388 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Foresthill, California provides access to several developed campgrounds and dispersed camping areas throughout the surrounding Sierra Nevada foothills and Eldorado National Forest. Giant Gap Campground, located on Foresthill Road, accommodates both tent and RV camping with sites available from May through October near a mountain reservoir. Nearby, Ruck-A-Chucky Campground in Auburn State Recreation Area offers primitive tent sites along the American River with walk-in access. The region includes a mix of Forest Service and state-managed camping areas, with several campgrounds providing water access, vault toilets, and designated fire rings within 30 miles of town.
Rough roads and varying terrain influence access to many camping areas around Foresthill, particularly in the more remote sections of Eldorado National Forest. A recent review noted, "The trek down to the campsite was slightly difficult and we decided to utilize the four wheel drive as we navigated to and from." Most campgrounds in the Auburn State Recreation Area and Eldorado National Forest operate seasonally, with peak availability between May and October. Winter and early spring access can be limited by snowfall at higher elevations, while summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F. Several campgrounds lack potable water, especially during drought conditions, requiring campers to bring their own supply. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with stronger connections near Foresthill proper and limited coverage in canyon areas.
Riverside camping represents a significant draw in the Foresthill area, with multiple sites offering direct access to the American River and its tributaries. "Beautiful mountain valley of north fork. Clean campsites right along road with bearboxes, picnic tables, and fire pits. Easy river access down the hill to rocky swimming pools," wrote one camper about Mineral Bar Campground. Sites within Auburn State Recreation Area provide opportunities for gold panning, swimming, and fishing. Noise levels vary considerably between locations, with some remote forest campgrounds offering peaceful settings while sites closer to recreational waterways can be busier during summer weekends. Bear activity has been reported at several campgrounds, and most developed sites provide bear boxes for proper food storage. Campgrounds with river access tend to receive higher ratings from visitors seeking relief from summer heat.
"We rode his e-tricycle (and I walked) all the way down to the lake and around it going clockwise. The trail around the lake extends about 75% of the way around, from the campground to the boat dock."
"The site was spacious and a short walk to the reservoir and trail. We hiked around the entire reservoir and it was gorgeous."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"You’re also about 3 or 4 miles away from the Georgetown OHV which made it an easy ride to get to the dirt."
"A lovely quiet spot midweek, quiet drive to Georgetown for some great breakfasts if you want some classic American diner fare."
from $3 - $8 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful fall surroundings right adjacent to the South Fork of the American River. Easy walk or car ride to numerous hiking trails."
"If you ever want to experience the thrill of gold panning, and California history go here!"
"Our site was next to the raft launch/pickup, so there were a couple of groups picked up during the day. Bathrooms were average and the site was maintained well."
"Small cars made it down ther without difficulty)
Once at the camp ground, right on the waters edge, grab up the 3rd site on the right. It is literally on the edge of the river."
"I’ve been here about 8-10 times and every time I love my stay, it’s a quiet getaway around 45 mins away from me and the sound of the river is amazing."
"Place the cash ($28 a night) in the envelope and put it in the post that’s on the parking entrance."
from $38 / night
Check Availability"Nice campground - close to river. .5 mile walk to town for shopping/eating. All sites have fire pit and picnic table. Bathrooms clean and private showers."
"It is right in the American River and next to a class 3 rapid called Trouble Maker. It was awesome watching rafters and kayakers go through it."
"Nice trails to explore that run along the river’s edge. Easy trails for beginners."
"One of my favorite summer spots, great Access to the American River. Site has pit toilets, fire rings, tables and bear lockers(have seen several bears)"
from $28 / night
Check Availability"It’s great for kids that want to ride bikes around the sites- but be careful of the river, it’s swift."
"Great spot if you can get in half of the camp got washed away from the rain this year though ."
"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."
from $42 - $53 / night
Check Availability"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."
ScoutNeeded a place to camp after driving 12 hours from Washington . Wanted to stay as close to Yosemite . This place did the trick . No one was there . Quiet and serene . Lots of scorched trees . But all in all was great . There is also cell service ! 7-23-26
ScoutI’d give this campsite a 4/5 if it weren’t for the road. Maybe if you get a spot right next to the river it isn’t an issue, but if you’re not that lucky then you’re going to be stuck hearing cars go by all day and night.
ScoutI've been camping at this location for 10 years. This year the bathrooms were so disgusting it was difficult to use them. The smell was awful and we never saw the hosts clean them once in the 3 days we were there.
Also, the camp hosts were MAGA and thought they owned the place. They had 3 large dogs that at times were running around the campground off leash. We were enjoying our time in the river when her 3 big dogs and her, came to our quiet peaceful spot and just took over and her dogs were off leash and out of control. They tried to attack my small dog multiple times and she wouldn't even try to control them. She kept telling us that she's the camp host and she could do what she wanted. We had to leave because it was so chaotic. She totally ruined our good time. Then, when I tried to make a complaint to the Lake Tahoe Hospitality group who manages that campground, they did not take the event serious and even tried to kick us out because we said a curse word. I told them we were not leaving since we had done nothing wrong and to call the Sheriff. Which they did and guess who took our side. Animal control was dispatched too. And, no, we didn't have to leave. I've never seen such blatant entitlement and disregard for others using the area and enjoying nature in all my life. Pure Trash.
