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Best Tent Camping near Gold Hill, CA

662 Reviews

Tent campers near Gold Hill, California have several options within the surrounding foothills and Sierra Nevada mountains. Lake Clementine Boat In at Auburn State Recreation Area offers primitive tent sites along the North Fork of the American River, while the Tahoe National Forest provides secluded tent camping at Onion Valley Campground with well-spaced sites in a meadow setting. Oracle Oak Grove, located north of Gold Hill, maintains four reservable tent sites in a more private setting.

Most tent campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities with varying levels of development. Lake Clementine features vault toilets but no potable water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Access to several sites involves narrow, winding roads that may challenge larger vehicles. The parking area at Lake Clementine is situated at the top of a hill, with tent sites located below, making for a short walk-in experience. Primitive tent camping is subject to seasonal restrictions, with many sites operating from late spring through early fall. Fire regulations vary by location and season, with complete bans possible during high fire danger periods.

The tent camping experience near Gold Hill offers proximity to rivers and lakes, providing opportunities for swimming, fishing and water recreation. Many campsites feature picnic tables and fire rings, though several tent-only areas like Oracle Oak Grove maintain a more natural setting. Tent campers at Onion Valley appreciate the small, uncrowded campground with access to hiking trails and wildflower meadows. Sites at Auburn State Recreation Area provide direct river access with crystal clear water. A reviewer noted: "The river was extremely clean and clear with good temperature. The rangers are there everyday. Very friendly folks. It can get pretty busy during the weekend with a lot of folks coming in for day-use."

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Best Tent Sites Near Gold Hill, California (59)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Gold Hill, CA

41 Photos of 59 Gold Hill Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Gold Hill, CA

662 Reviews of 59 Gold Hill Campgrounds

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 25, 2023

    Lake Clementine Boat In — Auburn State Recreation Area

    Off-season peaceful stay

    General: Normally, there are 18 designated sites that are reservable only from May 1– October 15. What we didn’t know until we arrived was that only Sites 1-7 were open after this date; fortunately, only two other sites were occupied when we arrived at 5:30 pm on a Monday in late October. 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. 

    Site Quality: Many of the sites are more suitable for tent campers. The parking area is at the top of the hill, and you set up your tent below. Most of the sites that have a “driveway” were not level, except for Sites 5 and 6. We lucked out with Site 6 – it was large and level and directly across from the vault toilets. A fire pit/grill, large concrete picnic table, and bear box complete the site (although there was a fire ban in effect).

    Bath: Only one vault toilet was open, and it was very clean. It was cleaned again the next morning. 

    Activities: This campground is located on the North Fork of the American River. In season, this campground would be very popular with rafters; there is a raft launch and takeout area close to the campsites. The river was crystal clear and beautiful.

    This was a small but beautiful campground. We were surprised that we had a semi-decent cell signal ranging from 1 to 2 bars (Verizon).

  • Summer A.
    Jul. 25, 2018

    Big Meadows Campground

    Sequoia National Forest Lovely Spacious Camp Sites

    It sounds like there are multiple Big Meadow camp grounds in California. This review is for Big Meadow Campground, Sequoia NF - FS, CA. The photos are of site 009B. My visit was wonderful. The camp sites are large. We set up two 8 person tents and one 2 person tent and there was plenty of room for more. The firepits are very well made. They block the wind while allowing good airflow. There is a very large picnick table at each site, a bear box, and plenty of shade. There is a vault toilet that is cleaned daily. The sites boarder a stream. The water level is about 3 inches in July with temperatures in the 80's. This is a dog friendly site. There is no potable water at this site.

  • Rosina A.
    Jun. 1, 2022

    Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

    Folsom Lake Penninsula

    Beautiful sunsets. No showers. Bathrooms are clean. Some sites are rather small and have little flat ground. Pics on website are tough to see when booking. Lake to most sites is a drive, but there are a few campsites on the lake. Many sites are on hill, you walk up the hill or down a hill with stairs. Lake has day use area, but also a dock area for camping folks. Lots of mosquitoes. They have a fire are to cook, no fire ring, have a bear box and picnic table. Some sites have plenty of shade while others are just plain sun so be prepared.

    Water is nice temperature and super clean! Nice to kayak, paddle, boat (they have boat ramps), fish, swim. Beach areas are rocks with weeds, but pretty.

  • Kate A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 20, 2021

    Thousand Trails Ponderosa

    Great location, but plan ahead

    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. Lots of great trails to weave through the campground on a mountain bike.

    One downside- it can be hot. Not a lot of tree cover for the RV sites- make sure you bring shade with you. Luckily, there’s a nice cool river to swim in!

    Fires are restricted sometimes in the summer. Some sites require a membership.

    Local grocery and pizza, frozen yogurt available within walking distance.

    Lots of great fishing, floating, and kayak accessibly. Bring tubes and life vests. Poles and bait.

