Florence Lake
Florence Lake
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.0
23 reviews
Excellent
10
Very good
1
Average
1
Poor
5
Terrible
6
JOkE
1 contribution
Jun 2020 • Friends
Ever notice so many of these 5 star types can only rave about Flo Lake for so long before showing the true colors of their ‘greener than thou’ worldview? Why would that be you say? Because it was never about the trip, the fishing, the scenery, or the quiet, it’s been about them all along. ‘Buncha eco-virtue signaling hipster knotheads slobbering over each other’s designer distressed flannels then humble bragging about their latest ‘adventure’. “Dude...my $1100 Patagucci tent is so light I feel like I wasn’t challenged enough when I bagged that last mile of 40% switchback, felt like a flatlander.“
...Eul Gibbons is rolling over in his grave and choking on Grape Nuts.
...Eul Gibbons is rolling over in his grave and choking on Grape Nuts.
Written April 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rhawk204
Bonsall, CA33 contributions
Trapped by US Forestry Fire Trucks on a one lane road, I have never felt so frustrated as my efforts to leave the Florence Lake area on the Sierra National Forest in California two weeks ago. Already nervous from 3 incidents with Rattlesnakes and Bears on the first day of our camping trip, we then endured a lightning storm that was the scariest of my life. Watching as two forest fires started from the lightning strikes, we began packing up our campsite three days early as the fires got bigger. Realizing we might get trapped by the fires, we left Florence Lake only to encounter a 3 hour delay when some 50 fire trucks came in to fight the fire, using the one lane Kaiser Pass Road. I will never venture over the top of Kaiser Pass again, never!! Do yourself a favor and stay at Huntington Lake instead.
Written August 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark B
Los Angeles, CA3 contributions
Jul 2011 • Friends
The road and the rain and the snakes and the bears and no fish ruined the trip. The road sucked and the rattlesnakes thrive up there. The road is covered in potholes and it is one tiny lane. This is a place I will never visit again! If I had to come again I would only stay for 5 minutes. This place sucks!
P.S. No bathrooms and if you go in the forest a rattlesnake will bite you.
P.S. No bathrooms and if you go in the forest a rattlesnake will bite you.
Written February 11, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony G
1 contribution
Jul 2020
I love reading the contrast of some of the reviews. People must remember that this is Florence Lake.....Not Tahoe. This is the outdoors. If you can't handle the drive in then you don't belong here. LOL. I LOVE this place...It's so quiet you can hear it!. If you don't mind walking the fishing is pretty good. If you like peace and quiet.. this is a great place to get away from our busy day to day lives and disconnect. You can't do this place in one trip. I have been coming to Huntington Lake and Florence Lake since I was 7 years old. I am now 59 and I haven't touched this area. If you like to hike, fish, camp, sight see, go on day adventures, swim, boat, or just relax, this place has it all. Enjoy.
Written July 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mtnmama457
Malibu, CA18 contributions
Aug 2012 • Family
City folk should stay home. If you don't know how to back up your own car, STAY HOME. Yes, the 90 minute drive from Huntington Lake on a one-lane pothole-riddled cliff-hanging road can be harrowing the first time. Supplies, weather, and pests can be unpredictable. Call ahead and roll with changes. This is not a one-day destination - have time for flexibility and relaxation. Why be uptight out here?
This is as remote as it gets for car camping. Burro Meadow (modified to satisfy profanity filter) is at the base of the dam along the river. The only burros we saw were camped nearby or driving the road. Just kidding. The store was open regularly 8-6 every day, and was well-stocked. No alcohol sales so BYO. The south fork of the San Joaquin was brisk and refreshing. We saw plenty of fish, but were unsuccessful (the kids). If you stay at Burro Meadow, hike to the end of the road to the dam outlet. We heard rumor of a rock/moss water slide up Hooper diversion, but didn't get a chance to check it out.
During our 3-night stay there were no bears, no rattlesnakes (I have plenty at home), and no mosquitos. On the other hand we had, two very loud helicopters flying over low every 5 minutes to dip in the lake for the nearby fire, a full day without water at the campground, no fish were biting (we saw plenty), the pack station never returned our phone calls and was non-committal about availability when we walked-in, and the lake level was down by 30' or more. Did we have a fabulous trip? You betcha.