TravelerFeel like you’re in the woods all while being right in the smack of town! There is even a little coffee trailer that is AMAZING! All the amenities with a rustic feel. We will definitely be back!
GuideBoca is a comfortable little USFS campground with nice lake views.
Some of the sites and their trees are oriented a little uncomfortably for me, but I was able to back my trailer in a way that probably wasn't originally intended and open up enough room for my tow vehicle.
They have picnic tables at every site that I've seen and food storage, trash storage, bear lockers at every site.
There's gunfire across the reservoir, but I scarcely even noticed it and I'm very sensitive to it.
The camp hosts seem pretty unobtrusive.
The sites aren't particularly level, but with a few blocks I was able to get mine close enough.
I was in site number four, which is just a stone's throw from the bathrooms and dumpster. I'm self-contained, so I didn't bother looking at the bathrooms.
It's a very quiet campground. In fact, I was feeling guilty about running my generator half the time.
It was completely booked, so I was only able to get a couple of nights here, but I would certainly stay here again. Moderate levels of shade midday in July, but 83F sure beats 108F in the valley! From Site 4 I had a very clear view to the north, so I had great coverage with Starlink, at least 120 megabits; doing work was certainly a reality for me.
Checkout time is noon, and that's coming up quickly. So, thus ends my review for the moment.
[Edit] One more detail worth mentioning: as I was hitching up to leave, a doe and two fawns wandered through the trees right near the site, completely nonchalant. They weren’t begging, approaching, or acting habituated in a bad way, just quietly moving through the forest like I happened to be parked in their campground. It was a lovely little sendoff and exactly the kind of moment that makes a site memorable.
GuideLook up this site’s history, it’s quite fascinating.
While there’s a no trespassing sign, this is indeed a Forest Service-managed site and confirmed as a dispersed location.
I pulled in just as this older gentleman was walking the area, and he started telling me all about the owner back in the 60s-70s (“a mean guy”) and what a cool ski resort it once was.
ScoutI have stayed at Bear River Group Campground twice and plann to make it an annual trip. It is near a reservoir, but necessary to drive to get to the water. There is no road noise at all. It is fairly remote and very well set up for groups. Highly recommend it.
LegendGeneral: Beals Point is one of two locations on Folsom Lake for camping. Large campground with a mix of electric and non-electric campsites plus some group sites.
Site Quality: Drives are paved and mostly level. We camped in a little “cul-de-sac” with just four sites. While these sites back up to the American River Bike Trail (aka Jedediah Smith Recreation Trail), it was overgrown, and I did not see direct access to the trail as we did the last time we were here.
Bath/Shower: Typical CA state park layout– all-gender units with toilet and sink (but no soap, towels, or dryers) and showers. Unlike other CA state parks, these take quarters instead of tokens. The units could use a little TLC, but what was most disheartening was how other campers had trashed them– toilet paper (and worse) scattered all over the insides. Obviously not the fault of the campground.
Activities/Amenities: Folsom Lake is the draw, and people were fishing, kayaking, and swimming. The 32-mile paved multi-use American River Bike Trail is easily accessible. There is a snack bar/concession stand for beach rentals, but it was not open when we were there.
Our stay here this time was over a weekend; it was completely full, and it reminded us once again that we prefer to camp during the week and shoulder seasons when campgrounds are less crowded!
LegendI invite you to take a look at the pictures. This is a simple gravel parking lot with hookups. There's nothing special about this location.
Foresthill camping destinations range from primitive sites along the American River to more developed campgrounds with river access. The area sits at elevations between 1,500-3,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada foothills, creating varied terrain with oak woodlands and pine forests. Summer temperatures can reach 100°F while spring camping often coincides with wildflower blooms along hiking trails near many campsites.
Gold panning along American River: At Coloma Resort, visitors can experience California history through recreational gold panning. "If you ever want to experience the thrill of gold panning, and California history go here! You will not strike it rich, but with a couple hours of effort you can get a nice little bottle of gold flakes to take home with you," notes Jill F. The area includes access to historic sites like Sutter's Mill, making it educational for history enthusiasts.
Swimming in mountain reservoirs: Giant Gap Campground provides access to a reservoir ideal for paddleboarding. "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," shares Nicki M. The 5-mile loop trail offers hiking opportunities with lake views throughout.
Mountain biking on forest trails: Ponderosa RV Resort offers trail access for mountain biking enthusiasts. "Lots of great trails to weave through the campground on a mountain bike," notes Kate A. Trails range from beginner-friendly paths along the river to more challenging routes through the surrounding foothills.
