378 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping opportunities around Alleghany, California span across the Sierra Nevada foothills with several established campgrounds and dispersed options along the Yuba River. The area includes White Cloud Campground near Camptonville, Bowman Lake Campground near Nevada City, and River Rest Resort, providing tent sites, RV hookups, and some cabin accommodations. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from late spring through early fall, with peak accessibility between June and September when mountain roads are typically clear of snow.
Road access varies significantly throughout the area, with some campgrounds like Gold Lake requiring 4x4 vehicles while others offer standard drive-in sites. The camping season generally runs from May through October, though higher elevation sites may have shorter windows due to snowpack. Several campgrounds including White Cloud and Carlton Flat sit directly adjacent to highways, creating noise considerations for light sleepers. Water access is a prominent feature at many sites, with the Yuba River providing swimming and fishing opportunities. A camper noted, "We stayed at 7A which had zero shade, but did have access to the swimming hole. Our kids loved this campground. The swimming hole was awesome."
The riverside camping experience represents a major draw for visitors to the Alleghany area, with multiple reviews highlighting swimming holes and water access. Campgrounds like River Rest Resort receive consistently high ratings for their river views and swimming opportunities, while Fiddle Creek attracts gold panners. Developed campgrounds typically provide vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Many campers mention the refreshing but cold river waters, particularly during snowmelt season. Sites closer to Nevada City tend to fill quickly on summer weekends. A review mentioned, "The river is cold and refreshing. People pan for gold and some walk up the road to Jackson Hole to float down." Bear-resistant food storage is required at many campgrounds, with some locations providing bear boxes for campers without proper containers.
"The individual sites are distanced enough so it still feels private, bathrooms and water was available. Hiked the pioneer trail and then went swimming in the lake nearby."
"It was only a 20-minute drive from home in Nevada City. We enjoyed hanging around the campground, took a cruise over to Rucker Lake for some exploring."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"This lake and surrounding are beautiful. The drive in takes a long time over really rocky terrain. I traveled around 10 mph on the way in and out. At least three camps close to the water."
"Awesome spot to camp, fish, off road, launch a kayak or paddle board"
"We stayed at campsite 24, which is right on the river and next to the main river pool access."
"We had the park behind us, and we were right in between the 2 beach access. Kids would get on the top access and tube down to the 2nd one."
"Just know that here on The Dyrt, the location on the map for some reason shows it as being many miles away from Kidder Ct: it’s marked as if it is at Higgins Corner, halfway to Auburn?"
"Super clean and friendly Not congested and close to many hiking trails Easy drive and close to Nevada City.
Especially nice during Christmas Season. Feels like walking back in time."
"Situated out in the Sierra Buttes in California. This bad boy was shown to me by my father. A place to really escape the busy city life, let alone people."
"Warning - this site requires a high clearance vehicle with good off road tires. Low profile tires and trucks modified for street use, you WILL destroy your vehicle."
"We had great time at sardine lake campground. Great place for active families. Gorgeous view of sardine lake and sand pond in walking distance and lots of other lakes around the area."
"Campground was situated nicely with perfect trees for our hammocks and bathrooms were tidy."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"There are trails for hiking or mountain biking. You are minutes from Bullards Bar which is one of the most beautiful lakes around. I definitely suggest a day trip to the lake."
"It’s mixed RV and tent with no RV power so the generators are loud and you’ll be surrounded by them."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Site 8 is the access to it, so beware if you don't like people walking through. Great mtn biking, fishing, rafting, floating and swimming."
"We stayed at 7A which had zero shade, but did have access to the swimming hole. Our kids loved this campground. The swimming hole was awesome. This campsite is about 15 minutes from Downieville."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"This river trail is the best in the state. Clear water, lovely pools. Expect nudity as it is Northern California. The river is beloved by kayakers and swimmers."