On the way home, take the detour to mono hot springs. Skip the "bathhouse" at $20 a pop and walk through the campground, across the creek, and up the hill. You might have to wait your turn in one of the muck-lined concrete tubs, but your long drive home will be more pleasant.
This is as remote as it gets for car camping. Burro Meadow (modified to satisfy profanity filter) is at the base of the dam along the river. The only burros we saw were camped nearby or driving the road. Just kidding. The store was open regularly 8-6 every day, and was well-stocked. No alcohol sales so BYO. The south fork of the San Joaquin was brisk and refreshing. We saw plenty of fish, but were unsuccessful (the kids). If you stay at Burro Meadow, hike to the end of the road to the dam outlet. We heard rumor of a rock/moss water slide up Hooper diversion, but didn't get a chance to check it out.
During our 3-night stay there were no bears, no rattlesnakes (I have plenty at home), and no mosquitos. On the other hand we had, two very loud helicopters flying over low every 5 minutes to dip in the lake for the nearby fire, a full day without water at the campground, no fish were biting (we saw plenty), the pack station never returned our phone calls and was non-committal about availability when we walked-in, and the lake level was down by 30' or more. Did we have a fabulous trip? You betcha.
On the way home, take the detour to mono hot springs. Skip the "bathhouse" at $20 a pop and walk through the campground, across the creek, and up the hill. You might have to wait your turn in one of the muck-lined concrete tubs, but your long drive home will be more pleasant.
Written August 12, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LeyLey54
Roanoke, VA23 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
First of all, to those who say "it sucks" and whine about the "pothole ridden road"...please stay away from nature, don't even look at it. stay in your condo with your modern conveniences or man-made lakes with man-made crap and just stay away. This planet has been 4.5+billion years in the making, humans were made in 30 seconds, live about an average of 70 years, and die. The Sierras, like many other wonders of the world is vast and rich with earth's history. This road, Kaiser Pass, that leads to Florence lake, is mind-bending. It is for those who are loving, patient, appreciative, grateful, peaceful, teachable, and know what true respect on all levels mean. We took our Softail up to Huntington lake and was thinking we were only going to do a loop. We are not looking for the 'tourist' circuit. We took off to the right on what we thought was just a loop road around Eastwood Visitor ctr....OMG...wrong...and we were so grateful.....close to 30 miles of a road that has a few potholes here and there. It is about 1.5 lane wide...Patience, Kindness, Respect and other principles come into play for this type of ride. I mean folks, we took a motorcycle down this road to Florence Lake....BUT...we only topped out at 10 mph max...it's about taking time in our lives because time waits for no one. It is absolutely amazing. And YES...there are critters out there..because this is THEIR COUNTRY...not ours...perfume...attracts everything from bees to bears. Food in ziplock baggies won't cut it...Rubbermaid...is really plastic..it is porous...styrofoam..OMG don't buy it...so no, even though you can't smell it...a bear can smell some things up to 20 miles away...Bear canisters folks....if you bring stuff in...take it back out with you...yes..watch your step...rattlesnakes are watching you long before you ever run up on it...Herbal Armor repellent...safe for the environment, safe for you and works 100X better than that deet crap...Noise is good...chatterboxes are not...there are big kittehs out there...almost 500lb bite force. a wolf..close to a 600lb. Diamondbacks and other rattlers...I have had scarier encounters with humans. If you respect nature...you will have a fabulous time....I will be back to hike, camp, and be peace.
Written July 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorenzo O
Hawthorne, CA2 contributions
Sep 2013 • Couples
Mosquitoes are horrible. Road is awful. No facilities. Fishing is not great at all. Shaver Lake is much better for children and families. Water level is so low there is no lake. Not worth the drive. Lots of snakes and bears around here.
