Campgrounds near Forest Knolls, California range in elevation from 650 to 3,000 feet, creating distinct seasonal camping experiences. The region sits west of the Sierra Nevada foothills with multiple campgrounds along the Yuba River watershed. Several locations become inaccessible during winter months due to snow, while lower elevation sites offer year-round camping options.
What to Do
Kayaking and water activities: South Yuba Campground provides access to river trails with clear water pools ideal for paddling. According to Anna R., "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. Perfect snow melt means August is the prime time."
Fishing opportunities: French Meadows features a reservoir with good trout fishing. Camper Toby R. notes that it's "Great trout fishing" but cautions visitors to be aware that it's "Bear country be advised. Extreme fire danger the summer months and closed due to snow in winter."
Wildlife viewing: Sycamore Ranch RV Park offers excellent bird watching opportunities along Dry Creek. As B. Douglas J. explains, "My favorite thing about this campground is the birds! I use the Merlin app to identify the birds here and so far this place holds my record of around 18 birds not including the more silent ones we saw. There are turtles and otters in the creek to check out as well."
What Campers Like
Swimming access: Lake of the Springs RV Resort offers swimming in both the lake and a pool. Camper Nicole G. reports, "We had such a fun time at this campground. Our site was in Section A on a dry creek bed. Dry in August at least. 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! It was over 100 degrees the wknd we were there so we spent practically the whole wknd in the lake."
Natural surroundings: Dutch Flat RV Resort provides a peaceful forest setting. As Tod S. mentions, "Nestled in the pine forest of the Sierra foothills gold country, this park has the potential for greatness, tempered by a somewhat cluttered and trashy appearance. Our site had several old rugs and leveling Timbers left behind, for example."
River proximity: Many campers appreciate access to water features at Sycamore Ranch RV Park. Chris & writes, "Shaded grassy sites along the banks of Dry Creek (which was full of water when we visited) just above its confluence with the Yuba River. We were tent camping, but each site had a nice, flat, paved parking pad and hookups. I took advantage of the water and after getting shuttled up to the bridge kayaked down the Yuba and up dry creek all the way to our campsite!"
What You Should Know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly at higher elevations and in valleys. John T. from South Yuba Campground states, "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."
Seasonal bugs: Thousand Trails Snowflower has mosquito issues during warmer months. Visitor Tai W. shares, "We were so thrilled to find this clean, family-friendly resort with its own (warm!) little lake in the high sierras. But 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."
Facility maintenance: Some campground amenities require maintenance or improvements. Frying Pan Fred G. mentions about South Yuba Campground, "The composting toilet is a wreck. Not usable. Use cat holes instead (200 ft from water please). Poison oak is everywhere. River views are spectacular."
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly activities: Placerville RV Resort & Campground offers numerous family amenities. Dan reports, "Mini train ride around park, great playground, mini golf, showed movie and a lot more awesomeness. Was not cheap but kept the kids entertained. Will be going back."
Safe swimming areas: Lake Francis Resort provides swimming areas suitable for young children. Gina C. explains, "They have a large portable toilet there for use. We spent our time at the pool which is near the flushable toilets and the ice cream parlor, restaurant, and camp store. The pool goes from 3.5' ft to 5' back to 3.5' ft."
Wildlife encounters: Multiple campgrounds offer opportunities for children to observe animals. Nicole G. shared her experience at Lake of the Springs: "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!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Lake Francis Resort offers concrete pads with full hookups. Michael M. shares, "Our family has been coming here for years. We love it. Nice quiet lake. Good campsites. Good general store and even a little restaurant and ice cream shack."
Spacing considerations: Several RV parks have tight sites that limit awning extension. Angela C. noted about Thousand Trails Ponderosa, "The sites are so, so small you can't even extend your awning all the way."
Level sites: French Meadows campsites can be challenging for RVs. Graham K. warns, "Two thirds of the campsites were on a slope with no where to setup a tent on level ground. We got lucky and reserved a site with a 'decent' spot to place a tent but if you have never been and don't know what sites to pick while making reservations online then you are rolling the dice."
