Best Campgrounds near Forest Knolls, CA

Campgrounds near Forest Knolls, California cluster primarily in the Sierra Nevada foothills and around Nevada City, with options ranging from developed sites to more primitive camping areas. The Inn Town Campground in Nevada City provides tent and RV camping with amenities including showers, toilets, and picnic tables, while Collins Lake Recreation Area offers a broader range of accommodation types including cabins and glamping options. Most campgrounds in the region maintain facilities for both tent and RV camping, with varying levels of hookups and services depending on the specific location.

Road conditions and accessibility vary significantly across camping areas in the region, with some sites requiring high-clearance vehicles for access. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, with several open only from late spring through early fall. Giant Gap Campground, for example, operates from May 14 to October 20, while White Cloud Campground is available from June 20 to September 27. Reservations are recommended for most developed campgrounds, especially during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. As one visitor noted about Gold Lake 4x4 Campground, "Warning - this site requires a high clearance vehicle with good off road tires. Low profile tires and trucks modified for street use, you WILL destroy your vehicle."

Campers consistently highlight the natural beauty and water access available at many sites in the region. Several campgrounds provide direct access to lakes or rivers, offering opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. The proximity to hiking trails represents another commonly mentioned benefit, with many campgrounds serving as convenient baselines for day hikes. A visitor to Wild Plum Campground described it as "a beautiful campground close to the Yuba on Haypress Creek. Large campsites in the pine forest with lots of privacy at most sites." Campgrounds closer to Nevada City and Grass Valley provide more amenities and easier access to services, while those farther into the Sierra Nevada mountains offer greater seclusion but typically fewer facilities. Bear activity is common throughout the region, with most developed campgrounds providing bear-resistant food storage options.

Best Camping Sites Near Forest Knolls, California (362)

    1. Inn Town Campground

    12 Reviews
    Nevada City, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (530) 265-9900

    "Just know that here on The Dyrt, the location on the map for some reason shows it as being many miles away from Kidder Ct: it’s marked as if it is at Higgins Corner, halfway to Auburn?"

    "Super clean and friendly

    Not congested and close to many hiking trails Easy drive and close to Nevada City.

    Especially nice during Christmas Season. Feels like walking back in time."

    2. Collins Lake Recreation Area

    22 Reviews
    Oregon House, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 692-1600

    "This campground is above Marysville California."

    "They were both lake front campsites, which meant the water or shoreline was right at our "front door" from our 27' travel trailer."

    3. Greenhorn Capground at Rollins Lake

    7 Reviews
    Pinecrest, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 388-0328

    $42 - $53 / night

    "This is a smaller but nice lake. It hasn’t ever been over crowded when I’ve gone. The reason I like this spot is because campsites C3-C10 have the most shade you can hope for!"

    "They have a convenience store that is walkable distance to get supplies, food, candy from.

    You should reserve a spot right on the lake. If you have a boat you can anchor it right in front."

    4. 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)."

    5. Nevada County Fairgrounds

    6 Reviews
    Grass Valley, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 273-6217

    "Very peaceful and the fairgrounds are open during the day to walk around."

    "Really nice with the lake and quiet woods feeling. No hassle booking and really reasonable price. Huge sites like 150x18 or there abouts."

    6. Manzanita Rock Meadow

    6 Reviews
    North San Juan, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 263-3656

    $40 - $55 / night

    "Situated on 25 acres, this gem is truly the best place to relax and unwind. With beautiful scenery and so many outdoor activities to enjoy, we know you'll be planning your next stay before you leave."

    "I don’t think the bigger rigs would be able to make the turn into the site and the road to the entrance is a bit rough. Don’t miss visiting the covered bridge at South Yuba State Park!"

    7. Scotts Flat Lake

    4 Reviews
    Forest Knolls, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 265-5302

    $39 - $51 / night

    "Reserved 2 campsites next to each other for  10 family members for Father’s Day weekend 2019.   Sites were large and not too close to each other so plenty of room to spread out.  "

    "Price is a bit steep IMO but the site was nice, a quick walk to the lake to cool off."

