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    Alter Experiences

    4.9 (70 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    S'mores!
    Michelle K.

    We love hiking, but never considered an overnight trip because we are NOT "camp set up" peeps... so finding this experience off a social media reel made it an easy book. As their website said, everything is ready for you to use. We just had to bring ourselves and food. From shower towels to coffee essentials, there wasn't much to pack on our end We stayed at Lion's Den. The tents were thoughtfully set up and the beds give you the opportunity for a sound sleep. No extra blankets needed. My daughter and I absolutely enjoyed the suspension net. That's where we spent the night stargazing. Warm and clear nights. Absolutely recommend.

    San Felipe - El Dorado Community Beach
    Jaclyn M.

    My family and I have enjoyed the Fox Den at the Cleveland National Forest and the Hacienda in San Felipe. Highly recommended both locations. Alter Experience is very thorough and ensures you'll have everything needed to enjoy your trip and feel pampered.

    Fox den
    Kerry V.

    Our group had the pleasure of spending the weekend at the Fox Den site on Mt. Laguna Campgrounds. The site was beautiful, cozy and had everything we needed and more! Bathrooms and showers were easily accessible and clean, and there's plenty to do and see in the area. Our host Shantel was super nice and responsive and made everything so easy. From booking to prepping us for our trip with recommendations which really helped us with your activity planning. This site is perfect for families, large groups, and our dogs also approved! :) 10/10 would recommend! Thank you Shantel & Alter experience!

    Hammocks!
    Knikki R.

    What a perfect getaway! Comfy beds, beautiful views, bright stars and all within an hour of San Diego! Alter Experiences is the Ultimate camping experience - they leave you wanting for nothing, right down to pots and pans, in room heaters and cozy, fun hammocks to spend your days. Although I love camping, I've become an even bigger fan of Glamping! You don't have to lug a bunch of stuff up the mountain and you actually get a great nights sleep - really critical as I creep into my 50's and looking for a relaxing long weekend. I highly recommend Alter Experiences - it will exceed your expectations and their staff (our host was Shantel) are excellent.

    My bell tent in background and next to tree tent.

    I've been following Alter Experiences via Instagram for a few years. I LOVE Mt. Laguna and was so curious about the glamping experience. I'm so happy I finally pulled the trigger and booked. This is 5 camping for sure. It was so nice rolling up and not having to set anything up. The kitchen was fully stocked and extremely clean. Our bell tent was so clean, really cute, and extremely comfortable. The beds are platform beds with comfortable pillows and mattresses. The temp dipped to 30° at night and we were warm and never even felt the wind blowing. As for my two kids (11 & 14,) they each had a tree tent they never wanted to leave. They both commented on how comfortable they were. It was a real treat for them to sleep in a hammock tent. We plan on making this an annual trip!

    Wayne V.

    We loved Eagles Nest. It was clean, spacious and private. These sites are the best ones in the campground and some of the nicest that I've ever seen. It was such a beautiful, relaxing and stress free camping trip. I'm a "Real camper" but my wife and two kids aren't so its nice to have glamping amenities and still be in nature. It great only having to bring food water! The 3 elevated tents were fun and the big tent with beds and heater were so nice on a cooler evening. We also enjoyed the hiking trails and seeing the vistas from the world famous Pacific Crest Trail. Our camp host, Shantel was informative and helpful.

    Courtney C.

    I booked this amazing glamping trip for my dad and husband for a Father's Day gift and we took our two kiddos, ages 4 and 6. We stayed at the Blue Jay site and it was even better than the photos. We felt like we were the only ones at the campground! The kids loved the large hammocks (that felt more like trampolines!), tree swing and of course the s'mores. We loved having everything already there and set up and, of course, the super comfy beds as well as nearby plumbed bathrooms and showers. My hubby and I also enjoyed renting mountain bikes for the day from our hosts (Shantel and Rami were amazing)! We're beginner riders and had a great time riding around the nearby lake. My dad and I were able to hike a section of the nearby Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). We will definitely be back!

    Suzy W.

