Best Campgrounds near Emigrant Gap, CA

Campgrounds near Emigrant Gap, California range from established sites with amenities to more primitive options throughout the Tahoe National Forest. The area includes Tahoe National Forest Onion Valley Campground, which accommodates both tent and RV camping with basic amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Thousand Trails Snowflower in Emigrant Gap offers year-round access with full hookups for RVs, cabin rentals, and tent sites. Several campgrounds in the region provide access to the North Fork of the American River and nearby lakes, creating opportunities for water recreation alongside camping experiences.

Road conditions and seasonal availability significantly impact camping options in the Emigrant Gap area. Most campgrounds operate from May through October, with winter closures due to snow at higher elevations. Rough roads leading to some campgrounds require careful driving, particularly after rain when unmaintained dirt roads develop ruts and become challenging to navigate. Cell service varies throughout the region, with limited connectivity in more remote camping areas. Visitors should be prepared for bear activity by using provided bear boxes for food storage. A visitor noted, "Some friends of ours love North Fork Campground just off I-80 at Emigrant Gap, so we were going to try it on the way back from the California coast to Reno... We saw that Onion Valley Campground was just a bit further. Nobody there, so we took a spot at the far end of the campground next to the meadow."

Proximity to water features represents a major draw for campers in the Emigrant Gap region. Several campgrounds provide access to lakes and rivers, with sites at Lake Spaulding and near the American River receiving positive reviews. Campers report varying levels of privacy between sites, with some offering spacious, separated areas while others place campers in closer proximity. Wildlife sightings, particularly bears, are common in the area, requiring proper food storage. The region's mixed-use nature means campers may encounter day visitors using trails, fishing spots, and swimming holes near established campgrounds. According to one review, "The campground has all the amenities you could need. Hot showers, clean drinking water, nice bathrooms, firewood for sale, picnic tables. There are hiking trails right near the campground and, of course, the beach."

Best Camping Sites Near Emigrant Gap, California (410)

    1. Lodgepole Campground

    5 Reviews
    Emigrant Gap, CA
    4 miles
    Website

    $32 / night

    "Great place to stay. 1 hours drive from Reno. Lake with in 5 minutes of the campground. Spots for RVs, travel trailers and/or just tent camping."

    "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?)"

    2. Giant Gap

    11 Reviews
    Gold Run, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 367-2224

    $24 - $48 / night

    "The site was spacious and a short walk to the reservoir and trail. We hiked around the entire reservoir and it was gorgeous."

    "The campsites are all very nice but 23 and 24 can’t be beat with the best access to the water ( you will have a lot of people walking by to get there also though)."

    3. Tahoe National Forest Onion Valley Campground

    5 Reviews
    Emigrant Gap, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 288-3231

    "Some friends of ours love North Fork Campground just off I-80 at Emigrant Gap, so we were going to try it on the way back from the California coast to Reno. "

    "Vault toilet near the entrance was in surprisingly good condition. The dump spot by the front was obviously not bear/raccoon proof enough and I assumed rangers hadn’t been through in a while."

    4. Lake Spaulding Campground

    4 Reviews
    Emigrant Gap, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (916) 386-5164

    "Quiet beautiful location"

    "We stayed here for a night before backpacking to Eagle Lakes, and it was a nice little wooded campground.  Very quiet, spacious sites.  Hiking along the lake is gorgeous. "

    5. Thousand Trails Snowflower

    6 Reviews
    Emigrant Gap, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

    "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."

    6. White Cloud

    6 Reviews
    Washington, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 478-6253

    $24 - $48 / night

    "The individual sites are distanced enough so it still feels private, bathrooms and water was available. Hiked the pioneer trail and then went swimming in the lake nearby."

    "It was only a 20-minute drive from home in Nevada City. We enjoyed hanging around the campground, took a cruise over to Rucker Lake for some exploring."

    7. North Fork Campground

    4 Reviews
    Emigrant Gap, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 265-4531

    $24 / night

    "There is a swim hole nearby. Road in is paved. Cool and convenient campground. There are separate grills in addition to fire rings."

    8. Bowman Campground

    7 Reviews
    Sierra City, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 265-4531

    "This lake and surrounding are beautiful. The drive in takes a long time over really rocky terrain. I traveled around 10 mph on the way in and out. At least three camps close to the water."

    "Awesome spot to camp, fish, off road, launch a kayak or paddle board"

    9. Rucker Lake Campground

    4 Reviews
    Emigrant Gap, CA
    4 miles
    Website

    "Got here on a Friday late afternoon and found a walk in spot close to the lake. Nice, quiet campground."

    "Definitely a gorgeous view all the way around! Lake was very warm and had a epic rope swing if you can find it."

    10. Faucherie Lake Group Campground

    5 Reviews
    Emigrant Gap, CA
    10 miles
    Website

    "We picked Faucherie as our destination and hit the trails in hopes of finding a spot.

