Best Tent Camping near Bear Valley, CA

Recent Tent Reviews near Bear Valley, California

1102 Reviews of 73 Bear Valley Campgrounds

• J

  Jmani T.

  Scout

  

  May. 28, 2024

  KOA Coleville/Walker Meadowcliff Lodge

  Quite and Clean

  This was our first time at a KOA and we throughly enjoyed ourselves. We stayed for one night. (Tent Camping) The staff was friendly and helpful and all of the sites and communal areas were clean. The tent sites were a tad smaller than what we imagined, but was able to situate our 10x10 canopy and connecting tent between the hook ups and picnic table. The views are beautiful and it is mostly quiet but you can hear the road at times.

• 

  Kristen S.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 2, 2021

  Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes

  Decent campground, overpriced

  We were tent camping and were nervous about not having a reservation around Yosemite so we reserved a site here for a tent site by the river. The price was high but were willing to pay for a confirmed place to stay during June 2021. When we got there they were under major construction and told us the area by the river was closed. They put us in the area on the hill. The sites were small and full of dirt. We got more dirty there than several of the more remote places we stayed before and after our stay there. The campground was decent though, and everyone we spoke with was nice. Three stars was value for the price. We found several first-come first served campgrounds around there for much less (of course they only had vault toilets).

• H

  Heather L.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 31, 2021

  Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes

  Great for families traveling to Yosemite

  We tent camped on the river here and really enjoyed our stay. We floated on the river in tubes, visited Nearby Rainbow Pools, went into Yosemite Valley a couple of days, the park is about 5-10 mins from the entrance to Yosemite but we didn’t mind we enjoyed the drive into the valley and used it as an opportunity to spot wildlife. We had two young kids (6 &8) and the campground restrooms and showers were perfect after a long day hiking, they were well maintained, good water pressure. These restrooms were located at the ponderosa tent sites, we had some family also camping in RVS along the river and I can’t speak for those restrooms. No cell service & WiFi is unlikely to work so prepare to be unplugged..they do give you printed directions to the closest area to get a signal depending on your carrier. The staff was very friendly and helpful! We will definitely be back one day. Side note: we came during COVID so reservations to Yosemite National park were required, therefore the park and surrounding campgrounds were not as packed as they normally would be. (This was heavenly).

• 

  Kara S.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 21, 2016

  Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging

  Decent for last minute tent site near Yosemite

  Our group stayed in a tent campsite for one night in August 2016. This was our first campsite for a 2 week national parks road trip.

  My biggest gripe with this campground is that it is not stated anywhere on their site that you cannot park your car in your campsite. At least for us, we had to park down a hill and walk up to our site. We spent our entire evening and the next morning walking back and forth, back and forth, back and forth anytime we needed something from the car. Having the car in the site is so so much better and all the other campgrounds we stayed at were set up that way.

  Additionally, the entire campground was incredibly dusty, more so than any other campground we stayed at during our trip. The bathrooms/showers were not very well maintained (quite dirty and dusty) although the stalls did all have toilet paper. It was also quite a walk from our tent site which was located in the back part of the campgrounds.

  Staff were generally helpful and they have everything you'd need in their office/general store (ice, firewood, snacks, etc).

  Overall, we were happy to have found a campground nearish Yosemite at the last min since most things book up really quickly inside the park, but I'm happy we didn't stay here more than one night.

• J

  Jayson L.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 11, 2023

  Meeks Bay Resort & Marina

  Great Place to Stay

  Clean and best play to stay with beach access, cabins, tents sites and rv sites. Tent site can fit 2 or more tents with fire pit and picnic table. Restroom with shower and warm water.

• D

  Daniel D.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 25, 2020

  Silver Lake East- Eldorado

  Great Lake access

  I’ve camped here 4 times- 2 times tent camping and 2 times trailer camping. The lake has a beautiful, and easy to walk to from the campground, especially from the sites in the 40s and 50s. The vault toilets can be a bummer if you are tent camping, and there are no hookups for rvs. But the campground has beautiful trees, and there is a restaurant and camp store for your convenience. Also, across the highway at the Silver Lake East campground is an awesome hidden secret called “Potholes.” Shhhhh!

• 

  Joe B.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 13, 2019

  Fallen Leaf Campground - South Lake Tahoe

  Cozy

  Nice bear boxes and bathrooms. Tent sites were big

• 

  Megan E.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 27, 2024

  Crane Flat Campground — Yosemite National Park

  Night under the stars

  Got one of the furthest sites tent camping. Could see all the stars. They also provide bear boxes for each site.

• M

  Mike L.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 16, 2019

  Lake Amador Resort

  Nice family campground

  The man made pond is nice for the kids. It has a slide they can use. Rv areas are clean. Tent camping is okay!

• 

  Tim S.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 14, 2021

  Fence Creek Campground

  Off the beaten track

  This is a beautiful campground. At the end of the road. Parking is along a ridge, and tent camping is down the hill. RV camping has no hookups, but plenty of space.

• 

  Dominic J.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 6, 2023

  General Creek Campground — Sugar Pine Point State Park

  Best price

  Only $35 dollars, which is the cheapest you'll find north of South Lake Tahoe. Perfect for tent camping. Not busy at all during the non reserve season. Would go again for sure.

• 

  Nikki C.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 12, 2018

  Crane Flat Campground — Yosemite National Park

  Tent camping outside the Yosemite valley

  Beautiful tent camping above the Yosemite valley. Close enough to drive into the valley but far enough to not be surrounded by people at all times. Make sure to bring hammocks! Great trees to lounge in!

