Searching for the best camping near Bear Valley, CA? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Find the best campgrounds near Bear Valley, CA. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
$30 / night
"With great sites, some close to the creek, friendly camp hosts, and an abundance of nearby activities, this is a must."
"You can walk to the pot holes for a swim or cross the street to one of the most beautiful lakes. It’s close to lots of trails. Easy access. Has bear boxes and fire rings."
"Bear valley is my favorite place to go camping, the most you get close to the top of the mountain, the most curvy the road is, so be prepare."
"Lots of trails to ride your bike and walk."
$16 / night
"It's about a 3 hour drive from my home in the Bay Area, the Utica/ Union Reservoirs are right off the 4 highway and Spicer Reservoir Rd (roughly 20 miles north of Arnold, CA)."
$32 / night
"Situated across from the campground is the day use area which is very popular and noisy.
Facilities are clean and the campground is beautiful, great walking path too!""The campgrounds at Alpine Lake are beautiful and spacious. There are pit toilets and it’s a very short walk to the lake."
$25 - $70 / night
"I think this is my favorite California State Park. It is situated in the Calaveras Big Trees Giant Sequoia Grove."
"Pros - you are in the middle of the Sequoias, near hiking, kayaking, etc. Beautiful river nearby; pretty easy in and out for small-ish RVs. Hard to beat the location."
"Really nice campground for families - bike trails, hiking trails, and access to the lake! Nearby showers are nice, too! Campground is near Tahoma Market if you need ice or last minute goodies."
"Pros: If you’re tired of fighting crowds around Lake Tahoe in peak season, head to the north west side of the lake to Sugar Pine where you’ll find lots of open sites amongst shady pines."
$35 / night
"Camp host was a great help for local recommendations for day trips and directions to a general store about 40min drive away."
"This is an awesome State Park located in Markleeville, CA. It's in close proximity to Lake Tahoe, CA, and offers many great day hikes for all ability levels in the area."
$32 / night
"Lake Alpine is a high country lake, with big rocks and clear water. Nearby are 2 small resevoirs, Union and Utica. These 2 resevoirs are perfect spots for kayaking/ canoeing and fishing."
"I stayed in a tent cabin at Lake Alpine. There were beds in the cabin, but the mattress wasn't that comfy. "
$16 / night
"Even the farthest spot is just a minute walk to the water. But there are only a handful of spots, so make sure you get here as early as you can to secure a spot."
"You can find beautiful, isolated sites on the islands all around the lake. Great hammock camping!"
"There are also many OHV trails close by."
"I camped right on the edge where the view was as far from the highway as possible. The only downfall is that you can hear the highway. I went on a Tuesday."
TravelerWe went to Pinecrest as the first trip we took with our brand new travel trailer. Not only was it a great break-in trip but the location was lovely. The hosts were friendly and very helpful when we had difficulty getting into the site we reserved. Once we set up camp in our new sire, we started to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. And the ravens. Lots of talkative ravens. Very entertaining.
We were thrilled to find out there’s a restaurant and general store located right across the street from the campground. It was just delicious icing on a very tasty cake. Two thumbs up for Pinecrest Campground and an extra thumbs up and thank you to the hosts.
GuideWe didn’t know what to expect blindly making reservations and we are not disappointed! Our stay is August 19th-21st and barely anyone is here, the grounds are immaculate, nice showers and bathrooms, concrete corn-hole game area, park with play area for kids, grassy area for picnics (no dogs allowed on grass), extremely quiet! Weather was lovely 88 degree range, but warning, warm winds pick up in the afternoon so keep things tied down! Water is very warm, around 73- 74 degrees! Many mature Cottonwood trees are lined up amongst the campsites picnic tables and fire pits offering lovely shade.
There is a very nice boat launch area with fish cleaning station, bathrooms, and self service kayaks you can rent.
This place is the perfect stop off while traveling the 395 !
ScoutGreat place to camp, fish, kayak, hike and relax. Dirt roads all the way in from Hwy 4 so be prepared for mild offroading and dust.
GuideI prefer dispersed camping for the quiet and solitude but we met friends here who picked the campground. That said, this is a nice established cg. Not a lot of privacy (wide open so you can see everyone around you) but individual sites have room between them. Campers when we were there were fairly quiet but even quiet sounds travel, especially at night. Smoke from all the campfires is not great for people with asthma. Bathrooms are very nice: clean, flush toilets, and sinks with cold water taps. Bear boxes provided. There’s lots of trails to hike here, an an extensive ranger station with a Visitor Center, snack bar, and organized talks and activities. The big trees are exactly as advertised: incredibly big and awe-inspiring. Just wish state parks would let you take your leashed dogs on the trails. Otherwise, a very nice public campground if that’s your thing.
ScoutThis is a quiet campground that is good for small trailers or RVs, or tent camping. Access is rough gravel, and narrow roads inside the campground would make anything longer than 25’ difficult. There are vault toilets but no other utilities.
ScoutGreat campground accessible for most campers but large RVs might struggle. Has water, portable toilets and heated showers. Campsite has Some shade from the sun. Also has a couple glamping tents aswell.
ScoutStopped by Iron Mountain this morning on my way down 88. Not a sole in sight at this old abandoned ski resort.
A few rock fire rings but I think camp fires may be banned.
Lots of piles of logs so it may be busy with logging equipment, etc during the week.
Good place to stop at for a night. Not too much noise off 88 since its so close.
GuideGreat location to the TRT. Stayed here the night before getting on the TRT. Very quiet and plenty of sites open. Down side is all the used TP along the logs. Please leave no trace behind or use the clean pit toilets. Definitely will come back to this campground. The creek is nice.
TravelerCamped a little over 0.5 miles from the Hot Springs parking lot. Dirt road had 5-6 other groups on it. About a 10-15 minute walk to the bathroom at the Hot Springs parking lot. Stargazing from the hot springs was awesome!
Camping near Bear Valley, California, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds in the area that cater to different preferences.
Camping near Bear Valley, California, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation, making it a great choice for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Bear Valley, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 338 campgrounds and RV parks near Bear Valley, CA and 31 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bear Valley, CA is Silver Lake West with a 4.3-star rating from 10 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 31 free dispersed camping spots near Bear Valley, CA.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 parks near Bear Valley, CA that allow camping, notably Stanislaus National Forest and Eldorado National Forest.
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