402 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Kyburz, California serves as a gateway to diverse camping experiences in the Sierra Nevada mountains, with options ranging from established campgrounds to dispersed sites. The area includes several notable locations like China Flat Campground, known for spacious sites and river access, and Ice House Campground which operates from May through October. Campers will find both US Forest Service and state park facilities within a 30-mile radius, particularly along Highway 50 and around nearby reservoirs. The region's elevation ranges from approximately 4,000 to 7,000 feet, creating varied ecosystems from pine forests to alpine meadows, with many sites offering water proximity either at rivers or mountain lakes.
Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping availability, with most facilities operating from late May through early October due to snow at higher elevations. As one camper noted, "No cell service with AT&T. Great swim area for the kids with just a short walk. Love the Kyburz area." Highway 50 provides the main access route, though some campgrounds require travel on unpaved forest roads. Bear activity is common throughout the region, requiring proper food storage in provided bear lockers at established sites. Fire restrictions frequently apply during summer and fall months due to wildfire danger. First-come, first-served sites fill quickly on summer weekends, while reservable locations should be secured months in advance.
Many visitors highlight the balance between natural settings and accessibility in the Kyburz area. Riverside camping receives consistently positive reviews, with one camper sharing, "Listen to the sounds of the river while sleeping. You can also play and fish in the river during the day." Most established campgrounds provide vault toilets and potable water, though hookups are limited. Highway noise affects some locations, particularly those closest to major roads. Wildlife sightings, including deer and occasionally bears, add to the camping experience. The proximity to South Lake Tahoe (approximately 30 miles east) makes the area popular for those seeking a less crowded alternative to lakeside camping while still having access to additional recreation opportunities.
"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."
from $36 - $108 / night
Check Availability"The campground itself is beautiful, walking distance to Fallen Leaf Lake and short drive to South Lake Tahoe. My husband, my pup and I liked the campsite a lot."
"From the East you’ll pass thru all of that, past the Camp Richardson and finally turn away from Lake Tahoe into Fallen Leaf Campground."
from $47 - $128 / night
Check Availability"4d-120.0849062) while exploring the Emerald Bay section of Lake Tahoe."
"Our site was #56 which had a partial view of the lake through the trees in the distance. It was also located directly across from the bathrooms and campground host who’s name was David."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"It was very crowded and we stayed in our site and away from public areas. Pool was open as well as restrooms/showers. They talked about bears visiting but we didn’t spot any there."
"The location is pretty good with close by restaurants and stores. We used our bikes and took some great rides from there. Campsites were nice size, didn’t feel too crammed in."
"These two sites are right on the road next to the toilets and trash bins. Some smells and lots of noises and foot traffic, some 4x4 traffic as well."
"Just returned from a weekend getaway to Loon Lake. We (2 people, 1 pup) stayed two nights at site #25 at Loon Lake Campground. Perfect location for daytime fishing and nighttime stargazing."
from $30 - $160 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Clean campground, friendly hosts, all the amenities you could need while enjoying time spent not too far away from the greater Sacramento area."
"We arrived after dark and had no idea what was around us. We were so pleasantly surprised when the sun came up to find ourselves surrounded by trees and so close to the lake."
from $36 - $145 / night
Check Availability"My 9 yr old son wanted to try camping in or near the snow, and the weather was favorable on this December weekend (high 56, low 39)."
"Near the highway and a few houses but still far enough from them that it’s pretty easy to get to and quiet."
"Great swim area for the kids with just a short walk. Love the Kyburz area. Vault toliets, though fairly well maintained. Will visit again and again!"
"Pro-tip: the spot next to the camp host is the best. The ones down the hill by the river are smaller, dark and cold."
"A great campsite not too far from South Lake Tahoe. While most campsites are on the smaller size, there are a few which can accommodate larger tents."
"The campsite we stayed in was a little bit of a walk in (could not drive to it) but it was beautiful with just a short walk to the crag. Natural and quiet, even though 50 is not far away!"
