Located in the Northern Sierras, Capps Crossing is situated in the Eldorado National Forest at just above 5,000 feet in elevation. It’s a beautiful location, high enough to be out of the California Central Valley heat, but not too high so the evenings in the Summer months are comfortable. You can get there by leaving Highway 50 at Exit 60 in Pollock Pines and following the Mormon Emigrant Trail around Jenkins Lake to Capps Crossing Road (about a 15 mile drive).
Once you arrive at Capps Crossing, you’ll be surprised by this great location. There are 12 camping sites nestled in a small valley surrounded by granite peaks and forest. The campground snugs up against the North Fork of the Consumnes River and provides a great location for small groups. In fact, the forest service designates Capps Crossing as a group campground and only available to individual campers when not reserved via ReserveAmerica.
There’s something to be said for being able to occupy an entire campground, even if you need fewer than 12 sites. No noisy neighbors, the ability to set your own curfews, the opportunity to spread out and give the kids their own campsites for fort building and hanging out, etc. We had the chance to do this over the past couple of years and really enjoyed it.
Activities in and around the campground itself are plentiful. With the Consumnes right there, you can swim, raft, skip rocks and even sunbath. There’s a large open group cooking area with a bigger-than-usual fire pit, and enough open space for a volleyball net should the mood strike you for some non-traditional camping activity.
If you’re looking for fishing, the North Fork of the Consumnes offers up a classic Sierra small stream. Bring your 3-weight rod and hike along the banks either up or downstream for some pretty good action. Mostly rainbows in the six to 10-inch range rise to Royal Wulffs, Trudes, Humpies and Hoppers at almost every pocket.
Hiking is plentiful too, although there are no official trailheads nearby. You can head uphill above the campground and find interesting quartz deposits, or downstream along the river for some pretty spectacular views.
The campground hosts are great, and do a nice job monitoring and keeping up the facility. Highly recommended.
To plan your trip, visit ReserveAmerica.
