Bowman Lake Campground
Primitive camping area operated by the water agency that manages the reservoir. Nice spot, but lousy road to get there--unless you are not in a hurry and have at least a SUV.
Primitive camping area...
Nice spot, but lousy road to get there...
DESCRIPTION:
There are 7 sites and fire rings; bring drinking water or purify lake (not recommended due to oil and gasoline contaminants) or stream water.
There is a primitive boat launch facility. For a car top carrier, it's great.
| Units | Season | Reservations | Max Stay | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Tents | RVs | Trailers | Max Length | June to October | No | 14 days |
| 7 | Yes | No | No | Not Applicable | |||
| Hookups | Groups | Fees | Tables | Firerings | Showers | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | No |
No |
No | Yes | No | 5600 feet |
| Toilet | Water | Camp Dump |
|---|---|---|
| Vault | Unpurified Stream |
DIRECTIONS:
To Bowman Lake Campground
On Highway 20, about 23 miles east of Nevada City and 4.6 miles west of the I-80/Highway 20 intersection, take Bowman Road north. Drive about 16 miles to the lake. All but the last 4 miles are paved but these are a gravel road suitable for a sedan, driven with care, up to the high spot above the dam.
Beyond the dam, the road along the north side of the reservoir is labeled as a 4WD road but I find that a SUV does fine if you take time to dodge a few rocks. I personally wouldn't want to pull a trailer even for a small boat. WHEN the road from Jackson Meadows Reservoir is in good shape, access for trailers can be done--very carefully.
Camping (Rating: Good)
