I don't often review campgrounds but so many people commented on specific sites and no one commented on Site 11, which is the one I booked this weekend so here you go future bookers: We were able to fit two single backpacking tents and two larger two person tents but both the official tent spot and our unofficial spot had notable, but tolerable slopes as noted multiple times in reviews. There is a parking spot for site 11 across the campground road near a pit toilet. Flush toilets are located on the other side of the parking lot, which is right next to site 10. Site 10 seemed like it had a nice lake view. You can see the lake through the trees from site 11. There are no bear boxes! You store food and toiletries in your car at night. Wing wildlife included mosquitoes (light), yellow jackets (heaviest mid morning), and very loud cicadas. My ears were ringing like I went to a loud concert. I have to assume that's seasonal. There's a "boat launch" past the flush toilets near the tent cabins that was nice for setting up a few camp chairs and entering the water in floaties. There were a few other beaches further on but they were full. There was a kerfuffle over an inflatable kayak while we were there so keep an eye on your things! The lake was shockingly not ice cold like many CA lakes I've been in but it was also 100 degrees out. We stayed in for hours. So nice! Intimate campground with sloped sites and nice lake access- overall a pleasant stay! read more

Shasta Trinity Recreation - Site 11- not the official tent spot fyi. Fyi site 11 is across from the camp host - Campgrounds Near Me - Lewiston, California

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We had a great time at Mary Smith Campground. We stayed in glamping site #3 and really liked it (though site #2 was our favorite). Some feedback on the campground: - The glamping site bed is super comfortable. We fell asleep instantly and got woken up next day by the morning sun. - The glamping sites are set up well, have enough space, each come with a fire pit, 2 plastic chairs, 2 wooden chairs, a full table + benches and a LED lantern. - The bathrooms at are clean, flush toilets. The ranger is re-stocking toilet paper daily. Big plus! - There are no showers at the campground. Good news is that you can simply take a swim in the lake :) - There's no cell phone reception (AT&T, at least) once you leave Redding. - This is a pretty small campground, which is really nice because you have a lot of space and it's not too crowded. As with any campground, it can still be noisy with kids or other neighbors that talk at night. You might want to bring earplugs if you don't fall asleep easily. More details: https://www.simonkreuz.com/trips/mary-smith-campground. read more

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Nice area that has campsites next to the camp road going down to the water. I noticed his and her bathrooms.

Two of my friends I recently stayed here for a camping trip. We had a hard time trying to figure out what spot would be best for us from the reviews online but I think we did a great job. Overall all of the spots have a slant to them except for the no reservations ones at 16 & 17. Site 6 and 7 were relatively flat but you are in the midst of all of the traffic down by the glamping units. However they are closer to the lake. Many of the spots were pretty small and even though they say they fit 8 people, I'm not sure how because many of them can barely fit 2 tents unless you want to get on some serious slopes. Spots #12 & 13 looked more private and we couldn't even see #13 from the street but that does mean a lot of steps to get to it. #14 and #15 also looked shaded but there are a lot of steps to those as well but if you are OK with that they seemed pretty nice. The bathrooms were very clean and no, there are no showers. I get that people who are glamping probably want that but we were tent camping and just having running water felt like glamping in a way to us :) The lake is beautiful and since we didn't stay near all of the glamping units it was peaceful and quiet. The best part about staying here was the camp host Ray. Ray was always there when we needed him and he was very friendly and helpful. Thank you so much to Ray for just being an awesome host and for being there to help us! We hope he will still be there when we come back. Lastly, there is a hike you can do around the lake. However, I believe you have to walk on pavement for 2 miles after you reach Cooper Gulch and we weren't sure where to go so we just turned around and walked back to Mary Smith. Next time we will do more research and figure out how to do a hike around the whole lake which I believe is 6 miles. One last thing to note, the websites say to buy firewood locally but the only close town is Lewiston and it is small and there wasn't anywhere to purchase it. The only other close place would be Redding but I didn't see anywhere there either. Next time we will bring our own in. Overall, great place to camp and with a wonderful host Ray. We will be back! read more

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I am conflicted about telling y'all too many good things about this place...on one hand, IT DOES NOT GET BETTER THAN THIS, I've stayed in Hotel Resorts that have not even come close to what Mary Smith has to offer!!! On the other hand, I don't want too many people to overcrowd this AMAZINGLY Secluded Lake (it's part of the charm)...because I will come back to stay here if it's the last thing I do! No amount of words can describe the experience, you just have to GO and experience it. Highly Recommend the "Glampsites" on the water. End of Story. read more

Shasta Trinity Recreation - Rent the Kayaks up the road from Mary Smith at a Place called Pine Cove Marina. Perfection. - Campgrounds Near Me - Lewiston, California

