Dorabelle sits above Shaver Lake at 5,500 feet, mixing shaded sites under thick fir and pine with more open spots that catch lake views. It's a solid base camp for families who want easy trail access plus all the water activities Shaver Lake offers.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Group
- 💵Fee per Night
- $48
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 🏔️Elevation
- 5,500 ft
- 📍GPS
- 37.11167, -119.31235
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- spring, fall
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- 559-841-3533
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
The sites split between two personalities: some tucked under a dense canopy of fir, cedar, and pine that keeps things cool, others more open where you can actually see Shaver Lake from your campsite. Each spot gets the basics — dirt parking spur, table, fire ring, and grill — plus shared access to drinking water and vault toilets. Boats can moor nearby, which makes the transition from camping to lake time pretty seamless.
Trail Access
Five trails start right from the campground, ranging from the half-mile Dinkey Road trail up to the 2-mile Osprey Cove route. In between, you've got Musick Meadow (.75 miles), Peninsula Loop (1 mile), and Burr Meadow (1.5 miles). The variety means you can match the hike to your group's energy level without driving anywhere. Horseback riding is available in the area if you want to cover more ground.
The Lake Scene
Shaver Lake handles the full spectrum of water activities: swimming, motorized boating, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, and sailing. The fishing is diverse too — kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, catfish, and bluegill all live here. The town of Shaver Lake sits nearby with restaurants and shopping when camp food gets old.
What to Know
This is a group campground that requires reservations. Given the lake access and trail variety, it draws families looking for that sweet spot between developed amenities and mountain recreation. The 5,500-foot elevation keeps it cooler than the Central Valley but warm enough for comfortable lake time during the spring and fall seasons when it's open.