Black Oak

Get out into the Californian forest with a group of friends or family at Black Oak. This campground is found off the road, a ways into the Eldorado Forest, and is near Stumpy Meadows Lake -- a lake that looks far more beautiful than it sounds! Here, groups of campers can stay (with their pooches, of course) and get a taste of what life in the wild is really like.

Black Oak is comprised of 4 group sites, one of which is for RVs, although no hookups are provided. The RV site has a 75-people capacity, while the other three tent sites max out at 50 visitors. You'll find picnic table and grills as well as one large campfire circle. Each site has its own pair of vault toilets, meaning you only have to share those facilities with folks you know! Keep in mind that bears do come through these woods, so store all food and toiletries out of sight in vehicles. 

Once you're here, be sure to venture over to the lake for days of swimming, kayaking, and fishing for trout -- it's stocked regularly. Your fur-baby will love joining you on any of the 400+ miles of hiking trails that wind through the forest. There are also great opportunities here for horseback riding and OHVing. Forest fires several years ago did pass their way through the campsite, so expect to find many burned trees spread across the landscape. Even with the fire's carnage, the area is still heralded as beautiful.

Canine campers are allowed on all of the group sites as long as they are kept on-leash. It's also important to always monitor your pooch, remembering there are grizzlies here! Keep this park pup-friendly by always cleaning up after your four-legged companion -- and be sure to bring along bags to do so. 

If having fun deep in the forest with a big group of people you love is what you're aiming to do next camping season, keep Black Oak in mind!