ScoutNeeded a place to camp after driving 12 hours from Washington . Wanted to stay as close to Yosemite . This place did the trick . No one was there . Quiet and serene . Lots of scorched trees . But all in all was great . There is also cell service ! 7-23-26
ScoutI’d give this campsite a 4/5 if it weren’t for the road. Maybe if you get a spot right next to the river it isn’t an issue, but if you’re not that lucky then you’re going to be stuck hearing cars go by all day and night.
ScoutI've been camping at this location for 10 years. This year the bathrooms were so disgusting it was difficult to use them. The smell was awful and we never saw the hosts clean them once in the 3 days we were there.
Also, the camp hosts were MAGA and thought they owned the place. They had 3 large dogs that at times were running around the campground off leash. We were enjoying our time in the river when her 3 big dogs and her, came to our quiet peaceful spot and just took over and her dogs were off leash and out of control. They tried to attack my small dog multiple times and she wouldn't even try to control them. She kept telling us that she's the camp host and she could do what she wanted. We had to leave because it was so chaotic. She totally ruined our good time. Then, when I tried to make a complaint to the Lake Tahoe Hospitality group who manages that campground, they did not take the event serious and even tried to kick us out because we said a curse word. I told them we were not leaving since we had done nothing wrong and to call the Sheriff. Which they did and guess who took our side. Animal control was dispatched too. And, no, we didn't have to leave. I've never seen such blatant entitlement and disregard for others using the area and enjoying nature in all my life. Pure Trash.
RangerWe stayed here 2 nights while visiting Tahoe. There were several spots to park and roads to explore. It was quiet and the surface was dirt. I found a pull through die that was easy.
LegendGeneral: 76-site campground in two sections. No utility hookups. Some sites are designated for tents only while others allow vans and small trailers or RVs. 27-foot max for RVs; 24-foot max for trailers.
Site Quality: Paved camper pad; not all are level. No designated tent pads. Site amenities include a wood picnic table, fire ring, bear box, and shelves for pots/pans and other supplies.
Bath/Shower: Basic but clean. There is a shelf above the sinks, but be careful when you are brushing your teeth or washing your face, as you can easily bump your head. Like most other California state parks, you need tokens to operate the shower (there is a token machine nearby), but I did not use the shower.
Activities/Amenities: Several hiking trails. We hiked to Hot Springs Creek Waterfall. Depending on where you start your hike, it is around 3-3.5 miles round-trip. It is easy to lose the trail as you get close to the waterfall, but it appeared there were several ways to get back to the trail. Hot springs/pool; summer schedule Wednesday– Monday with 1.5-hour sessions for $10 pp. Unfortunately, I read the pool would be closed when we planned to be here, so we didn’t arrive in time on a Monday to take advantage of it. There are two large utility sinks for laundry, but not for dishwashing.
This is a beautiful area despite damage from the most recent fire. We were there on a Monday the week before Memorial Day, and the campground was only about 10% occupied, but we were told it would be completely full the following week.
TravelerIt's a nice little spot for last minute stop on top of Mount Rose Highway Northeast of Lake Tahoe. Enough space for probably four or five rigs. It's quite busy during the day as it's a parking area for hiking National Forest land Northeast of Lake Tahoe. But after about 6:00 p.m. things calm down. I would call it semi-flat depending on what spot you're parked in. Road noise can be a bit of an issue until about 10:00 at night, and then things quiet down. The night we parked here there were four of us a Class A, Class C, and two vans. And it's very pleasant at night gets down into the 40s during the summer months. I would not attempt to park here during the winter time unless there is no snow.
TravelerFeel like you’re in the woods all while being right in the smack of town! There is even a little coffee trailer that is AMAZING! All the amenities with a rustic feel. We will definitely be back!
GuideBoca is a comfortable little USFS campground with nice lake views.
Some of the sites and their trees are oriented a little uncomfortably for me, but I was able to back my trailer in a way that probably wasn't originally intended and open up enough room for my tow vehicle.
