Sardine Lake's glamping options feature comfortable canvas accommodations at this hidden Sierra Nevada gem, with sites perfectly positioned near stunning alpine lakes and hiking trails. The glamping sites boast picnic tables, drinking water access, and fire rings, while accommodating both walk-in and drive-in visitors seeking an elevated outdoor experience. Little Bear RV Park offers additional glamping accommodations with modern amenities including full hookups, showers, and trash service in a picturesque setting. One visitor noted, "Despite the beautiful Joshua trees this campground is not a great place to stay. The roads are in terrible condition, trash is strewn throughout, and staff is less than friendly or helpful."
Glampers enjoy direct access to spectacular water recreation at Jackson Meadows Reservoir from East Meadow Campground, where several luxury canvas tents provide comfortable beds and rustic furnishings. Swimming at Sand Pond, paddleboarding on crystal-clear alpine lakes, and hiking to Sierra Buttes create memorable outdoor experiences. The nearby Thousand Trails Snowflower property includes yurt accommodations with heated interiors and comfortable furnishings for year-round glamping possibilities. A recent visitor mentioned, "We had great time at sardine lake campground. Great place for active families. Gorgeous view of sardine lake and sand pond in walking distance and lots of other lakes around the area." The most popular glamping locations require advance reservations, particularly during the peak season from May through October.
"The typical Sierra granite spires around the lake make for the scenery. There's a bar/shack on the water at the resort which is so cute and fun too."
"We had great time at sardine lake campground. Great place for active families. Gorgeous view of sardine lake and sand pond in walking distance and lots of other lakes around the area."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $48 / night
"So remote and private but everything you need at the campground with water access within walking distance. Sites are great with picnic tables and bathrooms near by."
"Bugs were minimal, a far cry from about 3 weeks ago at a nearby site. We were in Site 16, which has the ‘camp’ side opposite of our camper door - only reason we gave 4 stars & not 5."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $48 / night
"Surprised how well maintained and friendly staff assisting with set up. Nice dog large area without enclosed fencing. All short term campers are located in the center very cozy."
"The staff was friendly. The bathroom/shower was closed and I wish there had been easier access to the river but other than that it was a great place to stay."
from $39 - $47 / night
"The common house has a fully stocked kitchen so you can camp without having to bring supplies! The campground is exceptionally clean and meticulously maintained."
"It’s clean, has great amenities (pool, showers, kitchen, bathrooms), and it’s a nice walk away from town. It has a spot for everyone - RVs, glamping tents, and the standard tent sites (my style)."
"Everything is paved, and all of the sites are within walking distance of the reservoir. This campsite is extremely family-friendly, and I will be bringing my family back here in the future!"
"The campsite was close to other campers, but not right on top of them. The location is ideal. Bathrooms were the least favorite part, only one bathroom (with 4 stalls?)"
from $32 / night
"Very pretty views of the valley from the campground, and having hiking trails start from the campground was really nice. Only complaints are very close neighbors and little shade."
"*pros: great little market, very nice staff, clean, great views *cons: rocky watch your step, especially at the beach and a long the shore."
"We’ve been to Collins Lake a few times and we love it! Lots of different camping spots and the lake is stocked with fish. Ice cream at the store is a must."
"Great lake for swimming and water play. Too warm for trout and too small for kayaks/SUPs. But it does make a beautiful backdrop.
The park is rather spread out, so a bicycle/ebike is a plus.""I am a member of Thousand Trails and that being said this is one of my favorite TT spots in California. Family friendly, great little Lake for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding."
"This campground had riding trails that could bring you to Sly Creek and secret camping sites that a quad or 4 wheel drive could find. It's closed until 2023 due to the fires."
"Small lake perfect for kayak fishing."
"Nice campground at great lake. Nice water for swimming. Fire rings and benches for each site. A dirt road to get to the campsite, but doable for experienced drivers or high clearance cars."
