342 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Applegate, California range from established facilities to more primitive sites along the American River watershed. Auburn State Recreation Area offers several campgrounds including Mineral Bar and Ruck-A-Chucky, providing access to the North Fork American River. The area supports tent camping, RV sites, and cabin accommodations at places like Coloma Resort, which sits adjacent to the South Fork American River. Most developed campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, while some offer additional features like showers and electric hookups.
Road conditions and seasonal closures significantly impact camping availability throughout the area. Many campgrounds operate on seasonal schedules, with sites like Ruck-A-Chucky Campground open from October to April, while others like Lake Clementine Boat In operate from May through September. A visitor noted, "The sites are a little small, but very nice. The beaches are great too and secluded." Elevation changes affect temperatures and accessibility, particularly during winter months when some forest roads become impassable. Campers should check current fire restrictions before planning trips, as summer and fall fire bans are common. Most developed campgrounds require reservations through recreation.gov or Reserve California, especially during peak summer weekends.
The proximity to water features represents a major draw for campers in the Applegate area. Several visitors mentioned the American River as a highlight, with swimming holes and fishing opportunities accessible from many campgrounds. One camper shared, "Close to the n. fork of the American river. Lots of great swimming holes close by up river. Great hiking path opposite the camp ground going up river." Wildlife sightings, including bears, are relatively common, with most campgrounds providing bear-proof storage lockers for food and scented items. Noise levels vary significantly between locations, with campgrounds closer to highways experiencing more road noise than more remote options. Giant Gap Campground and other forest service sites typically offer more seclusion but fewer amenities than state park campgrounds. Folsom Lake State Recreation Area provides additional camping options within a 30-minute drive, offering more developed facilities and lake access.
"I’ve been here about 8-10 times and every time I love my stay, it’s a quiet getaway around 45 mins away from me and the sound of the river is amazing."
"Place the cash ($28 a night) in the envelope and put it in the post that’s on the parking entrance."
from $38 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful fall surroundings right adjacent to the South Fork of the American River. Easy walk or car ride to numerous hiking trails."
"If you ever want to experience the thrill of gold panning, and California history go here!"
"Our site was next to the raft launch/pickup, so there were a couple of groups picked up during the day. Bathrooms were average and the site was maintained well."
"Small cars made it down ther without difficulty)
Once at the camp ground, right on the waters edge, grab up the 3rd site on the right. It is literally on the edge of the river."
"As with most of California everything is dry. The lake is very low and a half mile walk from park to get to. The sites are surrounded by dry tall grass and spaced out nicely."
"As full timers- we thought we hit the jackpot for the area in order to be near the towns we wanted to explore and also have service for good wifi."
from $28 - $48 / night
Check Availability"We got a pretty secluded site at Cabana 12 but the rest of the sites are kinda stacked on top of each other or out in the open right next to each other. If you want some more privacy then do C12."
"This is a smaller but nice lake. It hasn’t ever been over crowded when I’ve gone. The reason I like this spot is because campsites C3-C10 have the most shade you can hope for!"
from $42 - $53 / night
Check Availability"The site was spacious and a short walk to the reservoir and trail. We hiked around the entire reservoir and it was gorgeous."
"The campsites are all very nice but 23 and 24 can’t be beat with the best access to the water ( you will have a lot of people walking by to get there also though)."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"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."
"You’re also about 3 or 4 miles away from the Georgetown OHV which made it an easy ride to get to the dirt."
"A lovely quiet spot midweek, quiet drive to Georgetown for some great breakfasts if you want some classic American diner fare."
from $3 - $8 / night
Check Availability"Very quite camping spot very clean.coin operated showers😭 lake is very close by."
"I wanted to find a spot somewhat close by and came across this one."
from $28 / night
Check Availability
TravelerThis site does not recognize any state or federal pass the rate starts for 40 a day then they charge per person and per pet grand total for a one night stay with hookups 62$ for one RV one person one dog . 
RangerVery nice 1970 style park most spots only has water and electricity. Section X is full hook ups and close to all amenities. Lots of deers and gray squirrels playing about the park. Nice beach area with rental boats. Restrooms and laundry areas in good shape. This is a nice area to camp.
TravelerIncredible campground! All campers were super respectful of the quiet hours and the campground hosts were great. They work very hard to keep the campground clean. The river isn’t super easy to access but there’s a rope to help you down to the river access spot. The section of the river throughout the campground is claimed so no panning. We loved our stay and can’t wait to go back.
RangerWe got a full hookup 50 amp back in site next to the trout pond. Sites are level and the park is easy to navigate. Park has laundry, showers and a dump station with water fill. Walking distance to grocery and dining. Access to hike/bike trails. Although close to highway the back of the campground was pretty quiet.
RangerI didn't stay here but I went to buy a camper shell. All the management were very friendly and cheerful. They went it off their way to be helpful. As we left we saw some people passing and the place looked well kept.
TravelerOur first dispersed camping experience, so i'm not sure how it compares to others. There is tons of space, no bathrooms, no water, basically no people - kind of lovely. The ground is all fairly rocky - so expect bumps and lumps under your tent. 😅 There is TONS of space in what I assume was their parking lot. Easy RV parking for sure. There is also a dirt road you can go down to get a bit further from the main road. Reccomend AWL or FWD if going more than half way down. Come prepared with enough water etc. - the views are absolutely worth it. Oh! And I often had 5G signal with Verizon. Sometimes only 4G, but very rarely fully lost signal.
