Top Tent Camping near Applegate, CA
Looking for tent camping near Applegate? Finding a place to camp in California with your tent has never been easier. Search nearby tent campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Tent Sites Near Applegate, CA (74)
1. Lake Clementine Boat In — Auburn State Recreation Area
7 Reviews•29 Photos•16 SavesBoat-In Sites 1-16
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- Tents
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
$38 / night
2. Camp Far West North Shore
3 Reviews•7 Photos•44 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
3. OARS American River Outpost Campground (Rafting Guests Only)
1 Review•7 Photos•4 Saves- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Tent Cabin
- Glamping
- Market
$30 - $99 / night
4. Tahoe National Forest Onion Valley Campground
4 Reviews•11 Photos•62 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Picnic Table
5. Donner Memorial State Park Campground
17 Reviews•47 Photos•231 SavesDonner Memorial State Park offers the summer vacationer opportunities for Donner Lake camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, water-skiing, and hiking. In winter, visitors can cross-country ski and snowshoe on trails and enjoy the season's beauty. Visitors are welcome year-round at the Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center and at the Pioneer Monument, built to commemorate those who emigrated to California from the east in the mid-1800's. The Visitor Center features compelling new exhibits that tell the stories of the Emigrant Experience, the Donner Party, the Land of the Washoe, Chinese construction of the railroad, and early motoring adventures over Donner Pass.
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
$35 / night
6. Lake Spaulding Campground
4 Reviews•5 Photos•236 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
7. Camp Nauvoo
3 Reviews•17 Photos•94 SavesWe are a small privately owned small campground (19 sites only) located on the outskirts of Placerville. The property features 86.5 secluded Tahoe like acres with beautiful year-round Weber Creek. The camp sites are placed along the creek or the bluff overlooking the creek. We have traditional dirt camping, canvas tents on platforms, teepees and glamping tents for those that want the comforts of home. We are tent camping only with only one site that allows a small travel trailer or van. (#14) . We are dog friendly and allow dogs in all but 5 glamping sites. We do enforce camp rules especially our quiet time between 10 PM and 7 AM (please review).
We’ve been told that we have a “family camp” vibe. We are a great place for families wanting a safe environment for their kids but also several group sites for those that want to hang out together with multiple families. We are also a great base site for those wilderness enthusiasts with access to all the El Dorado National Forest including Desolation but want a hot shower at the end of the day.
We have a lodge that is stocked with games and a ping pong table. The lodge has a microwave, Keurig machine and a hot water kettle for those hot drinks (BYO Cups).We have several tables set up for those that want to eat inside as well as multiple picnic tables along the side of the lodge with overhead protection. We have electricity at the at the lodge for small appliances and charging phones. We have a compressor on site to blow up your air mattresses or float toys. We’ve been told that our bathrooms are the “cleanest” ever and have changing tables and diaper pails. We offer nice flushing toilets and hot showers!
For outdoor activities we have basketball, volleyball, pickleball and cornhole not to mention the playground with swing sets, seesaw and tractor play. We have hiking trails throughout the property. Our highlight is a camp fire bowl with bench seating with a stage to display camper talent which is perfect for the evening fire and roasting s’mores (bring the fixings).
The creek starts out in spring looking like a rushing river featuring many fishing and swimming holes. As the summer progresses the water level falls but is still great for water play and fishing.
We have propane BBQs (we provide the propane for BBQs) located throughout the property. We also have a propane grill and charcoal BBQ located in the common area for all to use. There is a dutch oven pit also in the fire bowl area.
We do not allow wood fires at the individual sites but each site has a propane firepit for ambiance (not cooking) that requires you to purchase a 20 lb. propane cannister on site (add in extras) or pay cash on site.
**We require a 3 night minimum for the major holidays - Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. **We do not do checkins on Sunday but do allow camping over Sunday night. We do exclusive events so you may need to explore multiple weekends to find the right reservation.
We are located in the foothills so we are a short hop to many local attractions that include river rafting, gold mines, wineries and historical towns with great eating establishments. Tahoe is less than an hour away and there a many hiking trails within 20-30 minutes.
We have a limited number of items to rent i.e, tents, cots, camp stoves, etc. We also have a small store on site for those items you forgot and a good selection of ice cream. We take venmo or cash.
