337 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Auburn State Recreation Area offers multiple camping options near Greenwood, California, with sites along the American River providing water access and scenic views. Ruck-A-Chucky Campground features tent sites directly alongside the river, while Lake Clementine Boat-In campground provides more secluded experiences. Several developed campgrounds such as Coloma Resort, American River Resort, and Camp Lotus offer cabin accommodations and RV hookups. The region includes a mix of state recreation areas and private resorts, with most developed sites concentrated along the river corridors where rafting and water activities are popular.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the area, particularly when accessing primitive campgrounds. The access road to Ruck-A-Chucky requires careful navigation with steep, narrow sections that may challenge larger vehicles. "The 3 mile road down is a bit treacherous (maybe don't take your RV) but makes you feel 'out there'," noted one camper about reaching this riverside campground. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with Ruck-A-Chucky open from October to April, while Lake Clementine Boat-In operates from May through September. During summer months, temperatures can reach uncomfortable highs, making riverside locations particularly valuable for cooling off.
Waterfront camping represents the primary draw throughout the area, with visitors consistently highlighting river access as the defining feature. Campers at Ponderosa reported enjoying "lounging at the edge of the river" during hot weather, with the swift current providing natural cooling and recreation opportunities. Sites directly adjacent to the American River tend to fill quickly during peak season. Many campgrounds feature a mix of shade coverage, with reviews indicating variable tree cover depending on the specific location within each property. Private campgrounds like Camp Lotus offer more amenities including showers and on-site stores, while public land sites provide more primitive experiences with vault toilets and no potable water. Cell service remains spotty throughout the canyon areas, though several reviewers mentioned getting minimal signal at Lake Clementine.
"Beautiful fall surroundings right adjacent to the South Fork of the American River. Easy walk or car ride to numerous hiking trails."
"If you ever want to experience the thrill of gold panning, and California history go here!"
"As with most of California everything is dry. The lake is very low and a half mile walk from park to get to. The sites are surrounded by dry tall grass and spaced out nicely."
"As full timers- we thought we hit the jackpot for the area in order to be near the towns we wanted to explore and also have service for good wifi."
from $33 - $58 / night
Check Availability"Nice campground - close to river. .5 mile walk to town for shopping/eating. All sites have fire pit and picnic table. Bathrooms clean and private showers."
"It is right in the American River and next to a class 3 rapid called Trouble Maker. It was awesome watching rafters and kayakers go through it."
"Very quite camping spot very clean.coin operated showers😭 lake is very close by."
"I wanted to find a spot somewhat close by and came across this one."
from $33 / night
Check Availability"I’ve been here about 8-10 times and every time I love my stay, it’s a quiet getaway around 45 mins away from me and the sound of the river is amazing."
"Place the cash ($28 a night) in the envelope and put it in the post that’s on the parking entrance."
from $38 / night
Check Availability"You’re also about 3 or 4 miles away from the Georgetown OHV which made it an easy ride to get to the dirt."
"A lovely quiet spot midweek, quiet drive to Georgetown for some great breakfasts if you want some classic American diner fare."
from $3 - $8 / night
Check Availability"It’s great for kids that want to ride bikes around the sites- but be careful of the river, it’s swift."
"Great spot if you can get in half of the camp got washed away from the rain this year though ."
"Our site was next to the raft launch/pickup, so there were a couple of groups picked up during the day. Bathrooms were average and the site was maintained well."
"Small cars made it down ther without difficulty)
Once at the camp ground, right on the waters edge, grab up the 3rd site on the right. It is literally on the edge of the river."
TravelerVery nice & clean campground next to the lake! There’s also a market across the street from the campground in case you want something to eat, ice cream or just forgot to pack something. Very nice hosts who were very friendly and nice.
