Established Camping
Bowman Campground
Bowman Campground, near Nevada City, California, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. With its spacious sites and beautiful surroundings, it’s a great place to set up camp and unwind.
This campground is known for its stunning views and access to Bowman Lake, where you can enjoy fishing, kayaking, or just soaking in the scenery. Visitors have praised the remote feel of the area, making it perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle. One camper noted, “The lake is beautiful and try to hike to the waterfalls at the creek at the end of the lake if you can.”
While the campground offers a pit toilet, it’s important to come prepared, as there’s no drinking water available. Some campers recommend bringing bear spray and packing out your trash to keep the area pristine. The drive to Bowman can be a bit rough, so having a vehicle with good clearance is a must.
For those who love winter adventures, Bowman Lake transforms into a winter wonderland, with breathtaking mornings after the snow melts. Whether you’re hiking, fishing, or just enjoying the peace and quiet, Bowman Campground is a solid choice for your next outdoor adventure.
Description
National Forest
Tahoe National Forest
Bowman Lake Campground is a very remote campground with limited services. There are 7 campsites with tables, fire rings and bear proof food lockers. There is no trash service. Bowman Lake is a large lake surrounded by rocky cliffs and scattered pines that are great for fishing and swimming. A few islands are found within the lake. Car top boat launch only. The road to access the campground is very rough, rocky, and narrow. A high clearance vehicle is needed, and towing boats or trailers is very difficult and dangerous. There are several stretches of the road where it is impossible for two vehicles to pass around each other and so if traffic is coming from both directions, someone will need to back up. Despite the difficult access, Bowman Lake is a popular, heavily used area.
Location
Bowman Campground is located in California
Directions
From Nevada City: Take Hwy 20 east towards Truckee approximately 20 miles. Turn left on Bowman Lake Road (Forest Road 18). First 8 miles are paved, next 3 miles are gravel (1 1/2 lanes), and last 3 miles are very rough, requiring high clearance vehicle and road is one lane. The entire route is very windy. From I-80: Take Hwy 20 exit from I-80 heading west toward Nevada City for approximately 5 miles. Turn right on Bowman Lake Road (Forest Road 18). First 8 miles are paved, next 3 miles are gravel (1 1/2 lanes), and last 3 miles are very rough, requiring high clearance vehicle and road is one lane.
Coordinates
39.46045568 N
120.61144182 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiPoor
- VerizonGood
- AT&TGood
- T-MobileAvailable
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
