Collins Lake Recreation Area and Lake Francis Resort allow pets at their tent sites, RV spots, and cabin accommodations. Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs also welcomes pets with picnic tables and reservable sites across their tent, RV, cabin, glamping, and yurt options. Nevada County Fairgrounds camping is open to pet owners, though one visitor notes that tent camping is no longer permitted at this location. Sites at these campgrounds include standard amenities like drinking water, picnic tables, and trash service. The fairgrounds offers $30 per night for dry camping with peaceful surroundings and open grounds for walking during daytime hours.
Dog owners can enjoy several swimming areas with their pets in the region, including the Yuba River which offers trails and swimming spots. Laughing Buddha RV/Tent Camp provides a private spot with a deck for campers with pets, situated close to the Yuba River with spectacular wildflowers and oaks. Manzanita Rock Meadow is noted for its level, clean site that can accommodate smaller trailers, though the entrance road is somewhat rough for larger rigs. Many campgrounds in the area feature fire rings or fire pits where allowed, with some properties providing firewood for purchase. Visitors should be aware that wildlife is active in the region, with campers reporting hearing coyotes in the distance at night.
"Clean sites and pet friendly. We took the boat on our last trip here and had a great time. Great fishing spots!!"
"Not a bad campsite, but was surrounded by RVs and people walking around. Can’t bring dogs onto the beach area which was a bummer, but was too crowded anyways"
$40 - $55 / night
"She told us of some cool hiking trails nearby, and where we could paddleboard. The spot was clean with lots of room to spread out. Our dogs loved it!"
"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."
"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."
$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."
"They said it would be okay as long as I had the gear to sleep outside in a tent as well. The place was quiet and we had no issues."
"Very nice campground, but cell coverage is nonexistent outside of one small area."
$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."
$24 - $48 / night
"There are trails for hiking or mountain biking. You are minutes from Bullards Bar which is one of the most beautiful lakes around. I definitely suggest a day trip to the lake."
"It’s mixed RV and tent with no RV power so the generators are loud and you’ll be surrounded by them."
$15 / night
"Use cat holes instead (200 ft from water please). Poison oak is everywhere. River views are spectacular."
"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."
"This is such a beautiful piece of California."
"There is a boat launch, and a pretty county park is adjacent."
$40 - $100 / night
"We decided this time around to reserve one of their cabins. We stayed at the Diamond P cabin which has the best view of the lake within this group of cabins."
"Nice quiet lake. Good campsites. Good general store and even a little restaurant and ice cream shack."
GuideRight behind a casino, but a really nice park. Excellent bathrooms and showers. A pool area and dog park. Good Wi-Fi and amenities. A little pricier than what I am used to but it was a really nice place to stay the night. Also awesome treat bad for the dog provided at check in, a really nice touch.
TravelerSurprised how well maintained and friendly staff assisting with set up. Nice dog large area without enclosed fencing. All short term campers are located in the center very cozy. Lots of families and kids and noisy. We were able to ride bike in the park and on the road that was safe with little to no traffic. Several grass areas for guest minus pets. The perimeter areas are for permanent residence with several for sale. So no chance of getting some nice sites. A number of tiny cottages to rent. The railroad tracks along side of park and loud in early hours you got use to it. Will return but off season when kids are back in school. Also no access to creek from park. Recommend very clean park
ScoutThousand Trails Lake Minden
Tiny Park, Giant Heart
We spent three weeks at Lake Minden and, to be honest, judged it too quickly. It’s one of the smaller Thousand Trails parks, and when we first rolled in, we weren’t sure it was going to be our kind of place. That changed fast.
Right off the bat, we were greeted warmly at the gate- no awkward waiting or guessing, just a “Hey there, welcome!” kind of vibe. Our assigned spot had a bad electric hookup, but moving one space over solved that and actually gave us a better view. So, win-win.
The park, like many Thousand Trails locations, is clearly from a different era. The facilities, the grounds, even the layout- it all shows its age in the same way most of these long-standing parks do. But here’s the difference: it’s obvious they take care of what they have. You can feel the pride in the upkeep, and honestly, I’d take a clean, cared-for 50-year-old park over a neglected new one any day.
The community here is what made the trip. The staff pour real effort into the activities- they’re on time, thoughtful, and welcoming. Friday potlucks were the soul of the park. We forgot our plates and silverware more than once (parent brain), and Barbara, the activities director, always had us covered without missing a beat. That kind of care doesn’t go unnoticed.
Easter weekend took it to another level. My toddler had the time of his life painting eggs and coloring puzzles, and my wife - who’d never painted an egg before - might’ve had more fun than he did. The Easter egg hunt was packed with families and even staff with their kids. Prizes for the winners, candy in the eggs for the rest of us- my toddler’s too young for the sweets, so I had no choice but to help. That’s what dads are for, right?