ScoutClean sharp fun to be there. Lots of staff roaming around and helping. Bring your BBQ
ScoutStayed two nights and had our 8 year old grandson with us. We got what we were told was the best full hook up RV site. I can see a little bit of the lake which is very nice. There is a lot of permanent residence mobile trailer homes. Not at all what I expected. It is dirt, rocks and trees that don’t really provide shade. There were cigarette buts all over our camp site. There is a small fire pit but no bbq. For a good five hours today there was some shooting off a gun. Our dog happens to be afraid of that sound so she spent most of the day inside the trailer. When we arrived we had no picnic table and nobody would answer the phone. My husband and I ended taking one from the empty site next to us. Then this morning I called trying to get the Wi-Fi password. They gave me the wrong one, I called back, they never answered. I left a message, they never called back. My grandson and I walked down a small boat ramp to the lake. The area was full of trash and there was sludge at least a foot off the shore. From there you can see many of the small boat ramps off the backs of the permanent trailers and they were in complete disrepair. I get the feeling no one cares.
I can’t speak to any other area in this resort. Only where we are physically. My Husband did say there was a nice pond with picnic tables and shade, but the dog was not allowed to be there so that wasn’t something that we could enjoy.
GuideVery popular in the summer!! Amazing lake front campsites with incredible views. Also kind of pricey. There’s onsite security and a big store with delicious icecream. Totally incredible fishing opportunities.
GuideWe went in February so we were the only campers in whole campground and got a killer lake front site. It was a little pricey compared to what I’m used to paying for camping(free), but the employees were extremely nice and friendly. We had a great time and paddle boarded, fished, and hiked in the surrounding areas.
GuideFrom pulling over and setting up camp, to backpacking all of your gear around the lake to the various of different camp spots, blue lake is the perfect camping area. I’ve camped here in the sunshine, rain, and snow and have had no regrets. It’s a great place for people who want to start getting into backpacking, as it’s a very short hike from the car while still very remote and peaceful.
ScoutCame on a Friday afternoon mid June and the campground was full so we camped on the ridge above the campground. There were a lot of people parked around to backpack and camp along the trails bin the area. It took 30 minutes to drive the 5 unpaved miles of grouse ridge road. No issues in my ‘83 2WD Westy
TravelerThis campground is in a decent location, it is about 1.5 miles from downtown and about 6 miles to donner lake. There are short walking trails behind the campground which is great if you have dogs. The campsites are small, but the ones in the back row at least have a decent view of the forest! The gym is a nice perk, but it is very underwhelming (a few cardio machines and random dumbbells). Unfortunately this campground also rents out to long term residents, which makes some of the campsites look pretty rough… but everyone was very quiet and very friendly, so really not much of an issue. This was our second time going, and both times we were happy with our stay… if there was a better option in Truckee, we’d take it, but we love Truckee and this one works well enough.
TravelerOur family loved it here. Great staff. The poo was clean and heated. They had volleyball, karaoke, clean bathrooms and open showers.
There is even a cute pond to fish out of.
Theirs an old town that has two stores open. One is ice cream and the other is breakfast and lunch.
Everything is affordable.
Camping sites near Greenwood, California offer diverse river and lake access options at elevations ranging from 600 to 1,500 feet. Many campgrounds operate year-round despite seasonal temperature fluctuations that can reach 100°F in summer and drop to near freezing in winter. While the Auburn State Recreation Area attracts many visitors, several alternative camping destinations provide varied experiences throughout the area.
Gold panning opportunities: Coloma Resort, located near Sutter's Mill where gold was discovered, offers visitors the chance to experience California history firsthand. "If you ever want to experience the thrill of gold panning, and California history go here! You will not strike it rich, but with a couple hours of effort you can get a nice little bottle of gold flakes to take home with you," notes one camper at Coloma Resort.
Rafting and rapids: Camp alongside class III rapids at American River Resort. "It is right in the American River and next to a class 3 rapid called Trouble Maker. It was awesome watching rafters and kayakers go through it," reports a visitor at American River Resort. Many campgrounds offer on-site rafting services for full-day adventures launching directly from camp.