    Portions of the trail got a bit rough, but manageable with higher clearance vehicles."

    "There’s is a pristine lake great to paddle out on and great trails to hike out to pools or waterfalls. I believe you need a reservation for the actual site but there’s always areas for thru hiking!"

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Recent Reviews near Emigrant Gap, CA

1269 Reviews of 410 Emigrant Gap Campgrounds


  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Washoe Lake State Park Campground

    Quiet but close to everything

    Stayed here overnight. Could easily stay here for a few days and see all the fun things around Reno, Carson City and Virginia City. Great camp hosts, clean showers, flush toilets, garbage and dump available.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Boca Reservoir - Water Recreation

    Wrong coordinates

    Use the coordinates to get to the Boca campground site and make a right, the exact coordinates will take you to a boat ramp , the campground itself was fire we stayed at site 25 , had a private walk way to the beach

  • J
    Sep. 17, 2025

    American River Resort

    Perfect match

    During our stay (mid of September) the place was empty and we had the most relaxed time we could have. RV site close to the river and some deers also crossing our ways on the campground

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Bowman Lake Dispersed

    Awesome site for SUVs

    Awesome site, stayed in my van on the boat launch. There are tent sites above the boat ramp with bear boxes and fire rings. Left side of tent sites is very loud due to the rushing river. Very secluded from others, only 2 others on the boat ramp in vans. do not attempt to do this in anything smaller than an SUv sedans would definitely not be able to make it to this site. Road has lots of holes and rocks sticking up out the ground.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    South Yuba Campground

    nice wooded campground

    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.

  • Summer C.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Shamrock RV Park

    Overflow sucks

    Not a fan. Came for the Reno Balloon Race; booked it 4 months in advance. But they only had overflow available. You have to call to make a reservation. They didn't disclose to me that the overflow is just a parking lot where their warehouse is(on the other side of their property). I think this should be on the website because otherwise, you have no idea what you signed up for until you arrive. There's no sewer hookup; you can dump at the end. You have to share the water hose with other Rv's during your stay. So you fill up your tank in the beginning. The electric hookup was fine and was 30 amp. However there was no grass for my dog to potty. Pottying my dog at night was not pleasant. The pool is under repair and currently not an available amenity, which should be disclosed on their website. The lot abutts a gravel company that transports rocks and it gets kind of noisy and dusty, even on weekends. I paid$50/day. I won't be staying there again. But the positives were that the staff were friendly and the place is clean.

  • M
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Tahoe National Forest Salmon Creek Campground

    First time here

    What a great camp site. We used site 31, with a tent. While it was a little rocky the site was great. Located near the restroom but not to close (if you know what I mean). The site is while in five to 15 mins of several lakes and breathtaking water falls. The walking trails being the grounds are easy and shady for those hot summer days.

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Mormon Emigrant Trail Dispersed Pull Off

    Good spot for a night or two but nothing here

    Easy to get to and easy to park at although not a great spot for tents. Unfortunately there was a massive fire here and there is nothing to look at but burned out trees.

  • Mar S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Clio's Rivers Edge RV Park

    Cute but small

    It’s a cute RV park, it’s clean and close to a little town the bad thing is that every space is so close to each other, you have next to you their services and it’s impossible to access your storage without bothering your neighbors.


Guide to Emigrant Gap

Campsite options near Emigrant Gap, California range in elevation from 4,500 to 5,500 feet in the western Sierra Nevada Mountains. Most camping areas sit among mixed conifer forests with ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and incense cedar trees. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, while summer highs typically reach the mid-80s with cool nights in the 50s.

What to do

Swimming in warm lakes: Rucker Lake Campground offers swimming in a lake that warms considerably during summer months. "This lake is a quiet getaway, with waterfront access and a warm lake," explains one camper. Another visitor adds, "Lake was very warm and had a epic rope swing if you can find it."

Mountain biking on Pioneer Trail: The trails around White Cloud Campground provide excellent mountain biking opportunities. "Pioneer trail is amazing for mountain biking and hiking," shares one visitor who stayed at White Cloud. Sites in this campground provide quick access to miles of forested single-track suitable for intermediate riders.

Paddleboarding on calm waters: For paddleboard enthusiasts, several lakes in the region offer ideal conditions. "We take our Kayaks and spend the day on the lake. It gets choppy in the afternoon so be aware," notes a visitor to Lake Spaulding Campground. Early morning paddling provides the calmest water conditions.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the separation between camping spots. "The campgrounds are set among huge boulders and can be very private," writes one visitor to Faucherie Lake. Another camper at North Fork Campground notes, "The campsites are all pretty close together and they fill up fast," showing the variability between locations.

