Carlton Campground (Tahoe National Forest)

Spooky, loud and ...

We pulled in for our Labor Day stay with a three night reservation and pulled out in 20 minutes. Next to us about ten men with shaved heads were thumping to a beat from their truck with gun fire in the distance and the smell of cigarettes everywhere as the sound of cars rushing 20 feet away on highway 49 filled whatever gaps were left that could possibly reveal any nature. These guys had 5 tents and three cars and a few sites away an even worse set of over crowding infractions were taking place. It had the feeling of lawlessness and general wretched angst that you drive many miles and pay good money to avoid. Drove back to Willow Creek (private) campground and had a good time stacked in with all of the other families with kids. Willow Creek was crowded but felt like another world away for its family-friendly atmosphere.