    8. South Yuba Campground

    4 Reviews
    Nevada City, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (916) 941-3101

    $15 / night

    "This river trail is the best in the state. Clear water, lovely pools. Expect nudity as it is Northern California. The river is beloved by kayakers and swimmers."

    "There's hiking access to the river, and almost never anybody at this campground. It's scenic privacy at it's best. Hike up or downstream for some really great swimming holes."

    9. White Cloud

    6 Reviews
    Washington, CA
    10 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."

    10. Laughing Buddha RV/Tent Camp

    4 Reviews
    North San Juan, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 263-3656

    $55 / night

    "It was quiet and private, but close to the hosts so they visited when I had questions about the best spots for swimming and hiking nearby."

    "Had a fire in the fire pit and enjoyed the quiet(except for the coyotes in the distance!). Galen, our host, was always available to answer questions and to bring extra firewood."

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Recent Reviews near Forest Knolls, CA

901 Reviews of 362 Forest Knolls Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • 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.

  • M
    Aug. 28, 2025

    North Fork Campground

    Nice quiet campground and river

    I stopped by here to check out the campground and found it to be very nice quiet and clean. There is a nice river running along the side with a waterfall and a few nice deep swimming holes. I got the only FCFS site and it was nice.

  • jay B.
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Lakeside Campground

    Great spot to dry camp near Tahoe

    This campground is a hidden gem—just 10 minutes from Truckee and about 20 minutes to Tahoe. We stayed in site #6, which was a first-come, first-served spot. According to the camp host, weekdays are usually easy to snag a site, but you’ll definitely want a reservation if you're planning to stay Friday through Sunday. Most sites offer beautiful views of the lake, and many are on level ground, making setup easy. One tip: avoid site #8 unless you're in a pinch—it’s surrounded by other sites (island spot) and doesn’t offer much privacy, but it would work for a quick overnight stay. The campground feels spacious, peaceful, and scenic. Just keep in mind there are no showers or running water, so come prepared for dry camping. That wasn’t an issue for us since our camper is set up for boondocking. All in all, an awesome spot—we’ll definitely be back!

  • Greg C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Kyburz Flats

    Quiet woods and fields

    Road is rough, especially after first mile to interpretive site. Looks like a few spots there you could camp. The last mile gets rougher. Was fine in my 2wd van but have high clearance and was dry. Might be worse if muddy or low clearance vehicle. Also, coordinates lead to historic sheep camp site. Can probably camp next to it but better spots just beyond though road gets even rougher.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    White Cloud

    Beautiful but LOUD

    Awesome spots to camp, it’s just insanely close to the 20 so you’ll hear non-stop traffic.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Scotts Flat Lake

    Pricey but nice

    Paid $68 for a tent site with no hookups. Showers take quarters too. Price is a bit steep IMO but the site was nice, a quick walk to the lake to cool off.


Guide to Forest Knolls

Camping sites near Forest Knolls, California range from developed campgrounds to more secluded options within the Sierra Nevada foothills. Elevations typically vary between 2,000 and 4,000 feet, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day and dropping to 50-60°F at night. Most campgrounds in this region experience seasonal closures due to snow conditions at higher elevations.

What to do

Swimming in natural waters: Collins Lake Recreation Area offers excellent swimming opportunities in a clean, well-maintained lake environment. "We spent two nights doing a family and friends reunion. We loved our rv spot, the rest of the group had great tent site and glamping tents. Facilities were super clean and nice. Pool was small but the pool area was really nice. Great location for swimming in the Yuba river!" noted Hani S.

Fishing access: At Giant Gap Campground, visitors can enjoy fishing at the adjacent reservoir. One camper reported, "Such a beautiful lake for paddleboarding as there are no motor boats. Quiet, secluded, flat campsites. There is a great trail that goes entirely around the lake."