There’s an ice cream social every Saturday, and it’s as delightful as it sounds. Tons of toppings, lots of conversation, and just a genuinely happy way to spend a weekend afternoon. We missed candy bar bingo this time, but it's already on the list for our return trip.
Special thanks to Gwen, the park manager, who couldn’t have been more welcoming. The assistant manager warmed up by the end of our stay, which made us feel even more like part of the community.
Facilities were surprisingly polished. The showers were spotless, stocked, and looked freshly upgraded with woodgrain tile and real stall doors. Toilets and sinks were just as clean, and even when I accidentally left my shampoo in the shower, I found it days later placed neatly on the side counter. That’s rare. Housekeeping here clearly cares.
The lodge is small- more like a retrofitted mobile trailer - but full of charm. It’s where most activities are held, and there's a cozy back room with a pool table, board games, a decent little DVD collection, and a small library. My toddler played Connect 4 like a champion (even though he mostly used it as a coin-drop game), and, tried valiantly to reach the pool balls.
Now, the lake. It’s... functional. Let’s be honest, it’s a man-made basin with some concrete leftovers that litter the sides that look like the Ghost of Swimming Pools Past. Not the prettiest, but they do stock it with fish and the docks looked newly redone- one rebuilt while we were there, looked really nice when they finished. I didn’t bring my gear, but next time, I’m sneaking out for some dad-time with a rod and reel.
There’s no pool at this park, but the grassy areas made up for it. Annual sites had a huge open field behind them where my son ran wild playing ball and chase. Minden must’ve mowed the day we arrived because the smell of cut grass hit us like nostalgia. They kept it mowed weekly, and my kid was hypnotized by the riding mower going up and down the stretch. In fact there's enough gassy area I thought a great spring/summertime regular event would be water days- think slip'n slides and mist sprinklers set up for the kids. That would be fun... and a cool relief in those hotter days.
There’s a playground with a raised soft-chip base, multiple slides, and just the right level of challenge for a toddler. He had a blast. Even the dog park, while nothing fancy (just a weed-sprouting rectangle), gave our Silky terriers a space to run a few laps. I may or may not have snuck them into the field after hours for some frisbee time. Nobody tell.
Connectivity was solid- I had full AT&T service for calls, texts, and data the entire time. It was a quiet park, minus one domestic dispute from a neighboring site that cleared up fast (and they moved out the next day). Otherwise, peaceful and calm.
Now, let’s talk about traffic flow- because this one got me. The park is built around a lake, and the road looping around it is one-way, enforced with a strict 5 mph speed limit. That’s great if you have kids or dogs and you want a calm environment. Not so great when you realize halfway to the store that you forgot your wallet. What should’ve been a quick grab turned into a 10-minute drive out, a 10-minute drive back in, and then… yep, 10 minutes out again. I’ve taken shorter road trips just to get ice cream. Lesson learned.
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Stay Summary & Scores
Restroom & Shower Facilities: ★★★★★
Exceptionally clean, stocked, and well-maintained. Modern-feeling shower stalls with privacy and woodgrain tile. Toilets and sinks equally spotless.
Lodge Amenities & Common Spaces: ★★★★☆
Compact but full of charm. Activities room, pool table, games, small library. Retrofitted mobile unit, but used thoughtfully and consistently.
Overall Cleanliness & Maintenance: ★★★★★
Top-tier. Grass is cut regularly, restrooms shine, playground looks freshly maintained, and even left-behind items are handled with care.
Recreational Activities & Family Engagement: ★★★★★
Thoughtfully organized events (especially Easter), ice cream socials, egg painting, RC airplane shows, dog races, and a family-friendly vibe across the board.
Staff Hospitality & Park Culture: ★★★★★
Gwen leads with warmth. Barbara is the MVP of activities. Assistant manager needed some time to warm up, but did. Felt truly welcomed.
Lake & Waterfront Quality: ★★☆☆☆
Man-made and a little tired. Some concrete remnants along the edge. Not great for swimming, but fish-stocked and dock area recently improved.
Pet-Friendliness: ★★★☆☆
Dog park was weedy and basic, but functional. Open spaces nearby helped. Waste bins were present and clean.
Site Utility Functionality: ★★★★☆ First electric hookup was faulty, but the second was fine. Rest of the site utilities performed without issue. Easy to park and level.
Traffic Flow & Accessibility: ★★★☆☆
Strict 5 mph limit is great for safety (especially with kids) but makes trips around the loop feel like slow motion. One-way loop adds time - especially painful if you forget your wallet and turn your day into a 30-minute regret.
General Atmosphere & Community Vibe: ★★★★★ Welcoming, peaceful, and filled with community spirit. The kind of place where strangers become friends over potluck and board games.
ScoutThe host was very nice. When we got there we could not find the black water hookup. He came out and helped us get all connected. Most lots are used by permanent residents. I did not see any children. Very clean and was very pet friendly. All of the folks were very friendly and most had their own dogs. I am not sure I would come back, I am new to RVing and I think I need muck more to experience before I would go back to the same place twice. I am looking for parks closer to wineries as well.