    My husband and I stayed at the Lions Den with two of our friends and their families (8 total) for two nights recently. We all had a great time and were really impressed with everything that was set up and provided for by Alter Experiences. It also gave us a chance to try out some gear and games to see if we would want to purchase them for ourselves (I loved the Luci solar lanterns and the water bag is really convenient for hand and dish-washing). Even though I had looked at their website and read the informative email from Shantel several times after making the reservation, we still packed a lot of "just in case" things, most of which turned out to be unnecessary and unused. Since we had three vehicles and the site only has space for two, we opted to pay for the regular campsite across the "road" rather than park it further away in the overflow lot. It's always nice to have your car nearby and it was worth the price difference ($28 per night for the campsite, but 1/2 off if you have an Interagency Military/Veterans Pass vs $10 per night for the overflow lot). Make sure to bring cash or a check if you have more than two vehicles. You pay the campground host or self-service fee tube for those, not Alter Experiences. The whole Lions Den site was bigger than I anticipated, and also pretty secluded considering it's part of a public Forest Service campground. The bell tent with a queen bed and sofa bed is tucked away in the trees at the back of the site and very private. One of the 3-person families slept there. The lounge tent with the two sofa beds is more in the open at the outer edge of the "main" area and is where the other family slept. Both families said the bell tents were comfy and spacious. One had trouble restarting the propane heater after they had to change tanks during the first night, so the husband hooked up a bigger tank he'd brought from home and it lasted the whole second night. My husband and I slept in a 2-person tree tent together the first night, but because of his snoring and me rolling into him (because he's heavier), I grabbed two of the extra sleeping bags that we'd brought with us and moved into the top of the two-story tent for the second night. It was VERY comfortable up there. I wish we had slept separately the first night too (lol). I was a bit worried about navigating the strap ladder for a middle-of-the-night nature call, so we put a cooler underneath the portal before I went to bed and used that as a step stool which worked out well. While we had planned to do some hiking during our stay, we were having such a great time visiting under the oaks and pine trees and the kids were having such a blast playing in the huge hammock, that we stayed at the site and enjoyed the scenery and each other's company the whole time. The kitchen was well-equipped and made meal prep and cooking easy, the slackline was fun for the kids and adults, and the campfire was perfect to tell stories and toast marshmallows around (sticks are provided) underneath the starry sky at night. We all agreed that it was an amazing experience and we hope to make it an annual trip!

    Bell tents and solar lights
    Amie C.

    We just had the most amazing glamping experience in Cleveland National Forest! Alter experience made everything so easy, we just had to show up with our cooler and clothes! EVERYTHING was set up and ready. Solar lights made getting around the camp at night easy and safe. The tents were huge and beautifully decorated, and extremely cozy. Mattresses were soft, pillows were perfect, and everything was extremely clean. The kitchen tent had everything we needed to prepare and cook! Coffee, tea, French press, seasonings, cookware, and so much more. Teens had a blast, playing instruments, laying in the tree hammocks, chilling in the tree tent, and connecting with each other and nature. Our camp host, Rami, definitely made us feel like family and made sure all our needs were met. The electric bicycles were amazing and fun to cruise around the campground effortlessly. Highly recommend! This was definitely an experience of a lifetime!

    Tree tents with one of the bell tents in the background.
    RachelMarie D.

    Such a wonderful experience camping at Lions Den site over the weekend. We have been glamping before and this site and campground is by far our favorite. The kids enjoyed the tree tents and on-site activities, the adults enjoyed the amenities and the expansive tents and campground. The hostess was very warm and welcoming and checked us in and checked in on us the second night to make sure we had all we needed. I highly recommend Alter Experiences. We are already planning our next visit.

    Fox Den
    Shauna H.

    Such a great way to camp/glamp. Everything really was great, the space with all the amenities and the many tables and camp kitchen were so helpful. The kids loved the double decker tree tent. We appreciated the little touches - umbrella over picnic table, lights around the canopies and tents, the condiments & coffee/tea/sugar provided, the toiletries - all very appreciated. The yurt style tents are beautiful inside, just like the pictures. Do continue to dress warmly in cool weather though, while there are heaters in the tents, it's still outdoor camping and the heaters only last so long on the propane tanks. Lots of blankets are provided, as well as towels for the on-site coin operated showers. Anything I thought we ran out of (we didn't, I just didn't look in the right place for the back-up), they were happy to provide to us.

