RV sites near Kyburz, California provide access to the American River and Sierra Nevada mountains at elevations between 4,000-6,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F during the day, dropping to 45-55°F at night. Cell service varies considerably throughout the region, with better connectivity at lower elevations near highways.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: French Meadows Reservoir offers trout fishing in a mountain setting. "Great trout fishing. Bear country be advised. Extreme fire danger the summer months and closed due to snow in winter," notes one visitor to French Meadows.
Swimming spots: Look for deeper sections of rivers and creeks during low water seasons. "We did an 11-mile hike in Granite Chief Wilderness which is accessible about 5 miles up a gravel road from the campground. On the way back we stopped for a swim in the river that feeds the reservoir... more of a creek currently, but we found a deep still spot perfect for swimming," reports a camper at Lewis Campground.
River tubing: The American River provides good floating options during summer months. "It really moved along and was fun to float down in a tube," according to a visitor at Thousand Trails Ponderosa.
What campers like
Fewer crowds in shoulder seasons: Spring and fall visits can mean more privacy. "It was the weekend after Thanksgiving and snowing so there were a handful of people at the campground and the entire place was very quiet. The RV sites have hookups (although we weren't able to connect to water because of freezing temperatures)," shares a winter visitor to Tahoe Valley Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Many sites offer chances to see deer and other animals. "We were visited by deer within feet of our tent in the middle of the night, close enough to hear them breathing and munching on the vegetation," reports a camper at Lewis Campground.
Family activities: Some campgrounds organize regular events for children. "They put on a ton of events like karaoke nights, live music, and smores nights. Hot showers and well lit clean bathrooms," notes a camper at Tahoe Valley Campground.
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Seasonal bans may impact your camping plans. "Fires are restricted sometimes in the summer," mentions a camper at Thousand Trails Ponderosa.
Varied site quality: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain that affects tent camping. "WARNING- two thirds of the campsites were on a slope with no where to setup a tent on level ground. We got lucky and reserved a site with a 'decent' spot to place a tent," warns a visitor to French Meadows.
Road conditions: Access roads to higher elevation sites can be challenging. "The road is long and windy and dangerous if you are not creeping around the corners. 1.5 hours from Auburn," reports a camper at French Meadows.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with organized activities: Some sites offer regular programming for children. "We came into south lake to visit family. This campground is right in town but there's enough space and trees to give it a natural setting. Bathrooms are great and it's pretty quiet considering it's popular. Looks great for families and there's a dog park, pool and trails," explains a visitor to Tahoe Valley Campground.
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds struggle with noise enforcement. "Nicely kept campground but no night enforcement for quiet hours. Had several rowdy groups keeping us up til 2am. A few air horns, car alarms going off. No camp hosts or ground keepers around," reports a visitor to Tahoe Valley Campground.
Bring entertainment: Remote locations may have limited activities beyond nature exploration. "We had our 6 year old with us and she loved to scooter around the walking path with us. We used the free WiFi to homeschool as well," shares a camper at Jackson Rancheria RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Winter camping precautions: Higher elevation RV camping requires preparation. "We ended up camping in a truck camper at Tahoe Valley Campground after being caught in a snow storm. For a last minute find, it turned out to be an awesome choice," reports a winter RVer.
Dump station availability: Not all sites offer direct sewer connections. "For the amount of amenities, I would've thought they'd have night employees," notes a camper at Tahoe Valley Campground.
Temporary hookup limitations: Weather can affect water connections at higher elevations. "Full hook up sites at higher elevations may have seasonal water restrictions. "We weren't able to connect to water because of freezing temperatures," shares a winter camper at Tahoe Valley Campground.
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