362 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Northern California's Grass Valley has camping for everyone from beginners to backcountry veterans, with campgrounds near Grass Valley ranging from basic tent sites to full-service RV parks with hookups. South Lake Tahoe sits about an hour away, where campers get great views and decent facilities with regular bathroom cleaning and water taps throughout most campgrounds. Wildlife moves through the Grass Valley area frequently, so hanging food or using bear boxes is necessary rather than keeping snacks in your tent. Nights around South Lake Tahoe can drop below freezing even in late spring and early fall, so packing extra layers makes sense regardless of the forecast. Some campsites have good tree coverage and distance between neighbors, while others put you closer to fellow campers. Both tent spots and RV sites with varying hookup levels can be found throughout the South Lake Tahoe area. From Grass Valley campgrounds, trails branch out for day hikes and mountain biking, with several lakes and rivers nearby for swimming. Most established sites come with the basics - a fire ring and picnic table for cooking and eating. The Forest Service often implements fire bans during summer and fall, so check before planning to have a campfire. Regular cars can reach most camping areas on maintained roads, though a few spots require walking gear in from parking areas. Rangers enforce rules about food storage, campfires, and keeping wildlife wild through regular patrols. The landscape changes dramatically from Grass Valley's foothills to the high Sierra peaks. Campers find everything from basic sites to full-service campgrounds throughout the region. Making reservations months ahead works best from May through September when sites fill quickly. The Grass Valley area offers excellent campgrounds with scenic views and access to numerous outdoor activities, making it a solid base for camping trips in the Sierra foothills.
"Just know that here on The Dyrt, the location on the map for some reason shows it as being many miles away from Kidder Ct: it’s marked as if it is at Higgins Corner, halfway to Auburn?"
"Super clean and friendly Not congested and close to many hiking trails Easy drive and close to Nevada City.
Especially nice during Christmas Season. Feels like walking back in time."
"This campground is above Marysville California."
"They were both lake front campsites, which meant the water or shoreline was right at our "front door" from our 27' travel trailer."
"This is a smaller but nice lake. It hasn’t ever been over crowded when I’ve gone. The reason I like this spot is because campsites C3-C10 have the most shade you can hope for!"
"They have a convenience store that is walkable distance to get supplies, food, candy from. You should reserve a spot right on the lake. If you have a boat you can anchor it right in front."
from $42 - $53 / night
Check Availability"Very peaceful and the fairgrounds are open during the day to walk around."
"Really nice with the lake and quiet woods feeling. No hassle booking and really reasonable price. Huge sites like 150x18 or there abouts."
"The site was spacious and a short walk to the reservoir and trail. We hiked around the entire reservoir and it was gorgeous."
"The campsites are all very nice but 23 and 24 can’t be beat with the best access to the water ( you will have a lot of people walking by to get there also though)."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"It was quiet and private, but close to the hosts so they visited when I had questions about the best spots for swimming and hiking nearby."
"Had a fire in the fire pit and enjoyed the quiet(except for the coyotes in the distance!). Galen, our host, was always available to answer questions and to bring extra firewood."
from $55 / night
"There are trails for hiking or mountain biking. You are minutes from Bullards Bar which is one of the most beautiful lakes around. I definitely suggest a day trip to the lake."
"It’s mixed RV and tent with no RV power so the generators are loud and you’ll be surrounded by them."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Reserved 2 campsites next to each other for 10 family members for Father’s Day weekend 2019. Sites were large and not too close to each other so plenty of room to spread out. "
"Price is a bit steep IMO but the site was nice, a quick walk to the lake to cool off."
from $39 - $51 / night
Check Availability"This river trail is the best in the state. Clear water, lovely pools. Expect nudity as it is Northern California. The river is beloved by kayakers and swimmers."
"There's hiking access to the river, and almost never anybody at this campground. It's scenic privacy at it's best. Hike up or downstream for some really great swimming holes."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"There are multiple campsites by the water, no need to drive or take a long walk. There is a store on site that seeks everything you may need."
"Edit: I ended up sticking around to take in the place bc I had paid so much."
from $27 - $53 / night
Check Availability
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.
