Campgrounds near Gold Hill offer RV accommodations ranging from 5 to 30 miles from town. Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills at approximately 1,500 feet elevation, Gold Hill enjoys mild spring and fall weather with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F. Winter camping is available at several year-round facilities despite occasional snowfall between December and February.
What to Do
River activities at South Yuba: The South Yuba River offers excellent kayaking and swimming opportunities near Nevada City. "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," notes one visitor to South Yuba Campground.
Wildlife observation: Sycamore Ranch provides excellent birdwatching and wildlife viewing opportunities along Dry Creek. "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," reports one Sycamore Ranch RV Park visitor.
Ghost town exploration: Visit the historic mining settlement near Pollock Pines. "We had a great experience... The staff was very welcoming and the grounds are organized and clean. They also have a pool area and hot tub. Our friends stayed in the cabins. They were clean and comfortable," writes a camper who visited Ghost Mountain RV Campground.
What Campers Like
River access: Staying directly on waterfront sites provides convenient swimming opportunities. "The best thing about this campground is its location on the river. But the sites are packed in and many have little or no cover... It was incredibly hot when we were there so we spent most of our time lounging at the edge of the river. It really moved along and was fun to float down in a tube," mentions a visitor to Thousand Trails Ponderosa.
Family activities: RV parks in the area offer various recreational facilities beyond basic camping. "This is a nice place to camp. It has a big pond you can go fishing in and it's quiet," reports a visitor to Thousand Trails Lake Minden. Another camper at Sacwest noted, "Pool, game room, wifi, SHOWERS!😍💞"
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and common areas. "The bathrooms are pretty clean and you have to pay for showers (which we didn't use)... All in all, a nice stop," mentions a Sycamore Ranch visitor. Another camper at Auburn Gold Country RV Park said, "The 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."
What You Should Know
Seasonal considerations: Many RV parks near Gold Hill experience significant seasonal variation in availability and conditions. "We checked in and had reservations but it's a first come first serve sites! They have different sections that cost more… the closer you are to the river, the more it will cost. It ranges from $5 to $20 bucks more a night," explains a Thousand Trails Ponderosa visitor.
Toilet availability: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds, from full restrooms to minimal options. "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," warns a South Yuba camper.
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation. "Clean, very well maintained but significant road noise," notes a visitor to Auburn Gold Country RV Park. Another camper at Loomis RV Park mentioned, "There is a train track across the way but not a bother with the horn twice a day."
Tips for Camping with Families
Activity options for kids: Several parks provide dedicated children's areas and recreation. "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," notes a visitor to Placerville RV Resort.
Swimming locations: Identify parks with water features for summer cooling options. "This is a well maintained RV and tent camping resort. It's great for kids that want to ride bikes around the sites- but be careful of the river, it's swift. The RV and tent sites are in two separate areas, with more updated amenities available for RVs like hot showers. Shared pool site," advises a Thousand Trails Ponderosa visitor.
Safety concerns: Be aware of environmental hazards when camping with children. "Lots of great fishing, floating, and kayak accessibly. Bring tubes and life vests. Poles and bait," recommends a visitor to Thousand Trails Ponderosa. Another camper at Ghost Mountain warned, "Poor hookups, no sewer, roads not paved, dusty. Extreme fire hazard with only one way out."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose camping spots carefully to accommodate your specific RV needs. "Gravel spots & pick nick tables. Only had 30amp service & the outlet moved around a bit. Had to prop up my plug with some blocks to keep it from moving or would lose power," explains a Lake Minden visitor.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at many of the region's RV parks. "Had a standard Hookup-RV-Spot. Was very uneven, couldn't get the RV level. If you don't have the premium hookup spots, you got to pay 20$ 'Service Fee' for dumping," notes a visitor to Auburn Gold Country RV Park.
Dump station availability: Plan for varying sewer access depending on the campground. "They don't have sewer so you can dump it yourself at a dump area on the campground or have a service come to you and do it for $25," explains a camper who visited SacWest RV Park.
