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Jack D.
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GuideOroville-Feather Falls Casino KOA
Clean
They let us check in early it is all paved but not level!
Camping near Gold Hill, CA
283 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The foothills surrounding Gold Hill, California feature a diverse range of camping options within the historic Gold Country region. State recreation areas dominate the landscape, with Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offering year-round camping at Beals Point and Peninsula campgrounds. Auburn State Recreation Area provides more rustic options at sites like Ruck-A-Chucky and Mineral Bar campgrounds along the American River. Private facilities like Coloma Resort and American River Resort offer amenities including cabins, yurts, and full hookup RV sites. Ascension Ranch provides a unique off-grid experience with farm animals and secluded campsites. Most locations sit within a 30-minute drive of Gold Hill, positioned between Auburn and Folsom.
Reservations are essential during summer months when water recreation draws crowds to lakeside campgrounds. As one camper noted, "The lake is very low and a half mile walk from park to get to. The sites are surrounded by dry tall grass and spaced out nicely." Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans common during California's dry months. Cell service is inconsistent throughout the region, with better coverage at developed sites near towns. Many campgrounds experience road noise from nearby highways, particularly those closest to Interstate 80. Bear activity requires proper food storage in some areas, especially in the more remote Auburn State Recreation Area campgrounds where bear boxes are provided. Winter camping options are limited primarily to Beals Point and a few year-round private resorts.
Water access represents a major draw for campers in the Gold Hill area. The American River and its forks provide swimming holes, fishing spots, and gold panning opportunities. According to one visitor at Mineral Bar, "Lots of great swimming holes close by up river. Great hiking path opposite the campground going up river. Activities include fishing, hiking, and gold prospecting." Campers frequently mention the balance between accessibility and seclusion, with one noting, "You feel like you're remote and you have direct access to trails and bike path from your site, but very close to downtown Folsom." Facilities vary widely, from primitive sites with vault toilets to resorts with showers, laundry, and camp stores. Noise levels can be problematic at some locations, particularly during summer holidays when crowding is common.
Best Campgrounds near Gold Hill (283)
1. Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
"As with most of California everything is dry. The lake is very low and a half mile walk from park to get to. The sites are surrounded by dry tall grass and spaced out nicely."
"As full timers- we thought we hit the jackpot for the area in order to be near the towns we wanted to explore and also have service for good wifi."
from $33 - $58 / night
Check Availability2. Peninsula Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
"Very quite camping spot very clean.coin operated showers😭 lake is very close by."
"I wanted to find a spot somewhat close by and came across this one."
from $33 / night
Check Availability3. Lake Clementine Boat In — Auburn State Recreation Area
"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 Availability4. Coloma Resort
"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!"
5. Auburn Gold Country RV Park
6. Ascension Ranch
"WELCOME TO ASCENSION RANCH Ascension Ranch is an off-grid paradise tucked away in an oak savanna along Folsom Lake with a unique and ever growing list of features and activities."
"Super relaxing and has a lake that is at the end of the trail. Super convenient. It was cool to experience the animals that were in the pastures as well. I'd definitely come back."
from $59 - $115 / night
Check Availability7. American River Resort
"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."
8. Ruck-A-Chucky Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area
"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."
9. Thousand Trails Ponderosa
"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 ."
10. Loomis RV Park
"This is an older park in a location close to shopping. However, the train is near by and can be heard in the park. It comes by about twice in a 24 hr period. Office staff very nice and helpful."
"There is a little store within walking distance. Overall a very nice park!"
from $65 / night
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Drive Time
- 32 min from Sacramento, CA
- 39 min from Yuba City, CA
- 1 hr 13 min from Stockton, CA
Recent Camping Photos near Gold Hill, CA
354 Photos of 283 Gold Hill Campgrounds
Chris D.
InTent Montauk
Cooper L.
Lake Clementine Boat In — Auburn State Recreation Area
Fawad A.
Ascension Ranch
T L.
Peninsula Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Charity M.
Apple Grass Farm
Aariana N.
Camp Far West North Shore
Syd D.
Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Kate A.
Thousand Trails Ponderosa
Carly D.
Bear River Park & Campground
Rosina A.
Coloma Resort
April N.
American River Resort
The Dyrt
Reverie Retreat
Recent Reviews near Gold Hill, CA
768 Reviews of 283 Gold Hill Campgrounds
- CCheryl G.
ScoutLodgepole Campground
Filthy restrooms and showers!
5 stars for the campground itself. I've been camping at Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park since 1984, when I was just 20 years old. I have loved every camping trip since(at least 30 plus times)! The campsites are great, the grounds, and trails are well-maintained, and safe. I love that the general store is easy to get to and has ice and extras that we may have forgotten to bring. However, we have noticed over past few years that the restrooms in the campground have become increasingly filthy. I get that people walk in with dirt all over their shoes, so of course the floors will be dirty, but it's unacceptable to allow the toilets to be so gross! I will leave out the unpleasant details! I asked a young park ranger how often the restrooms are cleaned and he said every day. Apparently they source out the cleaning. It's obvious that all they do is sweep the floors, empty the trash and provide more TP. The sinks, and floors look like they haven't been scrubbed in a long time, and I noticed the toilets looked as bad the day we got there to the day they left. I remember in the 80's and 90's seeing rangers doing a very thorough cleaning each morning. We would walk in and could smell the cleaning chemicals, and the floor would be wet from mopping. Also, the showers are dirty too. They removed the benches in the individual shower stalls so there's no place to put your clean clothes. Do better Lodgepole!
