Camping in Bay Area with swimming

From the fog-encased redwoods to the sandy shores along the Pacific Ocean, Bay Area camping has something special waiting for every camping enthusiast.

97% (1959 reviews)
97% (1959 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Bay Area

Dog-friendly getaways

12 top campgrounds in Bay Area with swimming

95%
(793)

The Meadow Grove of Hands Full Farm

8 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Valley Ford, CA
The Grove (5 total) campsites are located near the historic Narrow Gauge Railroad bed on a family owned working ranch in coastal Northern California. The camp sites are nestled in a pasture and grove of mixed Eucalyptus, willow and cypress trees. The sites are perfect for tents or camper vans, or small trailers. There are no hook-ups for RVs (the access to the camp sites also prohibits long vehicles). There is access to a composting camp toilet. The ranch itself is 300 acres of rolling hills pasture, with hilltop views of the Estero Americano valley. The Grove is home to many varieties of raptors and other birds-providing excellent bird watching. Seasonally there are blackberries to fill your containers, and some hiking. The sites are subject to some road noise, as we are right on Hwy 1. We are mere minutes from the quaint towns of Valley Ford, Tomales, and Dillon Beach, and a short drive from Bodega, Bodega Bay or Marshall, Pt. Reyes Station and Inverness. Nearby attractions include: Sonoma Coast beaches, Pt. Reyes National Seashore, coastal hiking trails, local farm-to-table eateries. Inland attractions include: redwoods, wine tasting, Russian River activities and so much more. Specifics about these campsites are: They each come with a picnic table (#1,#2, has a checkerboard painted on it-bring checkers or chess!)The grounds are a working ranch, so there is variations of the soil- some lumps and bumps and general natural state of a pasture v. a groomed lawn. There are certainly level places for tents and camper vans or trailers. The ranch borders Hwy 1, so there is some degree of road noise. Traffic usually dies down mid afternoon, and isn't too much of a disturbance. There can be however, some heavy weekend traffic during the day with car clubs and motorcycle riders enjoying the coastal highway. The Grove Sites #1, #2, and #3 are on this listing Site 4 and Site 5 are their own listing. *The Friendly Gray Cat's name is Boots!* If you plan on attending Outside Lands at Golden Gate Park, you've come to right place! Book your stay at The Grove, located 55 minutes from Golden Gate Park. Our space offers an ideal way to relax and recharge after a day's fun enjoying the music and food at Outside Lands.
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$45
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91%
(38)

Skyview

14 sites · Tents23 acres · Boulder Creek, CA
With 23 gorgeous acres, Skyview is the perfect place to enjoy nature and the elements. You can hike our ridge trail for spectacular views of the Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz mountains. You can relax in one of our Skypods and take a nap or read a book beneath a 200 year old oak tree. Go swimming in our huge pond and do yoga/meditate/journal on the adjoining beach. There's a grandmother (old-growth) redwood tree to visit plus a wonderful diversity of wildflowers and native plants to study and appreciate. Birds soar in the skies above (hawks, ravens, vultures) while the calls of morning doves and owls gently fill the air at dawn and dusk. And our sunsets...wow!!
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$65
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99%
(40)

Up Shit Creek

7 sites · Lodging, Tents12 acres · Boulder Creek, CA
12 Acres in the Redwoods. Creekside. We have a private driveway with lots of secluded Space. lots of chickens usually an endless supply of eggs for breakfast. Small campfires available. Cabin renters have access to Hot showers, wood-burning stove, kitchen amenities and running water. The cabin is located Away from our living area and is overlooking the creek. Tent sites are located next to the creek or up near the community fire pit. This is our home, it is private, eclectic and filled with natural beauty. That being said, it is by no means pristine. We have the occasional junk pile like most off grid homesteaders do. We do not throw out some things that others would. We try to find a use for old and weathered equipment and materials. Our cabin is built completely with recycled and reclaimed materials. Like I said, we do not like to waste anything, so you may notice a few parts and pieces laying around.
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$60
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98%
(344)

