Yurt camping near Columbia, California ranges from basic to fully-equipped options throughout the Gold Country region. At 2,100 feet elevation, this area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional snow at higher elevations. Most campgrounds remain accessible year-round, though winter camping requires preparation for overnight temperatures that can drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing at New Melones Lake: Tuttletown Recreation Area offers easy access to fishing spots with clean facilities. "Camped there in October of 2015. Water level in the New Melones Lake was quite low at that time and it is kind of an off-season time to visit this recreation area so campground was not crowded at all," notes reviewer Mon M.
Hiking local trails: The 2-3 hour loop trail around Pinecrest Lake provides scenic views for all skill levels. "The hike around the lake was beautiful too, roughly 2-3 hr hike with some great views," says Ruben N. about his experience at Pinecrest Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution in this region creates exceptional night sky viewing conditions. "The stars were so so beautiful, you can see the milky-way and in the morning you're greeted by cows outside the fence!" explains Brenna R. about her stay at Diamond Gulch.
Water activities beyond swimming: Lake Camanche offers diverse water recreation beyond basic swimming. "The water isn't freezing, it's usually pretty warm. The lake isn't huge, but makes for great boating," reports Kellie D., who visits yearly with family.
What campers like
Eco-friendly yurt options: Diamond Gulch maintains environmentally conscious yurt sites with natural surroundings. "The host was super helpful even at night when we didn't find our designated spot (even though it had super obvious signs - our fault). Super lovely host and a beautiful ranch," says Be L.
Affordable accommodation alternatives: Yurt camping costs typically range from $75-100 per night in this region, making it more economical than hotels. "We stayed in a Yurt and it was absolutely amazing. We ended up coming in really late but they left our key for us. They were super accommodating. The price for the yurt was like $100 a night and when we split that up, it was nothing!" explains Emily Grace M. about her stay at Yosemite Pines.
Wildlife encounters: Many campers report deer sightings throughout the campgrounds. "Deer are fearless & majestic, several 'packs' walked through our campsite all throughout Sunday night when everyone else was gone. They walked up to us to smell our campfire & our food," shares Katie K. from her experience at Lake Tulloch RV Campground.
Varied campsite layouts: Sites range from lake-adjacent to shaded forest settings. "We were lucky to have a spot at the dead center of the top of the mountain looking out at the lake (site 13) with a big shade tree," notes another Lake Tulloch visitor.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty or no reception. "No cell service. Have to drive about 4 miles west to get signal. Sporadic signal in the park. WiFi is subscription at sites. It was $14.95 for a week. Very intermittent," advises andrew about Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes.
Water level fluctuations: Lake levels can vary significantly depending on drought conditions and season. "Sites that are right on the lake can end up being hundreds of feet from the lake if the water level is low. Early summer is the best time to go for high lake levels," cautions Darin D. about lake-adjacent camping.
Summer temperature management: Daytime temperatures frequently exceed 100°F in July and August. "107 daytime temps were quelled by dunking ourselves in the lake and taking excursions to some of the other local wonders," shares Scott R. about coping with the heat.
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. "We've been camping here for 10 years now. Always 4+ campsites for 4-5 days around July 4th weekend (reserve at least 6 months out)," advises Julie E. about planning ahead.
Tips for camping with families
Look for designated family areas: Some campgrounds separate family and party areas for quieter stays. "East side of CG seems to accommodate more for families with kids while west side is better for RVs," notes John G. about Angels Camp Campground.
Check for kid-friendly amenities: Pools, playgrounds, and organized activities enhance family camping. "With a pool, petting zoo, a corral where they have a fire and s'mores followed by a movie, this is a great place to camp with the kids," shares Jeanette D. about family facilities.
Scout bathroom proximity: Family sites with nearby facilities reduce nighttime treks. "First time up and it's so nice and peaceful. Stayed in the cabin that sleeps 6. Super nice, close to the bathrooms," explains Amanda V. about selecting convenient accommodations.
Verify beach conditions: Not all lakeside campsites have suitable swimming areas for children. "The shores in certain areas are filled with big rocks and don't make it very fun for trying to swim in the water," warns one camper about conditions to check before booking.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Choose locations based on hookup needs and space requirements. "We didn't care to be packed like sardines, so we opted for one of the middle sites. Hardly anyone was in these sites so it was quiet and spacious. No problem with full-hookups," advises Erin S.
Prepare for tight navigation: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads for larger rigs. "Hard to get to but has buses to Yosemite. The campground has nice views, but wow, what a scary drive up a curvy mountainous road to get to it," warns Sarah L. about route planning.
Bring adapters for power options: Some sites offer limited amperage options. "There are only a handful of 50amp spots and people move to them quickly after someone leaves. Lots of 30amp though so you might want to bring an adapter," recommends William V.
Check dump station availability and fees: Not all campgrounds include this service in site fees. "They have a nice dump station ($8 fee recommended.. pay station is at park entrance). Lots of deer and raccoons," notes Hunter P. about Tuttletown facilities.