RangerLovely spots, no hookups, close to the highway but far enough off we couldn’t hear it. Stream is lovely, wish we had more time to spend.
GuideThank goodness we found this place! It was the only campground that could accommodate our 36ft Class A in the Tahoe area. Nice shaded campground with level sites and all hookups! across from a rec center with pool and other amenities.
GuideWe've stayed here several times over the years, usually in June. This is great jumping off point for getting a shuttle or doing some sort of MTB ride. Some of the spots are less private, but typically never been a problem with light or noise.
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills at approximately 2,500 feet elevation, Grass Valley offers cooler camping temperatures than Sacramento Valley while remaining accessible year-round. The area's mixed conifer and oak woodland creates diverse camping environments with temperature variations of 15-20°F between sunny meadows and forested sites. Campsites near Grass Valley, California range from developed facilities with amenities to more rustic options along the Yuba River.
River swimming spots: The South Yuba Campground offers excellent access to swimming holes. "The river trail is the best in the state. Clear water, lovely pools. Expect nudity as it is Northern California. The river is beloved by kayakers and swimmers. Perfect snow melt means August is the prime time," notes Anna R. at South Yuba Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Collins Lake Recreation Area provides stocked fishing options. "Really nice lake always stocked with fish. Quiet at night and not rowdy during the day. Great place for family camping. They also have boat rentals," explains Veronica N., who enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.
Lake activities: Paddle sports thrive at Giant Gap Campground. "Such a beautiful lake for paddleboarding as there are no motor boats. Quiet, secluded, flat campsites. There is a great trail that goes entirely around the lake," shares Nicki M. at Giant Gap, noting the 5-mile loop trail circling the reservoir.
Historical exploration: The Nevada City area offers gold rush history alongside camping. "We loved our brief stay at Giant Gap. No hookups, but spectacular beauty," writes Stephanie C., while another camper mentions the nearby covered bridge at South Yuba State Park as worth visiting.
Clean facilities: Inn Town Campground stands out for meticulous maintenance. "The Inn Town Campground is unlike any other campground I've ever been to. The campground is exceptionally clean and meticulously maintained. We even had a heated mattress pad in our glamping tent to keep warm," shares Amanda M. at Inn Town Campground.
Common areas: Social spaces enhance the camping experience. "Very nice campground. Next to train museum. Great common area. Lots of places to explore," notes Sandy W. about Inn Town Campground, while another reviewer praised "a fully stocked kitchen so you can camp without having to bring supplies."
Lakefront sites: Collins Lake offers premium waterfront camping. "We stayed in spot 110 with a lakefront view," shares Daniel S. at Collins Lake Recreation Area, while another camper mentions "both campsites, #66 and #116 had power, water and sewage. They were both lake front campsites, which meant the water or shoreline was right at our 'front door.'"
Shade coverage: Giant Gap Campground provides relief from summer heat. "Most sites stayed shady throughout the day. A truly beautiful place to spend a relaxing weekend," reports Syd D., noting the campground has potable drinking water and pit bathrooms.
Reservation timing: Popular sites book quickly in peak season. "Making reservations months ahead works best from May through September when sites fill quickly," advises a camper, while Scotts Flat Lake requires planning even further ahead: "We had to stay up until midnight on Jan 2nd to book online," reports Andrea D. at Scotts Flat Lake.
Fire restrictions: Rules vary by campground and season. "The Forest Service often implements fire bans during summer and fall, so check before planning to have a campfire," warns one camper. Inn Town Campground notes: "They do not allow wood burning fires, but you can use a gas fire ring or rent one from the campground."
Site spacing: Campgrounds vary widely in privacy levels. "Just can't recommend based on the very cramped conditions. Sites are not very level either. I needed to raise my front end 6 inches to get level," reports David C. about Nevada County Fairgrounds, contrasting with Greenhorn Campground where sites feel more spacious.
Road conditions: Access varies by location. One visitor warns: "It was a little challenging getting our 16' trailer to the pad but it was worth it. So quiet and serene there. I don't think the bigger rigs would be able to make the turn into the site and the road to the entrance is a bit rough."
