Beals Point SRA (Campground Review)

       Today we will share our thoughts on Beals Point Campground. The campground ranks up there as one of the nicer campgrounds, and we recommend you check it out if you are planning to camp in the area.
       For more pics, come check out the "outtakes" on this Photo Friday post!

You will find nicely sized, shaded campsites at Beals Point SRA Campground

Overview:

       Beals Point is a California State Recreation Area that is located at Folsom Lake in Granite Bay, CA, just outside the capitol city of Sacramento. Folsom Lake has a few different day use areas, boat launch sites, and campgrounds. The Peninsula Campground is a remote campground on the eastern side of the lake. Negro Bar, to the south of the lake, offers group camping, and Beals Point, the more popular campground on Folsom Lake, is on the western side of the lake.

              Beals Point sports a bustling day use area of the Folsom Lake. The campground is nestled in a natural setting just a short walk to and from the lake. While most tent sites have room enough to accommodate an RV or trailer, there are no hook-ups in the main camping area. There is a small RV camping section; however, near the main gate.

Beals Point, located at Folsom Lake, has a large day use swim and beach area.

       Enjoy the day use beach at Beals Point with a large swim area,  and ample BBQ and picnic spots. There are restrooms and seasonal concessions and small boat (paddle boats, etc) rentals. There are a few good hiking trails throughout the campground and a widely used bike trail. There is not a boat launch at Beals point, but Granite Bay (which features its own day use beach) is only about a 10 minute drive away, and has ample boat launching ramps.

Camping:

       While there are no lake views from the campground, camping at Beals Point has its own charm. Just beware of the "squirrel mafia". Yes. I said it. The squirrels will waste no time moving in on your campsite and claiming the territory as their own. This means that they will chew through your belongings and steal your food, leaving your campsite looking like .... well... like a gang of squirrels tore through there! So, especially if you plan to enjoy some time away from your site for the day, keep your belongings picked up and your food packed safely away. Oh, and make sure you zip your tent!

       Now, what was I saying? Oh yeah... the campground. The camp sites each have a picnic table and fire ring with a cooking grate. Water is nearby, and so are garbage bins. The bathrooms are better than many campgrounds. There are both private restrooms and private (pay) showers. Restrooms are cleaned every morning. You may get a visitor or two, though. We have seen frogs and various bugs and spiders in and near the restrooms, so don't let them surprise you.

This little frog was waiting to greet us at the restroom door!

       As with any natural area, there are some some things you need to be cautious about. Park staff is pretty good about keeping poison oak out of the campsites, but it does grow near the hiking trails, so be on the lookout. There is also an occasional siting of rattlesnakes. If you see one, DO NOT try to catch it. Call the park rangers, and they will re-locate them. You may also see skunks and other little critters roaming around. Aside from the squirrels, though, I would have to say that the mosquitoes are the most prominent pests. I swear that they use the aroma of citronella oil as a beacon to tell them where the "food" is, so a repellent containing DEET may be your best bet.

This hiking trail leads to a group meeting area near, what we affectionately refer to as "the giant pine cone tree".

       Evenings are usually pretty mellow, and most of the time, campers abide by the quiet time hours. If you experience particularly annoying camping neighbors, don't hesitate to call the rangers.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• close to stores and shopping
• lots of shade
• most tent sites have flat areas for the tent placement
• clean, private restrooms
• hot, private, pay showers
• good-sized tent sites
• nice day use beach
• lots of recreational options

Cons:

• occasional rattlesnake sightings
• pesky mosquitoes
• militant squirrels

BEALS POINT AT A GLANCE
  Beals Point Granite Bay, CA 95746 38°43'09.3"N 121°10'30.2"W

FEATURES	Y/N	COST	NOTES
Day Use	Y	$12
Tent Camping	Y	$33	$33 peak; $28 non-peak
RV Camping	Y	$58	$58 peak; $48 non-peak
Extra Vehicle	Y	$12	Campers allowed an extra vehicle at Day Use fee.
Check in/out Time	Noon/2p
Electric Hookups	Y		17 hookup sites are dedicated exclusively for RV use
Sewer Hookups	call
Water	Y		Shared water faucets are available throughout the park
Dump Station	Y	Free*	*$12 for non-registered campers
Restrooms	Y		Private restrooms
Showers	Y	25¢	Private quarter pay showers with hot water
# of Campsites	62		17 RV/trailer only; 26 standard; 19 tent only
Store	N		Shopping nearby; seasonal concessions in day use area
Lodge	N
Recreation	Y		Hiking, Biking, Boating, Swimming, BBQ/picnic, fishing
Wildlife	Y		squirrels, skunks, and other critters; birds, hawks, snakes
Setting			Wooded campground, a short walk from lake and beach
Use Limits	Y		30 camping days per year

While in the area:

While in the area, there may be a few things you would like to check out. Here is a short list of some of the many sites to see:

• Folsom Dam
• Downtown Sutter Street (Downtown Folsom)
• Folsom Zoo Sanctuary
• Nimbus Fish Hatchery
• Folsom Premium Outlets
• Rafting on the American River 

Have you been to Beals Point Campground? If so, we would love to hear your thoughts about it! Please share in a comment, below!

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25 Things You Didn't Know You Need to Bring Camping (Camping Tip)

       Whether you are a first time camper, or a seasoned outdoor dweller, you have inevitably sat down and made "the list." You know the one... The list of everything you need to bring camping.

• Tent
• Sleeping bags
• Ice chest
• Folding chairs
• Paper plates
• toothbrush
• ... you get the idea...