CHECKIN IS BETWEEN 4 AND 8. IF YOU ARE COMING FROM THE BAY ALLOW 4 HOURS - YOU MUST LEAVE BY 3:00 IN ORDER TO ARRIVE DURING CHECKIN. IF YOU GET DELAYED, FOR THE CONSIDERAITON OF THE OTHER CAMPERS YOU MAY CONSIDER WAITING AND ARRIVING THE NEXT MORNING. THERE ARE NO CHECKINS AFTER 9:00.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$65 - $300 / night
8. Oracle Oak Grove
1 Review•12 Photos•17 SavesSweet land with a cute hobbit/ witchy natural Vibe.
Great asthetics, incredible gardens.
Close to town, 30 min drive to 2 different parts of the Yuba River.
Friendly vibe good people live on the land. There is a cute Cob compost toilet, bath house.
Located in an Oak Grove.
We are in the armpit of the Nevada County. A 15 minute drive to either Grass Valley or Nevada City. Or a 15 minute drive to two different parts of the Yuba River, Bridgeport and 49. And about 30 minutes to amazing lakes on the way to Tahoe. Also close to the bike trail you could bike to Nevada City. Before you arrive fill up on spring water from Bitney Springs, we've been drinking it for over a decade. For the extra sensative just ask to use the Berkey water filter. This area is the most bike friendly area in the entire county. Lots of trails a long the NID (Nevada Irrigation Ditch) created during the Gold Rush.
Beautiful trail that over looks a view of an epic creek and a heart shaped lake. Camping stove can be requested, in the beginning stages of building a beautiful outdoor kitchen.
For guests staying the weekend there is availabile usage of bikes, kayak, and paddle board. Need to be reserved a head of time.
Also please the woodstove is currently wood fired. It takes about 5 hours to heat up and a decent amount of wood. We are more than will to prepare it ahead of time, but need a heads up and would prefer if you plan to be in it longer than 20 minutes. Also because of the amount of wood it uses and the labor to takes to prepare it, we request a donation. We love our tub, she is our precious gem, but she's a labor of love and anything opposite from a convience. Also because she is wood fire, I cant burn fires in the summer. So she is only available late fall, winter and spring. When the fire Ban is on there are no fires, including the hot tub.
But due to high demand I will work on including a propane option for next summer.
I love birthday parties.
I love people coming with friends. I love people of all walks of life.
- Reservable
- Tents
$60 / night
10. Bowman Campground
7 Reviews•19 Photos•176 SavesBowman 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.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Showing results 1-10 of 74 campgrounds
Recent Tent Reviews In Applegate
854 Reviews of 74 Applegate Campgrounds
El Dorado
Dyrts description sucked
We could not find this place. Needs better description. Afterwards in another rv park I worked it out. Need to go to their website first better directions than just el dorado. Dyrt dropped the ball on this one.
Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground
A Surprise in the Sierras!
We ended up at this small campground because our potential boondocking spots were completely snowed in up top. So glad we did as it is tucked away on the grounds of an amazing state park!
Most of the sites are small with a lot of tree coverage. It was quiet, quaint, and clean. We found a good site that provided just enough sky for both our 400W portable solar panel and Starlink to work pretty well. The bathroom building has flush toilets, was kept clean, and warm showers.
But the campground isn’t the reason to come here...it’s the history! This little park tucked into the Western Sierras will blow your mind. It is a significant Miwok Native American historical site, with home sites, ancient Oak trees, and literally thousands of grain, and acorn grinding stones located in the central part of the park.
The visitor’s center is a must-see and brings the location to life. In cooperation with the local tribes, the state manages the site and visitor’s center for the public. Take a walk on the interpretive trail, hike the adventure trails, fish in the creek, or attend a special program. It is a beautiful place to spend a few days.
The nearby town of Pine Grove has a few restaurants and grocery stores to get what you might need.
Auburn Gold Country RV Park
Okay
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. Idk why because you end up doing it all by yourself as usual anyway. Feels like a bit of a rip off to be honest. The rest is nice, quiet (except for the geese) and clean.
