The region surrounding Loma Rica features several reservoir camping options with water recreation as the main draw. Sites typically sit at 1,200-1,800 feet elevation in oak woodland terrain, providing moderate summer shade with daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 95°F from June through September. Most campgrounds remain accessible year-round, though fall and winter camping comes with significant temperature drops and occasional rain closures on unpaved access roads.
What to do
Fishing and boating at Collins Lake: Visitors enjoy ample fishing opportunities at Collins Lake Recreation Area, where the reservoir is regularly stocked. "Great Lake and RV Park. We stayed in spot 110 with a lakefront view," reports Daniel S. The lake supports multiple water activities beyond fishing, with boat rentals available on-site.
Swimming and paddling at Yuba River: The Yuba River offers accessible water recreation spots near camping areas. Sycamore Ranch RV Park provides access to creek and river swimming. Chris reports, "I took advantage of the water and after getting shuttled up to the bridge kayaked down the Yuba and up dry creek all the way to our campsite!"
Wildlife viewing at local campgrounds: Many sites offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Sycamore Ranch, campers report seeing "a river otter playing in the creek" and numerous bird species. B. Douglas J. notes, "My favorite thing about this campground is the birds! I use the Merlin app to identify the birds here and so far this place holds my record of around 18 birds not including the more silent ones we saw."
What campers like
Lakeside camping spots: Waterfront sites are highly valued for convenience and views. Ed E. from Collins Lake Recreation Area explains, "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' from our 27' travel trailer."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Campgrounds in the region typically offer well-kept grounds and facilities. Julie M. from Sycamore Ranch RV Park notes, "Very clean campground with a helpful host. Bathrooms/showers for paid guest have a code to get in."
Secluded options for privacy: Some campers prefer more isolated settings. Manzanita Rock Meadow provides a private alternative to larger campgrounds. Aaron E. shares, "The spot was clean with lots of room to spread out. Our dogs loved it! We really enjoyed making a fire in the Chiminea, and enjoying the string lights that went on at sunset."
What you should know
Water level variations: Reservoir levels fluctuate significantly by season. At Schoolhouse Campground on Bullard's Bar Reservoir, one camper notes, "The reservoir is gorgeous to look out at but the bank all the way around is very steep. From the campground there is no easy access to the water."
Summer crowds and noise levels: Peak summer weekends bring substantial crowds to popular sites. Steven H. observed at Collins Lake, "Not a bad campsite, but was surrounded by RVs and people walking around."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. At Lake of the Springs, Nicole R. mentions, "No cell service in any of the loops and WiFi isn't great." Similarly, at River Reflections RV Park, one reviewer noted, "Cell service is spotty at best and unfortunately WIFI was not working properly."
Tips for camping with families
Look for swim-friendly areas: Some campgrounds offer better swimming access than others. At Bidwell Canyon Campground, Debbie R. notes that fishing is "wonderful lakeside and great hikes. Registration area and cafe has ice cream available and souvenir store."
Consider campground noise levels: Family-friendly sites offer quieter atmospheres. Veronica N. recommends Collins Lake as it's "Quiet at night and not rowdy during the day. Great place for family camping. They also have boat rentals."
Check for amenities and activities: Features like playgrounds and organized activities enhance family camping. Lake Francis Resort provides varied accommodation options and activities. Michael M. shares, "Nice quiet lake. Good campsites. Good general store and even a little restaurant and ice cream shack."
Tips from RVers
Site sizes and access considerations: RV sites vary significantly in size and accessibility. At Lake of the Springs, Eric P. advises, "From what I could tell when driving around the majority of the sites were level; we had 4 spots and all were easy to back in." However, he cautions that "there wasn't a single day when some campsite didn't have electrical issues."
Hookup availability: Full service sites are available but limited. At Collins Lake, Ed E. notes, "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 $."
Off-season advantages: Camping outside peak summer months offers quieter experiences. Betty K. advises about Lake of the Springs, "A bit out in middle of nowhere! But once inside park it's really nice if you can get a full hook up spot.... those are limited!"
