Camping cabins near Colfax, California provide rustic to modern lodging options nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills at elevations ranging from 2,400 to 3,500 feet. The region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F between June and September, while winter brings cooler temperatures and occasional snow at higher elevations. The American River watershed creates numerous swimming and fishing opportunities within a 30-minute drive of most cabin locations.
What to do
Gold panning activities: Visitors at Coloma Resort can try their hand at gold panning where California's gold rush began. "If you ever want to experience the thrill of gold panning, and California history go here! You will not strike it rich, but with a couple hours of effort you can get a nice little bottle of gold flakes to take home with you," notes one visitor.
Historical exploration: The historic town of Coloma offers educational opportunities within walking distance of cabin accommodations. "We spent the weekend for my wife's birthday... the campground is walking distance from the historic town of Coloma and the Argonaut for breakfast and lunch (and Gelato!)" reports a recent guest.
Fishing excursions: Collins Lake Recreation Area provides excellent fishing opportunities for cabin guests. "We love Collins!! Very nice for paddle boarding and kayaking. Clean sites and pet friendly. We took the boat on our last trip here and had a great time. Great fishing spots!!" shares one camper.
Whitewater observation: Some cabins offer views of active rapids, providing entertainment without getting wet. A camper at American River Resort explains, "It is right in the American River and next to a class 3 rapid called Trouble Maker. It was awesome watching rafters and kayakers go through it."
What campers like
Deer watching opportunities: Wildlife viewing is possible from many cabin sites in the area. At Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs, "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!"
River access: Direct river access ranks high among visitor preferences. "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."
Clean facilities: Many guests specifically mention bathroom cleanliness as a highlight. "Very nice and beautiful campground but can be expensive. The sites are very close to each other but they are spacious. It's nice to wake up to the sound of the river and birds singing," notes a visitor to American River Resort.
Private swimming areas: Access to uncrowded swimming spots is valued by many cabin guests. At Manzanita Rock Meadow, "It is just a short drive or bike ride to the incredible Yuba River where there is swimming, picnicking and lots of trails to hike. Such a gorgeous area!"
What you should know
Reservation timing: For popular cabin locations, advance booking is essential, especially for waterfront spots. "Next time at the American River I'll be looking for another park or to dispersed sites," explains one visitor who struggled with availability at Thousand Trails Ponderosa.
Site spacing concerns: Many cabin and RV sites throughout the region are closely situated. At Camp Lotus, space is limited but compensated by amenities: "Great campground for tenting or RV camping. It's on the river. Friendly and helpful hosts. No dogs are allowed though. This is one of our favorite campgrounds."
Heat management: Shade availability varies significantly between properties and can impact comfort during summer months. "It can be hot. Not a lot of tree cover for the RV sites - make sure you bring shade with you. Luckily, there's a nice cool river to swim in!" advises a camper about Thousand Trails Ponderosa.
Facility variations: Bathroom and shower facilities differ widely across properties. "For the amount of people in the area, there isn't many bathroom stalls. Yet, we somehow never ran into any long lines," reports a Coloma Resort guest.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several cabin campgrounds offer specific facilities for children. "Pool, playground, basketball and soccer - will definitely be back with the kids soon," shares a Coloma Resort visitor, highlighting recreational options beyond water activities.
Swimming safety precautions: River currents can be strong, requiring parental supervision. At Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park Campground, "This park give excellent access to the Yuba River if you are looking to hike a section that does not have a ton of swimmers. There are amazing canyon like swimming holes."
Educational opportunities: Historical sites provide learning experiences for children. "You can pan for gold, relax, or bike, hike along the river, and kids can play along several playgrounds for kids of different ages. A large grass area great for games," mentions a Coloma Resort camper.
Pet policies: Not all cabin locations permit pets, requiring advance planning. "This is a nice retreat. The spaces are a bit small but clean. The bathrooms are spotless and they offer a lot of amenities for families... it seemed like everyone had a dog," notes one visitor about Coloma Resort.
Tips from RVers
Power concerns: Electrical reliability varies between properties. "The power is not good. I had to bypass the surge suppressor because it kept cutting out due to low voltage. Voltage was generally 104-105," warns an RVer who visited American River Resort.
Size limitations: Many cabin campgrounds have strict limitations on RV length. "I would be very cautious about coming here with a larger RV. Ours is 30' bumper to bumper. I think 32 would be ok," advises another American River Resort visitor.
Alternative accommodations: Some travelers find cabins a better option than setting up RVs in tight spaces. "We were very skeptical of going during the ongoing COVID situation and we were amazed at how well this place was doing to help. Bathrooms smelled like Clorox every morning (good thing, means they were cleaning often)," shares a satisfied cabin guest at Coloma Resort.
Site selection strategy: Riverside spots generally cost more but provide better views and access. "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!" recommends a Collins Lake visitor.