GuideWe love Collins!! Very nice for paddle boarding and kayaking. Clean sites and pet friendly. We took the boat on our last trip here and had a great time. Great fishing spots!!
ScoutThe campground is easy to get to and has a nice convenience store in case you forgot anything. It was quiet and had a nice river view. Pets are allowed as well!
ScoutWOW, this place is super nice. Kid friendly with activities and play areas. Pet park for off leash play! Clean and friendly staff! #1 park in our book!
Guidewe came up on a whim with no reservations and ended up getting a spot in the parking lot right by the water. Pet friendly. Beautiful sunsets!! It was difficult getting our rig though the sites but we managed. You are required to have life jackets with you on the water.
Guidewe found there to be a lot of rules at this campground such as no fires, however there is a community fire pit. No driving over 5 MPH, no charcoal grills or smokers, only electric and propane grills. They are also very serious about the 11pm quiet time.
Aside from all the rules this was a very clean, family and pet friendly campground. Very clean bathrooms with showers!! There are a few lakes that are very nice for fishing and kayaking. Nice calm water for a leisurely SUP experience.
Camping sites near Rough and Ready, California sit at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The region features oak woodlands, pine forests, and access to the Yuba River watershed. Summer temperatures reach 90-100°F while spring camping brings moderate temperatures with wildflower displays throughout the meadows and forest edges.
Kayaking on local lakes: Collins Lake Recreation Area offers rentals for water activities. "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," notes Coleen C.
River swimming spots: The Yuba River provides accessible swimming areas for visitors and their pets. "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," shares Anna R. from South Yuba Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple reservoirs stock fish for anglers. "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," explains Michael M. about Lake Francis Resort.
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds offer natural separation between camping spots. "What a great find! This place is nestled in the woods with amazing views of the sunset! I love the private comfortable feel of the area and the hostess is very friendly and accommodating," writes Kathy R. about Manzanita Rock Meadow.
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife that visitors frequently encounter. "We saw a river otter playing in the creek, so there is life in it. The bathrooms are pretty clean and you have to pay for showers (which we didn't use) Portapotties are located in the campground," reports Suzanne S. at Sycamore Ranch.
Lakefront camping: Many campers appreciate direct water access. "We stayed in spot 110 with a lakefront view," mentions Daniel S. about Collins Lake Recreation Area. Another camper adds, "We camped here TWICE in 2019. First time in mid April and 2nd time on the first weekend of November. Both times were AWESOME!!!"
Seasonal water levels: Reservoirs can fluctuate significantly depending on time of year. "Just an FYI, in the Spring, the water level is much higher so the water line is closer to the campsites. In the fall, pre-winter, the water level is much lower. It was about a 50 yard walk down to the water from #116 camp site, which is a lake front site," advises Ed E.
Pet access limitations: While most campgrounds accommodate pets, restrictions may apply at beaches or specific areas. "Not a bad campsite, but was surrounded by RVs and people walking around. Can't bring dogs onto the beach area which was a bummer, but was too crowded anyways," mentions Steven H.
Crowds on weekends: Some popular recreation areas become congested during peak times. "This campground to us is city camping. The spots are right next to each other and there are a ton of people. The only good thing it has is the lake. You can just play in the water all day and it is right there," explains Julie B.
Ice cream options: Kids appreciate the treat shops available at some campgrounds. "Registration area and cafe has ice cream available and souvenir store," mentions Debbie R. about Collins Lake. Another visitor adds, "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."
Water safety considerations: Lakes like Bullards Bar have steep banks limiting shore access. "Schoolhouse campground is on Bullard's Bar Reservoir. The reservoir is gorgeous to look out at but the bank all the way around is very steep. From the campground there is no easy access to the water," warns Isabel C. about Schoolhouse Campground.
Nature trails: Several locations offer gentle walking paths. "The campground had flush toilets, large bear bins, dogs were allowed, and was lovely all around. The grounds were well maintained and had access to walking trails," notes Isabel C.
Site leveling challenges: RVers report varying experiences with pad levelness. "Sites are not very level either. I needed to raise my front end 6 inches to get level," shares David C. about Nevada County Fairgrounds.
Access road conditions: Some campgrounds have difficult entry roads for larger vehicles. "It was a little challenging getting our 16' trailer to the pad but it was worth it. So quiet and serene there. 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," cautions Karen B. about pet friendly camping near Rough and Ready at Manzanita Rock Meadow.
Hookup availability: Electric service can be limited or problematic at some locations. "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," warns Eric P. about Lake of the Springs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Rough and Ready, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Rough and Ready, CA is Collins Lake Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Rough and Ready, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 241 dog-friendly camping locations near Rough and Ready, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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