3 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Auburn Gold Country RV Park offers full hookup sites with 50-amp electric service, water, and sewer connections approximately 30 miles northwest of Cool. The park includes concrete RV pads suitable for larger motorhomes and fifth wheels with adequate space for slide-outs. Thousand Trails Ponderosa provides riverfront RV camping in Lotus with water and electric hookups but no sewer at individual sites. Ghost Mountain RV Campground in Pollock Pines features 30-amp service and accommodates big rigs on relatively level sites, though the campground requires membership access for most visitors. Sites throughout the region are typically arranged close together, particularly during peak seasons. "The sites are a bit pricey at around $70 a night, and many spots were very uneven, making it difficult to level our RV."
Advance reservations are essential for RV camping in the Auburn-Cool area, especially during summer months and autumn when temperatures are mild. Road access varies significantly between parks, with some properties requiring navigation of winding mountain roads with elevation changes. Dump stations are available at most RV campgrounds in the area, though several parks charge additional service fees for using them. "One campground charged a $20 service fee for dumping, which feels like a bit of a rip-off since you end up doing it all by yourself anyway," noted a visitor. Most RV parks in the area remain open year-round, providing consistent access to Sierra foothills recreation. Pet policies generally allow dogs with standard restrictions, and propane services can be found in nearby towns rather than at the campgrounds themselves. Checking individual RV campground listings for current hookup availability and access road conditions before booking is advisable, as site details can change between seasons.
"I like the place pros would be doing just water and electric hook up so your away from the croud,clean and quiet, great wifi, cons next to freeway, expensive,no firepit but have a communal fire pit,but"
"Mini train ride around park, great playground, mini golf, showed movie and a lot more awesomeness. Was not cheap but kept the kids entertained. Will be going back."
from $75 - $107 / night
"It’s great for kids that want to ride bikes around the sites- but be careful of the river, it’s swift."
"Once I figured out the sites I had people move their cars so we could back in…. Lucky us we get next to a resident that lives there and is so rude!"
"We had just bought our trailer and went there with check it our with our daughter and son-in-law as a day trip to mountains."
"About 1.5hr from Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe. Built thick forest of the Sierra mountains. Nice size campsites. Water and Electricity only."
"When we got there we could not find the black water hookup. He came out and helped us get all connected. Most lots are used by permanent residents. I did not see any children."
"New fences between back in sites, which was nice. Saved a couple bucks because we didn't need sewer. The office was super nice and let us have guests, no problem."
"Our site had several old rugs and leveling Timbers left behind, for example. Most sites are neither flat nor level, but close enough to get level. The setting is magnificent."
"Thousand Trails Lake Minden Tiny Park, Giant Heart
We spent three weeks at Lake Minden and, to be honest, judged it too quickly."
"This is a Thousand trails camp ground. Its has a small (very small) lake. Good fishing for fun."
"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."
"There's hiking access to the river, and almost never anybody at this campground. It's scenic privacy at it's best. Hike up or downstream for some really great swimming holes."
from $15 / night
"We have everything we need here; FHU, laundry, clean showers and bathrooms, great dog park, friendly staff. They pick up trash. Sites are pull- through, gravel and fairly **level. **"
"The amenities are pretty great, lovely pool, petting zoo and my favorite the fenced dog park. Oh and they have a dog wash with leash clip!!!"
from $58 - $100 / night
"I love camping where you are at a place where you can get shower and electric"
"General: This is a HUGE RV park (a Sun Resort) with back-in, pull-through sites, and cabins."
"We checked out the pond, playground, volleyball and shuffleboard areas, but spent most of the time in the pool, it was a hot weekend."
TravelerClean bathrooms, staff was very friendly, onsite fire wood. There is a store 5 minutes away if you forgot supplies. There are black bears that come every night according to the host but don’t bother unless you don’t store your food properly. The water is clean and cool. The views are stunning and the overall experience was amazing.
ScoutThis campground was uniquely located close to the Bear River and Lake Rollins. It allowed both exterior and interior access. It was located right in the middle of the Tahoe forest
GuideFriendly staff and a camp host selling firewood. Clean flush toilets and hot showers for 50 cents. A little difficult to find a level spot for a van in the dry camping area, and most spots were right on the side of the road. It would be more enjoyable if one could pull off into the dirt area for level spots out of the main drag.
ScoutClean, well managed and great location. Can walk to historic downtown.
TravelerNothing fancy. Looks like they are building a fence and trying to improve the place. A lot of street noise and free roamers walking through the camp sites.
ScoutFirst ever RV use. Has good water and power, toilets and one shower that I didn’t test. Cost $58 usd.
GuideThis site does not recognize any state or federal pass the rate starts for 40 a day then they charge per person and per pet grand total for a one night stay with hookups 62$ for one RV one person one dog . 