Hiking and biking: Multiple trail networks connect campgrounds to scenic overlooks and river access points. "Lots of awesome trails and little environmental signs to walk around and learn about the area," shares a Peninsula Campground visitor. The nearby Otter Creek Trail offers challenging day hiking options with elevation changes near Dru Barner Campground.
River access: Many campers choose sites specifically for water proximity. "We stayed in spot 33 with a large group and didn't feel crowded. One concern was the road along the river view spots," notes a camper at American River Resort. River-front sites typically cost $5-$20 more per night but provide immediate cooling options during hot weather.
Clean facilities: Beals Point Campground maintains well-kept shower buildings. "Staff was very nice and friendly and let us pick a spot. Price was very reasonable for dry spot 28$. The showers needs QUARTERS and we were out of coins. So remember to take quarters with you if you want to shower," advises one visitor. Several campgrounds feature coin-operated facilities requiring quarters.
Off-season solitude: Spring and fall camping offers reduced crowds and green landscapes. "We visited this camp ground last year for a pre-spring getaway and really liked it. The grass is green, and the leaves are out on all the oak trees which makes it more beautiful," reports a Peninsula Campground visitor. Early March through May provides optimal conditions before summer heat arrives.
Access road challenges: Several campgrounds have difficult approach roads. "The trek down to the campsite was slightly difficult and we decided to utilize the four wheel drive as we navigated to and from," warns a visitor to Ruck-A-Chucky Campground. Small passenger vehicles can typically manage these roads, but larger vehicles may struggle.
Water limitations: Some locations have seasonal or permanent water restrictions. "Bring water as there is none available due to poor quality," advises a camper at Dru Barner Campground. Pack adequate drinking water and containers for dish washing at primitive sites.
First-come site selection: Despite reservations, many campgrounds operate with first-come site assignment policies. "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. Place the cash ($28 a night) in the envelope and put it in the post that's on the parking entrance," explains a Lake Clementine visitor.
Playground access: Coloma Resort features multiple age-appropriate play areas. "You can tent camp, rent a cabin or RV camp. Great sites along the river too. You can pan for gold, relax, or bike, hike along the river, and kids can play along several playgrounds for kids of different ages," recommends a family camper.
Swimming options: Lake Clementine Boat In offers clear water for swimming. "The river was extremely clean and clear with good temperature. The rangers are there everyday (I think). Very friendly folks. It can get pretty busy during the weekend with a lot of folks coming in for day-use," notes a visitor. Rivers provide natural cooling but require careful supervision due to currents.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites near campgrounds offer learning experiences. "You are walking distance from the historic town of Coloma and the Argonaut for breakfast and lunch (and Gelato!) Pool, playground, basketball and soccer - will definitely be back with the kids soon," shares a Coloma Resort visitor.
Site leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks to most area campgrounds. "Had a standard Hookup-RV-Spot. Was very uneven, couldn't get the RV level," warns a visitor at Auburn Gold Country RV Park. Most RV-suitable campgrounds feature gravel or dirt pads rather than concrete.
Power limitations: Many campgrounds offer only 30-amp service or no hookups. "The power is not good. I had to bypass the surge suppressor because it kept cutting out due to low voltage. Voltage was generally 104-105," cautions an American River Resort RV camper. Consider bringing a generator if staying at primitive sites.
Size restrictions: Larger RVs face access limitations at many sites. "I would be very cautious about coming here with a larger RV. Ours is 30' bumper to bumper. I think 32 would be ok," advises an experienced RVer at American River Resort. Call ahead to confirm access for RVs over 28 feet long.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Greenwood, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Greenwood, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 337 campgrounds and RV parks near Greenwood, CA and 21 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Greenwood, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Greenwood, CA is Coloma Resort with a 4.7-star rating from 15 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Greenwood, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 free dispersed camping spots near Greenwood, CA.
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