Dispersed camping opportunities around Beale Air Force Base encompass areas with varying terrain and seasonal conditions. The region sits at elevations between 80-2,000 feet with oak-studded hillsides transitioning to pine forests at higher elevations. Winter camping brings temperatures ranging from 35-60°F while summer months can reach 95-105°F, significantly impacting water levels at nearby lakes and reservoirs.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Collins Lake Recreation Area, visitors report excellent catches throughout the year. "I love this camp ground. Really nice lake always stocked with fish. Quiet at night and not rowdy during the day. Great place for family camping. They also have boat rentals," notes Veronica N. in her review of the campground.
Birding excursions: Sycamore Ranch RV Park offers exceptional bird watching along Dry Creek. "My favorite thing about this campground is the birds! I use the Merlin app to identify the birds here and so far this place holds my record of around 18 birds not including the more silent ones we saw. There are turtles and otters in the creek to check out as well," reports one Sycamore Ranch RV Park visitor.
Paddling adventures: Multiple water bodies around Beale AFB accommodate non-motorized watercraft. "I took advantage of the water and after getting shuttled up to the bridge kayaked down the Yuba and up dry creek all the way to our campsite!" shares Chris about their Sycamore Ranch RV Park stay.
Historical exploration: The area contains remnants of Gold Rush history. "The name had us a bit confused. Turns out the area was originally a camp on the immigrant trail to the California gold fields. You can learn more from the historical markers on site," explains one camper at Camp Far West North Shore.
What campers like
Oak landscapes: Many campgrounds feature mature oak trees that provide habitat for wildlife. "We must have come at the best time of year because everything was so green and beautiful. The Oak trees that grow here are truly majestic and overall I would say this is a beautiful place to come and be one with nature," notes Aariana N. about their stay at Camp Far West North Shore.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple camping areas offer opportunities to spot local fauna. "Each day a family of deer came thru our site and were so tame they ate fruit right out of the kids' hands. So cool!" relates Nicole G. about their stay at Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs.
Swimming spots: Natural water features provide relief during hot weather. "We spent the days at Fuller Dam, and the Yuba River and Scotts Flat Reservoir are nearby too. Overall, this is a fantastic campground and I highly recommend," shares Nicole G. about her stay at Inn Town Campground in Nevada City.
Reliable ice cream: Several camping areas feature ice cream available for purchase. "The only good thing it has is the lake. You can just play in the water all day and it is right there. If you want to be close to the water and don't mind people then this is the place for you. **the ice cream is sooooo worth it!! DO IT!!!" emphasizes Julie B. about Collins Lake.
What you should know
Electrical challenges: Some campgrounds experience power issues during peak seasons. "There wasn't a single day when some campsite didn't have electrical issues, in fact they turned a lot of their RV sites into Tent Sites because of electrical issues," reports Eric P. about Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs.
Fire restrictions: Fire policies vary significantly between campgrounds. "No wood fires, propane is okay," notes a camper at Lake of the Springs, while other locations maintain designated fire rings.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across camping areas. "Clean and Rustic. WiFi is very very limited- drive to top of hill or lodge (very sporadic)," reports one Lake of the Springs camper, while another notes "cell coverage is nonexistent outside of one small area."
Glass hazards: Some campgrounds have persistent debris issues. "I did feel the camping spots need some maintenance because the fire pits and bbqs are non functioning, we had to build our own fire ring. And the broken glass... man it was everywhere! You could tell people come to party here," notes Aariana about Camp Far West.
Tips for camping with families
Tent site selection: At Collins Lake, position tents carefully to manage temperature. "The site gets a lot of sun in the morning and afternoon, so bring a popup canopy for shade—it made a big difference for us!" suggests John L. about Collins Lake Recreation Area.
Aquatic activities: Several camping areas offer multiple water recreation options. "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 Coleen C. about Collins Lake.
Playground access: Some campgrounds maintain play equipment for children. "Really pretty campground. We are here in the off season, so there weren't many other campers here. The trees are amazing and there are about 2 miles of walking trails," reports Suzanne about Sycamore Ranch.
Wildlife interaction: Animal encounters can be educational but require supervision. "We saw a river otter playing in the creek, so there is life in it," notes Suzanne S. about her visit to Sycamore Ranch RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: Campground layouts differ dramatically in terms of privacy. "We stayed at site 60A Lake Front View, which had stunning water views and a spacious setup. The site gets a lot of sun in the morning and afternoon, so bring a popup canopy for shade," suggests a visitor to Collins Lake Recreation Area.
Seasonal considerations: Off-season camping offers more solitude but may limit amenities. "We visited Camp Far West for one night on a quick trip looking for somewhere remote, nearby, and slightly warmer during the winter months. It was green and beautiful. We were the only people anywhere except for folks in the full hook-up area, which was far from us," explains Ray B. about Camp Far West North Shore.
Level site challenges: Some RV pads require significant leveling equipment. "Just can't recommend based on the very cramped conditions. Sites are not very level either. I needed to raise my front end 6 inches to get level," reports David C. about Nevada County Fairgrounds.