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We got reservations online for tent site #1 because on the map it showed it being isolated from the others and we have a dog that gets too interested in what is going on around him. The campground is very easy to get to and is about 2 miles from Lewiston which has a tiny grocery and sporting goods store. The site was elevated, and overlooked the "glamping" units (I hate that word). There was zero privacy in #1, but it didn't matter to us. The bathroom beneath us was new and clean. You get a nice picnic table, BBQ stand and ring fire pit that also has another BBQ grate. There are potable water spigots. The noise level of the camp was minimal and it was almost entirely full. The camp is in a beautiful spot just like Sunset Magazine and sfgate.com say, but if I go again (and I will), I won't make reservations so I can snag spots that were better if they are empty or no-shows (like 12, 13, 16 or 17). Sites 16 & 17 are walk in only, no reservations taken. Do not take #8, it is about 15 feet from the bathroom. There are more campgrounds on the lake too, and literally no one was in them because of the publicity of Mary Lake. I will be looking into those for sure. And just up highway 3 on Trinity Lake there are at least a dozen empty campgrounds. Trinity Lake is often low, but that shouldn't deter you, it is still fantastic. This entire area is great and Mary Smith is a very nice campground. P.S. Even though Alice F. says that there is plenty of kindling available, gathering wood is illegal. The camp host sells wood bundles for $8, and you can buy it Lewiston for $6. read more

Shasta Trinity Recreation - Tent site #1 - Campgrounds Near Me - Lewiston, California

Beautiful campground, well tended by the camp host, Manuel. We were pleasantly surprised that we were able to book Memorial Day weekend on short notice. We were the first to stay in one of the new platform tents ("glamping"). They are well constructed with a single queen-sized bed and linens. There is additional space on the floor for two small kids to sleep in sleeping bags. The camp's flush toilet bathroom is well maintained and clean. We invested in a sun shower since there is drinking water but no showers on site. We rented a canoe near the marina, will write a separate review for them. Worth the drive, would go there again. read more

Shasta Trinity Recreation - Newly constructed (May 2014) tent cabin for "glamping". One queen size bed, linens and porch area included. Check out the view! - Campgrounds Near Me - Lewiston, California

We had a great time here but I would never come back unless I hear definitively that they have removed the poison oak. It was everywhere! I covered up sprigs of it right on my site (we had glamping units 4 and 5b). It bordered nearly every trail between campsites. So I was on red alert with the kids all weekend. We did not see our camp host once. Well, I saw a young dude cleaning the bathroom once but I don't know if that was him; he didn't speak. Also important to note: there is NO room for extra tents on the glamping sites! Two of us called and were told that we could set up an extra tent (total 6 people on a site) and that there would be room. But the tent cabins are all on a grade, and any quasi-flat ish spaces around them are teeming with poison oak. The cabins themselves are gorgeous; it was a really comfortable bed, soft sheets and comforter, with a breathtaking, tear-inducing view. It was amazing to have a deck for the kids to play on. The water access from our site was pretty good. We used the boats that were hanging out there and then someone told us we were supposed to pay... But who? read more

great place to go glamping. Manuel our host was great. we rented a house boat and fished half the day. We fished from the dock and got 3 good sized trout for dinner. The fish hatchery is near so you can visit. Take a portable shower since there are none. read more