    Glamping @Burnt Rancheria, Mt Laguna
    Gerome A.

    We had our reservation July 15-17. The place is definitely the true definition of GLAMPING. When we arrived Shantel, the host welcomed us. She made sure that will be comfy for the whole stay. We didn't asked much, because everything is already set and provided. Facilities are well kept bravo to the team at the campground. Will definitely come back someday. To Shantel and Rami, who have been patient with us...thank you guys! I will give you 10 for the whole experience.

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    We enjoyed our time at The Lions Den. The set-up was fun. Our kids loved the slack line. The host was amazing also.

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    8 years ago

    Was a fun time and everything was provided. Beautiful setup. Loved the tents in the trees!

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Alter Experiences

    Is the campsite near any trails, waterfalls, or places to explore with children?

    Yes! All of our sites are within a few minutes of two of the best trail heads in Mount Laguna, half of them with direct access to the PCT and the other half to the Big Laguna Meadow Trail!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Alter Experiences

    My hubby and I also enjoyed renting mountain bikes for the day from our hosts (Shantel and Rami were amazing)!

    Mentioned in 33 reviews

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    Lake Cuyamaca

    Lake Cuyamaca

    3.7
    (152 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    It's a challenge to find serenity in San Diego county. And even harder within driving distance of…read moredowntown. But then there's Lake Cuyamaca, a hidden gem. I went on a 6 mile hike with my wife around the lake and also through a couple of spurs off the main trail. There's one spot where you can look down into a valley and see where all the water collects. In those moments I try to use my mind's eye to see all sorts of animals running around thousands of years ago.

    I didn't realize how much you could do at Lake Cuyamaca. Look no further if you want a great…read morecampsite with fishing spots and trails scattered around the area! If you're just visiting for the day like us, you'll need to pay for day use which is $10 per car. This fee is waived for campers or if you purchase a fishing permit (which is separate from the California fishing license). We started off at the Tackle Shop where we figured out our day passes and fishing logistics. The worker gave some great recommendations for fishing spots and this is where our group split, with several people fishing and the rest hiking. The Lake Cuyamaca Loop Trail is fairly easy and straightforward. It's about 3 miles total with little to no elevation gain. The trail mostly wraps around the edge of the lake but there was a section through an open field...the lake probably at one point stretched all the way out there but has dried up now. There's only a small section that had shade so for the most part, you'll be exposed to the sun (I got extremely sunburnt). You can use AllTrails if you're worried about getting lost but I thought the trail was pretty clear. We finished the hike in about an hour and just hung out with the rest of our friends fishing. We got lucky and it was such a beautiful day, with clear blue skies. Will definitely be back because I heard you could rent boats to fish off of! Oh and dogs are allowed as long as they're on a leash!

    Photos
    Lake Cuyamaca
    Lake Cuyamaca
    Lake Cuyamaca

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    Cedar Creek Falls

    Cedar Creek Falls

    4.4
    (358 reviews)
    6.2 mi

    If you are a San Diego hiker and haven't done this hike- WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???…read more And for those of you who see these photos and think damn I need to go do that, please be aware of the temperature because it is dangerously hot down there at lower temperatures than in other areas. The hike goes down into a canyon and the heat settles down there. Even if it's not as hot as you think coming up can be extremely dangerous. Every year I hear about somebody dying from heat stroke on that hike so don't take it lightly. I always check the weather on the actual trail using the AllTrails app. I saw that the weather out there was max 65° that day and I was like hell yeah. The hike really isn't that difficult, 3 miles down and then 3 miles back up. Lots of nice switchbacks, and there are a few sun shelters for shade. The views are gorgeous all along the trail. I've done this hike, probably 20 times over the years. It's the best in the spring and in the fall. In the winter it's way too cold. The reward for this hike is the gorgeous rock bowl and waterfall that the locals call Devils Punchbowl. This past Thursday when we did this hike, there were a lot of young folks at the Punchbowl when we got there. Some of the guys were climbing up and jumping into the water. I would not recommend it, even if the waterfall is still flowing that water is not safe to swim in. In the fall, the waterfall doesn't flow anymore after being dried out over the brutal summer, but the trees at the bottom of the canyon turn a beautiful gold color. One of the few places in San Diego you can actually experience fall.

