Expert: Steve Summers - 8/5/2005

Question
Steve,
I recently read a response you wrote and mentioned campsites out of the cold.  It's August in Bakersfield and I am looking to FIND the cold.  Can you give me any suggestions on somewhere to camp where it's much cooler.  Growing up my husband and I both spent every summer in Balch Park, but there are no RV hookups there.  We are looking for a place to take our tent trailer (connect to electricity) and go fishing that is cold and in a very wooded area.  Hope we are not expecting too much.  We don't mind up to around a four hour drive.  Any ideas?  

Answer
Hi Amy,

I thought I answered this several days ago, but it looks like you never got my answer.

To cool off, you might have to drive 5 or 6 hours. You have two choices: Eastern or Western Sierras. Early summer it can be cool at the beach, but not really cold. But now, the beaches aren't really "cold".

In the Western Sierra, there are campsites with hookups at Bass Lake, Yosemite, Shaver Lake, Huntington Lake.

However, I prefer the Eastern Sierras for fishing. There are fewer trees, but the beauty more than makes up for it. There are campsites in hookups in Mammoth Lakes, but they are only so-so. There are also some good sites in the June Lake Loop at June Lake RV resort. Don't go to the Pine Cliff RV Resort. Our favorite is the Mono Vista RV Resort. It's a very nice place to stay, and you can fish one of the many lakes and streams in the Sierras. You can take hwy 120 towards Yosemite and fish Tioga, Ellery, or Saddlebag Lakes. There are a number of lakes in the June Lake Loop, and of course, Crowley. Check out www.rvparkreviews.com for some excellent info on these parks. I've stayed at quite a few of them, and left reviews.

Have fun,

Steve