Beale Air Force Base is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that California camping has to offer. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Beale Air Force Base and user-submitted reviews.
Manzanita Rock Meadow
46 min away
Laughing Buddha RV/Tent Camp
46 min away
"This campground is above Marysville California."
"They were both lake front campsites, which meant the water or shoreline was right at our "front door" from our 27' travel trailer."
"This is such a beautiful piece of California."
"There is a boat launch, and a pretty county park is adjacent."
"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. "
"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."
$40 - $55 / night
"Situated on 25 acres, this gem is truly the best place to relax and unwind. With beautiful scenery and so many outdoor activities to enjoy, we know you'll be planning your next stay before you leave."
"I don’t think the bigger rigs would be able to make the turn into the site and the road to the entrance is a bit rough. Don’t miss visiting the covered bridge at South Yuba State Park!"
"If you are okay with that they have a lot of sites right next to the water. The sites away from the water are quieter."
"Thousand Trails Lake Minden
Tiny Park, Giant Heart
We spent three weeks at Lake Minden and, to be honest, judged it too quickly."
"Very peaceful and the fairgrounds are open during the day to walk around."
"Really nice with the lake and quiet woods feeling. No hassle booking and really reasonable price. Huge sites like 150x18 or there abouts."
$33 - $58 / night
"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."
"They said it would be okay as long as I had the gear to sleep outside in a tent as well. The place was quiet and we had no issues."
"Very nice campground, but cell coverage is nonexistent outside of one small area."
$55 / night
"It was quiet and private, but close to the hosts so they visited when I had questions about the best spots for swimming and hiking nearby."
"Had a fire in the fire pit and enjoyed the quiet(except for the coyotes in the distance!). Galen, our host, was always available to answer questions and to bring extra firewood."
TravelerNo cell signal here - speed test is from starlink. Note google & garmin routing from Nevada City takes a bridge with a 4 Ton weight restriction.
GuideI stopped by here to check out the campground and found it to be very nice quiet and clean. There is a nice river running along the side with a waterfall and a few nice deep swimming holes. I got the only FCFS site and it was nice.
GuideAwesome spots to camp, it’s just insanely close to the 20 so you’ll hear non-stop traffic.
GuidePaid $68 for a tent site with no hookups. Showers take quarters too. Price is a bit steep IMO but the site was nice, a quick walk to the lake to cool off.
GuideThis is our second time camping at Collins Lake, and we loved it just as much as the first! 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—it made a big difference for us! Overall, the campground is clean, peaceful, and perfect for a relaxing getaway. Highly recommend!
TravelerWe live just up the road (Nevada City) yet we ignored this campground for years thinking it was full of trailer trash. But years ago Yuba County did a great job of cleaning this place up and putting in hookups and paving the campground and adding irrigation systems that keep the grass green all year long.
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.
The camp host (Jan The Man) is the best camp host ever!
Weekdays are the best when there are few people but on weekends it does fill up. We did camp one time and some folks were having a karaoke party late into the night (somehow I suspect they will never be back). Usually everyone's respectful and its a great place to be.
GuideGreat campground! Our first stay at Collins Lake was fantastic. The lake views were beautiful, the campsites were clean and spacious, and the staff was friendly. Plenty of activities for the family, like fishing and hiking. We’ll definitely be back!
ScoutWe left 1 day into our 4 day stay. The scenery, beautiful. The river, stunning. The campsite, tiny and awkwardly set up (Site12 specifically), good shade though. Prior occupants left a bunch of trash (as in an entire tent.....) in the bear box that we had to dispose of. Clean enough bathrooms. No firewood on site (which we were sdvised there would be) at the camp host site, don't think we had one, if we did they're hard of hearing. Drove up the road to a different campsite per the info board and got wood there **CASH ONLY**
Awful site neighbors, incredibly loud, watching reality TV shows at top volume, even waking me up at 0400 talking full volume 10 feet from our tent. Another neighbor with a generator on until almost 11pm.
*****ROAD NOISE. So. Much. Road. Noise. There was next to zero peaceful outdoor serenity. Not only the noise from the road, but the headlights hit our tent all night as well.
Won't be back, sad to end the week early, but no way were we able to stay with all of that going on. Was supposed to be a peaceful, quiet, relaxing week away from the sounds of a loud city......all we did was add a few trees 🤷♀️
TravelerFirst time backpacking out here and it was such an awesome experience. I’m super excited to go back. I will say the hike up was a bit difficult with a heavy backpack due to all the rocks you have to climb over on the trail, but the view of the lakes at the top makes it all worth it. I’d start early in the day to make sure you get good parking as this is a very popular trail, and so that you can get a good campsite and enjoy the lakes for as much time as possible. Bugs there were virtually nonexistent as I don’t think I got bit by any. I did read though that last week there were some rattlesnake sightings, so just be cautious of snakes.
Camping near Beale Air Force Base, California, offers a mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you'll find plenty of options to suit your needs, whether you're in a tent or an RV.
Camping near Beale Air Force Base, California, provides a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. Whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping spots near Beale Air Force Base?
Several quality camping options exist within a short drive of Beale Air Force Base. Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers spacious sites with picnic tables and fire pits, clean facilities, and lake access (though water levels can vary seasonally). About 30-45 minutes away, Thousand Trails Lake Minden near Nicolaus provides drive-in sites with water and toilet facilities, accommodating RVs and tent campers alike. Other options within reasonable driving distance include Collins Lake Recreation Area and Nevada County Fairgrounds, both offering full amenities for campers. Most campgrounds in the region require reservations, especially during peak summer season.
What outdoor recreation facilities are available at Beale Air Force Base?
While Beale Air Force Base itself has limited public recreation access due to its military status, the surrounding area offers excellent outdoor opportunities. Nearby American River Resort provides riverside recreation with a half-mile walk to town for supplies. The resort features fire pits and picnic tables at all sites, plus clean bathrooms with private showers. Just a short drive away, Mineral Bar Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area offers excellent swimming holes, fishing spots, hiking paths along the North Fork of the American River, and gold prospecting opportunities. For those looking to explore further, the region features numerous lakes, trails, and outdoor adventure options within 30-60 minutes of the base.
Are there tiny home accommodations available at Beale Air Force Base?
Beale Air Force Base does not offer tiny home accommodations on base for civilians. However, several nearby camping resorts offer alternative lodging options. Coloma Resort features cabin rentals alongside traditional camping spots with beautiful surroundings adjacent to the South Fork of the American River and easy access to hiking trails. For a unique experience, Laguna Del Sol offers various accommodation types in a clothing-optional resort with amenities including multiple swimming pools, social areas, courts for various sports, and hiking opportunities. For tiny home enthusiasts, checking with Inn Town Campground is recommended, as they offer glamping options that might suit tiny home preferences.
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