Diamond Springs sits at approximately 1,800 feet elevation in California's Gold Country, with seasonal camping options available throughout the year. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F while winter brings occasional snowfall at higher elevations nearby. Several top camping destinations feature historical sites connected to the 1848 gold discovery that transformed the region.
What to do
Gold panning experiences: At Coloma Resort, visitors can try their hand at traditional gold panning. "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 camper.
Lake activities: Sly Park Recreation Area offers multiple water recreation options on Jenkinson Lake. "Jenkinson lake is beautiful to kayak or paddleboard on and you can also rent for $20/hr + $10/hr after that. This is a nice campground to stay in and paddling around the lake is wonderful," reports a visitor.
Historic exploration: Near many campgrounds, you can visit preserved Gold Rush sites. "Coloma resort is walking distance from the historic town of Coloma and the Argonaut for breakfast and lunch (and Gelato!) Pool, playground, basketball and soccer - will definitely be back with the kids soon," shares one camper.
Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds provide direct access to biking trails. "Lots of great hiking trails, Great Lake for boating and water activities," mentions a visitor to Peninsula Campground, where the 8-mile Darrington Trail ends at the campground.
What campers like
River access: The swift currents of the American River create opportunities for rafting and swimming. "Campground was clean and well taken care of. 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," says a visitor to Camp Lotus.
Camping facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained amenities. "For the amount of people in the area, there isn't many bathroom stalls. Yet, we somehow never ran into any long lines. There's a lot of people, kids, bikes, and dogs. It's highly stimulating environment but everyone was very friendly," notes a visitor to Coloma Resort.
Natural surroundings: The forests and lakeshores provide scenic camping settings. "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) staff used mask at all times. The River was not crowded at all," explains a camper at American River Resort.
Winter camping: Some sites remain open year-round with fewer crowds. "We stayed the weekend at a great site. It was cold with a little rain but was very fun. I really enjoy this campground. Water level was low and this time of year the water spickets are off," says a winter visitor to Sly Park Recreation Area.
What you should know
Site selection matters: The terrain at many campgrounds creates significant differences between sites. "We picked a site away from everyone else at the other end of the campground with a stunning view over the lake. Highly recommended for a spring visit," advises a Peninsula Campground visitor.
Off-season benefits: Spring visits offer unique advantages. "Another mid-week quick adventure two weeks before spring. Weather in the Sierra foothills in early March is perfect for a couple day getaway from the colder temperatures and snow in the higher elevations where we live," reports a camper.
Electrical capacity: Power can be inconsistent at some locations. "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 a visitor to American River Resort.
Reservation planning: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially riverside sites. "You have to book way ahead of time, but it's well worth it. You can pan for gold, relax, or bike, hike along the river, and kids can play along several playgrounds for kids of different ages," advises a Coloma Resort camper.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated facilities for children. "Great place to camp with the kids. Staff was very nice and friendly and let us pick a spot. Price was very reasonable for dry spot $28," notes a visitor to Beals Point Campground.
Swimming safety: River currents can be strong in certain areas. "The Sacramento area gets very hot in the summer, and this campground provides some but not a ton of shade. If you plan on going to the lake late in the evening, know that the rangers are pretty serious about their curfew," warns a Beals Point camper.
Educational opportunities: Many campgrounds offer environmental learning experiences. "There is a nice trail down to the water, and is dog friendly. Bathrooms were kept clean and stocked with TP," mentions a camper describing trails with educational signage.
Wildlife encounters: Local wildlife can be part of the camping experience. "Wildlife is off the chain here. As others have said, if you don't love being surrounded by wild animals, this will probably be a bit much for you," advises a Peninsula Campground visitor.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many campgrounds have restrictions on larger RVs. "I would be very cautious about coming here with a larger RV. Ours is 30' bumper to bumper. I think 32 would be ok," cautions an American River Resort visitor.
Road conditions: Access roads to some of the best places to camp near Diamond Springs can be challenging. "You have to drive down a long windy narrow road to get here, which is the worst part, so it's best to come prepared to stay put for as long as possible once you're here," notes a Peninsula Campground camper.
Site spacing: RV sites at some campgrounds offer limited space. "The park is a little more 'stack and pack' than we like, but the view of the river made up for it. Nice park to spend the holidays," shares a visitor to Thousand Trails Ponderosa.
Services available: Some campgrounds offer additional RV services. "They don't have sewer so you can dump it yourself at a dump area on the campground or have a service come to you and do it for $25," explains a camper at Thousand Trails Ponderosa.
