Good place for day activities, sorry service at night We went back to camp, relax and enjoy the campfire and more smore's. We were just sitting back when an about 450 lb Black Bear walked 2 ft away from me. My lady was very scared as this was her 1st bear encounter, but I just told her to remain calm as the huffing bear walked by ( aggressive bear?). When the bear had gotten about 10 ft away, I stood up and loudly said, "Hey bear," and clicked it with the flashlight. As it went on to the next camp, I said loudly to them, "You have a bear coming your way. Be aware." The next camp then came alive. It was around 10PM which was about that same time a mamma bear and 2 cubs were walking through the other side of the camp as I heard folks screaming over there. It was pandemonium for a few. The reason for the 3 stars is that I called the front office to see if they would have their security to come & help in the situation. I was told they have someone who could be reachable 24 hours a day for any issues that may arise plus private security personnel. I called all 3 numbers listed in the load of paperwork they give you when you check in, but to no avail. They all went to voicemail, then my lady said, "Call the Bear League," to which they said, " We'll notate the incident." They hung up and I then thought how unprofessional of a campground staff Camp Richardson has that they do NOT have a staff around to help with such situations. We stayed here in a Truck Camper.
We went back to camp, relax and enjoy the campfire and more smore's. We were just sitting back when an about 450 lb Black Bear walked 2 ft away from me. My lady was very scared as this was her 1st bear encounter, but I just told her to remain calm as the huffing bear walked by ( aggressive bear?). When the bear had gotten about 10 ft away, I stood up and loudly said, "Hey bear," and clicked it with the flashlight. As it went on to the next camp, I said loudly to them, "You have a bear coming your way. Be aware." The next camp then came alive. It was around 10PM which was about that same time a mamma bear and 2 cubs were walking through the other side of the camp as I heard folks screaming over there. It was pandemonium for a few. The reason for the 3 stars is that I called the front office to see if they would have their security to come & help in the situation. I was told they have someone who could be reachable 24 hours a day for any issues that may arise plus private security personnel. I called all 3 numbers listed in the load of paperwork they give you when you check in, but to no avail. They all went to voicemail, then my lady said, "Call the Bear League," to which they said, " We'll notate the incident." They hung up and I then thought how unprofessional of a campground staff Camp Richardson has that they do NOT have a staff around to help with such situations. We stayed here in a Truck Camper.
( I also noticed , by the way, that as you approach camp richardsons on the road theres a "Bear Crossing sign" on the rd for the next mile ( camp richardsons area is about a mile ... hmmmm ) so knowing theirs frequent bears in the area , you'd think they'd be a little more accommodating. But anyway .... after the hang up from the bear league I got a call from the sheriffs ( bear league must have called them ), I told them what had happened , so they dispatched 3 patrol cars out to help .... they searched for all 4 bears , but they couldn't be found and then came back and said " Normally the campground staff handles these Bear encounters" , I guess they had tried to reach them as well and couldn't !
There are some cool activities, however todo while at the camp areas, theirs a great ice cream shop, and marina with all kinds of boat/ kayak , paddle board, peddle boat rentals, there is a cruise that leaves the dock area thats pretty cool as well, staff is pretty friendly before you pay , then marginal towards you after that. Makes me think they couldn't care less about you , they just want your bucks ! The other thing , this is very crowded camping and more like city camping with lots of lame rules. If you want a ton of activities to do and still be close to groceries, and the casinos, then this is the place for you ! If you want peace and quiet , then this isn't ! My wife and I , will not be back... remote camping is the way !!!
The deal with the bears , is pretty obvious, with the sign on the rd coming up to Camp Richardson's... it says Bear crossing next 1 mile.... with it being Tahoes oldest campground, bears have been attracted to this place for over 80 years.... plus with it being a mostly city camping experience for novice campers ( we went to be close to the 4th of July Fireworks ) and the novice campers leaving food out all over ... I don't blame the bears, their just looking for easy meals, it's the crappy service of the camp staff that can't partrol the camp at night, when knowing bears come through all the time ! ! and at $42 a nite( twice the cost of most ) for a tent site , you'd think they could keep staff on at nite ! But I guess not !