    Great trail! Well-marked path down to and back up from the falls. Gorgeous water feature!read more

    Photos
    Cloud porn in the beginning of our hike!
    Cloud porn in the beginning of our hike!
    Awesome day with one of my best girlfriends
    Awesome day with one of my best girlfriends
    Morning frost

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    Morning frost
    Lake Murray

    Lake Murray

    4.4
    (334 reviews)
    30.0 mi

    Lake Murray is so beautiful and I enjoy coming here! I've been here a few times to walk the trail…read moreand also sit by the lake and read on a nice sunny morning. The birds can be a bit annoying, but guess that comes with the great outdoors. Definitely a nice spot to chill, take a walk and get those steps in. This area feels safe and well maintained. When I went, there weren't too many people, so it was pretty peaceful. The trail can get busy and there are bathrooms along the way (I didn't use them though) There's plenty of parking here, but just be sure you leave on time for closing. I've heard they lock up and it can be an issue with getting out. (not sure how true this is but I won't chance it) There is more parking elsewhere with trail access too, I just personally haven't found it.

    Lake Murray Service road walking trail is one of my go-to workouts--about 5.5 miles to the locked…read moregate and back. After entering the main entrance, follow the road and turn right where you will see a yellow locked gate. This is the beginning of the paved walking trail. There's plenty of parking at the main entrance, and the paved trail is perfect for walkers, runners, bikers, and even kids tagging along. It's basically a choose-your-own-adventure: bird watching, fishing (permit required), or just a casual picnic. Bonus perks: lots of porta potties and benches when you need a breather. If you're holding out for a real restroom, there's one just past the second baseball field--plan accordingly. Photo is attached to show where to locate this. Heads up: the main gate is closed every 2nd Tuesday of the month, but don't panic--you can still access the trail through the neighborhood entrance off Baltimore Drive. Hope you enjoy this walking trail as much as I do.

    Photos
    Bench for a picnic. Be careful it maybe too hot out!
    Bench for a picnic. Be careful it maybe too hot out!
    Read signs and be careful when wondering off the paved road.
    Read signs and be careful when wondering off the paved road.
    Lake Murray

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    Lake Henshaw Resort

    Lake Henshaw Resort

    3.1
    (29 reviews)
    18.6 mi

    Its not the Manchester Grand Hyatt, but the cabins have full kitchenware, at night it is so…read morepeaceful and nice during the day. Just to get out of the city is great, plenty of parking and a nice cruise on highway 76 and 79 .

