Best Tent Camping near Auburn, CA
Auburn and the surrounding foothills of the Sierra Nevada offer several tent camping options within the American River watershed. Lake Clementine Boat In at Auburn State Recreation Area provides tent-only sites alongside the clear waters of the American River from May through September. Other options include tent camping at Camp Far West North Shore and various walk-in tent sites scattered throughout the region, particularly in Tahoe National Forest's Onion Valley Campground.
Most tent campgrounds in the Auburn area have basic amenities but require self-sufficiency. Sites at Lake Clementine feature concrete picnic tables, fire rings, and bear boxes, though campers must bring their own water as no potable sources exist on-site. Vault toilets are available at most established campgrounds, including Onion Valley, but shower facilities are rare. A camper noted that "the river was crystal clear and beautiful" at Lake Clementine, making it worth the primitive conditions. First-come, first-served sites are common during off-season months, while summer weekends often require reservations made well in advance.
Areas farther from Auburn offer more secluded tent camping experiences. Onion Valley Campground, though small, provides access to hiking trails and wildflower meadows in season. "The sites are far enough apart that we were able to set up camp without being too disruptive," one visitor reported about Onion Valley. The North Fork of the American River corridor features multiple walk-in tent sites with varying levels of accessibility. Lake Clementine campsites can become crowded during summer months, especially on weekends, while some backcountry tent sites remain available even during peak seasons. Fall and spring camping offers milder temperatures and fewer crowds at most tent-only campgrounds, with many campers preferring September through October for ideal conditions.
