Labor Day weekend. There is no fee charged for day use. The reservoir has two boat launch areas, one improved and the other unimproved. Boats are restricted to not more than 10 miles per hour. Call the BLM Carson City Office at 885-6000.

-- Turtle Rock (Operated by Alpine County, Calif. Located between Woodfords and Markleeville, just off Calif. S.R. 4 and 89):

There are 28 units (a limited number for larger vehicles): $8 for non-seniors, $5 for seniors per day or $200 per month for non-seniors, $120 per month for seniors. Flush toilets, garbage pickup and water. Day use fee is $3. Special Note: Black bears are frequent visitors to this campground. Call Carol at Alpine County Public Works Dept. in Markleeville at (530) 694-2140, Ext. 22.

-- Washoe Lake State Park (Operated by the Nevada State Parks. In Washoe Valley between Carson City and Reno):

There are 50 units ($7 per day plus $3 entrance fee to the park). Can accommodate larger-sized vehicles. Some are tent sites only. No electricity or water at individual sites. Hot showers and water are available at campground. Vault toilets, garbage pickup. Call 687-4319.

Here's where to call for information on other campgrounds:

-- Alpine Chamber Interagency Visitor Information Office in Markleeville, Calif. at (530) 694-2475.

-- Bureau of Land Management - Interagency Information Center in Reno at 861-6505.

-- California Campground Reservation System - for anywhere in California: (800) 444-7275.

-- Dayton State Park at 687-5678.

-- Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest - Supervisor's Office in Sparks at 331-6444 or 355-5311.

-- Lahontan State Park at 867-3500.

-- Nevada State Parks Region 2 Headquarters (Carson-Tahoe area) at 687-4379.

-- Nevada State Parks State Headquarters (for the entire State of Nevada) at 687-4384.

-- U.S. Forest Service - Carson Ranger District Office in Carson City at 882-2766.

-- Bet Your Favorite Pigeon

Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't name my favorite campground in this area. If he answers, "Indian Creek," he wins, you lose.