Swimming holes on American River: The North Fork of the American River creates natural swimming areas near several campgrounds. "There is a trail at the back of the campground that leads to a gorgeous swimming spot that can get pretty busy on the weekends," reports a camper at North Fork Campground. These swimming holes provide relief during hot summer days.

Wildlife viewing: The forested settings around Emigrant Gap support diverse wildlife. "Meadow near the campgrounds is amazing and was perfect for my dog to frolic through. Frogs are noisy at night due to the streams that run nearby," shares a visitor to Onion Valley Campground. Bear activity requires proper food storage in all area campgrounds.

What you should know

Challenging access roads: Several campgrounds require navigating difficult roads. A visitor to Bowman Campground advises, "MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AN OFF ROAD VEHICLE. Great campsite but hard to get to. Not bad if you have a 4x4 that's lifted with some all terrain tires." Allow extra travel time when visiting remote sites.

Temperature variations: Despite summer daytime temperatures in the 80s, nights can be surprisingly cold. "We had not planned on freezing temperatures at night so we were limited on blankets. We came from 105°F back home to a balmy 55°F day here with frequent winds that increased the chill factor," reports one camper at Faucherie Lake.

Water availability: Many campgrounds lack potable water. A Rucker Lake visitor notes, "Bring a lot of drinking/dishes water (no spigots, no sinks)." Pack in all drinking water needed for your stay or bring purification methods if planning to use lake or stream water.

Tips for camping with families

Look for walk-in sites: Giant Gap Campground offers family-friendly accommodations. "We took our one year old and two dogs here and it was awesome. Close to the water which had a nice beach area. The bathrooms and campsites were very clean," shares a family camper.

Consider noise factors: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. "Awesome spots to camp, it's just insanely close to the 20 so you'll hear non-stop traffic," warns a visitor to White Cloud Campground. Choose sites farther from roads for quieter family camping.

Plan for bugs: Mosquitoes can be problematic in certain areas. "Our group's collective joy was short lived after we were beseeched with mosquitos. We spent the weekend trying to figure out why this camp is more bug-ridden than others and concluded that it is likely due to limited air currents through this secluded part of the forest," reports a family that stayed at Thousand Trails Snowflower.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup options: Thousand Trails Snowflower offers the most services for RVers. "There are sites with partial hookups (electric and water). Lake Tahoe is just 30 minutes west," explains an RV camper. Most other campsites near Emigrant Gap provide no hookups.

Site leveling challenges: RV campers should prepare for uneven sites. "RV sites are mostly electric and water only, and many aren't anywhere near level," advises an RVer who stayed at Snowflower. Bring leveling blocks and stabilizers for comfortable setup.

Dump station availability: Plan for limited waste disposal options. "Only one dump station was open (there are 3) so waited 30+ minutes to dump," notes a Snowflower camper. Some facilities offer alternative services: "they do offer a honey wagon service for $40.00 available 2 times a week."

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at North Fork Campground in Emigrant Gap?

North Fork Campground provides standard amenities to enhance your camping experience. The campground features potable water, vault toilets, and individual campsites equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. Sites are set among dense forest vegetation that offers good privacy between campers. The campground is big-rig friendly, making it suitable for various camping setups. While the forest setting creates a peaceful atmosphere, some campers note the dense foliage can make the area feel a bit dark. Thousand Trails Snowflower nearby offers more extensive amenities if you're looking for additional facilities. Most sites at North Fork are reservable, which is recommended during the busy summer season when the campground typically fills up.

Where are the best camping spots in Emigrant Gap, California?

Emigrant Gap offers several excellent camping options in the Sierra Nevada mountains. North Fork Campground is a popular choice just off I-80, featuring wooded sites with good privacy though some campers note it can feel a bit dark due to dense foliage. Hampshire Rocks is another option right by the water, offering easy access from Highway 80. For those seeking more seclusion, nearby alternatives include Lake Spaulding Campground and Grouse Ridge Campground. Most campgrounds in the area provide basic facilities like fire pits and picnic tables, with access to hiking trails and water recreation opportunities. During peak summer months, consider making reservations where available as these spots can fill quickly.

How close is Yuba Gap camping to Emigrant Gap?

Yuba Gap camping is approximately 6-7 miles east of Emigrant Gap along Interstate 80, making it a quick 10-minute drive. Both areas are situated in the Tahoe National Forest, offering similar Sierra Nevada mountain experiences. Tahoe National Forest Wild Plum Campground is located near the Yuba River on Haypress Creek, featuring large campsites with good privacy in a pine forest setting. This area is particularly popular with mountain bikers heading to the Downieville downhill trails. Gold Lake 4x4 Campground is another option in the broader region, offering more remote camping experiences. Both Yuba Gap and Emigrant Gap provide excellent access points to outdoor recreation including hiking, fishing, and exploring the scenic Gold Lake Highway.