The Ranch at Cross Road

10 sites · RVs, Tents84 acres · Livermore, CA
Welcome to the ranch at cross road! We are a family owned organic farm in the heart of Livermore wine country. We have 10 camp sites spread across the property for you to choose from. The property is minutes from Lake Del Valle and some of the best wineries and breweries California has to offer. Settle in and enjoy amazing sunsets every night with us! We accommodate tents,Travel trailers, Fifth wheels, Toy haulers, Pop-up campers, Class A RVs, Class B RVs, Class C RVs, Campervans, and Cars. Our guests love us too! "I had a wonderful stay at Matt’s ranch! It was easy to find even as it was starting to get dark, and the campsites were well lit and easy to find. The ranch is beautiful. It was such a treat to stay here. I would definitely stay again."
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$55
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98%
(258)

Blackberry Farm

5 sites · Tents7 acres · Bolinas, CA
Blackberry Farm sits on the western side of Mount Tamalpais, tucked in the Gospel Flat area of Bolinas. The family farm and residence were established during the late 1970s on the site of the historic Peter’s Dairy Ranch. The original farmhouse dates back to the late 19th century and survived the great 1906 earthquake. Today, the 7-acre farm is being restored to sustainably support fruit orchards, cottage flower and kitchen gardens, honey bees, a boisterous flock of chickens, and naughty shetland sheep. Our self-serve farmstand attached to our barn has seasonal flowers, organic eggs, heirloom fruit, and local goods from the farm. Our property is the perfect rustic getaway for backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts. You’ll be surrounded by farm/ranch life: chickens clucking, roosters crowing, bees buzzing, and sheep bleating. We also have active nighttime wildlife: coyotes howling, raccoons foraging, owls hooting, etc. Bring earplugs if nature sounds are too much for you. We offer 4 walk-in tent sites that allow you to immerse yourself in nature. We welcome well-behaved pets ON LEASH that won’t harass the chickens, cats, sheep, other campers, or residents. Unruly pets and their campers will be asked to leave. No refund. Limit: 1 dog per site. Pitch your tent in a meadow shared by: Campsite 1 - left side of the meadow, closest to the common area and hot tub. Campsite 2 - middle of the meadow, closest to our fenced apiary and bee garden. Campsite 3 - right side of the meadow, near the orchard. (sites 1 and 3 are next to each other) Campsite 4 - front of the pasture, closest to the parking area (best for car/van campers wanting space to lounge near their parked vehicle.) Multiple sites may be booked for group camping. Sites 1 and 3 are next to each other under the Cypress Trees. Add site 2 if you would like the entire back half of the campground. Add site 4 if you'd like to have a maximum number of 16 total campers and 2 tents/per site. The common area has an outdoor shower, hot tub, covered bbq/cook area, tented (weather-protected) hangout space, and a place to stash your surfboard. Redwood Grove hangout areas have seating and tree swings. Please pack out your trash. We offer a recycling bin for glass bottles, cans, and clean paper. Parking is 100 yds or less from the campsites. We have a large wheelbarrow to help you cart your camping gear across the pasture to your campsite. No driving onto or parking in the meadow. Due to the narrow driveway and parking area (lack of turnaround), the site cannot accommodate RVs, trailers, or oversize vehicles beyond 16ft in length, 7ft in width, or 10 ft in height. 1 car per campsite, please. 15-minute walk to the beach and downtown.
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$75
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95%
(381)

