301 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping areas around Auburn, California range from basic city parks to more remote forest sites. Auburn City Park Campground sits close to town, making it easy to grab supplies when needed. The Auburn Recreation Area has camping spots among trees where you can fish or walk trails during the day. You'll find bigger campsites with good views at Auburn Area State Park. If you want something more basic, the National Forest has areas where you can camp away from facilities in certain spots. Families often pick Auburn County Park Campground because it has tables for meals and places for kids to play. Spring and fall bring the best camping weather in Auburn. The summer gets pretty hot, so you'll need extra water and sunscreen. Winter camping works too, but snow might block some roads to campsites. It's smart to book ahead, particularly on weekends and holidays when spots fill up. During dry times, fire rules can get strict, so always check what's allowed before lighting anything. You can usually stay up to two weeks at most Auburn campgrounds. Auburn offers excellent camping opportunities with both developed campgrounds and more primitive sites throughout the surrounding natural areas. While permits aren't common for camping here, double-check with whichever place you choose. Different campgrounds open their booking at different times, so look into this early. Auburn works well for camping trips since it has so many different places to stay.
"Folsom Lake is a very large lake which touches 3 counties (Sacramento, Placer & El Dorado). Beals Point is right on the border of Folsom & Granite Bay on Folsom-Auburn Rd."
"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."
from $33 - $58 / 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 $33 / 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!"
"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"Nice campground - close to river. .5 mile walk to town for shopping/eating. All sites have fire pit and picnic table. Bathrooms clean and private showers."
"It is right in the American River and next to a class 3 rapid called Trouble Maker. It was awesome watching rafters and kayakers go through it."
"Definitely the best campground in the Auburn area, though only 5 walk-in spots. It’s right on the river with fishing and boating opportunities. Lots of hiking trails right from camp."
"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."
"It’s great for kids that want to ride bikes around the sites- but be careful of the river, it’s swift."
"Great spot if you can get in half of the camp got washed away from the rain this year though ."
"WELCOME TO ASCENSION RANCH Ascension Ranch is an off-grid paradise tucked away in an oak savanna along Folsom Lake with a unique and ever growing list of features and activities."
"Super relaxing and has a lake that is at the end of the trail. Super convenient. It was cool to experience the animals that were in the pastures as well. I'd definitely come back."
from $59 - $115 / night
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TravelerThe campsites are so big and it's right on the river. The bathrooms are clean, hiking is forever and it's 8 miles up from the highway so most people don't know about it. It's quiet and there is a big sandy beach.
TravelerAll sites are First Come First Serve. Arrived on a Thursday with only 1 other camper at the grounds. By Saturday morning it was full and loud. All sites are close enough to the lake, that your priority should just be what ever fits your set up. Traveling in a 25ft Class C felt like I didn't belong and space was tight. Almost no sky for solar or starlink, and AT&T service gave me a single bar.
I'd return if I had a small towable or in a tent. Overall very scenic and peaceful during the week days.
As of August 2026 price was $10 a night.
ScoutEasy to find campsite, we arrived after hours on a Monday so drove around to find a spot and then paid using the collection box and envelopes, we couldn't get the QR code to work. Phone reception here is good. There is a constant hum of traffic but it is not loud and it is quiet around camp. Toilets and showers are clean and well stocked with toilet paper. We didn't stay long but saw some wildlife, coyote and squirrels mostly. A little bit of rubbish around from campers but overall very tidy. The sites are flat pull-in or reverse-in style, there are also some campsites marked with wheel chair access.
ScoutThe campground was clean and quiet
GuideThey let us check in early it is all paved but not level!
