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Best Tent Camping near Loomis, CA

639 Reviews

Tent camping near Loomis, California provides access to several waterfront sites within the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Lake Clementine Boat In Campground in Auburn State Recreation Area offers 18 designated tent sites along the North Fork of the American River, just 15 miles northeast of Loomis. Rancho Seco Recreation Area, located about 30 miles southeast, features approximately 50 tent-only sites, some positioned just feet from the lake. Mother Lode River Center provides walk-in tent sites for those seeking proximity to river activities, while Camp Far West North Shore offers year-round tent camping with lake access.

Most tent campgrounds in the Loomis area require preparation for primitive conditions. Lake Clementine campsites include fire pits, picnic tables, and bear boxes, but no potable water is available on site. Campers must bring all necessary water for drinking, cooking, and washing. Vault toilets are typically maintained daily during peak season. The access road to Lake Clementine is approximately six miles of curvy, hilly, and narrow pavement, sometimes only one lane wide, making it challenging for larger vehicles. Seasonal considerations are important, as Lake Clementine is only reservable from May 1 to October 15, with limited sites available during off-season.

The tent camping experience near Loomis offers unique opportunities for water recreation and wildlife viewing. Many sites provide direct access to lakes or rivers, with Lake Clementine featuring crystal clear water ideal for swimming during summer months. According to reviews, off-season camping at Lake Clementine provides a peaceful experience with significantly fewer visitors. One camper noted, "We camped during the off season (November) so we had our pick of the campsites, which was great considering the spots are right next to each other." Bear activity is common in the region, particularly at higher elevation campgrounds, so proper food storage in provided bear boxes is essential for backcountry tent camping. Weekday visits typically offer more solitude than weekends, when day-use visitors can create a busier atmosphere.

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Best Tent Sites Near Loomis, California (42)

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Showing results 1-10 of 42 campgrounds

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Loomis, CA

30 Photos of 42 Loomis Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Loomis, CA

639 Reviews of 42 Loomis Campgrounds

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 25, 2023

    Lake Clementine Boat In — Auburn State Recreation Area

    Off-season peaceful stay

    General: Normally, there are 18 designated sites that are reservable only from May 1– October 15. What we didn’t know until we arrived was that only Sites 1-7 were open after this date; fortunately, only two other sites were occupied when we arrived at 5:30 pm on a Monday in late October. The access road is about six miles of curvy, hilly, and narrow (sometimes only one lane) pavement. There is a sign prohibiting trailers; our 18-foot camper van did fine but anything much larger would definitely be challenged. 

    Site Quality: Many of the sites are more suitable for tent campers. The parking area is at the top of the hill, and you set up your tent below. Most of the sites that have a “driveway” were not level, except for Sites 5 and 6. We lucked out with Site 6 – it was large and level and directly across from the vault toilets. A fire pit/grill, large concrete picnic table, and bear box complete the site (although there was a fire ban in effect).

    Bath: Only one vault toilet was open, and it was very clean. It was cleaned again the next morning. 

    Activities: This campground is located on the North Fork of the American River. In season, this campground would be very popular with rafters; there is a raft launch and takeout area close to the campsites. The river was crystal clear and beautiful.

    This was a small but beautiful campground. We were surprised that we had a semi-decent cell signal ranging from 1 to 2 bars (Verizon).

  • Summer A.
    Jul. 25, 2018

    Big Meadows Campground

    Sequoia National Forest Lovely Spacious Camp Sites

    It sounds like there are multiple Big Meadow camp grounds in California. This review is for Big Meadow Campground, Sequoia NF - FS, CA. The photos are of site 009B. My visit was wonderful. The camp sites are large. We set up two 8 person tents and one 2 person tent and there was plenty of room for more. The firepits are very well made. They block the wind while allowing good airflow. There is a very large picnick table at each site, a bear box, and plenty of shade. There is a vault toilet that is cleaned daily. The sites boarder a stream. The water level is about 3 inches in July with temperatures in the 80's. This is a dog friendly site. There is no potable water at this site.

  • Rosina A.
    Jun. 1, 2022

    Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

    Folsom Lake Penninsula

    Beautiful sunsets. No showers. Bathrooms are clean. Some sites are rather small and have little flat ground. Pics on website are tough to see when booking. Lake to most sites is a drive, but there are a few campsites on the lake. Many sites are on hill, you walk up the hill or down a hill with stairs. Lake has day use area, but also a dock area for camping folks. Lots of mosquitoes. They have a fire are to cook, no fire ring, have a bear box and picnic table. Some sites have plenty of shade while others are just plain sun so be prepared.

