Best Campgrounds near Grizzly Flats, CA

Campgrounds near Grizzly Flats are situated in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California, with developed sites at Sly Park Recreation Area and more secluded options at Jenkinson Campground. The area provides a mix of camping experiences, from lakeside established campgrounds to dispersed sites in the surrounding national forest lands. Sly Park Recreation Area features multiple camping sections with sites that accommodate tents, RVs, and glamping setups. Most campgrounds offer basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, while some sites provide water hookups. Iron Mountain Dispersed camping area offers free primitive camping for those seeking a more rustic experience away from developed campground options.

Road access varies throughout the region, with some campground areas requiring careful navigation on narrow roads. Sly Park Recreation Area has multiple camping loops with varying levels of accessibility. The Hilltop sites accommodate smaller trailers while areas toward the front of the park are better suited for larger RVs. Most campgrounds in the area are open year-round, though seasonal closures may affect some sites during winter months. Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer. Water spigots are typically turned off during winter months. A visitor noted: "The roads are very narrow with plenty of blind corners. Unsupervised children on bicycles, hikers, and other campers walking dogs on the roads is very common, unfortunately so are speeding cars."

Lakeside camping represents the most sought-after feature in the region, with Jenkinson Lake providing opportunities for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Several visitors highlight the 9.5-mile trail around the lake as a key attraction, with a waterfall hike accessible from multiple campground areas. Privacy levels vary significantly between camping areas, with sites closer to the lake generally being more crowded while those set deeper in the forest offer more seclusion. A recent review noted: "We typically frequent Pinecone Strip in the 30+ numbered sites. They have several water view sites, and many others deeper into the area. The lake is gorgeous and amazingly cool during the summer." Mixed-use campgrounds accommodate diverse camping styles, with some areas designated for equestrian camping. Vault toilets are standard in most developed campgrounds, though shower facilities are limited.

Best Camping Sites Near Grizzly Flats, California (368)

    1. Sly Park Recreation Area

    13 Reviews
    Pollock Pines, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 295-6810

    "They are set into the mountains with trees behind you. The park rangers are very present to keep people in check and the camp host drives by multiple times to keep the bathrooms clean."

    "The lake is GORGEOUS and amazingly cool during the summer, and we also love winter camping in the snow as well."

    2. Ghost Mountain RV Campground

    12 Reviews
    Pollock Pines, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 644-5476

    "It reminded me of Lake Pillsbury north of Clear Lake Ca where we as a family had been camping since 1981. But with just over 2hr drive not 6hr with trailer. There is a pool, and kids pool."

    "About 1.5hr from Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe. Built thick forest of the Sierra mountains. Nice size campsites. Water and Electricity only."

    3. Ice House Campground

    16 Reviews
    Kyburz, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 245-6891

    $36 - $108 / night

    "It was disappointing to learn this by getting a visit by the black bear who comes down from behind our campsite (which is why I do not recommend campsite 3)."

    "Neighbors were close, though not so close to be crowded. Spot was very close to the restroom, advantage and disadvantage when a strong ordor would breeze on through."

    4. Jenkinson Campground—Sly Park Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Pollock Pines, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 644-2545

    "We brought our paddle board and we’re walking distance to the lake front. Lake was quiet, trails well maintained and facilities were cleaned regularly. Will definitely stay here again."

    "The sites were mostly all at a slant so it was a bit uncomfortable in terms of the sleep situation."

    5. Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Volcano, CA
    16 miles

    $30 / night

    "Next to a beautiful state operated historical park with lots of open space, tall ancient oak trees and two easy trails. Open space great for games, frisbee, soccer, or setup a volleyball net."

    "So glad we did as it is tucked away on the grounds of an amazing state park! Most of the sites are small with a lot of tree coverage. It was quiet, quaint, and clean. "

    6. Pipi Campground

    5 Reviews
    Grizzly Flats, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 295-4414

    $36 - $108 / night

    "Good access to the river from many of the sites and in general the river is kid-friendly (during summer). Spots vary in size wildly so larger RV's might not be a good idea."

    "The site was close to the water but you could not see the stream from the campsite. At night we could hear the water as it flowed over the boulders. Very peaceful!"

    7. Pine Cone - Sly Park Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Pollock Pines, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 644-2545

    $37 - $47 / night

    "Beautiful view of the lake, level plot, toilets, picnic table, potable water, fire ring, grill, recycling stations and large dumpsters. Dog friendly too."