Scout5 stars for the campground itself. I've been camping at Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park since 1984, when I was just 20 years old. I have loved every camping trip since(at least 30 plus times)! The campsites are great, the grounds, and trails are well-maintained, and safe. I love that the general store is easy to get to and has ice and extras that we may have forgotten to bring. However, we have noticed over past few years that the restrooms in the campground have become increasingly filthy. I get that people walk in with dirt all over their shoes, so of course the floors will be dirty, but it's unacceptable to allow the toilets to be so gross! I will leave out the unpleasant details! I asked a young park ranger how often the restrooms are cleaned and he said every day. Apparently they source out the cleaning. It's obvious that all they do is sweep the floors, empty the trash and provide more TP. The sinks, and floors look like they haven't been scrubbed in a long time, and I noticed the toilets looked as bad the day we got there to the day they left. I remember in the 80's and 90's seeing rangers doing a very thorough cleaning each morning. We would walk in and could smell the cleaning chemicals, and the floor would be wet from mopping. Also, the showers are dirty too. They removed the benches in the individual shower stalls so there's no place to put your clean clothes. Do better Lodgepole!
TravelerWe 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. Being near the lake was great and having a camp store and bathrooms. Showers cost 50¢ for 5 min which isn’t bad but since the campsite is so expensive it would have been nice for them to be free.
ScoutThis place is awesome. Super clean, spaces are big and neighbors are not too close. The facilities are super clean and modern. We enjoyed the pool, spa and shower facilities. There’s a shuttle that shows up about every 40 minutes to the casino. The office staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the different spaces and location of the afternoon sun.
ScoutThis park is completely understaffed, and the staff they do have are short and rude when talked to. Leaches in the water, goose poop all on beach area along with trash and dirty diapers. Management is never to be seen and the store they have is never open. Restrooms had poop on walls, birds in the bathroom, toilet paper everywhere. They constantly have water problems. They have an abundance of wasps also.
Auburn sits at the confluence of the North and Middle forks of the American River, creating extensive camping opportunities along waterways between elevations of 500 to 3,000 feet. The surrounding foothills transition from oak woodlands to pine forests, offering diverse terrain for tent and RV camping. Most campgrounds near Auburn experience temperatures ranging from 50°F winter nights to 95°F summer days.
River rafting access: Ruck-A-Chucky Campground provides direct access to the American River with launch points for experienced kayakers and rafters. "If you're lucky and know how to read the river, gold panning is a must! Bring your kayaks and rafts," notes Jason A., though he cautions that the "current is much faster than years past due to excellent winter."
Historic site exploration: Coloma Resort connects campers to California's gold rush history. "You can pan for gold, relax, or bike, hike along the river, and kids can play along several playgrounds for kids of different ages," explains Rosina A. The resort sits walking distance from historic sites: "The campground is walking distance from the historic town of Coloma and the Argonaut for breakfast and lunch."
Spring wildlife viewing: Peninsula Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers exceptional wildlife viewing in spring. "Wildlife is off the chain here. Bears have been seen on occasion, cougars, Bobcats, and coyotes all stop by from time to time," reports one camper. The area features educational trails: "A shorter accessible trail (Oaks Nature Trail) is entirely contained within the campground and takes you through some great examples and educational signs regarding the riparian ecosystem."
River proximity: Campers consistently value sites directly on the American River. At Mineral Bar Campground, campers appreciate that "the river was extremely clean and clear with good temperature." Another reviewer notes it's "a beautiful spot to camp. The river is crystal clear and beautiful."
Shoulder season tranquility: Many experienced campers recommend visiting in early spring or late fall. "Weather in the Sierra foothills in early March is perfect for a couple day getaway from the colder temperatures and snow in the higher elevations. Peninsula campground on Folsom Lake is in the rolling hills and oak trees, remote from the more popular side of the lake."
Clean facilities: Beals Point Campground receives praise for maintenance standards. "The campground is kept very clean. There is some privacy between campsites," reports Lizzy C. Another camper notes, "Staff was very nice and friendly and let us pick a spot. Price was very reasonable for dry spot $28."
Road conditions: Some Auburn area campgrounds require navigating challenging roads. For Ruck-A-Chucky, "The trek down to the campsite was slightly difficult and we decided to utilize the four wheel drive as we navigated to and from." Another camper warns, "You have to drive down a long windy narrow road to get here, which is the worst part."