- mmegan L.
TravelerGreenhorn Capground at Rollins Lake
Expensive but decent
We got a pretty secluded site at Cabana 12 but the rest of the sites are kinda stacked on top of each other or out in the open right next to each other. If you want some more privacy then do C12. Being near the lake was great and having a camp store and bathrooms. Showers cost 50¢ for 5 min which isn’t bad but since the campsite is so expensive it would have been nice for them to be free.
- MMike K.Scout
Jackson Rancheria RV Park
Wonderful Location
This place is awesome. Super clean, spaces are big and neighbors are not too close. The facilities are super clean and modern. We enjoyed the pool, spa and shower facilities. There’s a shuttle that shows up about every 40 minutes to the casino. The office staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the different spaces and location of the afternoon sun.
Brook L.ScoutRancho Seco Recreation Area
Rancho Stinko
This park is completely understaffed, and the staff they do have are short and rude when talked to. Leaches in the water, goose poop all on beach area along with trash and dirty diapers. Management is never to be seen and the store they have is never open. Restrooms had poop on walls, birds in the bathroom, toilet paper everywhere. They constantly have water problems. They have an abundance of wasps also.
- Harry L.Guide
Yuba Sutter Fairgrounds
Very nice, Shade very where
All grass with plenty of shade tress. A lot of spaces to choose from, they have a camp host who patrols the area. Gates are locked at night so some what secure. There is a dump station that you can use if you rent a space. Very nice !
- MMagicallyChris -.Traveler
Grouse Ridge Campground
Great Spot and Hikes, Challenging Road, AWD Recommended
Place was quite busy over the weekend but we were able to secure the last campsite Saturday afternoon. The drop toilets had a little remaining toilet paper but ran out during our stay (bring your own). I wouldn’t recommend the road without 4x4 or AWD, especially if the road conditions are wet/muddy. Our RWD car made it to the site, however it's the type of road that you could easily get stuck without off roading experience and careful navigation. There are sizable rocks, ruts, and potholes to navigate through. Under carriage scrapping will be unavoidable for lower clearance vehicles. Cell service available at campground. Bear box boxes available at campground, each site had one.
Amazing hikes and trailhead near campsite.
- DDiane V.Traveler
Pipi Campground
Wooded, set along a small river with a boardwalk along the entire length
The campsite is set along one side of the middle fork of the Cosumnes River and is quite lovely. It is a popular campground on weekends so reservations are recommended. There are outhouses and fresh water available. Cell service is very spotty (we have Verizon) but drive up the road a half mile and you'll get a signal. There are places to fish and swim in the river, with several day use areas in the campground.
V L.TravelerEl Dorado National Forest, off Cal Hwy 88
Decent site for first timers but better for dirt motor bike enthusiasts
We did two nights and left in the morning on the third day. The ranger drove by briefly both days but didn't stop to give us any feedback. We followed the coordinates using GPS out to this site just fine without losing signal. But once there, definitely no cell signal. We didn't see any posts labeled"8N54" or"8N55". We did see posts for Motorized Trailhead 13E33.
Overall this was a good little spot for first time dispersed campers like us. We did some light hiking and there was plenty opportunity for star gazing. Oddly enough there was rave music playing all night into the early morning hours. Unexpected, but distant enough that one of us was able to sleep through it ok, but not the best or most peaceful sleep. We're not really sure if it was coming from a nearby campsite or private property but, oh well. At times throughout the day time the rave music would come on briefly.
Also, this site is really well suited for folks who love dirt motor biking, driving ATVs and that sort of thing. We don't have anything like that but we chose this site because it was easy to get to and not too far from home and civilization. There were several folks riding around both days from about 9 am to 4 pm. We recommend using a copy of the MVUM Map for El Dorado NF Placerville area to see all of the trails and road types. During the peaceful quiet moments, we heard several woodpeckers, crickets, loud deer mooing. And there was even a small heard of cows that came into the campsite a little bit. For about 45 minutes we heard them clinking around with their cowbells on. But it was at night so it was pitch black and the bells were a bit distracting along with the music. One of them even decided to smudge our truck(see photo).
Also, be prepared to shake out your shoes and clothes often as this site featured dirt floor that was particularly dusty. Any time the riders would go by, a big cloud of dust would flow our way. Plenty of tree cover for shade. We didn't use the fire pit because of fire restrictions right now, but we got a fire permit anyway before heading out there. Instead we used a mini stove with butane canister. Definitely plan to pack everything out and clean up your trash. There were a few straggler pieces of debris clearly left behind by less mindful folks, but overall the site was clean in that sense. We were here in late July and it wasn't too hot or cold. We got a mix of warm and cool breezes that were really nice!