    8. Iron MT. Dispersed

    10 Reviews
    Eldorado National Forest, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (916) 324-4442

    "There are also many OHV trails close by."

    "I camped right on the edge where the view was as far from the highway as possible. The only downfall is that you can hear the highway. I went on a Tuesday."

    9. Hilltop - Sly Park Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Pollock Pines, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 644-2545

    "Beautiful lake and campground. We will be back in August."

    "Other good sites up here are 111 (full shade all day) and 113 with the awesome lake view."

    10. Sugar Pine Point Campground

    8 Reviews
    Kit Carson, CA
    17 miles
    Website

    "Really nice campground for families - bike trails, hiking trails, and access to the lake! Nearby showers are nice, too! Campground is near Tahoma Market if you need ice or last minute goodies."

    "Pros: If you’re tired of fighting crowds around Lake Tahoe in peak season, head to the north west side of the lake to Sugar Pine where you’ll find lots of open sites amongst shady pines."

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Recent Reviews near Grizzly Flats, CA

1275 Reviews of 368 Grizzly Flats Campgrounds


  • Michelle R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful boondocking

    Passing through the area, I was pleased to find this site. Large spaces and plenty of room for more than one vehicle per site.

  • Raymond M.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Top of Arnold - FR 5N56 Dispersed

    This place is real camping

    This campground was the best campground that I’ve been to in a long time take note that this is real camping so there is no bathrooms. There is no running water. There is no showers not for the week but for the real man not recommended for women in small kids, but absolutely amazing and beautiful place. Be sure to obtain a fire permit from Cal fire and check fire restrictions in the area have a bucket full of water and a shovel next to your fire at all times again this place was amazing

  • Laura The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Glory Hole Recreation Area

    Pretty and quiet

    Easy to find, there was no one but my spot was labelled with the tags. Facilities are clean but the shower was cold, at best lukewarm. The lake's water was too low for a swim though :( sad

  • Shir S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    El Dorado

    Great place before lake tahoe

    We drove from redwood to Lake Tahoe and wanted a place to stay since it got late Good place Online booking and entrance if after hours and affordable price opposed to other sites in the area

  • Levi K.
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Campground by the Lake

    Not all reservations

    This is a great spot. We were out there the whole weekend and enjoyed the campground and lo9k forward to going back. There are first come first serve spaces available and that worked out great. The campground was not packed or to noisy over the weekend. We look forward to going back

  • Jolean D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Stanislaus National Forest Pine Marten Campground

    Close to the lake but not huge spots

    The location is beautiful. Smaller Alpine lake with spot for tents, and smaller RVs. Good space for outdoor setup and clean bathrooms. If you are looking for boondocking Sierra Nevada mts with a few comforts. This is great.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping

    Perfect

    Arrived pretty late so didn’t want to disturb others to check out all the sites, luckily there is a huge parking lot type area right in the front. Stayed for a night there with some other cars , no problems. Nice area. Easy drive in.

  • J
    Sep. 17, 2025

    American River Resort

    Perfect match

    During our stay (mid of September) the place was empty and we had the most relaxed time we could have. RV site close to the river and some deers also crossing our ways on the campground

  • Victoria S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping

    Serene Camping

    There were definitely a few long term campers here. But the place was very clean. No cell service fyi. Easy to get to, road is dirt but has very few bumps.


Guide to Grizzly Flats

Camping near Grizzly Flats, California places visitors in the Sierra Nevada foothills at elevations ranging from 3,500 to 7,500 feet, with significant temperature variations between seasons. The area sits within El Dorado National Forest where pine forests dominate the landscape and water levels at reservoirs fluctuate seasonally. Campgrounds in this region typically enforce strict fire regulations during summer and fall due to heightened wildfire risk.

What to do

Lake activities: 9.5-mile trail options. The trail system around Jenkinson Lake offers hikers multiple access points to reach the waterfall. One camper noted: "I'm in my mid 40's and walked the south side waterfall trail from Hazel Creek to the first dam and back in about 3 hours…and I'm by no means a regular hiker." At Sly Park Recreation Area, visitors can rent kayaks and paddleboards at the marina to explore the reservoir.

Star viewing: dark skies and clear nights. The higher elevation campgrounds provide excellent opportunities for nighttime astronomy. A camper at Iron Mountain Dispersed shared: "The views from this place are amazing. The abandoned ski lifts are pretty cool to look at and hike along them as well." The old ski resort area offers unobstructed views of night skies away from city lights.

