Camping near Diamond Springs, California centers around the foothills of the Sierra Nevada at elevations ranging from 1,800-3,500 feet, creating distinct seasonal experiences with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Access routes include Highway 50 and several county roads that branch through gold country, with campgrounds often nestled among oak woodlands and pine forests that provide natural shade during peak summer temperatures.
What to do
Gold panning adventures: Visit Coloma Resort for authentic gold panning experiences in historic gold country. "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 camper Jill F.
Lake activities: Sly Park Recreation Area offers extensive water recreation on Jenkinson Lake. "The lake is GORGEOUS and amazingly cool during the summer, and we also love winter camping in the snow as well. Lots of hiking, biking, and equine camping which is so fun to see," shares Carly D. The stars are particularly visible here due to minimal light pollution.
Hiking to waterfalls: Many campsites provide access to waterfall hikes within walking distance. A camper at Sly Park noted, "The hike to the waterfall is wonderful and depending where you start depends on length. You have to see it though! 33ft and the perfect spot to swim when it warms up."
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: American River Resort features premium sites directly on the South Fork American River. "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," explains Chris U.
Historic town access: Many glamping sites near Diamond Springs provide easy access to historic Gold Rush towns. "We are going back in august and can't wait. Looking forward to rafting in the river! It was neat to walk across the bridge and check out the old historic mining town," states Whiffaroni M. after staying at Coloma Resort.
Seasonal beauty changes: The camping experience varies dramatically by season. "It's a very popular camping spot, so I recommend planning and reserving sometimes several months in advance. Weekends book up quickly, but weekday camping is easy to find," advises a camper at Finnon Lake Recreation Area.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Peak season requires advance planning for glamping close to Diamond Springs, California. "You have to book way ahead of time, but it's well worth it," explains a camper at Coloma Resort who enjoyed the balance between comfort and natural settings.
Site spacing considerations: Campground layouts vary significantly in this area. "The spaces are a bit small but clean. The bathrooms are spotless and they offer a lot of amenities for families," reports Susan S. about her stay. At other locations like Peninsula Campground, you might find "with only us and two other folks in the entire campground we enjoyed privacy and seclusion."
Fire restrictions: Seasonal fire bans often impact camping in this region. Some glamping options maintain designated fire areas with staff supervision even during restrictions. Multiple campsites offer firewood for purchase, typically priced at $10 per bundle as noted by a camper at American River Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly glamping sites: Camp Nauvoo offers family-oriented glamping with 85 acres to explore. "This place is a hidden gem! It's beautiful, clean, and kid friendly. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there," shares Beth G. about her family's experience.
Safety around water features: Many glamping sites feature river or lake access requiring supervision. A Peninsula Campground visitor notes, "In the summer months the lake is very busy and the hills are brown with dried grass. But in the early spring it is quite, especially here, with green grass and wild turkeys."
Structured activities: Some resorts offer organized recreation beyond swimming and hiking. At Coloma Resort, a camper mentioned, "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."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions and access: Narrow, winding mountain roads present challenges for larger RVs. At American River Resort, a camper advised, "I would be very cautious about coming here with a larger RV. Ours is 30' bumper to bumper. I think 32 would be ok."
Power considerations: Placerville RV Resort & Campground offers full hookups but requires careful reservation selection. "If you are expecting a full-hookup site, make sure it has septic at your site! Many of the sites are water and electric only, and you have to use the one dump station at the camp entrance for dumping," warns HandL C.
Shade availability: RV sites with natural shade provide relief during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F. "We were in an okay spot, small and angled funky but still it's a wonderful place," notes an RV camper about their glamping-style setup with added amenities beyond traditional camping.
