For our annual camping trip with the Youngin’s, we went to Plasse’s Resort at Silver Lake. After spending 30-45 minutes at the wrong campsites, we drove to Kirkwood to get cell service. We made a few calls to find out the correct location and finally made our way to Plasse’s Resort. Plasse’s was founded in 1853 by a French immigrant, Ramon Pierre Plasse. It is known as one of the oldest campgrounds in the United States by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.
Plasse’s Resort – July 2010
Rating: 4 out of 5
Location: In the heart of the High Sierras approximately 50 miles east of Jackson.
Amenities: Portable toilets, showers, general store, restaurant, propane station, laundry facilities, canoe and kayak rentals, arcade, and outdoor playgrounds.
Pets: Allowed at no additional charge
Pros: The campground is very pet friendly and family oriented. It offers a one-stop shop of entertainment and fun. Campsites are spread fairly far apart and the evenings are quiet. The resort has it’s own lake access; however, we recommend visiting Sandy Cove Beach, which is a few minute drive from the resort. Sandy Cove Beach offers easy access to the lake and is also a great spot for fishing. Picnic tables are located near the beach so it’s a great area to spend the day. There are lots of activities to do at Plasse’s, which will offer hours of fun without having to leave the campgrounds. There’s even a restaurant within the resort if you get tired of cooking your own meals! A laundry facility is available so if you’re staying for a week or more, you won’t need to overpack! A creek running through the resort offers great opportunities for fishing and is quite easy to get to.
Cons: In order for you to get to the campsites from the main entrance, you have to cross a creek that is about a foot to two feet deep. If you’re driving a low profile car, you may end up having trouble passing. Signs within the campground designating individual sites are hard to read so plan accordingly. It is recommended that you come during the day to set up shop. Mosquitoes are relentless so bring the powerful bug spray. “Off” didn’t keep the bugs away so make sure you bring something with a high content of Deet! Lake access at Plasse’s is not the greatest. Instead of a beach, you will find a marshland of soggy, muddy grass. We highly recommend going to Sandy Cove for beach access. While there are showers available at Plasse’s, they are not within short walking distance. Plan on driving your car if you want to take a shower (don’t forget about crossing the creek). Due to the altitude, the weather will range about 30 degrees during the evening to day. Plan on bringing lots of layers because you will feel the heat during the day and the icy chill during the evenings.