Guide to Gold Hill
Campgrounds near Gold Hill, California feature distinct seasonal access challenges across varied terrain, with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,200 feet in this western Sierra foothills region. Winter camping options remain available at lower elevations, while summer access expands significantly. Road conditions vary dramatically between developed recreation areas and more remote sites, with many campgrounds requiring navigation along steep, winding routes.
What to do
Explore historic Gold Rush sites: Several campgrounds provide direct access to California's gold discovery heritage. Visitors staying at Coloma Resort can easily explore Sutter's Mill. "Great park on American River, bathrooms are a five, up keep in park is great, one of the best parks we have stayed in," notes one camper, adding it's ideal for those interested in "Sutters Mill, gold rush country."
Wildlife viewing: The natural diversity offers excellent wildlife observation opportunities, especially at Peninsula Campground. One camper described: "Wildlife is off the chain here. As others have said, if you don't love being surrounded by wild animals, this will probably be a bit much for you. Bears have been seen on occasion, cougars, Bobcats, and coyotes all stop by from time to time, and there are so many skunks it can get annoying."
Spring wildflower hikes: Several campgrounds feature seasonal bloom displays. Peninsula Campground is particularly noted for its spring vegetation: "Awesome in spring where the flowers and grass are POPPING. A lot of awesome trails and little environmental signs to walk around and learn about the area."
What campers like
Off-grid experiences: Ascension Ranch provides a unique remote camping option with farm animals. A visitor described it as "an off-grid paradise tucked away in an oak savanna along Folsom Lake with a unique and ever growing list of features and activities." Another camper added, "Super relaxing and has a lake that is at the end of the trail. Super convenient. It was cool to experience the animals that were in the pastures as well."
Riverfront access: Direct river access ranks highly in camper preferences. At American River Resort, one camper noted: "Campground was clean and well taken care of. 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."
Winter solitude: Shoulder season camping provides significant advantages. At Peninsula Campground, a camper reported: "Another mid-week quick adventure two weeks before spring. Weather in the Sierra foothills in early March is perfect for a couple day getaway from the colder temperatures and snow in the higher elevations where we live... With only us and two other folks in the entire campground we enjoyed privacy and seclusion."
What you should know
Water levels fluctuate dramatically: Lake and river conditions vary significantly by season. At Lake Clementine Boat In campground, visitors need to adjust expectations based on time of year: "We camped during the off season (November) so we had our pick of the campsites, which was a great considering the spots are right next to each other... Really nice site right by the water."
Road conditions require caution: Many campgrounds are accessed via challenging roads. At Mineral Bar campground, a visitor warned: "The access road is about six miles of curvy, hilly, and narrow (sometimes only one lane) pavement. There is a sign prohibiting trailers; our 18-foot camper van did fine but anything much larger would definitely be challenged."
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Facilities vary dramatically between campgrounds. At Lake Clementine, campers should "Bring your own water to drink, wash dishes and pans, or wash yourselves. The nearest store is about 2 miles back to the main road if you need to re-up on anything."
Tips for camping with families
Coin-operated showers: Several campgrounds require quarters for shower access. At Beals Point Campground, campers should "remember to take quarters with you if you want to shower." Another visitor noted: "The showers take quarters and have hot water most of the time. The showers are very big its actually quite peaceful and nice."
Accessible nature trails: Family-friendly educational options are available at select sites. Peninsula Campground features "A shorter accessible trail (Oaks Nature Trail) is entirely contained within the campground and takes you through some great examples and educational signs regarding the riparian ecosystem."
Spring season advantages: Early spring offers ideal family camping conditions. One visitor observed: "Peninsula campground on Folsom Lake is in the rolling hills and oak trees, remote from the more popular side of the lake. In the summer months the lake is very busy and the hills are brown with dried grass. But in the early spring it is quite, especially here, with green grass and wild turkeys."
Tips from RVers
Site selection challenges: RVers should carefully research specific site dimensions and conditions. At Auburn Gold Country RV Park, one visitor noted their "standard Hookup-RV-Spot was very uneven, couldn't get the RV level." Another camper staying at Loomis RV Park reported: "Although our stay was great, our spot was not that great for our 40ft bus due to the tree limbs and the ground was very uneven, which made it difficult to level."
Cell service for remote work: Working remotely is feasible at select campgrounds. At Beals Point, a camper reported "GREAT cell service for working remotely. 5G with 5 bars. Dry camping spot 28.00/per night." This makes it suitable for digital nomads needing connectivity.
Electrical reliability varies: Power fluctuations occur at some sites. At American River Resort, one RVer cautioned: "Water pressure is excellent. Our site had 30 amp only and I doubt any of them have 50 amp. 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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gold Hill, CA?
What camping is available near Gold Hill, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gold Hill, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 283 campgrounds and RV parks near Gold Hill, CA and 13 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Gold Hill, CA?
Which is the most popular campground near Gold Hill, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gold Hill, CA is Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area with a 4.2-star rating from 33 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gold Hill, CA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gold Hill, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near Gold Hill, CA.
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