PLEASE NOTE: Reviews prior to 2006 have been completely removed. As of June 2011, I will add casinos to my listings for those wishing to blacktop boondock.
Peninsula Camping and Boating Resort
GRASS VALLEY, Peninsula Camping & Boating Resort – If you truly want to get away from it all, then hiding out at the remote Peninsula should be on the top of your list! The long, winding eight mile mountain “Are we there yet?” road will either leave you throwing up or your fingertips permanently imprinted in your steering wheel. No, it’s not that bad – in fact, it is a really interesting drive that makes you realize what it means to be off the beaten path.
The campground is one of four located on Rollins Lake. Now we did not visit the other three campgrounds, but heard very bad things about them. Since they are right off the highway, apparently the others are “local hangouts”. The Peninsulas is privately-owned and family-operated.
For campers not on the lake, there is a day use beach with shade, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, outdoor (rinse) shower, volleyball court, horseshoes and boat rentals. Boat rentals are very reasonable with rates as low as $10 an hour.
They have very clean and well-stocked restrooms, a charming country store with food, fishing supplies (and bait), souvenirs and camping supplies. The campground offers areas of potable water and a dump station (small fee). RVers are allowed to run their generators during daylight hours, but must be respectful of other campers during designated quiet hours.
Not all sites are RV-friendly and the gate greeter will let you know which sites are better for your rig. All sites are back-in except those located in group coves or “The Meadow” area and include picnic tables and fire rings with grills.
Reservations are highly recommended, as they are usually very busy. They participate in several camper discount programs – just let know which one you belong to when making reservations.
They can be seen on the web at: http://www.penresort.com/
WOULD WE RETURN? Yes
BIG RIG FRIENDLY? Yes/No
SLIDE FRIENDLY? Most Sites
EASY TO FIND? Yes, with directions
OROVILLE, Oroville/Feather Falls Casino KOA – If you love casinos and camping this is the spot for you. Quite honestly, this is the best designed Big Rig campground we have been to since we started Full-Timing! Whoever designed this park must have understood the needs of RVers.
The campsites are actually concrete pads – extremely long so you don’t have to unhook (unless you really are long) and there is plenty of yard (actual grass!), lights and even picnic tables. Fancier sites with patio furniture and real barbeque grills are available at a higher price.
They have a wonderful camp store filled with camping supplies and souvenirs. The laundry, rest rooms, showers and rec room are kept in excellent condition. Inside the rec room is a large-screen TV as well as a book-lending shelf. They even have a nice display of tribal items. The rec hall and the office / camp store are designed as Concow-Maidu roundhouses.
They have a shuttle that takes you to the casino or a lighted-path is provided for those who don’t mind walking. Campers receive free slot play coupons during their stay – so don’t forget to ask when you register. The casino is small, but is planning on expanding. They have a great buffet and several other places to eat, such as Pizza Hut.
This casino has to have some of the loosest slots we’ve been to. They also have soda and coffee stations located in the casino for you to get as many free drinks you want.
This really is a nice place to stay and it is just a few miles from downtown Oroville. Oroville has all the modern amenities and plenty of sites to see, including Oroville Dam (don’t tow your rig there though) and many historic buildings (and murals) downtown.
You can view their website at: www.koafeatherfallscasino.com
LAST VISIT: 2008
WOULD WE RETURN? Yes, Definitely!
BIG RIG FRIENDLY? Yes
SLIDE FRIENDLY? Yes
EASY TO FIND? Yes
Crescent City, Crescent City / Redwoods KOA – This campground is only open seasonally so please contact them for opening dates. It is a charming KOA and considering your location, very quite.
It is situated on 11 acres of redwoods so you don’t have to drive far to experience these amazing trees. In fact, their Kamping Kabins are nestled among the redwoods.
The have a designated “Big Rig Row”, but quite honestly, this is a bit tight for “real” Big Rigs. We were concerned we would not be able to make the turn getting out and had to walk it several times first. We did have to unhook to fit in our spot.
You’ll want to unhook anyway to visit Redwood National and State Parks. You can not tow your rig to some areas, esp. through Smith’s Redwood Park. In fact, our truck (almost 20′ long) wouldn’t make it and we had to turn around in a very awkward spot.
The area has plenty to do, from visiting the beautiful coast along Crescent City to exploring lighthouses and playing the slots at nearby casinos.
We stayed there several days and kept so busy that I didn’t have a chance to explore the laundry facility or the restrooms. They are pet-friendly and have a new dog walk area, as well as a little farm area with goats and chickens.
The staff is extremely friendly and they do have special events during the peak season. Their store is well-stocked and they even sell Big Foot souvenirs and ice cream! 
You can visit them at: www.crescentcitykoa.com
LAST VISIT: 2008
WOULD WE RETURN? Yes
BIG RIG FRIENDLY? Not Really
SLIDE FRIENDLY? Yes/No
EASY TO FIND? Yes
Bridgeport Res. Marina & RV Park
BRIDGEPORT, Bridgeport Res. Marina & RV Park – This park is small but in a beautiful region of the country. The only problem is that because of the mountains, you have no cell or aircard signal. Fortunately the campground offers free WiFi (ask for the password) so you can stay in touch with the outside world.
The region is remote and fuel is quite high. We paid OVER $5 a gallon for diesel (and this was when prices started dropping again) as there is only one place within the area that sells diesel.
The campground offers spectacular views, clean (but old) restrooms and a friendly staff. They also have boat rentals, slip rentals and horse boarding in season. It is about 20 miles to Bodie State Historical Park (a must see! But DO NOT take your rig!) and under an hour drive to Yosemite (Tioga Pass) and Mono Lake.
WOULD WE RETURN? Yes
BIG RIG FRIENDLY? Yes
SLIDE FRIENDLY? Yes
EASY TO FIND? Yes
KELSEYVILLE, Edgewater Resort – This has to be one of the rudest places we have ever been in contact with. I do not recommend this park solely based on their rude staff. I won’t even waste time typing more!
WOULD WE RETURN? NO!!! PERIOD!!!
COMING SOON!* Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel & RV Resort
* Elk Valley Casino
* Thunder Valley Casino
* Colusa Casino Resort
Updated: December 15, 2011
1 comment
Comments feed for this article
March 8, 2009 at 8:54 pm
H.S.
I wanted to add that the Bridgeport campground does rent boats in season and can board your horse(s).