Swimming options: Collins Lake Recreation Area offers family-friendly water access. "Our first stay at Collins Lake was fantastic. The lake views were beautiful, the campsites were clean and spacious. Plenty of activities for the family, like fishing and hiking," shares John L. at Collins Lake Recreation Area.
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. "Showers are HOT, and there is a playground for kids. Never had issues with noise or people partying too late!" notes Rachel about Scotts Flat Lake, making it suitable for families seeking structure.
Wildlife viewing: The area provides educational opportunities for children. "Amazed to watch a bald eagle grab a fish and fly away," reports Coleen C. about Collins Lake, while deer sightings are common at several campgrounds in the region.
Insect preparation: Be prepared for seasonal visitors. "Watch out for mosquitos though!" advises Andrea D. about Scotts Flat Lake, while another camper mentions: "Only negative were the excessive amount of bees during the day. Our site was swarming and several of us were stung - it was manageable but fairly annoying."
Hookup availability: Options range from primitive to full-service. "We have sites for tent camping and RVs with 30 amp, water, and sewer (full hook-ups)," explains one campground, while at Nevada County Fairgrounds, "Hookup campsites are demarcated by white powder on the ground. If you don't need hookups looks like you can go anywhere."
Site leveling: Terrain varies significantly by campground. "Visit was April 2020. Had spot in rear of facility. Lots of room uneven grass surface but auto leveled no problem," reports James B. about Nevada County Fairgrounds, highlighting the importance of leveling equipment.
Dump stations: Not all campgrounds offer this service. "They do have a nice dump station row just outside the camping sites, so it is not necessary to have RV sewage at your campsite, which saves you a few $," notes Ed E. about Collins Lake Recreation Area.
Generator policies: Restrictions vary by location. "We usually go with friends and their trailers, note this is dry camping so you should bring generators if you have a trailer," advises Leticia Z. about Greenhorn Campground, while other campgrounds prohibit generators entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best camping spots near Grass Valley for families?
Families camping near Grass Valley have excellent options with kid-friendly amenities. White Cloud is a gem offering easy access to Nevada City/Grass Valley activities and the Yuba River. It's known for its friendly camp hosts and variety of nearby attractions. Donner Memorial State Park Campground is also fantastic for families, featuring three camp areas with quick walking access to the lake, large campsites, and plenty of activities for all ages including boulder climbing, swimming, hiking trails, and paved loops for biking. Both locations provide the perfect base for family adventures while maintaining proximity to town amenities.
What campgrounds are available in Grass Valley, CA?
Grass Valley offers several campground options for outdoor enthusiasts. The Nevada County Fairgrounds provides convenient in-town camping with water, toilets, and big-rig accessibility. Just a short drive away, Greenhorn Campground at Rollins Lake offers waterfront sites with boat-in access options. Other nearby options include Scotts Flat Lake near Nevada City and several campgrounds in the surrounding Tahoe National Forest. Most campgrounds in the area feature basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to recreational activities including hiking, fishing, and swimming.
Are there RV parks in Grass Valley with full hookups?
Yes, Grass Valley offers RV accommodation options with hookups. The American River Resort provides hookup sites with amenities including fire pits and picnic tables at each site, plus clean bathrooms and private showers. It's conveniently located within walking distance to town for shopping and dining. Beals Point Campground at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is another option with sites spaced nicely apart, though during dry seasons the lake level may be low. Nevada County Fairgrounds also accommodates RVs with hookups during non-event periods.
Is there free public camping available near Grass Valley?
Free public camping options near Grass Valley are limited but available if you're willing to venture a bit further into the surrounding national forests. Tahoe National Forest Wild Plum Campground offers beautiful sites along Haypress Creek with large, private camping areas in a pine forest setting. While not free, it's relatively affordable. For truly free camping, dispersed camping is permitted in many areas of Tahoe National Forest outside of developed campgrounds, though you'll need to follow proper dispersed camping regulations including packing out all trash and parking in established pull-offs only.
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