  • Patricia O.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2018

    Lindsey Lake Campground

    Rustic and remote

    There are only a few campsites here, 12, I think, and a rough road getting (SUV or truck recommended) into the campground. Once you reach camp, you’ll be rewarded with serene and beautiful surroundings. Lots of lakes and hiking in the area. Mosquitos can be a problem so come prepared. Vault toilet. No trash service, no piped water. There are picnic tables and fire rings.

  • A
    Jul. 8, 2020

    Tahoe National Forest Onion Valley Campground

    Great spot

    We rolled in here after midnight and most of the spots were still empty, and they're far enough apart that we were able to set up camp without being too disruptive. There's a vault toilet, picnic tables, fire rings, and some gorgeous scenery. What more could you need?

  • Raymond B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2024

    USFS Silver Fork Dispersed

    Overnight stay

    We recently spent a night at this campsite and found it to be perfect for a quick overnight getaway. The area is spacious and conveniently located not too far off the main road, making it easy to access without feeling too isolated.

    There are plenty of sites to choose from, catering to different preferences. However, we recommend taking some time to survey the land before setting up camp, as some spots are slightly sloped.

    A huge plus is the gas station just about 5 minutes down the road. It’s well-stocked with all the convenient store items you might have forgotten at home, making it easy to grab any last-minute necessities.

    Overall, it was a delightful stay. Just remember, always practice Leave No Trace principles—pack out what you pack in!

  • T
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Coyote Group Campground

    Coyote Group Camp

    • Large croup camp site with lots of flat places to pitch a tent. • Clean pit toilets. • 3x Bear food and 4x trash/recycling bins. • 2 (or 3?) water spigots • 4 big picnic tables • Some shade • Uneven terrain around sites and lots of fallen trees • Lots of parking, including triller/RV parking. Parking is paved and flat.

    • Walking distance to the river • Big fire pit

    We enjoyed this site! Excellent for a big group. I think we had 18 people. There could an additional bear bin to support as much food/scented items as a group of 25 would need. We ended up using the extra bear-proof trash bins as overflow scented item/food storage. Worked well.

  • Zac R.
    Jan. 26, 2020

    Rucker Lake Campground

    Large sites

    This lake is a quiet getaway, with waterfront access and a warm lake. Short hike in but has picnic tables and bear boxes.

Guide to Gold Hill

Tent camping near Gold Hill, California provides access to the Sierra Nevada foothills with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 feet throughout the immediate camping areas. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F during daytime hours, with cooler nights dropping to 50-65°F. Winter camping remains viable at lower elevations with daytime temperatures averaging 45-60°F, though seasonal closures affect availability at many sites from late fall through early spring.

What to do

River swimming access: The American River near Lake Clementine Boat In offers crystal clear water for swimming during summer months. One camper shared: "I came in on a Thursday afternoon and snagged campsite #5. The river is extremely clean and clear with good temperature."

Gold Rush exploration: Historical sites related to California's mining heritage are accessible within 15-20 minutes of most campgrounds. Many trails lead to abandoned mining equipment, tunnels, and interpretive displays explaining gold extraction techniques used in the 1850s.

Oak forest hiking: The diverse terrain around Oracle Oak Grove features old-growth oak woodlands with moderate hiking suitable for most skill levels. A reviewer noted: "Jake from the Dyrt here! I got to know the owners at Oracle Oak and they have taken great steps to make this a unique place to stay, they also have kayaks and other water sport equipment available for campers."

Winter camping exploration: Unlike many Sierra destinations, Camp Far West North Shore remains open year-round, allowing winter tent camping when higher elevation sites close due to snow. The green winter landscape offers a completely different experience than summer visits.

What campers like

Private camping spaces: Campers appreciate the more secluded options at Camp Nauvoo where the 85-acre property provides ample separation between sites. One reviewer mentioned: "Great sites for families and romantic sites for couples. Hiking, swimming, fishing and places for quiet time."

Off-season tranquility: Visiting during shoulder seasons (late fall and early spring) provides significantly lower campground occupancy rates. A Lake Clementine camper shared: "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."

Creek access sites: Several campgrounds feature direct access to smaller creeks and tributaries with more moderate water flow than the main rivers. These spots provide safer water play areas for less experienced swimmers during spring and early summer.

Winter beauty: Winter camping offers unique landscape views. A visitor to Camp Far West North Shore noted: "We visited Camp Far West for one night on a quick trip looking for somewhere remote, nearby, and slightly warmer during the winter months. It was green and beautiful."

What you should know

Self-registration systems: Several campgrounds require self-registration upon arrival with specific payment procedures. A Lake Clementine camper advised: "BRING A PEN AND EXACT CASH. Upon arrival, scope out the place and claim your spot by filling out the envelope with your name and vehicle information and how many days your plan on staying."

Narrow access roads: The route to several campgrounds involves navigating steep, winding roads with limited width. One camper at Lake Clementine reported: "The access road is about six miles of curvy, hilly, and narrow (sometimes only one lane) pavement. There is a sign prohibiting trailers."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gold Hill, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gold Hill, CA is Lake Clementine Boat In — Auburn State Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Gold Hill, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 59 tent camping locations near Gold Hill, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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