Highland Lakes Campground

Reviews, get directions and contact details for Highland Lakes Campground

Address: Arnold, CA 95223, USA

Phone: (209) 532-3671

Website

State: California

Zip Code: 95223

Reviews

I am so sad that this place has become overrun with people, many whom have no clue how to leave a place better than they found it. This place is special in more.ways than the scenery. The facilities cannot handle the numbers. Please, people, pack out what you pack in. I spent amazing amounts of time this summer cleaning up after you because I love this place. I spent hours crying at the scene I saw this summer. It used to be a great, clean place that people respected. People are putting garbage in the outhouse toilets. Why? Take your garbage out with you please! Leave nothing behind, leave the place better than you found it. This is the no trace principle that has been the standard in areas like this for decades, it is nothing new. (It is not a new thing, unless you are new to the outdoor life that is!) Last time I was up there, I was appalled at the mess, to include dead frogs near the well and around the upper lake due to careless trampling by people and dogs. This is a special place to many of people who have been coming here for generations. Please keep it clean so that it can continue to be enjoyed without becoming another California campground where they charge crazy amounts of money for camping and cleaning your mess. Also, the endangered species up there, that only recently returned, seem to be gone. I have been up there 6 times since June and have seen the devastation of the environment around the upper lake...dogs and people trampling through the wet areas, changing the spring and pool flows with their foot imprints, and displacing and/or killing these species of animals. Even the bats are not coming around as much in the evening, let alone the deer. (And bears, don't forget them!) Please note that this great place is home to many little frogs, fish and others when you go off trail. In the little pools, if you make the conscious effort to look, you will see abundant wildlife. I will be up there this weekend before the deer hunt commences next week. It would be great to have you there, as long as you respect the place.

 9 years ago (27-07-2017)

I had a real hard time finding any details on this place so I'll try and be thorough here. 

Getting there: The Ebbets Pass scenic byway is beautiful but it's slow driving and steep. The road to highland Lakes is easy to find but be prepared for a bumpy and somewhat rutted road. I recommend a high clearance vehicle. You could take in a mini van but a truck or 4 x 4 would be best. 

Campsites: campsites are not reservable and you self register with an envelope at the entrance. Cost is $12. I was surprised how full the campsite was when I went but we still found a spot. Fires are allowed and there are fire rings and picnic benches in each site. Tree cover is good. Views are spectacular. Bears were never an issue. We just kept our food in our car. Vault toilets are what you would expect. 

Overall I highly recommend this spot.  Great place to not have your typical car camping experience. 

 9 years ago (06-08-2017)

Been coming here for years. It's more crowded than it used to be, but still amazing.

 9 years ago (06-08-2017)

This spot is so beautiful! My first visit I found myself staring at the scenery for an hour straight before even getting out the car. I've only been for fishing & hiking but campsites looked nice and clean. I miss this place as it's been almost a decade since my last visit. There's awesome hiking, and great fishing for small Brook trout.

 10 years ago (22-09-2016)

If you are looking for a real High Sierra camping experience without a long backpacking trek, this is your place. The Highland Lakes campground comes closer to wilderness camping than any other established campground I have seen. And I've seen quite a few. Highland Lakes is also VERY scenic, with its pair of subalpine lakes and surrounding snow-covered peaks. And while lower elevation (and more crowded) campgrounds can become uncomfortably hot in mid-summer, the Highland Lakes area remains cool and comfortable through even the hottest days. There is also plenty of hiking. Try climbing nearby Hiram Peak for a bird's-eye view of the area. Or hike off for many miles on one of several trails that branch off from the area.

There are a few things to keep in mind, though. First of all, nights and mornings are quite chilly up at 8600ft - even in July and August. Prepare accordingly and bring firewood. Also, you are quite far away from everything. There is no phone service in the campground, but you CAN make a call/text from the mountaintops. And, of course, facilities here are minimal - pit toilets and a hand pumped water tap (boiling is recommended). If you are looking for flush toilets or electrical hookups, this isn't your place. But otherwise, it's heaven on Earth.

 11 years ago (13-05-2016)

Comment on this business

Map, Satellite View
Street View

to add Highland Lakes Campground map to your website;

<iframe width="450" height="300" src="https://us.a-better-place.com/v.php?seo=highland-lakes-campground&id=664417&yuk=300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p style="font-size:11px;margin-top:5px;"><a href="https://us.a-better-place.com/highland-lakes-campground-i664417.html" target="_blank" title="Highland Lakes Campground">Highland Lakes Campground</a></p>

Highland Lakes Campground

Reviews, get directions and contact details for Highland Lakes Campground

Find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels

We use cookies