Two generations of Masons cast into the water at Bear River Resort - grandfather Del and grandson Stone. Photo by: Mike Mason

The "staycation" is alive and well in Amador County and at least one local business is grateful for it. The Bear River Resort has been busier than normal, according to the facility's reservation hostess Pat MacAskill, with much of the traffic coming from Amador County and the greater Sacramento area.

Gold Country locals, as well as their valley counterparts, have been spending time in nature and with families at the resort, which offers a laundry list of goings-on, including picnicking, camping, swimming, water- and jet-skiing, and boating. Also, it does not take a keen eye to notice the one constant and probably most popular activity at the reservoir - fishing. Both the Department of Fish and Game and the Pacific Gas & Electric Co. stock the reservoir with rainbow, German brown and Mackinaw trout, said MacAskill. Fishing can be done from the dam, shore or boat, and watercraft can be launched for $10. Boats, canoes, kayaks and paddle boats can be rented.

Including their group camping facility, the resort boasts 152 sites in all, as well as six fully equipped Park Model units available for rent. There is a laundromat, playground and showers as well as a full store and restaurant. For those who do not want to cook, the resort's large retail store and rental center doubles as a dining area. Friday though Monday, breakfast is available, while lunch is served Friday through Tuesday. On Thursdays through Mondays, adult campers can also visit The Bear's Den, the neighborhood bar, where guests can enjoy a drink as they look out over the lake or play some pool.

The land that Bear River Lake Resort is located on is owned by PG&E and the resort was started by J.D. and Mary Jones in 1965. It was then purchased by Senter and Joyce Gunter in 1978. The current owners, Jon and Janette Frazier, purchased the facility in 1993 and have described the investment as "a beautiful blessing." When their children were small, the Fraziers frequented Bear River. Now their granddaughters, Brittnee, 16, and Hope, 8, are visiting the resort.

"I believe that the best part of owning Bear River is seeing the people enjoy the resort. We have met some beautiful people here and have made some much cherished friends," Janette said. "Where else could you work in such a beautiful environment?"

"Families can come here and make their own memories," Janette said. "We have family reunions, weddings, company and church campouts. Some of our people come and stay for six months. We also have some people that leave their trailers here all year long. If you are coming for two nights or all summer, people like to get away from all the hassle of everyday living and enjoy the beautiful Sierra mountains. Camping is still something that families can do together and not spend a lot of money," she concluded.

Around the Bear River Reservoir, you can find several other campgrounds, including South Shore, Pardoes Point and Sugar Pine Point, which are run by the U.S. Forest Service.

Bear River Reservoir is located at 40800 Highway 88 in Pioneer. The resort and reservoir are 42 miles east of Jackson and 60 miles south of Lake Tahoe. The phone number is 295-4868 and resort information is available at www.bearrivercampground.com.