GuideThis site does not recognize any state or federal pass the rate starts for 40 a day then they charge per person and per pet grand total for a one night stay with hookups 62$ 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.
TravelerSAFETY HAZARDS: So many trees cut down with branches and debris left over and not picked up by the contractor or the USFS that could cause injury or death. Imagine tripping or falling in a hole and being punctured by pointy branches. I am sure this was not inspected after the contractor left or prior to departure.
HEALTH: Womens bathroom was open on Saturday 12 Sep 26, but then it was locked on Sunday 13 Sep 26. Water spigots were also turned off outside. The RV dump station down the street was also closed too. Not sure what happening here as it is not the end of the season yet.
SITES: Images online are not current/out-of-date, don't trust it. Many sites including mine had a lot of trees and now it has 1 or 2, with many stumps and debris left behind. Many sites have zero trees now. Our 20ft campervan barely fit on the asphalt pad and many were only about 10-15 feet long and then others were over 50. I guess you take a chance on what is real and what is not.
SIDEBAR: Over at the North campground, I saw cleanup crews with chainsaws doing work within 10-15 feet of a family who was camping and eating breakfast at the table. I would think this would be a not only a noise issue but also flying debris issue. I guess the USFS does not care about safety of the paying public.
OVERALL: I understand fire prevention, but when you cut down living trees and leave behind the branches and such to dry out, now that is a new fire hazard along with the safety hazard. So sad to see such nice campgrounds being turned into such eyesores and hazards. If you have small children, senior citizens or pets, I would strongly urge you not to make a reservation here. If you just need to a place to park your camper(not tent) then it would be okay as long as you are away during the day as there is very limited shade now. Oh, I forget to say my parents raised me here and they lived here after I went in the Navy and this is an embarrassment to the Almanor Ranger District in Chester.
GuideSpent two nights in site 13, it was the site directly across from the camp host. Host was kind, very present and always cleaning and ensuring the camp was spotless! DO NOT take a trailer beyond the little gate to the “back” of the camp ground, the northern most part. We took our 32’ trailer through the gate because satellite images show a cul-dê-sac like turn around area. It is still present, however it is also a campsite and with people occupying the site, turning around is impossible. We had to back our trailer back down the road and into the main area again.
Bathrooms are clean! River nearby was refreshing and has a few small human made dams that allow for wading and safe play areas for kiddos. Chilly nights and hot days!
Scout5 stars for the campground itself. I've been camping at Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park since 1984, when I was just 20 years old. I have loved every camping trip since(at least 30 plus times)! The campsites are great, the grounds, and trails are well-maintained, and safe. I love that the general store is easy to get to and has ice and extras that we may have forgotten to bring. However, we have noticed over past few years that the restrooms in the campground have become increasingly filthy. I get that people walk in with dirt all over their shoes, so of course the floors will be dirty, but it's unacceptable to allow the toilets to be so gross! I will leave out the unpleasant details! I asked a young park ranger how often the restrooms are cleaned and he said every day. Apparently they source out the cleaning. It's obvious that all they do is sweep the floors, empty the trash and provide more TP. The sinks, and floors look like they haven't been scrubbed in a long time, and I noticed the toilets looked as bad the day we got there to the day they left. I remember in the 80's and 90's seeing rangers doing a very thorough cleaning each morning. We would walk in and could smell the cleaning chemicals, and the floor would be wet from mopping. Also, the showers are dirty too. They removed the benches in the individual shower stalls so there's no place to put your clean clothes. Do better Lodgepole!
TravelerSimply put, I am embarrassed to say that this one was opened with major safety issues. I was even told by a person at the Almanor Ranger Office in Chester that they were forced to open this campground.
Safety issues:
-Trees were fell and slash was left behind without cleanup by contractor.
-Boulders were moved and above mentioned slash was covering the holes left by the moved boulders creating major safety trip/fall hazards. These hazards could cause twisted and/or broken legs and feet and more.