    Lake Henshaw is one of those beautifully protected areas where visitors can still get an idea how…read morewild California actually was hundreds or even thousands of years ago. That is because 43,000 acres of land are protected. Vista Irrigation District began its water resourcing here in 1923. The area celebrated the arrival of the first water from Lake Henshaw on February 27, 1926. Following the arrival of water, crops of all kinds were planted in increasing numbers, and the Vista area became known as the "Avocado Capital of the World," with six avocado packing houses in the area. During this time Henshaw was operating under the San Diego Water Company, however in June, 1946, after several years of negotiations, Vista Irrigation District purchased them. Included in the purchase was the 43,000 acre Warner Ranch, a former Spanish Land Grant, which includes Henshaw Dam and Lake Henshaw. Purchase of these facilities was purely economic, in that it was a result of a search for cheaper water for the District. However, Lake Henshaw was not always a lake but instead was part of Quechla, also known as the San Luis Rey River. The river begins in the Cleveland National Forest and runs mostly along Highway 76, spitting out into the ocean in the town Oceanside. Historically, this river has provided water for Indigenous bands of both the Kumeyaay and Luiseño tribes, which include the Rincon, La Jolla, Pauma, Pala, and San Pasqual people. When the bands were forced onto reservations as a result of the Mission Indian Relief Act, they were intentionally put in areas with access to water so they could grow crops. Almost as soon as the reservations were formed, the government entered into a contract with William G. Henshaw. Henshaw wanted to build a storage dam and reservoir at Warner's Ranch on the Upper Quechla, with the intent of diverting river water for further irrigation. In protest of the dam's construction, local Indians went to court to contest the legality of the contract. The United States Government ruled in favor of Henshaw, and a dam to hold back approximately 200,000 acre feet of water was built. The water went from Lake Henshaw to Lake Wohlford, then flowed into Dixon Lake (which interestingly is filled with imported water) Those two sources are mixed at a water treatment facility next to the lake and then taken by flume to the people of Vista and Escondido. Not soon after it was noticed that during episodes of severe drought, the water would hardly flow through the reservations and their wells would dry up. In 1950 46 Indian bands, including the Rincon, La Jolla, Pauma, Pala, and San Pasqual, initiated proceedings in the Indian Claims Commission which would pay damages to the Indians from the government for failure to protect their land and water rights. In addition to damages, the Indians asked for access to Quechla's water so they could develop their own lands agriculturally. It was Senator Alan Cranston that introduced Senate Bill 1507 which provided for settlement of Indigenous claims against the U.S. Government and the City of Escondido. Unfortunately the bill never made it off the Senate floor. The continued fight for their water rights took 50 years to come to justice but finally they drank in victory. In 1967, Robert Pelcyger was a newly minted lawyer who knew little about the rights of Native Americans and even less about water rights. Then he met Patty Durro, a young woman from the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians in northern San Diego County who was determined to reclaim her tribe's share of the San Luis Rey River. She changed his life and the fortunes of five North County tribes that had been robbed of the water they had been promised by the government. But, it took Pelcyger 50 years to right the wrong. In May 2017, there was a settlement agreed upon. The San Luis Rey Indian Water Rights Settlement Act now guarantees the 5 bands equal annual access to more than 5 billion gallons of Colorado River water. Should they not need all of the water, the agreement is that they must sell the excess water back to the cities of Vista and Escondido at market rates. Sadly, most of the elders that were originally fighting for the water rights never got to witness the feat. But it was never about instant gratification, instead, it was about creating better living situations for the future generations. Today, the lake stays around 40% capacity due to it being on a fault line, but is home to people killing algae (absolutely no swimming permitted), amazing fly fishing and many amazing raptors including a mated pair of Bald Eagles.

    Photos
    Lake Henshaw Resort
    Lake Henshaw Resort
    Lake Henshaw Resort

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    Eagle Mining

    Eagle Mining

    4.6
    (457 reviews)
    5.6 mi

    This is a cool hands on history lesson of the area of Julian, circa 1870…read more Many times we have gone to Julian, many times we have played in the snow, eaten apple pie, had pizza and beer. But somehow we never knew there was a mining history there and that it was very prolific in the 1870s. The tour is worth the cost, and starts with a history of the equipment and the area as well as the information about how the mining equipment and the mine were preserved. There is a demonstration of how to pan for gold, and there is a lot of old equipment as well as a shop with relics, books and western style homestead-ish goods. A nice variety of options. The walk through the mine would have been better with a smaller group where we wouldn't feel rushed. It was cool that down in the mine there is still equipment, and you can view down into the hole where the miners would be lowered to work for the day. The mine is very dark - but also well lit and as your eyes adjust there is no problem watching where you walk and seeing the historic equipment down in the mine. The tour is actually 2 shafts that connect, as you finish one mine area then the tour guide takes you into the other mine shaft and at the end of the tour you exit on the other side of the mountain- pretty cool. You must be mobile, not claustrophobic, this is a child friendly tour but please impress to your kids that listening is key, some portions of the tour it may be more difficult to hear the guide. At one point they lights are turned off so that the guide can demonstrate the use of a candle to iluminate the way, it's a short period but might be scary to young visitors if not reassured. I recommend this tour for tourists, locals, adults and kids - great to learn the history of Julian and the mines that were there during the gold rush. I believe they said - more than 200!