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Glamping

7 sites · Lodging4750 acres · Kenwood, CA
We have four lovely Glamping sites at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, nestled in the glorious chaparral of the Mayacama Mountain Range and Sonoma Hills, deep in the heart of wine country. In our family-friendly campground, we installed three 16-Foot Canvas Glamping Tents, replete with warm and cozy furnishings, and other amenities you will love. The cost is $150 per night on weekends (Fri and Sat) and $125 per night on weekdays (Sun-Thurs). There is a 2-night minimum stay required between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Each canvas tent comes with a queen-size bed, futon lounge chairs, rugs, tables, lighting, and complementary firewood the first night. At no additional cost, we can add up to two twin beds to each tent upon request to sleep up to 6 people. 8 people max allowed at the campsite. The glamping sites include a picnic table, fire ring, outdoor seating, and room for your additional tents if desired. All sites are easy walking distance to flush toilets and a bathhouse, with large, clean, coin operated hot shower rooms. There is no cell service in the park, but free WiFi is available at the Visitor Center. PLEASE NOTE that Bedding (sheets, pillows, blankets) IS NOT included in a standard rental, but is available as an add-on. Guests are encouraged to bring their own bedding whenever possible. If no bedding is added, we will assume a one-queen setup with mattress covers only. We kindly ask guests to provide at least 48-hour notice if bedding will be required. We will always try to accommodate last-minute requests, but we cannot guarantee this. PETS and SMOKING ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE our glamping tents! This is strictly enforced, and you WILL be charged a $150 cleaning fee for any violation of this policy. Parking: Your reservation includes parking for one vehicle. There is an additional $10 per night per vehicle charge for more than one vehicle, which you can pay for at the Visitor's Center upon check-in. Please note that a $25 setup/cleaning fee is charged per reservation, plus a booking fee. Since 2012, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park has been operated by a band of non-profits, spearheaded by The Sonoma Ecology Center, known as Team Sugarloaf. Team Sugarloaf's efforts have resulted in a revitalized park that engages with all of our community and welcomes visitors from all over the country and the world.
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$150
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99%
(259)

The Olive Farm

2 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Novato, CA
Excellent Group Site! We only host one group at a time so you can be with your family and friends in a large, flat and private space. We listed the site for up to 12 campers but feel free to reach out if your group is bigger. Please check out the newest addition of our cabin bunkhouse. Take a look at the pictures - you can add it to your stay as an extra when you book! The land was originally purchased in the 1980's. Since then, it has been used by four generations of the family as a place to gather, relax, camp and even celebrate. I had my wedding on the property in 2010. For a few years we held an annual music festival with the very inventive name of Samapalooza. Up to 400 people would attend the day filled with live music, food and drinks. You will still find the stage and bar we built as an outdoor kitchen and dining area. Around 2008, my father and I planted our first olive trees. Many have been planted since which has gifted the land the timeless sense of purpose it deserves. My father dedicated his last years to tending the young trees and now I have taken the mantle to carry the farm forward. 'The Property', as it is known amongst family and friends has always been a place to camp. I have sat around the same fire ring for decades, rain or shine. I hope that fellow hipcampers can find the joy that my family and I have experienced here. This is a very private camp on a small olive farm. Geographically close to highways and the town of Novato, Sonoma and Napa wine country, this camp feels remote and secluded. Only one camp on the property to keep it private and special. You basically have your run of the land. We have just updated the land and made some nice improvements. Located on ten acres, you will drive past a small olive grove before reaching the spacious and open campground. Just up the hill from the camp is a private pond where you can fish, take out a small boat or just sit and watch the birds. It can be great swimming on hot summer days. This spot has been used by the family for decades and is now open to share with fellow nature lovers. Just a note: While the majority of the time you can expect complete privacy, this is a working olive farm. From time to time you may run into me (Sam) or someone else associated with the land. We will always do our best to respect your space.
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$140
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96%
(157)

Pharo Pharms Organic Farm-

1 site · RV2 acres · Sonoma, CA
****PLEASE NOTE:**** This campsite is for RVs or self-contained vehicles ONLY as we have no restroom facilities available. No tent or car camping. It is a small organic farm on the outskirts of the City of Sonoma. It is about 9 miles from downtown Napa. There are mountain and vineyard views, The campsite is up against a vineyard. Our neighbors are cows and goats. We have sheep, chickens, dogs, cats, and horses. We are within walking distance of three wineries and a vodka bar. We have water and 30 amp electricity available.
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$65
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96%
(45)