American River Resort
Top
Des douches chaudes du wifi Super rapport qualité-prix Que du bonheur
Plumas National Forest Sly Creek Campground
South Feather and Power water company campground
Sly Creek Reservoir is a beautiful mountain lake with several campsites along a small portion of the lake.
There is a boat ramp and ATV riding on the forest roads in the area.
The campground closed in 2024 for tree removal and cleanup but is expected to open in 2025.
Passes are honored.
Lodgepole Campground
Perfectly Situated in the Sequoias
I thought this campground was pretty decent for being NPS run and due to its large size. The campsite was close to other campers, but not right on top of them. The location is ideal. Bathrooms were the least favorite part, only one bathroom (with 4 stalls?) for one large loop of campsites. Check-in was a breeze. Nearby visitor center and camp store was convenient. There were hiking trails nearby. Be bear aware!
Mormon Emigrant Trail Dispersed Pull Off
Large dirt pull off
Large pull off area I found and stayed at for 4 days with amazing views of the sunset and sunrise! I was there on weekdays so was pretty much alone the whole time but even if the main spot is occupied there’s a couple of dirt roads that lead to more areas to camp. A couple of level spots and lots of room to hike around. Completely free and peaceful but 0 amenities so come prepared. Currently there is an abandoned red semi truck cab so it’s easy to find not sure if that will ever be moved in the future though!
Bowman Lake Dispersed
Lake side Campsites
If you are looking to be near the water and no service, this is perfect. The rough road in I believe must keep some folks out but the lake is amazing.
Silver Fork Campground
Peaceful getaway
Beautiful river area, friendly people, hills to hike around! There’s a fire pit and bbq set up at each site and bathrooms and drinking water around the campgrounds. Seems like an amazing spot for a family camping trip! I believe it was $28 a night for a single spot or $14 with a discount. Cons for a nomad is there’s 0 service out there even hiking to the top of the mountain. It’s also about an hour of winding roads from the nearest town to get there. IMO not worth it when there’s plentyyyy of free camping pull offs you pass on the way there.
Ice House Campground
Quiet campground with frequent bears
I made reservations here a week prior to our trip because I was looking for a warmer place to camp. I previously had reservations at Pinecrest, but it was going to be in the 50s during the day and 30s at night. Which isn’t ideal since I have a 7 month old and a 3 year old. But it ended up getting pretty chilly here as well - high 50s, low 40s. I do not recommended campsite 3, where we camped. It is a double site and is spacious enough for two families. But the campground had 3 bears that were visiting every night. One huge black bear, and a mama black bear with her cub. It was disappointing to learn this by getting a visit by the black bear who comes down from behind our campsite (which is why I do not recommend campsite 3). Luckily, our kids were asleep when the black bear came around 9pm. The camp host never came by to check us in, even though we were right next to their site. They did not inform us of the three bears that would be coming by. Obviously we are in bear country, so precautions were taken. But it would have been nice to know, since we have little ones exploring the area behind us (where one of the bears was coming down). When my husband informed the camp host of the bear that came by she wasn’t surprised at all and said “oh there’s three that come every night. One big black bear who is about 4.5ft tall on all fours - he’s a big guy! And a mama bear with her cub.” This was very strange to me that she didn’t come by and tell us this, nor did she tell the other campers around us. We went and informed the two sites by us so that they were aware of this. Aside from that, the campground is beautiful. You can chop your own wood, since there was a couple of dead trees around. The walk to the reservoir is short and sweet. The water isn’t freezing either, our dog enjoyed her daily swim. I recommend this campground for its beauty but be prepared for a bear visit.
Nevada County Fairgrounds
Quiet camping
It’s $30 a night for dry camping and goes up from there depending on what hookups you need. Very peaceful and the fairgrounds are open during the day to walk around.
Union Valley Reservoir
Beautiful !
Loved the time spent. Crozier fire started. Made for a bitter sweet sunset.
Quail Ridge RV Park
Serene RV Trailer Park?
Place wasn’t too bad. Very nice people, very peaceful, and quiet, however, there were many people here who are permanent residents of the park, some of their areas are a little trashy looking for lack of a better word. Definitely not a bad spot if you’re on the way to another campground, but there are probably better ones to head to, especially if you have children with you. We were also looking for a place to camp with two days notice and this was all we could find. Cheap too!
