In the Sierra Nevada foothills near Alta, California, glamping accommodations provide comfort at 3,400-3,600 feet elevation. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F during day and 45-55°F at night, with winter bringing snow accumulation. The mix of coniferous forest and alpine meadows creates distinct seasonal camping experiences.
What to do
Swimming at local lakes: Collins Lake Recreation Area provides excellent swimming options during summer months. According to a visitor, "Great Lake and RV Park. We stayed in spot 110 with a lakefront view" while another notes "It's a great place for paddle boarding and kayaking."
Historic exploration: Coloma Resort connects campers with California's gold rush history. "If you ever want to experience the thrill of gold panning, and California history go here! You will not strike it rich, but with a couple hours of effort you can get a nice little bottle of gold flakes to take home with you," shares one camper.
Mountain biking nearby: East Meadow Campground offers access to multiple trail systems. "Beautiful campgrounds with access to sandy beaches from your tenting spots. Access to the Pacific crest trail & many other hiking routes," explains a regular visitor.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Inn Town Campground maintains exceptionally high cleanliness standards. One camper explains, "Very nice campground. Next to train museum. Great common area. Lots of places to explore." Another camper appreciated the "Easy, Clean, Safe, & Amazing Customer Service."
Lakefront camping: Collins Lake Recreation Area offers prime water-adjacent sites. "We had a great site big enough for a couple of tents. Nice clean site near lake. Hubby enjoyed fishing. Kids loved canoeing out onto the lake. Amazed to watch a bald eagle grab a fish and fly away," shares one visitor.
Winter options: Snowflower RV Resort remains accessible outside summer months. "I am a member of Thousand Trails and that being said this is one of my favorite TT spots in California. Family friendly, great little Lake for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding," explains a camper.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most glamping sites near Alta require advance booking, especially during peak summer. At Lodgepole Campground, "Check-in was a breeze. Nearby visitor center and camp store was convenient. There were hiking trails nearby. Be bear aware!"
Seasonal restrictions: Many campgrounds close completely during winter snow season. "Snowflower sits just off I-80, it's owned by Thousand Trails. With the popularity of RV camping, this campground can get busy in the summer months. It is closed in the winter due to snow."
Wildlife considerations: Bear boxes and proper food storage are required at most sites. "Be careful when booking as some sections of the campground dont allow generators which we unfortunately missed when booking."
Tips for camping with families
Look for supervised swimming: Big Meadows Campground provides safe water access. "This is a terrific campground in the middle of Shenandoah National Park. Great hikes close to the area and Big Meadows is terrific for stargazing."
Choose sites with playgrounds: Some glamping locations feature dedicated play areas. "You can tent camp, rent a cabin or RV camp. Great sites along the river too. You can pan for gold, relax, or bike, hike along the river, and kids can play along several playgrounds for kids of different ages."
Consider off-peak timing: East Meadow Campground offers less crowded experiences in shoulder seasons. "Super place, hosts are friendly & helpful! Some spots are tricky to back in, but easy walk to the reservoir for beach/water time."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Auburn Gold Country RV Park requires preparation. A recent visitor noted: "Had a standard Hookup-RV-Spot. Was very uneven, couldn't get the RV level. If you don't have the premium hookup spots, you got to pay 20$ 'Service Fee' for dumping."
Generator restrictions: Several glamping areas near Alta restrict generator use during certain hours. "The host was very nice. When we got there we could not find the black water hookup. He came out and helped us get all connected. Most lots are used by permanent residents."
Partial hookups common: Many sites offer only electric and water. "Great place to stay. 1 hours drive from Reno. Lake with in 5 minutes of the campground. Spots for RVs, travel trailers and/or just tent camping. Restrooms spread around the area with access to fresh water."
