You, your family and no wifi.
Press pause on your hectic schedule and reconnect with your family and nature here at Big Bluff Ranch - 4 hours away from the Bay Area and light years away from city life.
Once here, the 25-acre lake is all yours. No nosy or noisy neighbors in the camp spot next door. The only human sounds you’ll hear are the screams of delight from your kids cannonballing into the lake.
Your cell phone won’t be interrupting you either. Coverage is spotty around the lake and you can legitimately tell your co-workers that you’re going “off the grid for the week.”
What do you want to do first?
Swimming with your family
Teaching your kid how to fish
Sending your kids off in the kayaks
Exploring the lake in our electric motor boats (bonus mission- find the beaver dens)
Hiking the trails and hills of the ranch
Napping with sounds of nature - no digital soundtrack needed
Cooking with that special sauce that only camping can provide
Our screened-in cabana has everything you need for a deluxe camping experience - just pack in your gear and food (in a cooler). Everything else is here.
“This place is magical.”
Ian Hamilton and family
There is no silence like that next to a lake. No cars, sirens, or even neighbors (unless you count the bats)
What's missing in the picture? Random strangers. The only people you'll see are the ones you came with (choose wisely).
That's the whole experience. Cozy lake side cabana, big ol' lake and you
Everything you need for a fishing trip - lake, boats, BBQ, and spot to sleep.
If you get tired of water, take a hike around the ranch. Who knows what you'll find?
If the fish have worn you out, here is a nice place to recuperate
Ready and waiting for your adventure
This place will sooth your spirit...
It's not very often that you see this white stuff here at Big Bluff Ranch. But it sure does make some pretty pictures.
We've had big bass out here since before digital cameras
SUP fishing - it's a thang according to Harry
For the fisherman out there, our catfish like to hit the topwater
Father Daughter trip - can't start them too early
20ft from the cabana - fishing isn't hard at our lake
This photo is from the early 90's. He has since grown up, gotten a Phd and is now a professor in Singapore.
Fishing is good
Many things can be discussed with a friend, a drink (or two) and a lake in the background
Whadda ya got there?
Coffee, and a whole of day of fishing ahead
Yep, that's a pretty big bass
Now you're just showing off
They caught fish! They get pretty excited when that happens.
Spring time at the lake is spectacular. Time your visit right to see our wildflowers blooming, like this hairy vetch.
Your home away from home
Our cabana will be the headquarters for your vacation. The cabin comfortably sleeps 5 guests, equipped with 2 twin captain beds and 1 twin over full bunk bed. If you have more people than we have beds, ask us about additional camping options.
To cook your meals, an outdoor kitchen is available with a gas barbecue grill and a 3 burner camp stove. We provide all the necessities such as plates, bowls, cups and utensils. This cabana is off the grid (meaning no electricity), so bring lots of ice and coolers for your food and beverages.
There is an updated outhouse with a composting toilet and a solar-heated shower head. We provide drinking water from our artesian spring.
The outdoor patio area. It's where you're going to live on your visit here.
Bench? Table? Why not both?
The beds.
The bunk bed
The 2 twin beds
Yeah, the lake really is that close to your bed
Mi casa es su casa. All sorts of goodies to make your visit interesting.
Pots, pans, dishes, silverware, extra lures, etc. Everything a lakeside cabana should have.
You can't quite fish from inside but you can certainly dream about it.
Outdoor shower - (it's ok, there are no neighbors)
Chairs, tables, chaise lounges - all you need for some slow time.
FAQs
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$500 per night for the cabana and lake plus $100/day/adult.
But if you aren’t fishing or want to fish during the week, we will work on the price with you.
Kids under 12 are free
There is no cleaning fee. Please be kind and leave it clean so we don’t have to start charging one.
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It depends on your carrier, but you’re better off to assume 0% reception.
There is good reception about 10min from the lake if you need to talk to the outside world.
But forget about ordering pizza…
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That’s up to you.
Here are somethings to ponder -
The banks are steep (there is no “kiddie pool” area on the lake)
The mud at the lake edge can be sticky.
We recommend slighter older kids but we leave that to your judgement.
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Not as far as you’d think.
The ranch is about 25 miles west of Red Bluff, CA.
Figure on about a 45-60 min drive from town.
Try not to forget anything but if you do, we make the drive all too often
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We provide 2 adult and 2 kids kayaks to cruise the lake.
Also, we provide to boats with electric trolling motors.
All included in the price.
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Boats - no because there is no safe way to launch them.
SUPS, kayaks, canoes, float tubes - sure, as long as they are clean from invasive aquatic species
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If you’re looking for clean fish that aren’t hook-shy, this is your place.
Great for kids and low key fisherman.
But, if you are a fishing person, you’ll have blast because the fish won’t know what hit ‘em.
Catch and release only (except maybe something for dinner)
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No problem.
There are miles of trails to hike.
And, depending on the season, our section of Red Bank Creek is an amazing place to explore.
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Sure - there is plenty of space for tents near the cabana.
Our upper limit is 10 adults.
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There are about 7 miles of gravel road to the ranch, and then a creek crossing to the lake.
All of this is fine in a sedan if you are a bit adventurous. (just drive a little bit slower than us locals).
But if you're in an SUV or truck (4x4 isn't needed) then there is no issue at all.
You can’t use us as an excuse to buy that truck you’ve always wanted - sorry. :-)