This list is full of all of the obvious camping necessities. 

Well, forget that list. That list is boring. That list is obvious. I mean, of course you will remember to bring the tent, and your toothbrush, and the ice chest, etc. That list is full of no-brainers.

What you need is the good checklist. 

The secret checklist.

Let's start over, shall we?

       Whether you are a first time camper, or a seasoned outdoor dweller, you have inevitably sat down and made "the list", but find out later... like, say... when you are already camping, that you really could have used a few extra things. 

We have compiled a checklist of many of those more commonly forgotten items. 

You can find a printable version HERE.

25 Things You Didn't Know You Need to Bring Camping

1. Baby Wipes- These are great for quick cleanups. (Those of you who have kids, already know this.) Use them to: wash up after eating bbq; wipe off little toes before getting into the tent; wash off your makeup, so that you don't have to make (yet another) trek to the restrooms, wipe the dirt off of the sippy cup, or whatever else your toddler dropped, and is presently screaming about because now it is ruined forever and the world is going to end; you get the idea.
2. Gallon Sized Zipper Bags- You know, the food storage bags. You need these. Use them to: store leftover bbq and other leftover food; store the gutted/filleted fish you caught; store the small bottle of dish soap in, so that it doesn't spill out on everything else; store your shampoo and conditioner (for the same reason); give one to each person to store their own toothbrush, deodorant, razor, etc.; store small wet clothing items until they can be washed; store the plastic forks/knives/spoons because the little packages they come in always spill; store your dry cereal so that you don't have to take up more room with the boxes; etc.
3. Old Newspaper- Trust me. It is much easier to get the fire started if you have some bunched up newspaper under and around the logs. Really. It is. It is also needed if you choose to use charcoal, and have one of those cool chimney starters. 
4. Aluminum Foil- We all know the various uses for foil. Just don't forget to take a roll. 
5. Paracord or other rope- You never know when you are going to need rope. You can use this for a clothes line, a rope swing, to hang lanterns, or just to tie things down. Always good to have a bit of rope.
6. Quarters- Some campgrounds have vending machines, some have quarter pay-showers, some have laundry facilities. 
7. Extra lighters- because, who doesn't always lose the lighter?
8. Extra batteries- Batteries like to die at very inconvenient times. It is just what they do. 
9. Garbage bags- Self explanatory. Cleanup is way easier when you have a garbage bag at your campsite. They can also be used to store your dirty laundry.
10. Huge construction garbage bags- You should always try to have a few of these around. They are great to quickly throw your belongings in if a freak rainstorm comes and catches you off guard. They are also good to throw those few extra things in that you have no idea how you packed and made fit on your trip there. 
11. Ear plugs- Seriously, nature can be loud. Sadly, inconsiderate campers can be even louder.
12. Sleep mask- The sun rises pretty early outdoors, and most tents are not much match for it.
13. Hat/Beanie- It gets cold at night and in the wee hours of the morning. A nice beanie can keep you cozy while you sleep.
14. Rake- Huh? a rake? Really? Yes! Especially if you are tent camping. Raking the area where you will put your tent is a must, if you want to avoid sleeping on twigs and rocks. It is also nice to be able to rake around your picnic table and fire pit to keep the area free of debris that you will probably trip on in the dark. 
15. Hatchet- This is good for double-duty. You can use the flat side to help drive the tent stakes into firm ground. Use the hatchet side to split your firewood.
16. Bandannas- Bandannas can be used for a lot of different things: cleanup; washcloth; sling; "pirate" hat (when wet, really cools you off!); headband/scarf; etc.
17. Carabiner Clips- Carabiner clips are handy for hanging things like lanterns or clotheslines or hammocks, etc. They are also great for clipping the tent zippers closed.
18. Picnic tablecloth- This seems like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many people forget to pack a tablecloth. Tip: buy a few of the cheap plastic ones from the dollar store. This is helpful if one rips, gets very dirty, or flies away. Oh, and, make sure you buy the right size.
19. Baby Powder- Yes. That's right. Baby powder. This is good for easily removing dirt and wet sand from your feet.
20. Bucket- A good 5 gallon bucket (or three) can be your best friend when camping. There are a ton of uses. Use one: to wash your dishes in; to carry smaller items; to hold water; as an emergency potty; to hold the fish you catch; and many other uses that may come up unexpectedly.
21. Tote box with lid- This is good if you are camping where there are critters. You can use one to store food, and another to store your shoes when you go to bed. Waking up to your breakfast strewn around your campsite by militant squirrels is not any more fun than sticking your foot into your shoe, only to find that someone else is already in there!
22. First aid kit- This may be on your regular ol' camping list, but lots of people forget them. Be sure to include some hydrogen peroxide, "upset tummy medicine", aloe (for sunburns), and a bite and sting kit with activated charcoal (see my story here).
23. A large pot- a large pot can be used for boiling water, or it can do double duty as a large mixing or salad bowl. 
24. Tarp- Or a couple. I like to use one under the tent, and another as a "front porch".
25. Gallon Jug(s) of water- It is always good to have fresh drinking water on hand, but did you know that the jugs can do double duty? If the campground doesn't have showers, or if the showers wind up not working (yes, it happens), you may have to improvise. Filling the jugs with warm water and dumping them over your head doesn't seem like the most desirable way to get clean, but when left with no other alternative, it is quite a welcoming option.

       There you have it! 

Did I miss anything? I would love for you to leave a comment, telling us what your favorite not-so-obvious camping supplies are.

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