Historical exploration: native heritage sites. The area contains significant Indigenous historical sites within short driving distance. According to one visitor: "Stop by the free museum. The ranger was very knowledgeable and engaged the kids well covering the history of artifacts." Many campgrounds provide interpretive materials about the region's mining and Indigenous history.

What campers like

Privacy differences: site selection matters. Campsite privacy varies dramatically even within the same campground. A camper noted: "Great campsite! Lot 38 on Pinecone Strip, really private. No other campsite really visible. Close to bathrooms and water." At Pine Cone - Sly Park Recreation Area, one visitor shared: "Beautiful view of the lake, level plot, toilets, picnic table, potable water, fire ring, grill, recycling stations and large dumpsters."

Winter camping: reduced crowds. The region offers year-round camping opportunities with significantly different experiences between seasons. According to a winter camper: "We stayed the weekend at a great site. It was cold with a little rain but was very fun. I really enjoy this campground. Water level was low and this time of year the water spigots are off."

Trail accessibility: varying difficulty levels. The area provides trails suitable for all skill levels. One visitor to Jenkinson Campground shared: "We love this campground! There are 9 different sections to stay in. The farther back you stay the better in my opinion unless you like a bit more going on. The trails are perfectly maintained and you can go around the whole lake in 9miles."

What you should know

Water conditions: seasonal changes. Reservoir levels fluctuate significantly throughout the year affecting beach access and water activities. A visitor noted: "This year the water was a bit high still however we heard typically they have nice beachy areas. Fishing was excellent!" Water temperatures remain cold even during summer months.

Booking challenges: reservation systems vary. Different campgrounds in the area use different reservation platforms with varying availability windows. One camper at Ghost Mountain RV Campground warned: "This is a private campground time share system. We actually decided to buy in because of some of the services they offer."

Insect awareness: seasonal pests. Yellow jackets and mosquitoes can be problematic during certain times. A camper shared: "The only downfall to our stay was the yellow jackets. We got swarmed by them anytime tried to cook. No Exaggeration easily 100+ jackets swarming our bbq while tried to cook our dinner."

Tips for camping with families

Wildlife viewing: supervised exploration. Many campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local wildlife safely. One parent mentioned: "Wild turkey's roam free every morning!" while another recommended: "Bring your binoculars and a sun hat and look for the woodpeckers nesting in the giant black oak tree."

Short hikes: waterfall rewards. Family-friendly hiking options with rewarding destinations keep children engaged. A camper at Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground shared: "It was great to walk around and learn something new about the natives to the land! One bonus, only 2 hours from the bay area!"

Campground activities: recreation options. Many campgrounds offer organized activities during summer months. One family noted: "This campground is handicapped friendly. Its not large but rests along the Cosumnes River with a boardwalk and cement walking trail good for wheelchairs and canes. Family friendly and well developed."

Tips from RVers

Site selection: check dimensions. RV sites vary significantly in size and approach angle. An RVer advised: "Hilltop sites are better for smaller campers. I have an 18' trailer and sites 126-128 are really nice. They are set into the mountains with trees behind you." Many campgrounds have size restrictions limiting larger rigs.

Road awareness: challenging access. Many campground roads require careful navigation. One RVer warned: "We came on a Sunday and were able to set up camp and leave our stuff to hit the grocery store in Pollock Pines. I think it was $45 for the night but very well worth camping in an established zone for the first time in a week! We drove into our site in a Ford E-350 and next to us was a converted schoolbus."

Seasonal closures: water systems. Winter camping requires additional preparation. A camper noted: "There is a nice dump station. There is also a honey bucket truck that comes around to all camp sites Mon, Wed, and Fridays to dump your gray and black tanks." Most campgrounds shut off water systems during freezing months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Grizzly Flats, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Grizzly Flats, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 368 campgrounds and RV parks near Grizzly Flats, CA and 23 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Grizzly Flats, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Grizzly Flats, CA is Sly Park Recreation Area with a 4.8-star rating from 13 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Grizzly Flats, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 free dispersed camping spots near Grizzly Flats, CA.

What parks are near Grizzly Flats, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 parks near Grizzly Flats, CA that allow camping, notably Eldorado National Forest and New Hogan Lake.