The Grass Valley region sits at approximately 2,500 feet elevation in the western foothills of California's Sierra Nevada mountains. RV sites near Grass Valley, California operate year-round, though higher elevation campgrounds close seasonally due to snow. Mountain terrain creates variable cell service reception depending on your specific location.
What to do
River swimming and tubing: At Sycamore Ranch RV Park, guests enjoy waterfront access. "Shaded grassy sites along the banks of Dry Creek (which was full of water when we visited) just above its confluence with the Yuba River. I took advantage of the water and after getting shuttled up to the bridge kayaked down the Yuba and up dry creek all the way to our campsite!" says Chris.
Wildlife viewing: Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs offers abundant wildlife watching opportunities. According to Nicole G., "Each day a family of deer came thru our site and were so tame they ate fruit right out of the kids' hands. So cool!" The campground provides a natural habitat for various animals.
Fishing: French Meadows reservoir offers fishing opportunities. A reviewer notes, "Great trout fishing." The reservoir maintains good water levels even during drier periods, with one camper stating, "The reservoir was almost full so that made it especially nice. All sites have easy access to the water."
What campers like
Privacy and seclusion: South Yuba Campground provides a peaceful environment away from crowds. "This is one of the best sites there is. There's hiking access to the river, and almost never anybody at this campground. It's scenic privacy at its best," reports J.d. E.
Swimming spots: Loganville Campground connects directly to the Yuba River. Julie D. states, "The campground itself is pretty standard, sites are decent size, and lots of shade. There is a path down to the Yuba River, where you can get in the water or float on a tube. The best part about this campground is the river."
Lake activities: Lake Francis Resort offers water recreation with motorboat restrictions. Michael M. mentions, "Nice quiet lake. Good campsites. Good general store and even a little restaurant and ice cream shack." The resort also features cabin rentals with lake views.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires careful driving. For French Meadows, a camper warns, "The road is long and windy and dangerous if you are not creeping around the corners. 1.5 hours from Auburn." Similar mountain roads serve other campgrounds in the region.
Uneven terrain: Site leveling can be challenging at certain campgrounds. A camper at French Meadows notes, "Two thirds of the campsites were on a slope with no where to setup a tent on level ground... you are rolling the dice and could be rolling in your tent all night from being on a hill."
Seasonal pest concerns: Thousand Trails Snowflower campground has mosquito issues during warmer months. One reviewer cautions, "Our group's collective joy was short lived after we were beseeched with mosquitos. We spent the weekend trying to figure out why this camp is more bug-ridden than others and concluded that it is likely due to limited air currents through this secluded part of the forest."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Placerville RV Resort offers structured recreation for children. One reviewer notes, "Mini train ride around park, great playground, mini golf, showed movie and a lot more awesomeness. Was not cheap but kept the kids entertained."
Wildlife education opportunities: Sycamore Ranch RV Park provides bird watching experiences. B. Douglas J. reports, "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."
Swimming access: Lake temperature varies by location and elevation. For French Meadows, a reviewer shares, "Loved the water access, and water was perfect temperature for swimming for our toddlers even." Lower elevation water bodies typically warm earlier in the season.
Tips from RVers
Electric limitations: Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs has electrical issues during peak periods. Eric P. notes, "There wasn't a single day when some campsite didn't have electrical issues, in fact they turned a lot of their RV sites into Tent Sites because of electrical issues."
Leveling challenges: Dutch Flat RV Resort requires proper leveling equipment. According to Random E., "I stayed at Dutch Flat RV for a year (Aug 24-Jul 25). it is a nice campground with some beautiful hikes starting at the campground." Despite scenic surroundings, the sites often require leveling.
Campsite selection: When booking at Thousand Trails Ponderosa, understand the site reservation system. Angela C. explains, "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."
