Within Tahoe National Forest, White Cloud provides drive-in camping along Highway 20 near Camptonville. This US Forest Service campground operates from late June through September, accommodating RVs up to 40 feet with sites spaced far enough apart that campers maintain privacy despite the roadside location.
The campground sits close enough to Highway 20 that traffic noise reaches most sites, though campers report back sites offer more quiet. Individual sites include picnic tables and fire rings, with pit toilets and potable water available throughout the grounds. A camp host maintains the facility and sells firewood on-site. The forested setting provides shade, while nearby creek access gives campers water recreation opportunities.
Pioneer Trail begins directly from the campground, drawing mountain bikers and hikers to explore the surrounding forest. Jordan L. noted after hiking the trail, campers can go "swimming in the lake nearby." The location serves as a base for day trips, with Nevada City and Grass Valley accessible within 15 minutes for supplies or dining.
Sites accommodate both tents and RVs, with reservations available during the summer season. Campers seeking forest camping with trail access and reasonable proximity to services find White Cloud works well, provided they can tolerate highway noise from the adjacent road.
Description
Overview
White Cloud Campground is located right off of Hwy 20 in a nice wooded area. Scotts Flat Resevoir is 6 miles from White Cloud Campsite. Adjacent to the campground is Pioneer Trail used by hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. Campground is available for both RV and tent camping (however, there are NO RV hookups or amenities, size restrictions on RV may apply).
Recreation
The Pioneer Trail stretches 25 miles through the Tahoe National Forest and can be accessed from the campground. The popular path was designated a National Recreation Trail in 2003. Horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing are favorite activities on this popular trail.
Facilities
The campground offers several single-family sites, a few of which are designated for tent camping only as well as one double site. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Drinking water is provided.
Natural Features
The campground is situated in a forest of cedar, pine, and Douglas fir trees, at an elevation of 4,200 feet.
Nearby Attractions
White Cloud Campground is located on the Highway 20 portion of the Yuba Donner Scenic Byway near many gold rush era historical sites and old mining towns such as Washington and Nevada City. Nevada City, about 14 miles west, is a scenic historical mining town with many historical attractions, top notch restaraunts, various lodging options, shopping, and stores for everything you may need. Other attractions include the Pioneer Trail, South Yuba River, Washintong Scenic Overlook, Alpha and Omega Scenic Overlook and Interpretive Trail, Rock Creek Nature Trail, Chalk Bluff OHV trails, and Grouse Ridge Non-Motorized Area.
Contact Info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (530) 265-4531.
Charges & Cancellations
No Show Policy A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date (or for day-use facilities, by check-in time the day of arrival). * No-show customers are only recorded at staffed facilities. At most remote facilities, all customers are noted as automatically checked-in on the date of arrival. * It is recommended that staffed facilities hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. * It is recommended that staffed facilities hold group day-use facilities until check-in time on the arrival date. There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation if the change includes dates from the original reservation. If they choose to depart early, they may forfeit some or all of the recreation fees. There is no change fee if the customer changes campsites that are the same price and on the same reservation dates in the same campground. If the campsite the customer is changing to has a price difference, the customer will be responsible for any additional fees or be provided with a refund, based on the price difference. Where recorded, no-show customers are assessed a $20.00 no-show fee and forfeit the first night's recreation fee for a campsite or forfeit the entire day-use recreation fee for a day-use facility. We recommend customers contact the facility if they are en route to their reservation but cannot make it by the check-in date. In these cases, no refund will be issued, but the facility can ensure that a "no-show" fee is not assessed.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundWhite Cloud is located in California
Directions
From Nevada City, travel east on Highway 20 for 10 miles. Turn right at the White Cloud Campground sign and then the first right into the campground. From Interstate 80 take exit 161, Highway 20 to Nevada City and drive 26 miles west toward Nevada City. Turn left at the White Cloud Campground sign and then the first right into the campground.
Address
YUBA RIVER RANGER STATION
THIS IS THE ADDRESS FOR THE RANGER STATION, NOT THE CAMPGROUND
15924 HIGHWAY 49
Camptonville, CA 95922
Coordinates
39.320037 N
120.846651 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage
AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 4/12/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 4/12/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