"There's hiking access to the river, and almost never anybody at this campground. It's scenic privacy at it's best. Hike up or downstream for some really great swimming holes."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"There were a lot of people parked around to backpack and camp along the trails bin the area. It took 30 minutes to drive the 5 unpaved miles of grouse ridge road. No issues in my ‘83 2WD Westy"
GuideVery popular in the summer!! Amazing lake front campsites with incredible views. Also kind of pricey. There’s onsite security and a big store with delicious icecream. Totally incredible fishing opportunities.
GuideWe went in February so we were the only campers in whole campground and got a killer lake front site. It was a little pricey compared to what I’m used to paying for camping(free), but the employees were extremely nice and friendly. We had a great time and paddle boarded, fished, and hiked in the surrounding areas.
GuideFrom pulling over and setting up camp, to backpacking all of your gear around the lake to the various of different camp spots, blue lake is the perfect camping area. I’ve camped here in the sunshine, rain, and snow and have had no regrets. It’s a great place for people who want to start getting into backpacking, as it’s a very short hike from the car while still very remote and peaceful.
ScoutCame on a Friday afternoon mid June and the campground was full so we camped on the ridge above the campground. There were a lot of people parked around to backpack and camp along the trails bin the area. It took 30 minutes to drive the 5 unpaved miles of grouse ridge road. No issues in my ‘83 2WD Westy
TravelerThis campground is in a decent location, it is about 1.5 miles from downtown and about 6 miles to donner lake. There are short walking trails behind the campground which is great if you have dogs. The campsites are small, but the ones in the back row at least have a decent view of the forest! The gym is a nice perk, but it is very underwhelming (a few cardio machines and random dumbbells). Unfortunately this campground also rents out to long term residents, which makes some of the campsites look pretty rough… but everyone was very quiet and very friendly, so really not much of an issue. This was our second time going, and both times we were happy with our stay… if there was a better option in Truckee, we’d take it, but we love Truckee and this one works well enough.
TravelerOur family loved it here. Great staff. The poo was clean and heated. They had volleyball, karaoke, clean bathrooms and open showers.
There is even a cute pond to fish out of.
Theirs an old town that has two stores open. One is ice cream and the other is breakfast and lunch.
Everything is affordable.
RangerLovely spots, no hookups, close to the highway but far enough off we couldn’t hear it. Stream is lovely, wish we had more time to spend.
GuideThank goodness we found this place! It was the only campground that could accommodate our 36ft Class A in the Tahoe area. Nice shaded campground with level sites and all hookups! across from a rec center with pool and other amenities.
GuideWe've stayed here several times over the years, usually in June. This is great jumping off point for getting a shuttle or doing some sort of MTB ride. Some of the spots are less private, but typically never been a problem with light or noise.
Camping sites near Alleghany, California range across elevations from 2,500 to 6,000 feet throughout the Sierra Nevada foothills, with most sites experiencing cool mornings even in summer months. The region encompasses both developed campgrounds with amenities and remote dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. Average daytime temperatures range 75-85°F in summer with nighttime lows dropping to 45-55°F.
Mountain biking on Pioneer Trail: Access this trail system directly from White Cloud Campground where riders find moderate terrain suitable for intermediate skills. "Pioneer trail is amazing for mountain biking and hiking," notes camper Deb P., who stayed at White Cloud.
Gold panning in local waterways: Bring basic panning equipment to try your luck at historic gold mining locations. Jordan L. from White Cloud Campground shares, "Hiked the pioneer trail and then went swimming in the lake nearby. Plenty to explore around here, ill definitely be coming back."
Paddling on mountain lakes: Sardine Lake offers calm morning waters perfect for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. "The lake is beautiful and try to hike to the waterfalls at the creek at the end of the lake if you can," recommends David L. who visits regularly.
Hike to Sierra Buttes Lookout: This challenging 5-mile round trip hike climbs 1,800 feet to a fire lookout with 360-degree views. "There are great trails to hike all over Lakes Basin with spectacular views of many different lakes," explains Audrey C., who frequently camps at Gold Lake.
Swimming holes of varying temperatures: Cooler swimming spots exist at higher elevations while lower river areas warm up by late summer. At River Rest Resort, Christina L. notes, "The main river pool gets busy, lots of kids, families etc. but in the early evening and morning it is pretty empty and was a great time to relax."