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As far as camping goes, Mary Smith campground is as fancy as it can get. It is notable for its serenity and its lake's pristine condition. No garbage, no noise, no boats zooming to and fro, and no obnoxious RV sounds. At first we didn't know what to think because it was different from your typical campground. -My favorite part of this campground: FLUSH TOILETS. Seriously, FLUSH FREAKING TOILETS. I can't believe no one has mentioned this yet. Must be a new feature. But the toilets closest to the glamping tents have plumbing. Not having to go in a giant stinky poop hole? Thats fancy af camping as you can get in my books. So you don't have to be afraid to book the tent-only sites near those toilets either. -The campground itself is small, really small, and at a slope. So the closer you are to the lake, the more people further away are peering into your site. If you're looking for privacy, book further away from the lake. Almost all the glamping sites have a view of the lake anyway. You can feel a bit cramped but you realize that everyone there is there for some peace and quiet. Everybody respects the noise level and we had no issues with being close to one another. -Parking spots are up and away from your camping spots vs having a road loop around the campground with little nooks to park your cars in. At first it felt like a pain in the butt to have to haul all your stuff to your site, but it was actually really nice not having cars drive around in circles early AM or late PM. No slamming doors or roaring engines of semi-like trucks, plus no honking sounds from people making sure their cars are locked. It added to the serenity value of the campground. BUT from the closest glamping tent, it's a good 10 meters to the nearest parking spot. Def not for people who are interested in walking as little as possible. -Beach areas to enter the lake are pretty small, at least for the glamping side. everyone has to share a 10 ft wide opening and another littler one thats 3 ft wide. Glamping tent 5A is right in front of the 10ft opening and tent site 6 is in front of the 3 ft one. So access and views are the best in those spots, but privacy is the worst. The smaller beach areas make the lake feel more pristine. Once you get in the water, its 360 view of untouched nature. The best spots: Glamping spots with notable privacy are 2, 9, 5B, and 4. These are the ones without neighbors from at least 2 sides.These are also the spots with the most poison oak around them. 2 is is the furthest on from the parking lot but also the closest one to the lake. It is probably the best site out of all of them. 9 is the largest glamping site, most secluded, and the only one you can set up another tent with. 9 is also closest to the toilets and parking, but the only one without lake view. For best lake access, book 5A, but be prepared to have neighbors from all sides. As for the few non-glamping sites I saw, 6 is pretty nice. Large and flat, with direct access to the lake. It is at the bottom of the slope though so everyone can peer into your whole site. Things to note: quite a bit of wasps so bring traps or repellents or something. Although glamping sites say you can set up another tent beside it, you can't. We were barely able to set up a shower tent in 5B. Bring water shoes, there are sticks and thick layers of lake weed that will swallow your flipflop to oblivion. Lewiston town is 10 mins away. There is a mini-mart there and a pay phone. The mini-mart is pretty well stocked with diapers, ice, wood, and what-not. No fire wood for purchase at campsite, but Roy (super nice campground host) said we could pick whatever wood is on the ground. Even chop the some of giant logs from the chopped trees by the site if we had an axe. Theres enough wood to scrounge around and we didn't have to buy any. Fun activity for the kiddies and probably helps clean up fire hazards too. read more

I love this place. It seriously changed the way I camp. I went with my boyfriend and we stayed in one of the glamping tents. They all have pretty great views of Lewiston. The water is very cold, so we did not go in- however, we did go to Pine Cove and took out patio boat rental. This campground does have bugs- but you're camping so it's expected. Very comfy bed, I brought my own sheets because I am weird about spiders, but I did not see any bugs inside the tent. I can't wait to come back here. read more

Shasta Trinity Recreation - View from site #4 - Campgrounds Near Me - Lewiston, California

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Glamping was a lovely experience! The camp host was friendly and helpful and the campground was private and quiet, not to mention you are right on the lake! read more

Shasta Trinity Recreation - Our Glamping Tent with an oversized comfy queen bed inside! - Campgrounds Near Me - Lewiston, California

I went back to Mary Smith Campground, on July 13, 14, 15. Glamping Unit #2. Our family actually rented #2 and #5b. #2 is the farthest away from the toilets with limited water access. It is also the longest haul, uphill when packing out. Bring a cart. The tent is in fair shape. No carpets as advertised, just exposed pressure treated plywood. Clean. The zipper on tent flaps duct taped, as the screen is ripped. The only tent without duct tape from what I can tell, is #5b and the ADA tent. The fire danger is extremely high, so I was amased they allowed fires. I did have an escape plan in my head. The camping experience was overall good. The trout fishing good. Use a red and brass colored rooster tail, or super-duper, or Berkley Power bait, chartreuse. Fish in front of tent 5a. The owners still have to fix the damaged tents and replace the carpets. I believe, the price should be discounted until those items are fixed as they are advertised with carpets and mosquitoes are every where. But, it is camping.............. read more

We have been camping at Mary Smith for 4 years now. We live only an hour away so our friends have come up for the day and stay for dinner. This year we have got a group together and reserved all the sites near the water in September. Can't wait to have a fun weekend with everyone. I too hate to give too much info as I'm being selfish and want MY campground to remain quiet and pristine. We glamp and tent camp. We bring our kayaks and spend hours on the lake. Many times we are the only ones we see on the water. The campsites near the water takes many trips and a wagon to get our things to our sites. It is also trying to get your kayak down to the water but once there and set up it's worth the effort. Mary Smith is most definitely my favorite campground. read more

There was only one other campground being used. Most of the tent sites are isolated, except 7 and 8. (Those are near the "glamping" tents.) Lots of wonderful trees, quiet and beautiful. The restroom is very, very clean, but there are no showers. Bring your own wood if you want a campfire, but there is lots of kindling available. The lake is only accessible near campsite 7 or down the road, but the water is mighty cold. There is a great hike that goes around the lake if you walk past all the campsites, just follow the trail to a fire road. It's pretty gorgeous. I loved the fact that we didn't have to deal with obnoxious neighbors. One of the best car camping spots I've ever been to and I've been a lot of places, so that's saying something. There are tons of blackberry bushes, so I imagine when they are in bloom it would be awesome. There were lots of bees around, but not that were interested in us. read more

Shasta Trinity Recreation - View from our campsite. - Campgrounds Near Me - Lewiston, California