They have picnic tables at every site that I've seen and food storage, trash storage, bear lockers at every site.
There's gunfire across the reservoir, but I scarcely even noticed it and I'm very sensitive to it.
The camp hosts seem pretty unobtrusive.
The sites aren't particularly level, but with a few blocks I was able to get mine close enough.
I was in site number four, which is just a stone's throw from the bathrooms and dumpster. I'm self-contained, so I didn't bother looking at the bathrooms.
It's a very quiet campground. In fact, I was feeling guilty about running my generator half the time.
It was completely booked, so I was only able to get a couple of nights here, but I would certainly stay here again. Moderate levels of shade midday in July, but 83F sure beats 108F in the valley! From Site 4 I had a very clear view to the north, so I had great coverage with Starlink, at least 120 megabits; doing work was certainly a reality for me.
Checkout time is noon, and that's coming up quickly. So, thus ends my review for the moment.
[Edit] One more detail worth mentioning: as I was hitching up to leave, a doe and two fawns wandered through the trees right near the site, completely nonchalant. They weren’t begging, approaching, or acting habituated in a bad way, just quietly moving through the forest like I happened to be parked in their campground. It was a lovely little sendoff and exactly the kind of moment that makes a site memorable.
GuideLook up this site’s history, it’s quite fascinating.
While there’s a no trespassing sign, this is indeed a Forest Service-managed site and confirmed as a dispersed location.
I pulled in just as this older gentleman was walking the area, and he started telling me all about the owner back in the 60s-70s (“a mean guy”) and what a cool ski resort it once was.
Camping options around Kyburz include numerous dispersed sites along the Silver Fork of the American River. These free camping areas provide primitive overnight accommodations at elevations between 3,800-4,500 feet, with temperatures typically 10-15 degrees cooler than Sacramento Valley. During summer months, daytime temperatures range from 75-85°F while dropping to 45-55°F overnight, making sleeping conditions comfortable with proper gear.
Paddling opportunities: Visit Ice House Campground where campers can enjoy multiple water activities. "Water is cold but you can paddle board, kayak or just fish. Very quiet and nice campsites," notes Kathy H. The reservoir provides excellent spots for beginners with protected coves and calmer morning conditions.
Waterfall hiking: Multiple trails near the Kyburz area lead to seasonal waterfalls, particularly in spring and early summer. One camper at Loon Lake mentioned, "Bassi falls is down the mountain a bit but a great spot to hike and swim nearby!" Waterfall flow peaks May-June, gradually diminishing through summer.
Rock climbing: Several granite formations around the area provide climbing opportunities. Near Silver Fork Dispersed camping, one visitor observed, "Spotted a rock climber on the nearby rock face when we arrived, who later came by to pick up his car he had parked there." Most climbing spots require moderate approaches of 15-30 minutes from parking areas.
Riverside sites: Many campers prefer spots near water for ambient sounds and recreation. At China Flat Campground, one reviewer wrote: "Our spot was beautiful... We were right by the river which was great for a dip (was about 1 ft deep at the time but seemed low) and very relaxing." Sites closest to water typically fill earliest, especially Thursday-Friday.
Less crowded alternatives: Campers seeking quieter experiences gravitate to specific sites. One visitor to Union Valley Reservoir shared: "The campsites are spread out nicely so you have a lot of privacy. Some of the sites are huge! We staying in one for 7 days with a large group of 12-14 people- it never felt crowed." Weekday camping sees 50-70% lower occupancy compared to weekends.
High elevation escapes: Several camping options sit above 6,000 feet, providing cooler temperatures. At Iron Mountain Dispersed camping, a visitor noted: "At 7500 feet above sea level, the view is wide and the scenery is beautiful, especially the sunset view." These higher sites typically remain snow-covered until late May.