• 

  Alison

  Legend

  

  May. 11, 2021

  Indian Creek Campground (CA) - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

  Nice campground with a Lake

  Nice campground with numerous RV and tent sites. Bathroom with flush toilets and showers. Big trees provide ample shade. Quiet area close to the amenities of the Carson Valley.

• J

  Jim M.

  Guide

  

  Feb. 1, 2019

  Angels Camp Campground and RV

  Super RV Park

  I would stay here again and again. The tent sites have a large covered area for shade and the park has a pool for a refreshing little swim. Showers are included with the campground fee.

• h

  harry S.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 31, 2022

  South Shore Campground

  Not too bad

  Most site are for tent camping. The sites for trailers are not level do be prepared. There is drinking water throughout the park. Trailers longer than 26, it is a tight squeeze. No cell service at all, no where. Very quiet and not far from the lake. Bathrooms are clean.

• 

  Jay B.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 6, 2019

  Wrights Lake

  Tranquility

  At the top of the Sierras, El Dorado national forest, tucked in away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Stunning views, and blue skies, campground is well maintained and accessible. Rvs and tent camping. Shallow lake that warms up a little for kayaking and swimming. Great family lake.

• 

  Keef W.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 15, 2016

  Tahoe Valley Campground

  somewhat crowded

  much busier overall than the majority of the eastern sierras, still a nice get away. not too close to the lake but access is far from difficult. book ahead of time and request 9 for a tent site.

• J

  Jayson S.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 23, 2021

  Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging

  Great option if Yosemite’s full

  Great option if your looking for full rv hookups. If you’re tent camping, this might not be the best place. Bathrooms were very unclean but the park gets the job done as a place to sleep while visiting Yosemite. No Verizon or T-Mobile coverage. Wifi available for purchase.

• 

  Tory B.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 23, 2020

  Chris Flat — Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest Headquarters

  Great small campground right on the river

  Campground is setup in a loop. Pay at the post upon entry - fill out the reservation envelope and put your nightly fee into the envelope.

  There are spots for tent camping and even or truck spots with a larger parking space.

  This is a seasonal campground and will be closed during the winter months.

• 

  Alison

  Legend

  

  May. 16, 2021

  Eureka Valley Campground

  Next to the Stanislaus River

  Love this campground because of it’s close proximity to the Stanislaus River. There are 28 first come first serve RV and Tent sites. There are interesting granite rock formations in and around the campground. Potable water, fire rings, picnic tables and garbage receptacles round out the amenities.

• A

  Amaya P.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 7, 2021

  Alpine County Turtle Rock Park Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY

  Hidden Jewel

  Turtle Rock is a hidden jewel. It is well kept and maintained. Showers are provided for a small fee so make sure you have quarters. Toilets are dispersed throughout the campground. There’s a section for tent camping as well as RV camping. No reservations required as I always drive in whenever I go. One of my favorite spot around Markleeville area.

• 

  Casey M.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 30, 2024

  Crystal Springs Campground

  Pretty chill little spot...NOT FOR LARGE RVs or CAMPERS

  Great little spot for tent camping or vehicle camping. You'll be fine if you have a smaller RV or Camper trailer but would not recommend for large units. Camp host Scott was really cool and down to earth. The campsite is clean and well maintained. Pit toilets were the best I have ever seen/smelled. The site can be pretty windy so bring tent stakes and cordage to tie out your walls.

• S

  S K.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 12, 2023

  Zephyr Cove Resort

  Took one look at my site, and left.

  Booked a tent site. The campground was completely full. My fire ring was at the bumper of my vehicle, the picnic table was basically in someone else’s campsite, and I had to walk up a flight of stairs where the tent site was supposed to be. The site on one side of me looked down on top of me from 10 feet away, the RV site next to me was crammed on top of me as well. Their front porch was basically staring right at my site, like I would be there entertainment for the night.

  I had planned to camp out of the back of my truck for a quick overnight stay. Lots of better options around.

  It is nice that it is walking distance from Zephyr Cove. But Zephyr Cove was packed. Nevada beach was only a four minute drive away and much more spacious and relaxing.

  $67, plus taxes and fees, for no services and being packed in like sardines, no thanks.

• C

  Chase

  Traveler

  

  May. 5, 2021

  Tahoe Valley Campground

  Good last minute find

  We were trying to stay up on Luther pass but the snow and forest service has the road to camp closed still in early May. We found this place just driving down into town looking for a new camp. $65 to tent camp which seemed pricey but it was last minute so we took it. Very clean bathroom great staff dog friendly and large sites.

• 

  Msmetoo48 S.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 5, 2022

  Paradise Shores RV Park

  Beautiful !!!

  This campground is close to a small town, many lakes, hiking, biking, atv trails etc. the campground offers clean bathrooms, laundry, open kitchen and fire pit, free kayaks and SUP boards to use. Beautiful grounds. Full hook ups, great tent sites, and rentals. Great staff. Wood, charcoal, ice, and propane for sale on sight.

• 

  Athena F.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 19, 2020

  Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes

  3 Star rating at best

  The river is fun for tubing and evening chill. Close drive into the park but tent sites were crammed and the womens restroom became unusable with overflowing toilets. Get there early to pick your spot! Some good shade unless they are all taken so come prepared with your own. Had to use the one toilet in the men’s restroom.

• 

  Jessica B.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 4, 2018

  Ice House Campground

  Beautiful Lake

  Tent camped in spot 72. No shade what so ever, and it was a hot day! However loved the spacing of the campsites. Neighbors were close, though not so close to be crowded. Spot was very close to the restroom, advantage and disadvantage when a strong ordor would breeze on through. Short walk to the lake which was beautiful, spent the day floating and drinking. Have visited before, and will visit again!