Summit Lake North

Summit Lake is better than Manzanita Lake. Truth! Although Manzanita Lake has more amenities, Summit Lake is more peaceful, less crowded, and you can carry your SUP to the water easily because the lake is so close. Summit Lake is smaller, however, and doesn't have the birds that Manzanita Lake has.

Summit Lake North seems more crowded than Summit Lake South, probable due to the Day Use Area at Summit Lake North. The sites at Summit Lake North as close together. I mean, really close. So much so that I had to figure out whose bear box was whose and whose fire pit was whose. However, the campers were respectful and quiet, and there were few car alarms and crying babies at night (though there were some). The Lake is clean and not deep. It's perfect for those rugrats that want to venture out on a kayak for the first time or go swimming. The Lake doesn't really get warm til mid-to-late season.

Nor for the campground issues - Bathrooms were clean. No paper towels or hand dryers, but there was soap. The sites were clean, but there is always microtrash we can all pick up when we see it. !!!

I only saw a ranger and the camp host once, and it was only because I walked over to the host's site. I would have liked to see their presence more. Because they weren't around, a couple camped overnight in the Day Use area. Everyone knew they weren't supposed to, but I guess collectively we didn't want to be the one to rat them out. (You know where snitches belong!) They got to stay overnight at a Lakeside site with no one next to them! Quite the deal, especially because it was free for them. [insert annoyed face here] Point being, if you have an issue, go straight to the Host's site (which was easy to find) and let him/her know. Lesson learned.

For the price, you can't get a more scenic campground. Unfortunately, the area surrounding the Summit Lake campgrounds were burned in the fire a few years ago. Things are recovering but the hikes from the campgrounds are sun-exposed.

Summit Lake is better than Manzanita Lake. Truth! Although Manzanita Lake has more amenities, Summit Lake is more peaceful, less crowded, and you can carry your SUP to the water easily because the lake is so close. Summit Lake is smaller, however, and doesn't have the birds that Manzanita Lake has.

Summit Lake North seems more crowded than Summit Lake South, probable due to the Day Use Area at Summit Lake North. The sites at Summit Lake North as close together. I mean, really close. So much so that I had to figure out whose bear box was whose and whose fire pit was whose. However, the campers were respectful and quiet, and there were few car alarms and crying babies at night (though there were some). The Lake is clean and not deep. It's perfect for those rugrats that want to venture out on a kayak for the first time or go swimming. The Lake doesn't really get warm til mid-to-late season.

Nor for the campground issues - Bathrooms were clean. No paper towels or hand dryers, but there was soap. The sites were clean, but there is always microtrash we can all pick up when we see it. !!!

I only saw a ranger and the camp host once, and it was only because I walked over to the host's site. I would have liked to see their presence more. Because they weren't around, a couple camped overnight in the Day Use area. Everyone knew they weren't supposed to, but I guess collectively we didn't want to be the one to rat them out. (You know where snitches belong!) They got to stay overnight at a Lakeside site with no one next to them! Quite the deal, especially because it was free for them. [insert annoyed face here] Point being, if you have an issue, go straight to the Host's site (which was easy to find) and let him/her know. Lesson learned.

For the price, you can't get a more scenic campground. Unfortunately, the area surrounding the Summit Lake campgrounds were burned in the fire a few years ago. Things are recovering but the hikes from the campgrounds are sun-exposed.

The rules for the campgr3pund should be available on line. People with medical conditions should be allowed to use whatever means they have to be comfortable during their stay.

The rules for the campgr3pund should be available on line. People with medical conditions should be allowed to use whatever means they have to be comfortable during their stay.

Very pretty, well maintained, but quite dense.

Beatiful lake, shallow for swimming, kayaking and paddle boards. Peaceful, scenic campsites, great base camp for exploring the park.

Very pretty, well maintained, but quite dense.

Beatiful lake, shallow for swimming, kayaking and paddle boards. Peaceful, scenic campsites, great base camp for exploring the park.

Pro: Enough even space for our tent, benches and table in good condition
Con: Men‘s restroom was a disgusting mess. We stayed for 3 nights. Urinal was clogged and filled on morning after first night. No repair, only covered with a plastic bag. Next day, also one of the two toilet bowls was clogged and full with pee and poop. Remained so until we left after third night. Ok, this was a weekend, but still… whoever refilled toilet paper must have noticed.

Pro: Enough even space for our tent, benches and table in good condition
Con: Men‘s restroom was a disgusting mess. We stayed for 3 nights. Urinal was clogged and filled on morning after first night. No repair, only covered with a plastic bag. Next day, also one of the two toilet bowls was clogged and full with pee and poop. Remained so until we left after third night. Ok, this was a weekend, but still… whoever refilled toilet paper must have noticed.