- Tamarack Bear Valley
Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp
Similar campgrounds nearby
Reviews
95% Recommend19 ratings · 15 reviews
Recommends
· September 2019
There were a ton of tent sites to choose from and the indoor common area was great. We loved having access to a full kitchen and there were snacks you could purchase as well. There is also a ping pong table and chess if you wanted to play games. The lodge also has several rooms if you wanted to stay indoors. This would be a great place if you had a large group of people.
Savannah M.
21 reviews
My family of 5 (wife, 12yo, 3.5yo, and 2yo) stayed here for labor day weekend. We loved the area and location. The campground was well equipped, and it was really nice to have access to a fully stocked kitchen, BBQ and deck. You can't park close next to your campsite so be prepared to carry your gear a short distance (we expected this from the listing).
This was a great spot for a family camping trip with little kids. The one downside we experienced was a huge number of wasps everywhere. i don't think was the fault of the campsite but maybe the time of year of our visit as we saw the wasps at a couple spots we visited on our trip. However if you are allergic to wasps it is something to be aware of.
Patrick B.
2 reviews
Vicky was a wonderful host and we found camping on her property to be a wonderful experience- the perfect combination of sleeping underneath the stars and still having the option of really helpful amenities: a deck with a BBQ, fully stocked kitchen, a fridge to store your food in, a phone charging station, and a bathroom and hot showers should you choose. We were so impressed by how clean the group facilities were and everything is available to use or borrow for a small fee that can be deposited into a donation box. Everything is well labeled and clear on fees/use policy. The campsites themselves are nicely spaced and we loved the host fire pit and the group campfire that was lit each night. The stars were beautiful! Vicky is a very responsive host and we would definitely come back to camp! Thanks for a wonderful weekend!
Janey L.
2 reviews
My husband and I had a lovely weekend at Tamarack Lodging and camping! Our spot was perfect. We had a little fire pit and lots of wood available in the forest.
For an extra 5$ each we got access to Vicky’s homemade muesli and scones for breakfast and hot showers in the lodge.
Vicky shared great tips about lakes and hikes nearby. She was a perfect hostess! And she has cute puppies!
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Lauren S.
9 years on Hipcamp
We reserved a campsite and were confirmed for campsite#1. When we arrived at 8:30 campsite #1 had been given to other campers. When I asked Vickie she said “people can take whatever spot they like” We were then sent to the “overflow” tent area. There were no clear paths to this area and we tripped over a hodgepodge wood pile on our way. One of the two women’s toilets were also broken.
There is clutter all over the property, inside and outside the lodge. This place could be a cool spot if they would clean it up of construction materials, Amazon boxes and broken lamps and random stuff laying around.
We really liked the communal kitchen and flush toilet option. This makes the spot ideal. Plus Vickie was busy making homemade sweet breads that I’m sure people really liked. I really hope the owners take the time to get rid of the clutter before next season. This place has great potential.
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Marty S.
6 years on Hipcamp
Breathtaking wilderness. Clean campsites,as well as access to amenities. Excellent host and wonderful family. Would definitely stay again.
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Andrea P.
6 years on Hipcamp
The important thing to know about Campsite in the Willows and the two other sites on the creek is that they are about 40 feet from highway 4 so road noise will be present. Highway 4 does quiet down significantly at night, but there will be the sporadic car/truck/motorcycle passing you while you are sleeping.
Vicky was a great host and told us we could take one of the empty sites behind the lodge instead. We ended up in site #4 and were quite comfortable. Cars on the highway can still be heard but they were far enough away to not be a bother.
The kitchen facilities and deck were great. Our 5-year-old had a blast playing with other kids/dogs which allowed us to relax on the deck with books and drinks.
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Brian W.
3 reviews
Recommends
· August 2019
It was more beautiful then the pictures made it seem! Clean, well kept! Wish I could have stayed longer!
Megan G.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2019
Great place to camp and Vicky and her husband were very accommodating! Beautiful scenic sites and if needed, a short walk to the communal kitchen, patio and restrooms. There are lakes, hikes and off roading trails close by. We can't wait to come back!
Jessica B.
10 reviews
Everyone working and visiting at the lodge was so kind. This place feels like home!! And they have a puppy named Luna who is the sweetest little thing. We will be back again.
Dallis B.
9 reviews
This is a great site, close to Bear Valley and Alpine Lake. The host of the lodge was great. Very helpful with things to do/see and about our stay at the campsite. Great campsite alternative the the bigger campgrounds.
Christopher W.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2019
Great place to stay. Hosts were wonderful and the facilities are kept very clean. Would recommend this place to anyone visiting the bear valley area.
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Rahul S.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2018
Group trip ·
Tamarack Population 9-Camping!
Vicky was very helpful and friendly. The campsite grounds was well maintained and had a lovely communal feel to it. Bonus: the trees have string lights on them so that was a nice surprise for us once the sun went down :)
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Megan W.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2018
Firstly, Vicky and Tim were very gracious hosts. They invited me to share in a big batch of delicious chili they had made, and gave me some tips on good hikes and a few nearby places to fish and swim.
This part of the Sierras clears out after Labor Day so there were no other campers present during my stay, which meant I had the place to myself. The campsites at Tamarack Lodge are well-kept and easily accessible. Each one has a fire pit and a place to sit (either a couple stumps, chairs, a bench or a picnic table).
There were bathrooms inside the lodge accessible to campers and one portapottie out back as well. Showers were also available for a small fee ($5 per person per stay). Continental breakfast was also available for $5 per day. There were additional snacks, bottled water, gatorade available for purchase and a guest fridge for guests to store a few perishables.
The deck attached to the lodge was a great place to kick back and have a beer while enjoying the sunset. There was a gas-powered grill on the deck too.
In the field adjacent to the lodge there was a larger fire ring for group fires, which are typically supervised by someone from Tamarack Lodge. This was definitely a highlight because when camping, there's nothing better than a fire.
Each of the sites had a slightly different character -- a couple in the open field, a couple nestled between trees, and mine was under a large pine. A few of the sites could be spaced out a bit more -- although it was hard to tell without other campers there.
These sites are a great option for a group of less-experienced campers who want the ease of car-camping i.e. parking within 50-100ft of their site. These are not wilderness campsites and you won't feel like you've left the modern world behind. That said, if you want to look up in the sky and see the stars, this is a great place to do it.
Bryce P.
7 reviews
Recommends
· July 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed our camping stay. The place was so nice along with the host Vicky, everyone was helpful and we felt very comfortable here Will definitely be back soon!
Heather W.
7 years on Hipcamp
Location
Tamarack Bear Valley, Calaveras, California, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Vicky J.
Joined in January 2018Things to do nearby
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