Yurt camping in Forest Knolls, California area offers access to several woodland campgrounds nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Located approximately 60 miles northeast of Sacramento, these camping destinations sit at elevations between 1,500 and 2,500 feet, creating moderate temperatures that range from 45-85°F depending on season. Most campgrounds in this region operate from April through October, with limited winter accessibility due to seasonal road closures.
What to do
Swimming and kayaking: Collins Lake Recreation Area provides excellent water recreation with a stocked lake. One camper noted, "Great Lake and RV Park. We stayed in spot 110 with a lakefront view" while another mentioned the "Nice clean site near lake. Hubby enjoyed fishing. Kids loved canoeing out onto the lake."
Wildlife observation: Sycamore Ranch RV Park offers prime bird watching along Dry Creek. A camper shared, "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."
Hiking nearby trails: The Forest Knolls area offers multiple trail access points within a 30-minute drive of most campgrounds. At Lodgepole Campground, a visitor mentioned, "Within a short drive, you can partake on some amazing hikes. You have to see, in person, the General Sherman Tree. It's just a beautiful place to camp."
What campers like
Peaceful water access: Lake Francis Resort provides direct lake access with numerous rental options. A camper observed, "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."
Yurt accommodations: High Camp features three well-appointed yurt sites specifically designed for comfort. The site offers drinking water and shower facilities in a peaceful setting, providing an excellent yurt camping experience near Forest Knolls, California.
Clean facilities: Inn Town Campground receives consistent praise for its maintenance. A visitor mentioned, "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."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the Forest Knolls area require advance booking, particularly for yurt accommodations and weekend stays. Reservations are recommended 2-3 months in advance during peak summer season.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across campgrounds. At Lake of the Springs RV Resort, a camper warned, "No cell service in any of the loops and WiFi isn't great."
Fire restrictions: Several campgrounds implement seasonal fire bans. At Collins Lake Recreation Area, traditional campfires are permitted in designated rings, but during high-risk periods, restrictions apply. Always check current fire regulations before arrival.
Insect considerations: Mosquitoes can be problematic at certain campgrounds, particularly near water. A camper at Snowflower RV Resort shared, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Lakeside activities: Collins Lake Recreation Area provides family-friendly water access. A visitor shared, "Great Lake and RV Park. We stayed in spot 110 with a lakefront view." Another mentioned, "Great campground! Our first stay at Collins Lake was fantastic. The lake views were beautiful, the campsites were clean and spacious, and the staff was friendly. Plenty of activities for the family, like fishing and hiking."
Playground options: When planning a yurt camping trip near Forest Knolls, California with children, note that several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. A camper at Lake of the Springs mentioned, "Due to Covid precautions, there was no playground, boat rentals, etcetera" – indicating these amenities are typically available during normal operations.
Wildlife encounters: Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs offers wildlife viewing opportunities that children enjoy. One camper mentioned, "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 strategy: At Lake of the Springs RV Resort, an RVer advised, "From what I could tell when driving around the majority of the sites were level; we had 4 spots and all were easy to back in."
Electrical issues: Some campgrounds experience occasional power problems. A visitor to Lake of the Springs noted, "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."
Dump station timing: Plan for potential wait times when leaving. A camper at Snowflower reported, "Only one dump station was open (there are 3) so waited 30+ minutes to dump, hopefully management is working on that... they do offer a honey wagon service for $40.00 available 2 times a week."