Morning solitude on lakes: Early risers appreciate the glass-like conditions before day visitors arrive. "Bowman Lake in the winter is amazing. Wait til the snow melts a bit and you can make your way down to the lake. Absolutely beautiful mornings!" shares Austin from Bowman Campground.
Off-grid experience: Many campgrounds offer true disconnection with no cell service. At Gold Lake 4x4 Campground, Rich N. states, "There is absolutely no cell service, so it was the perfect place to unplug and relax. We swam in the lake, it was so clear and the temperature was great."
Fishing in stocked lakes: Several area lakes maintain fish populations appealing to anglers. "Great campsite at the bottom of lower sardine lake. Busy on the weekends. Booking advised. Great fishing in the lower lake," reports Therese L.
Road conditions require planning: Many campgrounds need high-clearance or 4WD vehicles. At Gold Lake 4x4 Campground, Jake R. advises, "The 4x4 campground is great, stayed here a couple times now. The trail in isn't very challenging, the first rock section is a good 'gatekeeper' if you will. My 4runner made it in fine, small lift and 33's."
Bear safety is essential: Proper food storage required at all sites. "We've never had issues with animals or bugs at Bowman Lake," mentions David L., though bear boxes are provided at most established campgrounds.
Seasonal access limitations: Winter and early spring snow often closes roads until late May. For Bowman Lake, Jesse H. warns, "This lake and surrounding are beautiful. The drive in takes a long time over really rocky terrain. I traveled around 10 mph on the way in and out."
Bathroom facilities vary widely: From vault toilets to none at all. A camper at Bowman Campground notes, "Great open sites that are maintained. The Restroom was scary between the spider infestation and wasps, I'd rather nature potty, but there was little to duck behind."
Look for swimming areas with gradual entries: Families with small children prefer beaches with shallow water access. At Inn Town Campground, Hani S. shares, "We spent two nights doing a family and friends reunion. We loved our rv spot, the rest of the group had great tent site and glamping tents. Facilities were super clean and nice. Pool was small but the pool area was really nice."
Reserve early for summer weekends: Family-friendly campgrounds fill quickly between June-August. "This is a great campsite, with lots of amenities. Super family friendly. Lots of kids at this site," reports Christina L. about River Rest Resort.
Pack for temperature fluctuations: Nighttime temperatures can drop 30+ degrees from daytime highs. Christopher L. advises Gold Lake visitors, "Great campsite but hard to get to. Not bad if you have a 4x4 that's lifted with some all terrain tires. Overall nice and remote campground with great views."
Consider glamping options: For families new to camping or with very young children. Nicole G. recommends, "My friends and I did a group trip to Inntown in September. We loved it so much we booked another weekend to go back before we left. The owners are incredibly friendly and helpful."
Choose sites with level parking areas: South Yuba Campground offers limited RV spaces that don't require extensive leveling. John T. notes, "No cell signal here - speed test is from starlink. Note google & garmin routing from Nevada City takes a bridge with a 4 Ton weight restriction."
Water conservation strategies: Many campgrounds lack hookups, so bring adequate water supplies. At River Rest Resort, campers appreciate that "each campsite has water, electricity and full RV hookups. So lots of RV's at this location."
Measure clearance before booking: Low-hanging branches can damage RV roofs and accessories. Amanda M. from Inn Town Campground advises, "We have stayed in one of the glamping tents, and have also brought our RV. The common house has a fully stocked kitchen so you can camp without having to bring supplies!"
Check fire restrictions: Rules vary by season and location, affecting whether propane grills are needed. G H. states simply about Inn Town Campground, "Very nice campground with decent sites and stuff to do. Great area."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Alleghany, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Alleghany, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 378 campgrounds and RV parks near Alleghany, CA and 19 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Alleghany, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Alleghany, CA is White Cloud with a 4.3-star rating from 6 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Alleghany, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 free dispersed camping spots near Alleghany, CA.
What parks are near Alleghany, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 parks near Alleghany, CA that allow camping, notably Plumas National Forest and Martis Creek Lake.
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