Campgrounds around Camptonville, California offer a diverse range of camping experiences within the Sierra Nevada foothills at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 feet. The area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly reaching 90°F between June and August, while spring and fall provide milder conditions for outdoor activities. Most campsites in this region are situated among pine and oak forests that provide natural shade during peak heat.
What to do
Swimming in mountain rivers: South Yuba Campground provides access to excellent swimming holes. "This river trail is the best in the state. Clear water, lovely pools. Expect nudity as it is Northern California. The river is beloved by kayakers and swimmers. Perfect snow melt means August is the prime time," notes Anna R. about the South Yuba Campground.
Fishing in stocked lakes: The waters near Camptonville offer good fishing opportunities. "Close by are several lakes where the fishing is fabulous," shares Barbara S. about staying at Sierra Skies RV Park, which provides convenient access to nearby fishing spots.
Hiking forest trails: Multiple campgrounds feature hiking trails through pine forests. "There are about 2 miles of walking trails," mentions Suzanne S. about Sycamore Ranch RV Park. Wildlife sightings are common, with one camper reporting, "We saw a river otter playing in the creek, so there is life in it."
What campers like
Natural privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacious layout at Loganville Campground. "The weather was perfect in early October! It was not busy, there was on other occupied campsite not to close to where we were. It has water, bathrooms and a bear box. Beautiful trees and clean sites," writes Lily G. about Loganville.
Wildlife encounters: Campers regularly spot wildlife at multiple campgrounds. "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!" shares Nicole G. about her experience at Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs.
Water recreation options: Lakes and rivers provide various water activities. "We spent practically the whole wknd in the lake. It was the perfect temperature to sit in for hours. No motorized water craft kept it quiet," continues Nicole G., highlighting the peaceful lake experience at Thousand Trails.
What you should know
Varying cell coverage: Mobile reception is inconsistent throughout the region. "No cell signal here - speed test is from starlink. Note google & garmin routing from Nevada City takes a bridge with a 4 Ton weight restriction," warns John T. about South Yuba Campground.
Seasonal facility conditions: Facilities may have maintenance issues, especially early or late in the season. "The composting toilet is a wreck. Not usable. Use cat holes instead (200 ft from water please). Poison oak is everywhere," advises Frying Pan Fred G. about South Yuba Campground.
Weather considerations: The area can experience extreme heat in summer months. At River Reflections RV Park, campers can find relief by the water: "The campsite we had was feet from the feather River. Who wouldn't be able to relax and enjoy with this as a background," notes Kathleen G.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming access planning: Families should arrive early for the best swimming spots. "Though it does fill up fast (by 11am it was pretty full)" cautions Gina C. about beach access at Lake Francis Resort. "The down side is how quickly the easiest access to the lake fills up. Everyone has to drive over from the tent RV site to access the water."
Kid-friendly campground amenities: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities beyond natural features. Lake Francis Resort offers "a large portable toilet there for use. We spent our time at the pool which is near the flushable toilets and the ice cream parlor, restaurant, and camp store," adds Gina C.
Wildlife education opportunities: Turn wildlife sightings into learning experiences. At Sycamore Ranch RV Park, one visitor notes, "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."
Tips from RVers
Electrical reliability issues: Some RV campgrounds near Camptonville have infrastructure limitations. "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.
Site leveling challenges: Many RV campgrounds in the mountainous terrain require leveling equipment. At Dutch Flat RV Resort, "RV sites are mostly electric and water only, and many aren't anywhere near level," notes Paul R. about a nearby resort, though he adds, "Nonetheless, I loved the place and will definitely go back."
Navigation considerations: The mountain roads leading to rv campgrounds in Camptonville, California require careful driving. "If you are on the way to another campground, but there are probably better ones to head to, especially if you have children with you," advises Darrin S. about Quail Ridge RV Park, highlighting the importance of planning your route.
