Dispersed camping options near Yuba City, California exist throughout the surrounding foothills and river areas, with elevations ranging from 60 feet in the valley to over 1,500 feet in nearby hills. Summer temperatures regularly reach 95-105°F during July and August, while winter camping offers milder 45-65°F days. Most established campgrounds within 30 miles of Yuba City remain open year-round, though some limit water services during winter months.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: Camp Far West North Shore offers fishing access along its peninsula shoreline. "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," notes one camper at Camp Far West North Shore.
Kayaking and paddleboarding: The waterways surrounding Yuba City provide calm paddling opportunities. At Sycamore Ranch RV Park, one visitor shared: "Shaded grassy sites along the banks of Dry Creek (which was full of water when we visited) just above its confluence with the Yuba River... 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!"
Wildlife viewing: Several camping areas offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Collins Lake, a visitor mentioned, "Amazed to watch a bald eagle grab a fish and fly away," while another camper at Sycamore Ranch noted, "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."
What campers like
Quiet off-season camping: Many camping spots near Yuba City, California are significantly less crowded during non-summer months. A visitor to Camp Far West North Shore shared: "We were the only people anywhere except for folks in the full hook-up area, which was far from us. Not a sound except for the birds."
Clean shower facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. At Oroville-Feather Falls Casino KOA, a camper reported: "Excellent bathrooms and showers. A pool area and dog park. Good Wi-Fi and amenities. A little pricier than what I am used to but it was a really nice place to stay the night."
Family-friendly activities: Multiple camping areas near Yuba City feature recreational options for children. A camper at Collins Lake Recreation Area noted: "Great 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."
Shaded campsites: Given the hot summer temperatures, tree cover is highly valued. A visitor to Sycamore Ranch mentioned: "Shaded grassy sites along the banks of Dry Creek... The facilities including pay-showers were very clean & in fabulous shape."
What you should know
Campsite spacing varies dramatically: Some campgrounds offer roomier sites while others pack campers close together. At Thousand Trails Lake Minden, one camper observed: "There was absolutely no space between the trailers, to the point I hit my head on my neighbors slide out while setting up."
Seasonal water levels change access: Water features may appear different depending on time of year. A visitor to Sycamore Ranch RV Park noted: "The campground is along Dry Creek, which isn't dry but is covered in some sort of green stuff (not algae). We saw a river otter playing in the creek, so there is life in it."
Reservation requirements differ: While some campgrounds need advance bookings in peak season, others have walk-up availability. A camper at Camp Far West mentioned: "We didn't have a reservation but it wasn't a problem getting a spot. I did feel the camping spots need some maintenance because the fire pits and bbqs are non functioning."
Road conditions vary: Access roads to some campgrounds can be challenging. A reviewer of Loveys Landing stated: "Long drive on a narrow bumpy levy road to find a full time trailer park."
Tips for camping with families
Ice cream destinations: Several local campgrounds offer ice cream, a hit with younger campers. At Collins Lake, one visitor emphasized: "Registration area and cafe has ice cream available and souvenir store," while another mentioned the camp store was "one of the best ones I have been to so far... They also have a great ice cream parlor. Don't miss out on that if you do decide to camp here!"
Playground options: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. At Oroville-Feather Falls Casino KOA, a camper noted: "Electric hookups, sewer, clean grounds, playground, swimming pool, club house with bar and pool tables, and the casino and brewery are right there."
Pet considerations: Not all campgrounds welcome pets, and those that do may have restrictions. A visitor to Lake Minden received an unexpected welcome: "Also awesome treat bag for the dog provided at check in, a really nice touch."
Beach access limitations: Some waterfront locations restrict pet access to beaches. A camper at Collins Lake reported: "Can't bring dogs onto the beach area which was a bummer, but was too crowded anyways."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full-service sites can be limited at some campgrounds. A reviewer of Lake Minden observed: "The 'resort' advertises full hookups, but the reality is they have about 20 full hookup sites that can't accommodate RVs over 35 feet. My 40-foot RV doesn't fit, so I'm forced to drive around the lake to the non-hookup section."
Tree clearance issues: Overhead branches can pose problems for larger rigs. One Lake Minden visitor noted: "The only thing that I could say needed to be updated is keeping the trees groomed unfortunately we scratched our motorhome coming into the park."
In-town options: When supplies or services are needed, consider fairground camping. The Yuba Sutter Fairgrounds in Yuba City offers RV camping with hookups and shower facilities, providing convenient access to urban amenities while still serving as a base for exploring the region.
Electrical reliability varies: Some campsites have maintenance issues with hookups. One camper at Thousand Trails Lake Minden reported: "Our assigned spot had a bad electric hookup, but moving one space over solved that and actually gave us a better view. So, win-win."