Written September 18, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan B
Upland, CA7 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
Ok. First off the road is about as scary as it gets and people drive recklessly even though its 1 lane. We experienced WAY too many people driving WAY too fast. Blind turns abound. We had no idea it would take so long to get to this lake.... It was the drive that never ended and by the time we got there the kids were upset. The lake.. Really cold water, lots of rocks so forget swimming. Windy as hell, lots of mosquitoes and biting flies, but we did manage to catch 1 small trout. Jackass Meadows campground is pretty far from the lake(you have to drive) but was kinda nice with tables and bathrooms (pit toilets) but the first full day we did see 1 rattlesnake(our neighbors said they had seen 4 in the 2 days they were there) and 2 bears were eating someones food from an ice chest. Sort of scary seeing 2 bears rip into an ice chest and they didn't care that the guy was throwing rocks and yelling. I think he was drunk and it was only 2pm. I think it was the same group of people who stayed up late laughing and yelling for what seemed like an eternity the night before. We have had much better experiences camping at both Shaver Lake and Huntingtion Lake. Another good spot is Lake Isabella. There are so many good lakes to choose from in California and I would definately pass on Florence Lake.
Written June 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nearbyrd
Morrisville, NC20 contributions
It's hard to reach and the 1 hour trip up a one lane mountain road is pretty hair raising, but if you are looking for a remote camping destination with amazing scenery, this is the best place we've found. We stayed at the Jackass Meadow (yes, they have real jackasses in the meadow) Campground for 4 nights. They have running water and latreens, and the sites are relatively large. Bring everything you need because there is one small store at the lake and it doesn't have much.
Written July 3, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sakhaiva
Fresno, CA18 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
If you are an experienced backpacker and nature enthusiast then this is the place for you.... backpacking to Evolution Basin/Goddard Canyon will offer a beautiful retreat from the clutter of life. Stunningly beautiful trails and solitude. The ferry will cut off about 5 miles.
If you are lucky, you really will see wildlife. Bear canisters are a must (be responsible). The bear won't even bother trying to open them, they will just mosey away. (Note: avoid the plastic canisters. They can be nearly impossible to open, for both humans and bear)
If you are not a hiker/backpacker/nature enthusiast, then Shaver Lake or Millerton Lake are the places you'll enjoy most. If you are a hiker/backpacker/nature enthusiast, then you will love it up here.
Skeeters can be an issue at times. This is the outdoors, after all, not Disneyland. ;) Not a big deal.
Bring your essentials, practice "Leave no Trace" and enjoy!!!! Bring kids only if you are an experienced backpacker (and your kiddos are, too).
If you are lucky, you really will see wildlife. Bear canisters are a must (be responsible). The bear won't even bother trying to open them, they will just mosey away. (Note: avoid the plastic canisters. They can be nearly impossible to open, for both humans and bear)
If you are not a hiker/backpacker/nature enthusiast, then Shaver Lake or Millerton Lake are the places you'll enjoy most. If you are a hiker/backpacker/nature enthusiast, then you will love it up here.
Skeeters can be an issue at times. This is the outdoors, after all, not Disneyland. ;) Not a big deal.
Bring your essentials, practice "Leave no Trace" and enjoy!!!! Bring kids only if you are an experienced backpacker (and your kiddos are, too).
Written April 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chuck N
Palos Verdes Estates, CA3 contributions
Does Forence Lake have electrical hook ups and wastewater clean outs?
Chuck N
Palos Verdes Estates, CA3 contributions
Are there vegan options at Florence Lake Resort?
elsalkemade
Arnhem, The Netherlands4 contributions
is there wifi at the Florence Lake Campground?
Or is there service area for phones?
njmb42
Modesto, CA1 contribution
Do you have electricity and sewer and water?
Ryan B
Upland, CA7 contributions
At the Muir Trail Ranch which is 5 miles past the lake, yes all three, however not sure on details. They run off of a generator so electricity is limited out there. At the campground, no electricity. Sewer at campground would be pit toilets only. Water at campground out of spigot, but boil or treat if using for drinking water. Near the store and day use area there are public restrooms but again not flush toilets, pit toilets, which if you are not familiar are basically a hole in the ground with a seat on top.
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