Dog-Friendly Camping near Goodyears Bar, CA

Campgrounds near Goodyears Bar cluster along the Yuba River at elevations between 2,500 and 3,500 feet within the Tahoe National Forest. The region's Mediterranean climate brings hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters with seasonal road closures affecting accessibility to higher elevations. Most dog friendly campgrounds near Goodyears Bar operate from late April through mid-October when temperatures range from 50°F at night to 90°F during summer days.

What to do

Fishing access: Gold Lake offers diverse fishing opportunities for anglers with dogs. "Gold Lake is a gem with spectacular views all around you... Gold Lake itself is one of the largest in the Basin that allows motorized boats. I would highly recommend this lake for kayakers and hikers, during off season it is extremely peaceful," notes Audrey C. about Gold Lake 4x4 Campground.

Swimming holes: Union Flat Campground provides direct river access for cooling off with pets. "About a hour out of truckee you'll find some of the most beautiful swimming holes I'd ever seen in ca. Many sites in the area, this one seemed to have the best hole attached. Site 8 is the access to it, so beware if you don't like people walking through," shares Keef W. from Union Flat.

Off-roading trails: Access to Gold Lake requires navigation skills and proper vehicle clearance. "The 4x4 campground is great, stayed here a couple times now. The trail in isn't very challenging, the first rock section is a good 'gatekeeper' if you will. My 4runner made it in fine, small lift and 33's. Never touched sliders, but the wheels & skids got some new scratches," explains Jake R.

What campers like

Secluded locations: Indian Valley Campground offers peace away from main roads. "We were looking for a spot next to the Yuba River and found this gem. Only 17 campsites so it's not crowded. It's also away from any road noise," reports Kathy K. about Indian Valley.

Swimming access: Sand Pond near Sardine Lake provides excellent swimming for families with dogs. "My family has been camping here since before I was born and we love it! It's definitely a gem of the Sierras. The lake is beautiful and Sand Pond is great for swimming. There is plenty of hiking and fishing around and it is such a peaceful place to relax and read a book," writes Hannah O. about Sardine Lake.

Bear-resistant storage: Most campgrounds provide bear boxes, but they vary in size. "The only problem we had was that our cooler didn't fit in the food locker. There was an annoying shelf inside the food locker that prevented our cooler from fitting. It would have fit nicely if the shelf was higher," shares Isabel R. from Carlton.

What you should know

Toilet conditions: Facilities range widely between campgrounds. "Fiddle Creek Campground is clean and well maintained, which is always great to find. But its close proximity to Hwy 49 (maybe 75 feet away) makes for more headlights and traffic noise than I'm used to when camping," warns L. from Fiddle Creek.

High clearance vehicles: Some campgrounds require off-road capable transportation. "MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AN OFF ROAD VEHICLE. Great campsite but hard to get to. Not bad if you have a 4x4 that's lifted with some all terrain tires. Overall nice and remote campground with great views. Make sure you bring bear spray! Pack your trash too," cautions Christopher L.

Water access limitations: Not all riverside campgrounds offer easy water entry. "From the campground there is no easy access to the water. We were looking forward to spending some time in the water but learned that we could only do that by renting a boat," mentions Isabel C.

Tips for camping with families

Hiking options: Short trails connect many campgrounds to scenic spots. "We had a lovely night here at Jamison Creek Campground in Plumas-Eureka SP! We are from the Midwest & some local friends recommended this spot. Our site (36) was spacious, had great trees to sling up the hammock, and backed up to the creek which provided a lovely soundtrack," shares Kiley S. from Plumas-Eureka State Park Campground.

Pet-friendly swimming: Campgrounds with gradual water entry work best for dogs. "We stayed at site 7A which had zero shade, but did have access to the swimming hole. Our kids loved this campground. The swimming hole was awesome. This campsite is about 15 minutes from Downieville," explains Kristin P.

Shade considerations: Summer heat makes tree cover essential for pet comfort. "Our site was great, but didn't have very much shade. It was nice to be hike up to volcano lake from our campsite as well as sardine lake and upper sardine lake," notes Erika B.

Tips from RVers

Generator noise: Engine-free campers should choose tent-only campgrounds for quieter stays. "If you have a boat or want to rent a boat this reservoir is perfect. If you want walk up access to the water while camping, this is not the campsite for you. The campground had flush toilets, large bear bins, dogs were allowed, and was lovely all around," suggests Isabel C.

Parking challenges: RV sites often have difficult access and limited space. "While the space was long enough for our 35 ft trailer and truck the pad was narrow and there are a lot of rocks to maneuver around. We were barely able to open our slide and drop the stairs due to the amount of large rocks on each side of the pad," cautions Melanie R. from Schoolhouse Campground.

Water availability: Bring containers for potable water at limited-service campgrounds. "Tent only. You park and walk to you camping which is with other camps right by. It's not too bad and if you get a group you can get your own little slice of the campground to yourself. Toilets are pit toilets," explains Amber Q.