El Dorado County offers RV camping near Greenwood, California at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 feet in the western Sierra Nevada foothills. The region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F between June and September, while winter brings occasional snow at higher elevations. Most campgrounds remain accessible year-round, though forest service sites typically close during winter months.
What to do
Water activities at American River: Thousand Trails Ponderosa in Lotus provides direct river access for swimming, kayaking and tubing. "Lots of great fishing, floating, and kayak accessibility. Bring tubes and life vests. Poles and bait," advises Kate A., who notes the swift current requires caution, especially with children.
Gold Country exploration: The region's rich mining history can be explored from 49er Village RV Resort in Plymouth, serving as a convenient base. "Local grocery and pizza, frozen yogurt available within walking distance," shares Kate A. about nearby amenities when not exploring historic sites.
Mountain biking: Numerous trails thread through the foothills, accessible from campgrounds like French Meadows. "Our site was pretty big with lots of options for setting up the tent. It was easy to get to the water from my site," notes erin O., highlighting the proximity to both water and trail access points.
What campers like
Privacy at higher elevations: Less crowded camping can be found at South Yuba Campground. "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., confirming the peaceful nature of this location.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Minden offers productive fishing despite its man-made appearance. "Last trip we caught 3 bass and 12 bluegills. This trip we caught a personal record size bass. Great place for fishing all day," reports Jon F., though he cautions about crowds on holiday weekends.
Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds organize regular events for children and families. "Friday potlucks were the soul of the park... Easter weekend took it to another level. My toddler had the time of his life painting eggs and coloring puzzles," shares Bryce about activities at Lake Minden that engage younger campers.
What you should know
Varied site conditions: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain that may challenge tent setup. At French Meadows, graham K. warns: "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."
Membership requirements: Some private campgrounds restrict access to members or those on introductory packages. At Ghost Mountain RV Campground, "This resort is part of Colorado River Adventures and is private," explains Lisa W., while amanda G. adds: "The only catch is that your first visit you sit through a 1.5 hour long presentation."
Water limitations: Not all sites offering hookups provide full services. HandL C. cautions about Placerville RV Resort: "If you are expecting a full-hookup site, make sure it has septic at your site! Many of the sites are water and electric only, and you have to use the one dump station at the camp entrance for dumping."
Tips for camping with families
Look for organized activities: Tahoe Valley Campground offers regular programming for children. "They put on a ton of events like karaoke nights, live music, and smores nights. Hot showers and well lit clean bathrooms," reports Dani P., though noting it may not be ideal for those seeking solitude.
Verify playground facilities: Several campgrounds maintain play areas for children. At 49er Village RV Resort, "The kids loved the stocked fishing ponds, and even better was the immaculate 2 swimming pools and playground! Everyone was busy having fun the whole time," according to Syd D.
Consider shade availability: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, making shade crucial. Kate A. notes about Thousand Trails Ponderosa: "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!"
Tips from RVers
Road access challenges: Mountain roads to certain campgrounds require caution with larger rigs. When visiting Dutch Flat RV Resort, Tod S. observed: "Most sites are neither flat nor level, but close enough to get level. The setting is magnificent." The narrow mountain roads leading to many campgrounds demand careful navigation.
Site selection strategy: First-come-first-served policies at some parks require planning. At Thousand Trails Ponderosa, Angela C. advises: "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."
Spacing between sites: Site proximity varies significantly between parks. At Auburn Gold Country RV Park, Randy J. notes "The sites are a nice size with pull-through spots, gravel and fairly level. Sites are close, but it wasn't too crowded while we were here," indicating reasonable spacing despite proximity.