SacWest RV Park & Campground
Great Rv parking
It is the only RV parking in Sacramento that will allow you to stay for one night. Great campground! Hospitality and professionalism- that how you can describe this place! Lots of things to do for kids: great playgrounds, swimming pool, more than 100 ducks going around! Beautiful place! Thank you!
Lindsey Lake Campground
So nice!
Stayed 6 days with friends and dogs. Sites were rustic but clean. We had direct access to lake to launch and swim. Jake, site host, very kind and professional as he answered questions and gave advice when a group member popped a tire coming up to the lake. We will be back!
Sherwood Harbor Marina & RV Park
Outstanding location, Right on the river with a swimming beach and free fishing with no license required
Tons of beautiful, shady spots overlooking or near the Sacramento river. Very Breezy and well maintained park with good prices for electrical and water hookup and a dump station. Clean bathrooms and showers at no cost and the laundry room with free detergent . Decent prices in the store and overlooks the Marina and the river at includes free fishing and swimming and is a beautiful spot! was only going to stay one night and ended up staying two.
Bowman Lake Dispersed
Great Late Spring Escape
This place was a slice of heaven, but only accessible by way of 4 x 4 with decent clearance. The trail will take you off road for quite some time , but it's well with the adventure. Traction boards and a winch could help you through unexpected obstacles and are recommended to have on hand, but you most likely won't need them. No running water, but there are restroom buildings, fire rings and bear boxes to use. Mosquitoes are abundant here. Don't forget your repellent. The lake is gorgeous, a great fishery, and there are plenty of inspirational views and solitude to be had.
Collins Lake Recreation Area
Lakeside
*pros: great little market, very nice staff, clean, great views *cons: rocky watch your step, especially at the beach and a long the shore. Recommend water shoes, although this may only help a little as the rocks are quite large and when can trip over them as much as step on them. they are not round river rocks, but pointy and painful to traverse. *my stay: I was only here for two nights and on the second morning some people pulled in and pitched a tent at 4:30 in the morning. They weren’t particularly loud, but they did curse and had their flashlight bright enough that it shone into my site and RV. Overall, it was still a very pleasant stay for the two nights.
USFS Silver Fork Dispersed
Overnight stay
We recently spent a night at this campsite and found it to be perfect for a quick overnight getaway. The area is spacious and conveniently located not too far off the main road, making it easy to access without feeling too isolated.
There are plenty of sites to choose from, catering to different preferences. However, we recommend taking some time to survey the land before setting up camp, as some spots are slightly sloped.
A huge plus is the gas station just about 5 minutes down the road. It’s well-stocked with all the convenient store items you might have forgotten at home, making it easy to grab any last-minute necessities.
Overall, it was a delightful stay. Just remember, always practice Leave No Trace principles—pack out what you pack in!
Tahoe State Recreation Area Campground
Horrible customer service
Couldn’t even get to the point of making a reservation or getting there cause they didn’t pick up the phone despite being on hold for 10 minutes
Ice House Campground
Beautiful mountain reservoir
Boulder loop is very hot. Meadow loop has more trees and shade. Several sites in each loop have lake views and direction access to the lake. Can pull up your boat and leave water toys. Pit toilets and central shower at boat launch area.
Grouse Ridge Campground
Amazing spot for a campground.
The last five miles to get to this campground was narrow and rocky. Once we got to the campground, I realized narrow and rocky are okay. We were there last weekend in June and there was still snow on the ground. Woot! It was awesome. Quite a few sites there with fire rings, beat up, bear boxes that didn't open and picnic benches that were in bad shape. They had two pot toilets. This was a very busy campground. Lots of traffic on and out, I'm sure to beat the heat. It was 25 degrees cooler up there than in Sacramento. We loved this campground. I can't wait to go back.
Granite Flat
Nice enough if you’re passing through
Pulled in late and it was easy enough to navigate in the dark. Bathrooms were mediocre. Site was level. Campground was quiet.
Eagle Point Campground — Emerald Bay State Park
Lots of driving
The campground is remote and picturesque, making it an ideal spot for hikers. However, I visited with the intention of kayaking and found it challenging to launch my kayak due to the lack of nearby access points. If you have a large cart to transport your kayak down a long trail, you might manage, but it was impractical for my fishing kayak.