Water levels fluctuate: Lake and river conditions change dramatically throughout seasons. At Peninsula Campground, "If you're unhoused but well-behaved with an income, this might be a much better option than Beals Point. Peninsula is about 45 minutes to an hour from Folsom depending on traffic." The same reviewer notes, "Others are correct that there isn't much shade and the sites aren't very flat."
Reservation timing: Campsites fill quickly during peak months. "It's best to book way ahead of time, but it's well worth it," advises one Coloma Resort camper. For first-come sites, arriving early is crucial: "We stayed 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."
Choose established resorts: American River Resort offers family-friendly amenities. "The facilities have a lot of maintenance issues that just aren't being taken care of," cautions one reviewer, but "there is an on-site rafting company. We took a full-day rafting trip that launched right from the campground & we had a great time."
Pack quarters for showers: Many campgrounds require coins for shower facilities. "Dyrt says that it has wifi but couldn't find one and the showers needs QUARTERS and we were out of coins. So remember to take quarters with you if you want to shower," advises one Beals Point camper.
Visit early spring for green landscapes: March through May offers optimal conditions. "About 3 weeks later in March than last year so there were a few more people. The grass is green, and the leaves are out on all the oak trees which makes it more beautiful," says a Peninsula camper. Another adds, "Awesome in spring where the flowers and grass are POPPING."
Size restrictions matter: Many Auburn-area campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. American River Resort advises caution: "The terrain is steep with mostly smaller sites. Water pressure is excellent. Our site had 30 amp only and I doubt any of them have 50 amp. I would be very cautious about coming here with a larger RV. Ours is 30' bumper to bumper. I think 32 would be ok."
Power limitations: Electrical connections vary widely between campgrounds. At American River Resort, "The power is not good. I had to bypass the surge suppressor because it kept cutting out due to low voltage. Voltage was generally 104-105."
Site selection matters: RVers should inspect sites before committing. At Peninsula, "Everyone else was on the loop near the shore. We picked a site away from everyone else at the other end of the campground with a stunning view over the lake." Another camper advises, "Reserve a site online but when you get there tell the attendant that you would like to see what sites are available."
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does camping cost at Auburn area campgrounds?
Camping costs vary across Auburn area campgrounds. American River Resort charges around $45 for tent sites with an additional $5 fee for dogs. This higher price point includes amenities like fire pits, picnic tables, clean bathrooms, and private showers, plus convenient river access. Lake Camanche offers more moderate pricing with well-maintained facilities, clean bathrooms with hot water, and easy lake access. Most public campgrounds in Auburn State Recreation Area range from $20-35 per night depending on the season and amenities. Private campgrounds generally charge more ($40-60) but offer additional facilities like showers, electricity, and sometimes WiFi access.
Are there tent camping sites with shower facilities in Auburn?
Yes, several campgrounds near Auburn offer tent sites with shower facilities. Inn Town Campground provides excellent tent camping with clean, modern shower facilities about 25 minutes from Auburn. Located just a mile from downtown Nevada City, it's highly rated for its amenities and convenience. For those camping at Lake Camanche's South Shore, while the immediate sites don't have showers, there are hot shower facilities available at the nearby Riverview area within walking distance. Auburn Gold Country RV Park also welcomes tent campers and provides shower facilities, though it primarily caters to RV travelers. Call ahead to confirm shower availability, especially during peak season.
Where are the best campgrounds near Auburn, CA?
Auburn offers diverse camping options for all preferences. Ruck-A-Chucky Campground is considered the best in the immediate Auburn area with just 5 walk-in spots right on the river, offering excellent fishing, boating, and hiking opportunities. The road down is challenging but creates a secluded wilderness feel. For lakeside camping, Beals Point Campground at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers numerous tent and RV sites with lake access, trails, and fishing. While slightly farther, French Meadows and Mineral Bar campgrounds provide additional scenic options within reasonable driving distance of Auburn.
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