Stemple Creek Ranch

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents200 acres · Tomales, CA
Stemple Creek Ranch is an organic cattle ranch in Marin County, CA. Our property is private and picturesque. We have several camping locations on the ranch and also two small cabins and a small farmhouse available. Our campsites change between a few spots based on the weather and where our livestock are at the moment. All of the campsite locations are beautiful and have been enjoyed by many guests. We look forward to sharing our land with you!
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$150
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98%
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Above the Clouds RV Park

3 sites · RVs23 acres · Glen Ellen, CA
23 beautiful acres at the top of the mountain overlooking the valley below and the mountains on the other side. We are often Above the Clouds in the mornings. You will need to come up a windy country road to get to us but it will be well worth it. Learn more about this land: Welcome to our Above the Clouds RV spot, tucked away in between Napa and Sonoma Valleys - right in the middle of wine country! This is the perfect peaceful getaway near great outdoor activities and some of the best wineries in California! About the Property: Above the Clouds campsite is surrounded by beautiful, stately trees and overlooks the Valley of the Moon with a stunning mountain view. We are just 11 miles from the city of Sonoma and only 8 miles from the Napa Valley - making both destinations really easy to get to. You can enjoy the California wineries, restaurants, and shops that you'd like! We are also ideally located near Jack London State Park - which is a really pretty and historic place to go! The opportunities for hiking around our property are endless, and definitely head to the wineries if that's of interest to you. On our property you can enjoy exploring our more-than 20 acres of land, taking the row-boat (provided by Hosts) out on our pond, hiking or just relaxing in a serene setting and watching a great variety of birds. Formerly utilized as a bed and breakfast, when we moved to the property we definitely wanted to continue sharing the land and views with guests. As hosts, we are around and enjoy getting to know the our visitors if you are up for that, otherwise we are also happy to respect total privacy. There are 3 sites next to the pond, we have one that is there all the time in the summer but those folks only come a couple of times each month. The 2 others are right next to each other near the pond. We haven't started having more than one rented at a time yet but do expect to start that soon. You may have a neighbor or 2. We hope you enjoy the beautiful sunsets and being literally above the clouds as much as we do! About the Listing: Come park your RV on our property and set up camp at a beautiful spot right next to the pond. You should expect to see us on the property, though your site is well away from the house We have minimal electrical and we do have water hookups available for your RV, we do allow generators. There is a BBQ grill that you are welcome to use for cooking some wonderful meals if you'd like! You can enjoy a bite to eat at the picnic table near your campsite. There is also potable water from our natural spring available onsite for guests. You can enjoy watching the birds, turkeys and deer that meander through the meadow, and feel free to roam around the property taking in the fresh outdoor air! Additional Details to Note: - Check-in is after 2pm and check-out is before 12pm - Things to bring: Everything you need to camp comfortably! Think: toilet paper, cookware, bathing suits if you like, etc. - We do not have wifi available on site and cell reception is spotty, especially for certain carriers. Please prepare accordingly for your travels and your stay. - There is a fire ban in effect, so please no campfires, but we do allow you to use a propane fire pit if you bring it yourself. - We welcome your pets! They can be off leash if they are friendly and if they don't run off - we do not have a fence. - You can contact us if you'd like to check in early - if nobody needs to check out, we are happy to accommodate you! Please feel free to reach out with any questions and we look forward to your stay!
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$110
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94%
(447)