Cell service at the campground was subpar, and my site was quite far from the restrooms despite appearing close on the map. We had a bear visit our campsite, so it’s crucial to store your food in the provided bear boxes, and the campground staff enforces this rule diligently.
The restrooms were clean, and the campground itself was decent. However, the previous camper at our site left a significant amount of trash in the bear box, which was not cleaned before our arrival.
Tahoe is a stunning place to visit, but accessing the lake was difficult without prior knowledge of the area, requiring us to drive frequently, which was frustrating.
The Hirst Horse Ranch
Great Place for Travelling!!
Thank you for sharing your experience at Hirst Horse Ranch! It sounds like a perfect getaway with its peaceful 10-acre property, shaded by trees and dotted with delightful horse pastures. The children’s playground, with its sandbox, treehouse, and impressive 17-foot swing, promises endless fun for the young and the young at heart. The opportunity to interact with horses and enjoy breathtaking sunsets makes it truly special. For more captivating moments and updates, make sure to follow them on Instagram. Download the Instagram app through this link and stay connected with Hirst Ranch!
Union Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping
It was okay
Pretty easy to get to and lots of spaces for dispersed sites. There was trash EVERYWHERE. Broken glass, toilet trash, bottles and cans, we were really disappointed. We found a spot pretty hidden which was rad but someone was shooting litteraly all night long which was frustrating. We probably won’t come back.
USFS Silver Fork Dispersed
Great spot
Not sure if my wife and I found the right spot or went far enough, but we found a great spot about 4 miles before silver fork camp ground. Nice and flat, right next to the stream, already had some stones for a fire ring. Easy road to get out there.
Guide to Applegate
Camping near Applegate, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
What to do:
- Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails around Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. One reviewer mentioned, "The paved American River Bikeway was good for walking, running, and horseback riding."
- Water Activities: Enjoy swimming, fishing, or kayaking at Collins Lake Recreation Area. A visitor shared, "The lake is stocked with fish. Ice cream at the store is a must."
- Wildlife Viewing: Campers at Ice House Campground have spotted Bald Eagles and other wildlife. One camper noted, "Nice wildlife viewing. I saw Bald Eagles and Comorans with their babies."
What campers like:
- Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. One review for Beals Point Campground stated, "Great view onsite, sites are clean."
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Coloma Resort are noted for being great for families. A reviewer mentioned, "The campground is walking distance from the historic town of Coloma and the Argonaut for breakfast and lunch."
- Abundant Recreational Activities: Campers enjoy the variety of activities available. One visitor at Sly Park Recreation Area said, "There are tons of activities to partake in: relax and do nothing, hike, kayak, fish, sunbathe, swim."
What you should know:
- Bear Country: If you're camping at Ice House Campground, be prepared for bear visits. One camper shared, "The campground had 3 bears that were visiting every night."
- Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Loon Lake, lack certain amenities. A visitor noted, "The campground wasn't so great... the vault toilets were almost full."
- Crowded on Weekends: Popular spots like Sly Park Recreation Area can get busy. One camper advised, "If you would rather not deal with the 'Weekend Warrior' type of campers, book your stay for mid-week."
Tips for camping with families:
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Coloma Resort that offer playgrounds and activities for kids. A reviewer said, "Pool, playground, basketball and soccer - will definitely be back with the kids soon."
- Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One family at Sly Park Recreation Area enjoyed, "A nice trail down to the water, and is dog friendly."
- Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand can make things easier. A camper at Collins Lake Recreation Area mentioned, "Great little market, very nice staff, clean, great views."
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Ice House Campground noted, "It can be tough to get a larger motorhome or travel trailer into the back of the park."
- Be Prepared for Limited Hookups: Many campgrounds, like Gerle Creek, do not have electric hookups. One camper mentioned, "No hookups, but spectacular beauty."
- Arrive Early: Popular spots fill up fast. A reviewer at Giant Gap advised, "Plan ahead, it fills fast in summer."
Camping near Applegate, California, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Applegate, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Applegate, CA is Lake Clementine Boat In — Auburn State Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Applegate, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 74 tent camping locations near Applegate, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.