    We really enjoyed our mining tour at Eagle Mining Co., in Julian, CA…read more Our tour guide John, was great he took us inside a mine that was created in the 1870s and showed us the tools and equipment used by the miners. John was very knowledgeable and provided a detailed explanation of how mining was conducted on that specific sight and gave an excellent overall history lesson. The tour took approximately 1 hour the cost was $15 for adults,Kids Age 5-11=$8 and Children Age 4 Younger =$1. The cost also included a lesson on panning for gold which your kids will enjoy. They do offer BBQ, shop and clean bathroom facilities we didn't get a chance to try the food, but it smelled good. Eagle Mining Co., is about a 5 minute drive from Main Street Julián. Check it out! Happy Yelping :)

    Photos
    Eagle Mining Co., in Julian, CA
    Eagle Mining Co., in Julian, CA
    Eagle Mining Co., in Julian, CA
    Eagle Mining Co., in Julian, CA
    Eagle Mining Co., in Julian, CA

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    Eagle Mining Co., in Julian, CA
    Lake Jennings

    Lake Jennings

    3.5
    (192 reviews)
    19.8 mi

    Check-in for the campground is 2:00 PM. The workers do a great job maintaining all the…read morefacilities--and they were all cordial. The bathrooms and hot showers were clean and well-maintained. The fish cleaning area and sink were spotless. Trash on the ground or in the water was a rare sight to see. For $58 a night, it was a great value. I had a nice view of the lake, too. After I checked-in and set up the campsite, with my tent, and a small camping table, I rented a rowboat for $25, good for five hours, so that I could go fishing. The walk between the campground and boat rental dock is about 25 minutes each way if you're using the shorter route. The lake itself is very clean. Though I would not drink the water from Lake Jennings without a water filter, out of curiosity, I did put some of Lake Jennings' water into an empty water bottle to see how clear the water is. To my surprise, the water is completely clear! While I was sitting in the rowboat, I noticed lots of different birds--bluebirds, coots, ducks, geese, grebes, hawks, herons, hummingbirds, osprey, sparrows, vultures, woodpeckers, a few others I wasn't sure what they were. Anyway, after the first hour of having my rod cast, I didn't think I would catch anything and began to lose hope. However, as the afternoon started to cool, under the mature trees, off the shoreline, just opposite west of the rental dock, my fishing line started to pull. I quickly reeled the line in and realized that this was a pretty big fish. I dipped my net into the water, to get the fish into the boat. I used my handheld fish scale and the catfish weighed just over eight pounds!! (I used homemade bait made up of oatmeal and fresh garlic, rolled up in a peanut butter ball, that I prepared the night before. Also, the line was about 15 feet under water.) After I caught the one fish, I returned the boat, and went back to the campsite to clean and cook it. I cooked the fish using a portable camping grill grate--with a bit of olive oil, a liberal amount of fresh herbs (oregano, parsley, thyme, diced garlic, and Hungarian sweet paprika), and lemon--over an open fire, in the fire ring, that they have in each campsite. I used Lucela mesquite charcoal to fuel the campfire. The catfish was high quality and delicious--easily the best catfish that I have tasted, in my life, to date. At night, the campground was completely quiet, even on a weekend night. The night sky was nice, too. However, the lake's management is strict about having all campfires extinguished by 11:00 PM. The next morning, I had planned to cook breakfast, but decided to sleep in. At about 11:30 AM, I checked out. Checkout time is before 12:00 PM (noon). Overall, this was a perfect little one-night trip. Hopefully, I will return in the future. If I ever do come back, I'll probably make it a two-night trip, so that I can explore more of the lake, and maybe aim to catch a crappie, sunfish, or trout.

    Me and my family have never had to leave before we stayed all our reserved days while camping, but…read morethis campsite set us over. Most of the sites are completely barren with dead grass and bushes, and the view is primarily dead-brush-covered hills with the occasional view of the city below. The campsites are raised on a hill so the lake is barely visible. Even if it is, you are not allowed to interact with it except for fishing, so there is hardly a point. The sun relentlessly beats down on the ground, with the only shade being from sparse trees. The only reason this is not a zero star review (besides the app not allowing it) is for the staff, who were polite and very helpful. Never again.

    Photos
    Lake Jennings
    Lake Jennings
    Lake Jennings

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    Alter Experiences - campgrounds - Updated August 2026

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