A Closed Campground

Dogwood Campground Loop Trail

• 📍 Location: Blue Jay, CA

• 🥾 Distance: 3.8 miles

• 📈 Elevation Gain: 482 ft

Favorite moment: Hearing the chortle of a bald eagle

A Quiet Escape in a Closed Campground

The Dogwood Campground loop is the kind of trail that gently reminds you to slow down. From the moment I stepped onto the path, the forest wrapped itself around me—cool, shaded, and alive in that quiet way only mountain woods can be. Tall trees towered overhead, their branches weaving a canopy that filtered the sunlight into soft, dappled patterns along the trail.

What stood out most was the stillness. The hike was remarkably quiet, with only the subtle sounds of the forest breaking the silence—the wind high up in the treetops, but only the sound my own footsteps on the winding dirt path. At one point, that calm was briefly punctuated by a sharp, chortling call echoing through the trees. It sounded unmistakably powerful, and while I never caught sight of it, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was a bald eagle announcing its presence from somewhere high above.

The trail itself meanders comfortably through the forest, never in a hurry. As it winds between the tall trunks, you can’t help but notice the incredible amount of new growth. Saplings are everywhere—thin, bright green, and reaching upward with quiet determination. It feels like the forest is in the middle of a renewal, with the next generation already well on its way.

There’s something deeply peaceful about walking through a place like this. No sweeping vistas or dramatic overlooks—just a steady, immersive beauty that unfolds step by step. The Dogwood Campground loop isn’t about spectacle; it’s about atmosphere. It’s about being surrounded by trees, listening to the forest breathe, and leaving with a sense of calm that lingers long after the hike is over.

Thanks for journeying with me!
~ Bridget