Trail exploration: The White Cloud Campground provides access to the Pioneer Trail, ideal for both hiking and mountain biking. A visitor commented, "So fun and quiet for the most part. Traffic noise from 20 was the only drawback so next time will choose a campsite on the back side. Pioneer trail is amazing for mountain biking and hiking."

What campers like

Private, spacious sites: Inn Town Campground offers well-separated campsites that create a sense of privacy despite proximity to Nevada City. Nicole G. shared, "The campsites are well maintained, there is water nearby all sites and they drive thru the campground once a day to pick up trash in case you don't want to haul it to the dumpster. They have dish washing stations and the absolute nicest, cleanest bathrooms/showers I've ever seen in a campground."

Lake views: Many campers appreciate the waterfront sites at Rollins Lake, particularly in the Greenhorn Campground area. Ed S. mentioned, "This is a smaller but nice lake. It hasn't ever been over crowded when I've gone. The reason I like this spot is because campsites C3-C10 have the most shade you can hope for! There is a little waterfall and creek running behind the campsites so you get the trickling water sound."

Common facilities: Several campgrounds provide community spaces that enhance the camping experience. At Inn Town Campground, Amanda M. found, "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. We even had a heated mattress pad in our glamping tent to keep warm."

What you should know

Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads requiring specific vehicles. Stephanie C. warns about Giant Gap Campground: "Be warned though, Google maps will suggest driving up Iowa Hill. DO NOT. Follow the directions of the campground, that road is not for the faint of heart. And NOT for RVs or trailers."

Noise levels: Proximity to highways affects some campgrounds. At White Cloud Campground, Rory R. noted, "Awesome spots to camp, it's just insanely close to the 20 so you'll hear non-stop traffic."

Site spacing: Campground density varies significantly in the region. At Nevada County Fairgrounds, David C. observed, "Very very small sites. Hardly enough space to put out the awning and set up some chairs. Just can't recommend based on the very cramped conditions. Sites are not very level either. I needed to raise my front end 6 inches to get level."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly amenities: Collins Lake Recreation Area offers multiple activities for children. Coleen C. shared, "Had a great site big enough for a couple of tents. Nice clean site near lake. Hubby enjoyed fishing. Kids loved canoeing out onto the lake. Amazed to watch a bald eagle grab a fish and fly away."

Playground access: Some campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. Rachel noted about Scotts Flat Lake, "Showers are HOT, and there is a playground for kids. Never had issues with noise or people partying too late!"

Swimming safety: When camping with children, select sites with calm water access. Julie B. mentioned about Collins Lake, "The only good thing it has is the lake. You can just play in the water all day and it is right there. If you want to be close to the water and don't mind people then this is the place for you."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling: When selecting an RV site, check for level conditions. At Nevada County Fairgrounds, James B. reported, "Had spot in rear of facility. Lots of room uneven grass surface but auto leveled no problem. Small pond for kids only fishing. Easy freeway access can get to town on surface streets. Overall was quiet clean safe."

Hookup availability: RV campers should confirm which services are available. At Nevada County Fairgrounds, marcus K. noted, "Hookup campsites are demarcated by white powder on the ground. If you dont need hookups looks like you can go anywhere."

Lakefront RV sites: For RVers wanting lake views, Collins Lake offers premium waterfront options. Ed E. shared, "Both campsites, #66 and #116 had power, water and sewage. They were both lake front campsites, which meant the water or shoreline was right at our 'front door' from our 27' travel trailer."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Forest Knolls, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Forest Knolls, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 362 campgrounds and RV parks near Forest Knolls, CA and 15 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Forest Knolls, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Forest Knolls, CA is Inn Town Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 12 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Forest Knolls, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 free dispersed camping spots near Forest Knolls, CA.

What parks are near Forest Knolls, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 parks near Forest Knolls, CA that allow camping, notably Plumas National Forest and Martis Creek Lake.