-Fire Hazard: Above mentioned slash was left behind everywhere for it to dry out an become a major fire hazard. Yes, the camp site around the table and fire ring was cleared, but only by about 10-15 feet.
-Limited walking areas: As the slash was left behind, areas for walking or the kids playing was like walking in a minefield. Even on the paved drive path, there is holes and to move out of the way for trucks/campers requires movement onto the above ,mentioned slash that was not cleaned up.
I grew up in this area and after being gone in the military for over 30 years, I came home. This poor campground is a disgrace and I am deeply saddened by the condition the USFS and it's contractor left it in. If I was in charge, I would not have let it open for public use due to the safety issues.
What a shame.
GuideVery popular in the summer!! Amazing lake front campsites with incredible views. Also kind of pricey. There’s onsite security and a big store with delicious icecream. Totally incredible fishing opportunities.
RangerLovely spots, no hookups, close to the highway but far enough off we couldn’t hear it. Stream is lovely, wish we had more time to spend.
GuideWe stayed here on a Saturday night and there was only one other camper there. Easy to get level in our truck camper. Great little spot, only $10, clean vault toilet, our site was huge, would definitely camp again!
Glamping close to Downieville, California offers an elevated camping experience in the Sierra Nevada mountains at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 7,000 feet. The region experiences warm summer days with temperatures typically between 75-85°F and cool nights dropping to 45-55°F. Most glamping sites remain open from late May through mid-October due to seasonal snowfall that makes winter access challenging.
Swimming at clear mountain lakes: Lake of the Woods provides excellent swimming opportunities with its shallow areas featuring white sand. "Nice water for swimming. Fire rings and benches for each site. A dirt road to get to the campsite, but doable for experienced drivers or high clearance cars," notes one Lake of the Woods visitor.
Hiking to scenic viewpoints: The Sierra Buttes trail system offers challenging terrain with significant elevation gain. A visitor to Sardine Lake mentions, "I would recommend hiking up to the Buttes if you're looking for a challenge. Be sure to stop at Bassett's for some icecream on your way out!" Many trails connect directly to Sardine Lake campground, making it convenient for day hikers.
Fishing in stocked waters: Multiple lakes in the area maintain healthy fish populations. "Great fishing in the lower lake," reports a Sardine Lake camper, while another notes that Lake of the Woods is "a small lake perfect for kayak fishing."
Proximity to multiple water bodies: The region features numerous lakes within short driving distances. "Gorgeous view of sardine lake and sand pond in walking distance and lots of other lakes around the area," reports one camper, while another adds, "The lake is beautiful and Sand Pond is great for swimming."
Peace and seclusion: Many campers appreciate the quiet atmosphere. One Inn Town Campground visitor notes, "Close to town but feels like faraway. Very nice campground. Next to train museum. Great common area. Lots of places to explore."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain good standards. At East Meadow Campground, a visitor appreciates that "They have flush toilets and bear boxes which makes it nice for those of us that tent camp. Close to the water and sites have plenty of space."
Seasonal insects: Mosquitoes can be problematic in certain areas, particularly near water. A visitor to Lake of the Woods warns, "The mosquitoes were gone by the morning but mosquitoes do love hanging out by the water."
Variable site quality: Not all sites offer equal amenities or views. At East Meadow Campground, one camper notes, "First time there and we reserved a spot, site 21 and the door of our camper wasn't facing our camp. I noticed a few sites like that. It's pretty tight spaces and not a lot of privacy."
Limited cell service: Most glamping locations have minimal or no connectivity. "There's no cell service and no services at the campsite so pick up firewood from the one motel/cafe/gas/market on the way in," advises a Sardine Lake visitor.
Advance planning required: First-come, first-served sites fill quickly during peak season. As noted for Lake of the Woods, "Spots are first come first served and can fill up quickly."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Downieville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Downieville, CA is Sardine Lake with a 4.9-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Downieville, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 32 glamping camping locations near Downieville, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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