Lupin Lodge

53 sites · Lodging110 acres · Los Gatos, CA
Experience the Joy “One of the great pleasures of life.” “The freedom to be me.” “The total sensations of sun, air and water.” “Surprisingly relaxing.” “No more soggy swimsuits.” “A direct connection with nature.” “Rearranges the gender-power equation.” “An invaluable reality check.” “The feeling of total acceptance.” “A truly spiritual experience.” Going nude in natural circumstances elicits a spectrum of responses as varied as the increasing number of people who also enjoy nudity in a social context. The wider American culture is basically shame-based, vacillating between puritanism and pornography in its attitude towards the nude human form. But there exists a joyous parallel universe, largely unknown and thus unavailable to the general public until the Internet emerged. Sadly, it is still a rare bookstore which stocks, much less displays, any of the long published guides to nude recreation. This web guide is an introduction to an emerging paradigm which not only accepts the whole human body as natural but also celebrates it as the uniquely individual gift of life it is. You won’t find a lot of nude pictures in this site because it is not intended to serve voyeurism. It is designed to help all who are open to experiencing themselves as nature created us, especially nervous first-timers. Introducing Lupin Sited on 110 wooded acres in the scenic Santa Cruz Mountains, Lupin is a special blend of private nature park, destination resort, recreational/athletic/fitness/social club, mountain campground, art gallery/clubhouse/restaurant, spontaneous retreat, small conference center and certified massage school. Open daily year-round, Lupin can be experienced as a one-day excursion, a weekend getaway, home-base for a Bay Area vacation or a short-term residence during massage training. It is conveniently located between Los Gatos and Santa Cruz only minutes from San Jose International Airport. Lupin nurtures mind, body and spirit. Members and guests may choose to read, relax, hike, swim, float, soak, chat, play, lounge, snack, sunbathe, exercise, meditate, dine, learn, dance, camp, picnic, stargaze, snooze, volunteer, create, recreate or otherwise enjoy a variety of family-style entertainment and group activities. Who Visits Lupin and Why? Transcending differences of age, origin, appearance, career and gender, many people of wide diversity experience personal acceptance, psychic freedom and social harmony at Lupin. A recent profile reveals our clientele to be productive citizens, thoughtful guests and intelligent free spirits, i.e., pleasant, good neighbors. Generally well-informed and well-traveled, they tend to be friendly, fun-loving and inclusive, yet respectful of any individual’s desire for privacy or solitude. People’s reasons for visiting Lupin vary by individual. Many just seek a relaxing, natural break from stressful careers. Some, perhaps new to the Bay Area, come to meet new friends, while others become regular members to enjoy the familiar company of kindred souls. To the athletically inclined, Lupin offers the best nude volleyball in the Bay Area. Some members rarely miss a liberating opportunity to dance nude. Families enjoy Lupin because it appeals to inner children of all ages and offers choices of things to do both together and separately. For some individuals simply visiting Lupin provides an uplifting spiritual experience. What’s It All About? Social nudity is initially about improving a life-long relationship with one’s own quite unique body, the only possession on earth truly worth having, whatever shape it’s in. Simple “body acceptance” is the healthy, wholesome, inclusive, life-affirming, unifying theme. A rare experience of unselfconscious relaxation and universal acceptance of human reality is often a surprising bonus to the newly initiated. Besides being personally liberating, experiencing social nudity is also both humanizing and equalizing. Without clothing’s message-laden facade people tend to accept one another as the special, sometimes fragile being each truly is. Mutual vulnerability promotes mutual respect, honesty and trust. Civilized behavior and open communications seem only natural within such a disarming context. (For better results our world leaders should try negotiations in a hot tub.) Differentiating Nudity and Sexuality An absence of sexual pressure is fundamental to the naturist experience at Lupin, which has served thousands of families since its founding in 1936. Club rules, naturist values and common sense define a clear difference between sexual behavior (excluded by consensus in all public areas) and nudity (encouraged everywhere on the grounds). Such an ethic of confining all sexuality to “consenting adults in private” helps defuse sexual tension, as does an explicit non-harassment