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Topaz Lake Campground
Topaz Lake
Park - Douglas County Parks
The Topaz
Lake Campground is located on the Northeast shore of
Topaz Lake approximately 20 minutes south of Minden and
Gardnerville. Access is via US 395 and the paved
Topaz Park Drive (junction is next to the Best Western
motel).
Topaz Lake
is a high desert reservoir that is quite popular with
boating recreationists and fishermen. It's
moderate elevation and relative proximity to urban
Nevada will bring people here in the droves.
However, a significant increase in fees lately seems to
have had a small impact on the number of visitors in the
park. But Douglas County Parks has done a lot with
the increased revenue. I could hardly recognize
the place since my last visit 8 years ago.
At the
Entrance to the County Park, there is a manned Ranger
Station. Here you will stop and pay your fees.
$5 for day visits. $10 for Boat Launch. $15
for "Dry Camping" and $20 for sites with Hookups.
The
campground is paved and broken into two sections.
The Shaded Camping Area near the entrance, and the Open
Camping Area farther back. The Shaded Camping area
is very nice with mostly large cottonwood trees
providing ample shade. There are only "dry
camping" sites here. The Open Camping Area
provides virtually no shade, but they are slightly more
elevated and get an expansive view of the lake and the
front range of the Sierra Nevada beyond. The 29
sites with RV hookups are in the open camping area.
Since my
last visit, the open camping area now is paved, added a
nice new set of vault toilets, upgraded the sites, added
rustic wood fencing, added the new RV sites and planted
a lot of trees. In 15 years, the open area should
be nice and shaded too. In 1998, this area was
little more than a bunch of sand with a few picnic
tables. It was referred to as the "Overflow" area.
One
significant detriment to the Topaz Lake campground is
that most of the sites are close together.
Definitely going for the sardine can effect here.
The shaded sites go fast, and you will be on top of each
other. If you prefer more privacy, you may need to
stake your claim in the open camping area.
Since this
is a county park, the facilities here are very nice and
very clean. It feels safe with Park Rangers
patrolling often. This is a great place to car
camp with the family. And if you forget something,
the Topaz General Store at the Topaz Lodge is only 5
minutes away. Also there is dining and gaming
there, too, should you be so inclined. Visited 05/98, 10/06.
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