GuideA freshly worked dirt lot. Like a freshly plowed field. Tractor tire tracks make walking difficult. There is no signage at all. I'm not sure I'm not on private property. May be the sketchiest road I've ever driven. I intended to stay a week. Instead, I got here at sunset, I'm leaving at first light. Somehow, it has mosquitoes.
GuideI think if you go further down the road there is a free spot to sleep but we ended up going to the paid campground by mistake. We rolled in at 2am and when we woke up a very nice lady had us pay. Rightfully so, Nice campsite but $36 a night.
TravelerWe stayed in mid September 26. There was only one family camping the first few days we were there and then we had the entire campground to ourselves. Location was beautiful and it was extremely quiet with exception to the wildlife. Lots of deer, geese, ducks and squirrels. Possible one bear sure to a dumpster dive with shredded garbage on our last day. We were in a 28' RV. Rv camping is a no frill experience. No hook-ups but water spigot at each site. RVs have to parallel park at the top of the hill area. They campers have the difficulty of finding a level spot because most of the tent camping is on a slope. Flush toilets are available. Spotty cell service on Verizon's visible service but we were still able to stream entertainment on our phone's hotspot. Overall, we loved it stay due to the scenery and the obvious peacefulness due to an empty campground. Our 3 night stay midweek with no hook-ups was just over $200.00 which is to me absolutely outrageous but we needed a place to stay on short notice. Aside from the cost, we had an absolutely wonderful peaceful experience watching the wildlife and beautiful scenery.
Camping options around Applegate, California span elevations from 500 to 2,500 feet, creating significant temperature variations between locations. The region's campgrounds typically close by 10 PM, with quiet hours strictly enforced from 10 PM to 6 AM. Most campsites in this area remain green with oaks and pines through spring, but become drier with limited shade during summer months.
Swimming in crystal clear water: The North Fork American River near Mineral Bar Campground offers numerous swimming spots. "Beautiful mountain valley of north fork. Clean campsites right along road with bearboxes, picnic tables, and fire pits. Easy river access down the hill to rocky swimming pools," notes one visitor who enjoyed the secluded setting.
Gold panning: Try your luck searching for gold flakes along the American River. As one camper at Coloma Resort shared, "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."
Explore historic sites: Visit nearby Sutter's Mill and historic mining towns. "Campground is walking distance from the historic town of Coloma and the Argonaut for breakfast and lunch (and Gelato!)," explains a camper who appreciated the blend of outdoor recreation with local history exploration.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain exceptionally clean bathrooms and showers despite their remote locations. A visitor to Inn Town Campground noted, "They have dish washing stations and the absolute nicest, cleanest bathrooms/showers I've ever seen in a campground."
Waterfront access: Lake and river proximity allows for immediate water recreation. "We camped during the off season (November) so we had our pick of the campsites, which was a great considering the spots are right next to each other. Really nice site right by the water," reported a camper at Lake Clementine Boat In.
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife encounters throughout the year. At Peninsula Campground, one camper observed, "Wildlife is off the chain here. As others have said, if you don't love being surrounded by wild animals, this will probably be a bit much for you. Bears have been seen on occasion, cougars, Bobcats, and coyotes all stop by from time to time."
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require navigating narrow, winding roads. For Giant Gap Campground, a visitor advised, "Be warned though, Google maps will suggest driving up Iowa Hill. DO NOT. Follow the directions of the campground, that road is not for the faint of heart. And NOT for RVs or trailers."
Seasonal water levels: American River and lake water levels fluctuate dramatically by season. "The river was crystal clear and beautiful," noted a camper at Lake Clementine Boat In during October, while summer visitors often find water levels significantly lower.
Reservation requirements: First-come sites fill quickly during summer weekends. "First come first serve campsites, I went for a solo camp trip and loved it. I came in on a Thursday afternoon and snagged campsite #5. (Useful tip, BRING A PEN AND EXACT CASH)," advised one camper detailing the self-registration process.
Pool access: Some campgrounds offer swimming pools as alternatives to river swimming. An Inn Town Campground visitor mentioned, "Pool was small but the pool area was really nice. Great location for swimming in the Yuba river!"
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and recreational facilities. According to a Dru Barner Campground visitor, "This has been my favorite spot after traveling all across US. I wanted to hide in the forest. Nothing but trees and the wind blowing through them."
Safety considerations: Bear activity requires proper food storage throughout the region. "Bears are common in this area and I've personally seen a few crossing the road on my way to and from the campground. There are bear lockers provided for food and scented items," reported a Mineral Bar camper highlighting the importance of using provided bear boxes.
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites require significant leveling. A visitor to Beals Point Campground shared, "Stayed two nights while working on the road. Really nice camp hosts and attendants. Nice services; clean bathrooms and coin op showers. Very green early in the season, lake extremely low, warm evenings already."
Length restrictions: Several access roads have vehicle length limitations. "The access road is about six miles of curvy, hilly, and narrow (sometimes only one lane) pavement. There is a sign prohibiting trailers; our 18-foot camper van did fine but anything much larger would definitely be challenged," warned a Lake Clementine Boat In visitor.
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer limited or no hookups. An Auburn Gold Country RV Park visitor noted, "If you don't have the premium hookup spots, you got to pay 20$ 'Service Fee' for dumping. Idk why because you end up doing it all by yourself as usual anyway."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Applegate, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Applegate, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 342 campgrounds and RV parks near Applegate, CA and 20 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Applegate, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Applegate, CA is Lake Clementine Boat In — Auburn State Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Applegate, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 free dispersed camping spots near Applegate, CA.
What parks are near Applegate, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Applegate, CA that allow camping, notably Eldorado National Forest and Plumas National Forest.
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