RangerVery nice 1970 style park most spots only has water and electricity. Section X is full hook ups and close to all amenities. Lots of deers and gray squirrels playing about the park. Nice beach area with rental boats. Restrooms and laundry areas in good shape. This is a nice area to camp.
TravelerIncredible campground! All campers were super respectful of the quiet hours and the campground hosts were great. They work very hard to keep the campground clean. The river isn’t super easy to access but there’s a rope to help you down to the river access spot. The section of the river throughout the campground is claimed so no panning. We loved our stay and can’t wait to go back.
Camping sites near Cool, California range from basic to full-service options scattered throughout the Sierra foothills. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 1,200 and 2,500 feet, creating moderate temperatures compared to the Sacramento Valley below. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing at night while summer days frequently reach 90°F.
River activities: The South Yuba River provides excellent swimming holes with clear water and recreational opportunities. "The river is beloved by kayakers and swimmers. Perfect snow melt means August is the prime time," notes a visitor to South Yuba Campground. Many campsites throughout the region offer river access for fishing and water recreation.
Hiking trails: Multiple hiking paths connect directly to campgrounds. "There's hiking access to the river, and almost never anybody at this campground. It's scenic privacy at its best. Hike up or downstream for some really great swimming holes," reports a camper at South Yuba. Several campgrounds feature established trail systems for morning walks or more challenging excursions.
Local attractions: Wine tasting in nearby Plymouth provides day trip opportunities. One camper at 49er Village RV Resort mentioned, "This is not our usual type of camping experience, but since we met friends at a nearby winery, this worked for us since we did not want to drive far."
Privacy at certain locations: Some sites offer more seclusion than others. "This is one of the best sites there is. There's hiking access to the river, and almost never anybody at this campground," reports a reviewer at South Yuba Campground. Certain areas provide much more space between sites than the typical RV park arrangement.
Family amenities: Kid-friendly features remain a top priority for many. "The kids loved the stocked fishing ponds, and even better was the immaculate 2 swimming pools and playground! Everyone was busy having fun the whole time," writes a visitor to 49er Village RV Resort.
Natural setting: Despite proximity to urban areas, many campgrounds maintain wooded environments. "Nestled in the pine forest of the Sierra foothills gold country, this park has the potential for greatness," noted a camper at Dutch Flat RV Resort. The pine forest setting creates natural shade at many sites.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, particularly during peak seasons. For example, at Placerville RV Resort, a reviewer noted: "We had a great experience at the Placerville KOA. The staff was very welcoming and the grounds are organized and clean."
Price variations: Costs differ significantly between facilities, with most charging additional fees. "If you don't have the premium hookup spots, you got to pay 20$ 'Service Fee' for dumping. Idk why because you end up doing it all by yourself as usual anyway," observed a visitor at Auburn Gold Country RV Park.
Seasonal considerations: Winter access can be challenging due to snow at higher elevations. A Dutch Flat RV Resort camper mentioned: "We were in the area during a short pause in a string of hundred year storms. Before we left, insurance adjusters showed up to inspect some resident campers."
Noise factors: Traffic sounds affect certain locations more than others. "Have stayed here several times. Has been run down in the past but seems to be improving on our last visit a couple of weeks ago. Clean restrooms and cable and Wifi have been improved. Is very noisy near the 50 freeway, not much you can do about that," reported a Placerville reviewer.
Kid-friendly campgrounds: Facilities with dedicated recreation areas score highest with families. "We stayed 4 days at this park and had the best time!! The kids loved the stocked fishing ponds, and even better was the immaculate 2 swimming pools and playground!" shared a 49er Village visitor. These amenities keep children engaged throughout longer stays.
Safety considerations: Swift rivers require appropriate precautions. A visitor to Thousand Trails Ponderosa advised: "This is a well maintained RV and tent camping resort. It's great for kids that want to ride bikes around the sites- but be careful of the river, it's swift. Lots of great fishing, floating, and kayak accessibly. Bring tubes and life vests."
Entertainment options: On-site activities provide convenient entertainment. "Mini train ride around park, great playground, mini golf, showed movie and a lot more awesomeness. Was not cheap but kept the kids entertained," reported a Placerville RV Resort visitor.
Site selection strategy: At Thousand Trails Ponderosa, one RVer advised: "They have different sections that cost more... the closer you are to the river, the more it will cost. It ranges from $5 to $20 bucks more a night." Understanding price tiers helps with budget planning.
Leveling challenges: Many RV sites near Cool require adjustment. "Was very uneven, couldn't get the RV level," noted a camper at Auburn Gold Country RV Park. Bringing extra leveling blocks proves essential at most locations.
Space considerations: Site dimensions vary significantly between properties. A Thousand Trails Ponderosa camper observed: "The sites are so, so small you can't even extend your awning all the way." Larger rigs should call ahead to confirm appropriate accommodations for slides and awnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Cool, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Cool, CA is Placerville RV Resort & Campground with a 3.0-star rating from 5 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 202 RV camping locations near Cool, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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