Fire restrictions: Seasonal fire restrictions frequently impact camping in this area. A visitor to Silver Fork Dispersed camping explained: "You are required to have a permit for any day/overnight use in Eldorado, including this area. They can be easily acquired at recreation.gov." Fire permits are required year-round, with complete bans possible June-October.
Wildlife awareness: Bears are active throughout the Kyburz camping areas. At Eagle Point Campground, one camper reported: "We encountered a mama bear and her 2 cubs quite a few times but everyone worked together to make noises." Park rangers actively enforce proper food storage regulations.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across camping areas. A camper at Silver Fork noted: "Cell phone reception is very spotty, in and out of a couple of bars throughout the drive in — AT&T coverage. At the above coordinates, there were 2 bars of low grade coverage allowing basic texts to send." Generally, lower elevation campsites have more reliable service.
Kid-friendly swimming: Families with children appreciate specific water access points. At China Flat, one visitor remarked: "Great swim area for the kids with just a short walk." The safest swimming areas feature gradually sloping entry points with sand or small pebbles rather than slippery rocks.
Spacious group sites: Families need extra space for activities and multiple tents. At Fallen Leaf Campground, a camper noted: "Sites have lots of space, table, fire ring and generally level drive pads. Water spigots are not too far." Reserve family sites 3-6 months in advance for summer weekends.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer ranger programs specifically for children. "The camp hosts are really nice and helpful," wrote a visitor to Ice House Campground. "When our kids were young we were up there every holiday weekend. Great place to camp for all." Programs typically run Friday-Sunday during peak summer months.
Leveling challenges: RVers should prepare for uneven sites in many campgrounds. At D.L. Bliss State Park, an RVer observed: "The sites are somewhat uneven, so you will need levelers if you are sleeping in a van or small RV." Most campgrounds limit RV lengths to 25-30 feet, with limited sites for larger rigs.
Dump station access: Several campgrounds near Kyburz provide dump stations, but not all. "Full hook up, tooo expensive," noted one RVer at Tahoe Valley Campground about paid options. Most Forest Service campgrounds only offer partial hookups or none at all, requiring planning for waste management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Kyburz campgrounds?
Campgrounds around Kyburz typically offer basic but functional amenities. American River Resort provides more developed facilities with clean bathrooms, private showers, fire pits and picnic tables at each site, plus easy half-mile access to town for shopping and dining. For more rustic experiences, Forest Service campgrounds like Kit Carson Campground feature vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Most Kyburz area campgrounds provide drinking water, but limited or no electrical hookups. Cell service can be spotty or nonexistent (AT&T has no service at some locations). While amenities are relatively simple, the stunning natural setting along rivers and among towering pines compensates for the lack of modern conveniences.
Where are the best camping spots in Kyburz, CA?
Kyburz offers excellent camping options along the American River. China Flat Campground is a top choice with spacious, shaded sites and a short walk to a great swimming area for kids. Sand Flat Campground is another excellent option right off Highway 50, offering first-come, first-served sites where you can fall asleep to the sounds of the river. This campground provides both RV and tent sites with river access for fishing and water play. The river is regularly stocked with fish, making it popular with anglers. Both campgrounds provide a genuine Sierra Nevada experience with proximity to outdoor activities and the peaceful ambiance of the El Dorado National Forest.
What is the elevation of Kyburz, CA and how does it affect camping conditions?
Kyburz sits at approximately 4,100 feet elevation in the Sierra Nevada mountains, creating distinct camping conditions throughout the year. This elevation means cooler temperatures than valley locations, with summer days typically pleasant (70s-80s°F) and nights cool enough to require a jacket. The moderate elevation at Clark Fork Campground and other nearby sites means you'll experience temperature swings between day and night, so layered clothing is essential. The camping season generally runs May through October, with shoulder seasons potentially experiencing frost. Winter brings significant snowfall, closing most campgrounds. The elevation also affects cooking (longer cooking times), hydration needs (increased at altitude), and sometimes breathing for those with respiratory issues. Always check road conditions before traveling during spring and fall.
Keep Exploring
