Northern Plumas County and the surrounding area offers RV camping options near Downieville, California, within the Tahoe National Forest. At elevations ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 feet, campers experience moderate summer temperatures typically between 70-85°F during peak season. Winter closures affect most RV parks Downieville visitors consider, with the majority operating only from April through October due to snow conditions.
What to do
Swimming in the Yuba River: Loganville Campground provides direct access to swimming spots. "There is a path down to the Yuba River, where you can get in the water or float on a tube. The best part about this campground is the river," notes Julie D., who camped there multiple July weekends.
Fishing at nearby lakes: South Yuba Campground sits near excellent fishing opportunities. "Clear water, lovely pools. Expect nudity as it is Northern California. The river is beloved by kayakers and swimmers. Perfect snow melt means August is the prime time," explains Anna R.
Hiking to swimming holes: The area features numerous hiking trails to secluded water spots. "Hike up or downstream for some really great swimming holes," recommends J.d. E. about South Yuba Campground, noting its "scenic privacy at its best" with rarely crowded conditions.
What campers like
Natural wildlife encounters: Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs offers frequent wildlife sightings. "Each day a family of deer came thru our site and were so tame they ate fruit right out of the kids' hands. So cool!" shares Nicole G., who visited during August.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Little Bear RV Park receives consistent praise for upkeep. "This park is absolutely beautiful! The grass is so green, dogs have an area to play, you are right next to a river that you can tube down, and shade from the trees is perfect on a hot day!" reports Kelsea R.
Swimming in lakes: Lake-based recreation attracts many campers. "We spent practically the whole wknd in the lake. It was the perfect temperature to sit in for hours. No motorized water craft kept it quiet," describes Nicole G. about Lake of the Springs.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the area have poor connectivity. "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," warns John T. about South Yuba.
Railroad noise: Some RV parks near Downieville have nearby train tracks. Little Bear RV Park has "railroad tracks along side of park and loud in early hours you got use to it," according to Angela G.
Seasonal bugs: Lake Francis Resort and other waterfront locations can have mosquito issues in summer months. One Lake of the Springs camper notes, "We went during COVID so the pool and some other amenities were closed," but still enjoyed water recreation despite seasonal conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Clio's Rivers Edge RV Park offers designated play areas. "Kid friendly with activities and play areas. Pet park for off leash play! Clean and friendly staff!" reports Ben W.
Swimming options for children: Lakes provide safer swimming alternatives to rivers. "The lake is beautiful too," Nicole R. mentions about Lake of the Springs, which offers gentler swimming conditions than fast-flowing rivers.
Cabin rentals for convenience: Lake Francis Resort offers cabin accommodations. "We stayed at the Diamond P cabin which has the best view of the lake within this group of cabins. You can walk to the lake (it's about 100 yards) from this location," explains Gina C., noting amenities like "two bedrooms, each with twin bunk beds and a full bottom bunk and twin above."
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Movin' West RV Park receives praise despite tight quarters. "It would be even better if there was more space between each RV spot. It feels like your neighbor is right there in your business all the time. They put up fences to give some semblance of privacy but it doesn't really help because they are only partial fences," notes Jeff B.
Electrical reliability: Power issues affect some parks seasonally. About Lake of the Springs, Eric P. reports, "There wasn't a single day when some campsite didn't have electrical issues, in fact they turned a lot of their RV sites into Tent Sites because of electrical issues."
Park location advantages: Proximity to towns provides convenience. "Movin west is perfect being so close to town and the brewery ronin is a short bike ride away," Travis C. shares about staying near Graeagle, a common base for RV enthusiasts exploring Downieville and surrounding areas.
