Grizzly

Summary

Grizzly Campground offers a variety of camping and recreational activities such as fishing, boating, swimming and mountain biking in the Lake Davis Recreation Area. Campers can enjoy the sites with picnic tables, campfire rings, and grills, as well as host services, accessible flush toilets, and drinking water. The surrounding area is filled with tall pine trees and rich meadow rangelands which provide beautiful fall colors and prime habitat for wildlife. Nearby attractions include Portola, which is home to a large railroad museum, and Smith Peak Fire Lookout.

Overview

Grizzly Campground (5,777 feet) is one of three family-friendly campgrounds located in the Lake Davis Recreation Area. The recreation area and its namesake lake, Lake Davis provides the classic lake fishing experience. For example, there are four boat launching facilities and many fishing access points around the lake. Water skiing and jet skiing are not allowed on this lake. That makes it a quieter location for that peaceful leisurely camping experience you're looking for.

Recreation

In addition to camping, the area offers a wide variety of popular water-related activities, including fishing, boating and swimming. Numerous fishing access points are located around the perimeter of the lake and anglers will find rainbow and brown trout, bass and catfish. A boat ramp is available a half-mile north of the campground. Mountain biking, hiking, hunting and wildlife viewing are also available in the area. 

Facilities

The campground offers dozens of single-family sites, two of which are accessible, for tent and RV camping. A large portion of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Utility hookups are not provided.



Each site is equipped with picnic table, campfire ring with grill, and can accommodate up to two vehicles. Campground host, accessible flush toilets, and drinking water are provided. Campers are welcome to take advantage of the coin-operated showers half a mile away at Grasshopper Flat Campground.

Natural Features

Lake Davis covers 4,000 acres and was created in 1967 for recreational opportunities, as well as to rejuvenate fish populations in nearby rivers and supply water to the town of Portola. The lake offers 32 miles of shoreline and is surrounded by tall pine trees. The campground is on the eastern shore and just a few campsites have lake views. The trees provide ample shade for the campground, however privacy is limited by a lack of understory.

Smith Peak State Game Refuge borders the lake to the east and south, creating prime habitat for a variety of wildlife and birds. Rich meadow rangeland combines with pine forest in every direction around the lake. Many lovely stands of aspen show add their richness to area fall color.

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Nearby Attractions

The closest town is Portola, California, which is about 9 miles from the campground. 

Portola is home to one of the largest railroad museums in the western United States. 

Visit Smith Peak Fire Lookout when lightning is not expected.

Explore the many forest roads in this area. Take along a map, full tank and a dependable vehicle.