River swimming access: Mineral Bar Campground features popular swimming holes with rocky pools. "Beautiful mountain valley of north fork. Clean campsites right along road with bearboxes, picnic tables, and fire pits. Easy river access down the hill to rocky swimming pools," writes Christian N. Many sites offer direct river views with quick access to cooling water during hot summer days.
Secluded forest setting: Dru Barner Campground provides a quiet atmosphere with substantial tree cover. "Nothing but trees and the wind blowing through them. It was an adventurous drive on a curvy mountain road to get here, but well worth it," says ProfG999. The campground sits approximately 6 miles from Georgetown, offering isolation while remaining within reach of supplies.
Heated amenities during cooler seasons: Inn Town Campground offers heated options for shoulder-season camping. "We even had a heated mattress pad in our glamping tent to keep warm," mentions Amanda M. The campground remains accessible year-round with amenities designed for variable mountain weather conditions.
Road access limitations: Several campgrounds require navigation on narrow, winding roads. For Giant Gap Campground, Stephanie C. warns, "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." Many forest roads become difficult to navigate during wet conditions.
Water availability varies: Water access changes seasonally at multiple campgrounds. At Dru Barner, one camper notes, "Bring water as there is none available due to poor quality." Mineral Bar Campground also requires campers to bring their own water supply, with no potable water available on-site.
Bear activity requires precautions: Bear activity requires proper food storage in several areas. Mineral Bar Campground provides bear boxes, with Jim N. reporting "have seen several bears" at this location. This necessitates careful food management and awareness of surroundings, particularly at dawn and dusk.
Shaded sites for summer heat: When temperatures climb above 90°F, shade becomes essential. At Giant Gap Campground, Jessee A. shares, "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 and the campground was surrounded by beautiful big trees and greenery. Very peaceful."
Swimming options for different ages: Lake Clementine Boat In Campground offers swimming opportunities with varying depths. Drew M. notes, "The river is extremely clean and clear with good temperature." Sites 1-6 offer minimal shade while higher-numbered sites provide more tree cover for afternoon breaks from the sun.
Accessible hiking trails: Several campgrounds feature beginner-friendly trails suitable for young hikers. "The Otter Creek Trail is a nice day hike though a bit of switch backing elevation to get down to the creek," mentions Lily S. about trails near Dru Barner Campground. Wildlife sightings, including "wild turkeys, deer, and birds" enhance these hiking experiences.
Site selection for larger vehicles: Campgrounds vary significantly in ability to accommodate larger RVs. Mike M. recommends Giant Gap Campground for accessibility: "Camped at Site 13 with an RV and a disabled father. We rode his e-tricycle (and I walked) all the way down to the lake and around it going clockwise."
Power considerations: Voltage fluctuations affect electronics at some campgrounds. David C. warns about American River Resort: "The power is not good. I had to bypass the surge suppressor because it kept cutting out due to low voltage. Voltage was generally 104-105." RVers with sensitive equipment should consider bringing generators where permitted.
Size restrictions on mountain roads: Many campgrounds have access limitations. Kimberly M. notes about Giant Gap, "They have quite a few paved, pull-thru sites which is super convenient. Some are more secluded than others." Most sites accommodate RVs under 30 feet, with specific campgrounds like Giant Gap offering better options for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the options for dispersed camping near Foresthill?
Dispersed camping options near Foresthill include several areas in Tahoe National Forest. Gold Lake 4x4 Campground offers a remote experience in the Sierra Buttes area where you can truly escape crowds while enjoying access to fishing and hiking trails. Many forest roads in the Foresthill area permit dispersed camping with a valid California Campfire Permit. Ruck-A-Chucky Campground near Foresthill provides more accessible options with basic facilities. When dispersed camping, remember to follow Leave No Trace principles, camp at least 100 feet from water sources, and check current fire restrictions before your trip as they frequently change in California.
Are there tiny homes or alternative accommodations available in Foresthill?
While traditional tiny homes are limited in the immediate Foresthill area, several alternative accommodations exist nearby. American River Resort offers various lodging options beyond standard camping, with easy river access and a half-mile walk to town for amenities. For those seeking unique experiences, Uncle Tom's Cabin Campground provides a rustic mountain retreat popular with various outdoor enthusiasts. The broader region around Foresthill has seen growth in glamping options, though availability varies seasonally. For more developed alternative accommodations, check Inn Town Campground near Nevada City, which offers glamping tents and other unique lodging options within a reasonable drive from Foresthill.
Where are the best campgrounds in Foresthill, CA?
The Foresthill area offers several excellent campgrounds for different preferences. Giant Gap is highly rated with accessible sites for RVs, featuring trails around a lake that are ideal for walking and even wheelchair-accessible recreation. For those seeking solitude with beautiful forest settings, Tahoe National Forest Wild Plum Campground offers large, private campsites along Haypress Creek with easy access to outdoor activities like mountain biking in Downieville. Both campgrounds provide fire pits and picnic tables, though amenities vary seasonally. For water recreation, campgrounds near the American River provide refreshing swimming opportunities during hot summer months.
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