394 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Gold Run area in California's Sierra foothills offers a mix of developed campgrounds and RV parks across diverse settings. Established campgrounds like Giant Gap near Sugar Pine Reservoir provide tent and RV sites with varying amenities, while Dutch Flat RV Resort caters primarily to recreational vehicles with full hookups. The region contains several water-adjacent campgrounds, including Rollins Lake's Greenhorn Campground and facilities near Scotts Flat Lake, providing opportunities for both lakeside and forested camping experiences.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping opportunities around Gold Run, with many campgrounds operating only from late spring through fall. Giant Gap typically opens from mid-May through late October, while some higher elevation sites in Tahoe National Forest have even shorter seasons. Most developed campgrounds require reservations during peak summer months. Winter camping options are limited to year-round facilities like Dutch Flat RV Resort and Nevada County Fairgrounds. "The road up to Iowa Hill is terrifying - especially in the dark. We camped in our 4runner as we got there when it was dark and there was so much glass and shell casings everywhere," noted one visitor about dispersed camping in the area.
Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront sites, particularly at Sugar Pine Reservoir. Giant Gap Campground receives positive reviews for its lake access and surrounding forest. "The camp sites are all very nice but 23 and 24 can't be beat with the best access to the water," shared one visitor about Giant Gap. Water recreation stands out as a primary draw, with several campgrounds offering swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating opportunities. Sites with shade receive consistently higher ratings, especially during hot summer months. While most developed campgrounds provide vault toilets, drinking water is not universally available, requiring campers to bring their own at certain locations. Campers should note that some areas like Rollins Lake can become crowded during peak season, with mixed reviews regarding site cleanliness and noise levels.
"The site was spacious and a short walk to the reservoir and trail. We hiked around the entire reservoir and it was gorgeous."
"The campsites are all very nice but 23 and 24 can’t be beat with the best access to the water ( you will have a lot of people walking by to get there also though)."
from $24 - $48 / 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."
"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"The individual sites are distanced enough so it still feels private, bathrooms and water was available. Hiked the pioneer trail and then went swimming in the lake nearby."
"It was only a 20-minute drive from home in Nevada City. We enjoyed hanging around the campground, took a cruise over to Rucker Lake for some exploring."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"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"Reserved 2 campsites next to each other for 10 family members for Father’s Day weekend 2019. Sites were large and not too close to each other so plenty of room to spread out. "
"Price is a bit steep IMO but the site was nice, a quick walk to the lake to cool off."
from $39 - $51 / night
Check Availability"Our site had several old rugs and leveling Timbers left behind, for example. Most sites are neither flat nor level, but close enough to get level. The setting is magnificent."
"There are multiple campsites by the water, no need to drive or take a long walk. There is a store on site that seeks everything you may need."
"Edit: I ended up sticking around to take in the place bc I had paid so much."
from $27 - $53 / night
Check Availability"I scared two black bears as I was walking (don't I wish I had that on film...). And yes, that's his footprint on my van door - he was checking out the bag of garbage I had stored on my roof."
"Some friends of ours love North Fork Campground just off I-80 at Emigrant Gap, so we were going to try it on the way back from the California coast to Reno. "
"Vault toilet near the entrance was in surprisingly good condition. The dump spot by the front was obviously not bear/raccoon proof enough and I assumed rangers hadn’t been through in a while."
GuideAll 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 !
TravelerRight off the road, rough to get into, in a flight path, lake is muck and stumps. But sites are free, first come first serve, water adjacent, sites spread out.
TravelerPlace 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.
ScoutGranite Flat offers a beautiful, well-maintained scenic setting right on the Truckee River. However, be prepared for traffic noise since it sits directly along Highway 89; after staying five nights at site 12, earplugs were definitely essential for a good night's sleep. What truly made our stay special was the camp host, Roos. She is outstanding, friendly, hardworking, and genuinely dedicated to keeping the campground in top shape and making campers feel welcome. Her hard work shows—the bathrooms were easily some of the cleanest we’ve ever seen at any campground, and they even smelled fresh! Thank you, Roos, for your exceptional service and dedication. We would gladly stay here again… as long as we pack our earplugs!
ScoutWas not aware lake tahoe was surrounded with all kinds of shops in the area we were staying in, extremely friendly people and so were the bears! Our first night a bear came right for our campsite as we were about to cook and took our eggs out of our cooler then invited its other fuzzy friend over. It was hard to cook our food as they were targeting our campsite so we went out to eat instead. The bears walked about the campsite for 6 hours probably but besides that bathroom was clean and so was the shower i felt really safe with other campsites close to me
TravelerThe 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.
TravelerWe 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!
TravelerSheila Edelen is an excellent camp host! She taught me the campers rule and that the campers rule is to always leave a place better than when you got there. I honestly believe if that was a law for every person and thing in existence, every person and thing in existence would have a better existence and life. Truly potent wisdom from a fun and cool artistic person! Remember how simple philanthropy is to continue to teach that important teaching, and that those excellent nostalgic Forest of wisdom philanthropy could be grown from one teaching idea in the form of the thought of a pine cone that had pinecones, and that was one seed from a pine cone teaching that life needs to learn and teach more.
ScoutAn absolute hidden gem! The camp hosts greet you like family, and the bathrooms are spotless. Our site was huge with plenty of breathing room. The best part? You can hear the Truckee River roaring just a short walk away and you're in pure paradise!
Public lands surrounding Gold Run, California provide a range of mixed-use campgrounds and undeveloped sites nestled in the Sierra foothills. Developed facilities include Giant Gap Campground near Sugar Pine Reservoir and Dutch Flat RV Resort, offering sites for both tent and RV campers. The region's campground options extend to Rollins Lake's Greenhorn Campground, which provides water-front sites with boat access. Most campgrounds in this area operate within 20 miles of Gold Run, creating a constellation of options along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet.
Seasonal considerations play a crucial role when planning visits, as several campgrounds like Giant Gap operate only from May through October. Summer brings warm temperatures and higher visitation, while spring offers more solitude with potential for muddy conditions. Many developed campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly for weekend stays during peak season. Fire restrictions are common during late summer and fall months. Cell phone coverage varies significantly throughout the area, with better reception near larger campgrounds and limited service in more remote locations. A visitor warned, "The road up to Iowa Hill is terrifying - especially in the dark... come with everything you need."
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for camping in the Gold Run vicinity. Sugar Pine Reservoir at Giant Gap Campground receives particularly positive reviews for its recreational opportunities. One camper noted, "The campsites are all very nice but 23 and 24 can't be beat with the best access to the water." Beyond the developed sites, dispersed camping can be found along forest roads, though these areas typically lack amenities. For those seeking more comfort, campgrounds like Inn Town Campground in nearby Nevada City and Scotts Flat Lake provide showers and more developed facilities. Noise levels vary significantly between locations - campgrounds closer to lakes tend to be more active, while remote forest sites offer greater solitude but require more self-sufficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gold Run, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gold Run, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 394 campgrounds and RV parks near Gold Run, CA and 27 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Gold Run, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gold Run, CA is Giant Gap with a 4.5-star rating from 11 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gold Run, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 free dispersed camping spots near Gold Run, CA.
What parks are near Gold Run, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Gold Run, CA that allow camping, notably Plumas National Forest and Martis Creek Lake.
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