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Amazing campground. Be sure to bring a canoe or kayak. it is torture to stay here and not have one, the lake is so inviting. Site 8 is small and has a noticeable slope to it. The tent cabins, while pricey are very nice and are in the choicest spots. Camp host Manuel summer 2015 kept the bathrooms immaculate. For the potential "glampers" no showers are available at the site although they are available at the nearby hamlet. read more

Nature, nature, nature. We saw a bald eagle trying to get a baby otter (that was with its mom and sibling swimming close to the shore) when a crow came and chase the eagle away. Then the baby otter went to a trunk that was into the water and was crying calling for mom. A lucky day for us to see that and a luckier day for the family otter. We saw lots of butterflies, birds, a fox, a deer, a beaver, caterpillars, different kind of birds I've never heard so many birds singing, and I've been to many, many countries. This morning was just spectacular This place is really quiet and far from noisy rednecks and engines We brought our own tent and got the campsite #6, near the shore of the lake. Lots of poison oak but not too shiny, so not too toxic and oily. Our campground area was all covered by trees, that's why the evil plant doesn't grow so furiously. I can see they worked to get rid of it because otherwise it would be, literally, everywhere. read more

We went here last year (2013) during the 4th of July weekend. Be careful what site you choose. There were only a few left and we ended up with one of the non lake access sites and it was horrible. On a hill so slanted we spent the whole night not trying to slide down the hill. A family ended up leaving early from their lake access site and we moved over to that one with permission from the very nice gentlemen who cleans the bathrooms daily and posts the reservation signs. Great guy. Bathrooms were clean. Campers were respectful and friendly. The lake was beautiful. We even did some fishing and floating on inner tubes. As long as you don't get the inside sites it is a great experience all around. No close towns or showers though. We even went to the surrounding campgrounds looking for showers and there were none. read more

Isolated and beautiful. This ice-cold lake is gorgeous and accessible from most of the campsites. You can actually reserve the campsites (we were under the impression it was 1st come, 1st serve). Beware, though, the highway from Redding is under construction when we drove through, so you may have to deal with sloww traffic. I would recommend this campground for anyone traveling from Redding to the Coast. read more

This is a fine campground, but don't be misled by the buzz about the tent cabins. I'm sure they have amazing views of the lake, but they're packed cheek by jowl. I stayed in site 12, which has a huge slope, but much more privacy. Being 7 months pregnant, I had a workout every time I wanted to hike down to the vault toilet nearby and then back up to the tent. The main bathroom near the tent cabins has neither soap nor a way to dry one's hands. Lots of mosquitoes--be prepared. read more

This campsite has a beautiful setting and the glamping tents are really nice (though the lack of showers at the campground make it a bit less of a "glamping" experience). Also, in August at least, the yellow jackets very prevalent; we ended up eating in our tent because they were so annoying. read more

We stayed in a glamping tent for 3 nights. Beautiful spot. The entire campground is on a decent slope. There is limited access to the water. The decks were stained with bird poop. The toilet in the men's room overflowed and was running down the hill out side when we were leaving. The drinking water is questionable at best. When we got there it was foul smelling and had a reddish brown murky look to it. The camp host said it was fine and I just needed to let it run for a while... 3 days later it was still cloudy and smelled like rusty pipes. All the other campgrounds on the lake had signs up not to drink the water. Sketchy. No rugs as advertised. There is no way these campsites can sleep 8. There is one queen bed and floor space for probably 4 people but that would be cramped. There are no flat spots outside the tents for additional tents. Even most of the regular tent sites are not flat. Not what I was expecting for the money spent. read more

Lewiston Lake is absolutely lovely and if you're into canoeing, kayaking or fishing this is a great destination. As for Mary Smith Campground, its just OK. My wife and I opted for the "Glamping" experience, we've been tenting for decades, and I have to admit I was somewhat disappointed. On the plus side you do have more room to move in a glamping unit. Other than that I really don't see that much advantage to it and the $79 per night cost is pretty ridiculous. The beds are comfy enough but the cleanliness of the units could be improved. After a couple of years of use, the light colored canvas roofs are considerably stained by the forest debris falling on them. That wasn't too bothersome, however, the fat juicy black spiders that greeted us overhead upon entering the unit for the first time was somewhat disconcerting. I dispatched them with the broom provided with each unit. I used the same utensil to clean the accumulated cobwebs from many areas of the units interior. I also found the units to be too close together and for some reason the sounds emanating from the neighboring units to be quite loud. I woke on several occasions in the wee hours of the morning to our neighbor's snoring and the passing of considerable gas. To round out the review with a positive note, the flush toilet bathrooms are very clean. For the men though there is only one throne to sit on so you may have to wait unless you're only in there to pee. I would seriously suggest exploring other options in the area but do spend some time on Lewiston Lake. read more