policy, which is enforced. Thus, public or predatory sexual conduct of any sort is quite rare (and, if illegal, also subject to prosecution). Gawkers may be asked to leave and not return. Though people who meet at Lupin may often form close friendships and sometimes develop intimate relationships, just being nude at Lupin clearly does not signify sexual availability. In addition to being in bad taste, unwelcome sexual solicitations (especially from a new acquaintance) would be considered harassment and are grounds for expulsion. Rediscovering Eden Being clothes-free in a natural setting may theoretically reactivate some long-dormant genetic memory of a primordial existence well before smelly animal skins and scratchy fig leaves became fashion edicts to our ancestors. (Couldn’t an Eden “au naturel” be reflected in our DNA, as well as in our creation myths? After all, we humans survived tribally nude for a much longer time than the few centuries we’ve lived compulsively clothed.) In plain fact, it just feels sensuously good and intrinsically wholesome to accept ourselves so completely and to experience nature and other people on an entirely “as is” basis. It’s refreshing. It’s relaxing. It’s liberating to mind, body and spirit. It’s just so completely natural. Have you ever wondered what you might be missing by always remaining confined within a body-alienated society’s compulsory cover-up? In the final analysis, nude recreation has to be experienced to be believed. Try it, you’ll probably like it. No body’s perfect. Come as you are. Still Nervous About a First-Time Nude Experience? If you were typically raised (religiously indoctrinated?) within a patriarchal, judgmental, censorial, body-shaming culture (or if you’re among the 80% of Americans who have not yet experienced the enlightening joys of coed skinny dipping), then even the thought of social nudity may stir strong feelings and induce strange images much different from the truly relaxing nature of the experience. Some nervousness is common for almost everyone before taking the first plunge. (Acclimatization rarely takes more than an hour for even the most modest.) Anxiety, guilt, self-rejection, embarrassment or fear of sexual arousal are not uncommon reactions stemming from the unnatural repressiveness of society’s widely enforced nudity taboo. If these negative responses in any part describe your feelings, then a thorough reading of this site (including Lupin’s expected behavior standards) is suggested before attempting a personal visit to Lupin or any other naturist locale. A Network Node for Nude Recreation An adventuresome 20% of experiential North Americans (and a far higher percentage of blase Europeans) are seeking out nude recreation and clothing-optional getaways in growing numbers as a matter of leisure choice. Many now vacation only where they can avoid the need to bring a swim suit. Besides introducing Lupin and exploring social nudity, this site also links to many other naturist related web sites, including clubs, resorts and organizations around the world which support or offer wholesome nude recreation. Reciprocal links with appropriate sites are welcome.
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$79.60
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Tunitas Beach Overlook - Airstream

3 sites · Lodging10 acres · Half Moon Bay, CA
On 9 private acres overlooking the stunning Tunitas Beach and Pacific ocean from a breathtaking cliff top view. Stunning sunrises and sunset greet you in this fully equipped new 2023 Airstream. Fully loaded with all the amenities to make your glamping experience perfect. Fire pit, outside BBQ, outside griddle, A/C and fully stocked kitchen. Comes will full bathroom with shower. Truly a rare experience and located within 10 mins of Half Moon Bay shopping. Beach access short walk or drive.
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$299
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Camping in Bay Area with swimming guide

Overview

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for finding the perfect camping experience in the Bay Area. With over 300 options available, you're sure to find the ideal spot to satisfy your love for swimming. Whether you're a fan of lakes, rivers, or the ocean, we've got you covered. Looking for recommendations? Check out top campsites like Salmon Creek Ranch (1270 reviews), The Enchanted Forest Retreat (743 reviews), and Finley Camp (351 reviews). With popular amenities such as potable water, showers, and campfires, you'll have everything you need for a memorable camping trip. And don't forget to take advantage of the popular activities in the area, including boating, exploring historic sites, and off-roading (OHV). Get ready to dive into the ultimate swimming adventure!

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