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Trinity Lake, at its fullest, has 145 miles of shoreline and is 2.5 million acre-feet of water. It’s a synthetic lake shaped by the creation of the Trinity Dam, an enormous earth-filled dam, within the Nineteen Sixties.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Occasions)
The Trinity Alps is dwelling to a number of campgrounds, resorts and limitless backcountry tenting spots. There are a number of campgrounds round Trinity Lake, together with Hayward Flat, Jackass Springs and Bushytail, which has showers. Rental cabins and resorts (and likewise a Buddhist retreat middle the place you’ll be able to hire numerous lodging) are scattered all through the Trinity Alps for these desirous to sleep in one thing past a nylon-walled tent.
Listed here are among the campgrounds that hikers ought to take into account when planning a visit to the Trinities.
Large Flat Campground
Distant and deeper within the Trinities than others on this listing, the Large Flat campground in Klamath Nationwide Forest has 9 first-come, first-served campsites simply off the South Fork of the Salmon River. It’s farther north than different websites on this listing, nearest to the Espresso Creek group the place there’s a common retailer that sells chilly beer and sandwiches.
Hikers tenting right here may have a number of trails to select from, together with arduous however rewarding treks to Caribou Lakes, the Yellow Rose Mine or Ward Lake. The location sits at about 5,000 toes and is usually closed till later in the summertime when snow within the space has melted sufficient for the campground to be safely accessed. It’s best to name or examine in particular person on the ranger station to make sure your car is appropriate to make the drive on Espresso Creek Highway.
Bridge Camp Campground 
Bridge Camp has 10 campsites, each with picnic tables and fire rings.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
Bridge Camp is a 10-site first-come, first-served campground situated along the Stuart Fork, a tributary of the Trinity River, in Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Situated about 17 miles north of Weaverville, the campground has potable water available from Memorial Day to Oct. 31.
To reach the campground, you’ll drive through the charming Trinity Alps Resort, which rents out rustic red cabins named after California counties, and onto a narrow gravel road. Use extreme caution on this final stretch of your journey as the southern edge of the roadway has a steep drop-off that plunges down to the Stuart Fork.
The campground is an arboreous escape shaded by massive old trees and, under safe conditions, guests can enjoy a cool dip in Stuart Fork’s clear waters.
Backpackers will often stay a night here because it shares its location with the Stuart Fork Trailhead, where they can start a multi-day trip to Emerald and Sapphire Lakes, which are 14 and 15 miles away, respectively. This trip to reach the 21-acre Emerald Lake (at a depth of 68 feet) and 43-acre Sapphire Lake (at 200 feet deep) is one of the most popular among backpackers in the Trinities. The Stuart Fork trail also makes for great day hiking regardless of how far you go.
As a bonus, Trinity Alps Resort, only two miles from the campground, has a general store that’s open to the public and features an ice cream counter and a restaurant, Bear’s Breath Bar & Grill, that advertises a “world famous” spaghetti buffet — just in case you forget your can opener and need an easy spot for dinner.
Mary Smith Campground
Mary Smith, a 17-site campground on Lewiston Lake shoreline, treats guests with one thing none of the other sites on this list provide: glamping. Six of its campsites, each available to reserve through recreation.gov, offer yurts including queen beds with linens, down comforters and pillows, along with two nightstands and an oversized rug. Outside the yurts, guests will find armchairs, a coffee table, fire pit and picnic table. Not a bad place to rest after hiking and swimming all day!
The campground, shaded by large pine and other trees, has flush and vault toilets and drinking water. Guests can marvel at great views of the lakes and wildflowers that blanket the area through the summer. It’s a great spot to camp for anyone wanting to kayak or canoe, as the lake has a 10-mph speed limit for watercraft.
Ripstein Campground 
The Ripstein campground has 10 websites for tent tenting close to the favored Canyon Creek trailhead.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Occasions)
Ripstein is a 10-site first-come, first-served campground in Shasta-Trinity Nationwide Forest that’s shaded by tall bushes with a pure soundscape of close by Canyon Creek. It has a number of roomy campsites, together with a number of subsequent to the river that ship pristine views and privateness.
The favored Canyon Creek Trailhead is slightly below a mile away, and a well-liked swim space is shut too. Close by parking areas can refill on weekends so it’s finest to reach early to the trailhead or stroll out of your campground. Backpackers use this campground as a fast stopover earlier than heading out.
Though Ripstein doesn’t have potable water or flush bogs, it boasts a panorama so vibrant and inexperienced, it appears like strolling right into a fairy story. For these campers keen to tough it a bit, it’s an A-plus alternative.