    Water is nice temperature and super clean! Nice to kayak, paddle, boat (they have boat ramps), fish, swim. Beach areas are rocks with weeds, but pretty.

  • Kate A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 20, 2021

    Thousand Trails Ponderosa

    Great location, but plan ahead

    This is a well maintained RV and tent camping resort. It’s great for kids that want to ride bikes around the sites- but be careful of the river, it’s swift. The RV and tent sites are in two separate areas, with more updated amenities available for RVs like hot showers. Shared pool site. Lots of great trails to weave through the campground on a mountain bike.

    One downside- it can be hot. Not a lot of tree cover for the RV sites- make sure you bring shade with you. Luckily, there’s a nice cool river to swim in!

    Fires are restricted sometimes in the summer. Some sites require a membership.

    Local grocery and pizza, frozen yogurt available within walking distance.

    Lots of great fishing, floating, and kayak accessibly. Bring tubes and life vests. Poles and bait.

  • Raymond B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2024

    USFS Silver Fork Dispersed

    Overnight stay

    We recently spent a night at this campsite and found it to be perfect for a quick overnight getaway. The area is spacious and conveniently located not too far off the main road, making it easy to access without feeling too isolated.

    There are plenty of sites to choose from, catering to different preferences. However, we recommend taking some time to survey the land before setting up camp, as some spots are slightly sloped.

    A huge plus is the gas station just about 5 minutes down the road. It’s well-stocked with all the convenient store items you might have forgotten at home, making it easy to grab any last-minute necessities.

    Overall, it was a delightful stay. Just remember, always practice Leave No Trace principles—pack out what you pack in!

  • A
    Jul. 8, 2020

    Tahoe National Forest Onion Valley Campground

    Great spot

    We rolled in here after midnight and most of the spots were still empty, and they're far enough apart that we were able to set up camp without being too disruptive. There's a vault toilet, picnic tables, fire rings, and some gorgeous scenery. What more could you need?

  • T
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Coyote Group Campground

    Coyote Group Camp

    • Large croup camp site with lots of flat places to pitch a tent. • Clean pit toilets. • 3x Bear food and 4x trash/recycling bins. • 2 (or 3?) water spigots • 4 big picnic tables • Some shade • Uneven terrain around sites and lots of fallen trees • Lots of parking, including triller/RV parking. Parking is paved and flat.

    • Walking distance to the river • Big fire pit

    We enjoyed this site! Excellent for a big group. I think we had 18 people. There could an additional bear bin to support as much food/scented items as a group of 25 would need. We ended up using the extra bear-proof trash bins as overflow scented item/food storage. Worked well.

  • Zac R.
    Jan. 26, 2020

    Rucker Lake Campground

    Large sites

    This lake is a quiet getaway, with waterfront access and a warm lake. Short hike in but has picnic tables and bear boxes.

  • Anastasia P.
    Sep. 8, 2020

    French Meadows

    Great swimming, facilities could be improved

    We were here in August. Slightly long to get to on the windy roads at night time, but during the day the drive back wasn't bad. Loved the water access, and water was perfect temperature for swimming for our toddlers even. Great amenities(fire ring, table, bear box). Water pumps were good in the locations where water was present, but due to lower water levels, the pumps on the higher grounds had no water; had to walk to the lowest pumps(which had water, all but the last day when a big RV connected to it, and filled up the entire tank, leaving zero water for tents). Thought that was inconsiderate, and should not be allowed during drought season. Not sure if rangers can prevent that or ask RVs(who are more mobile than tents) to fill up tanks at neighboring campgrounds. Also we arrived late on Friday, so went to buy wood on Saturday morning(around 8 am). No firewood available for purchase left. If we knew that, we would have brought and purchased own wood at a grocery store(nearest town an hour away). However, we know most campgrounds don't allow outside wood, not to contaminate with non-native bugs, etc. Thankfully, there were enough dry logs in the forest nearby that we could scavenge to burn. Overall, great location, with great swimming, but some things could be improved with better facilities management.

Guide to Loomis

Tent camping near Loomis, California offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the great outdoors. With a variety of campgrounds nearby, you'll find options that cater to different preferences and experiences.

Tent campers should check out Lake Clementine Boat In — Auburn State Recreation Area

  • This campground features picnic tables and fire pits, making it a great spot for a cozy evening by the fire.
  • Located along the North Fork of the American River, it provides stunning views and access to water activities.
  • The peaceful atmosphere is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle, with limited crowds during the off-season.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • At Camp Far West North Shore, you can enjoy biking along the lake and exploring the beautiful, green surroundings.
  • OARS American River Outpost Campground offers thrilling whitewater rafting experiences, ideal for adventure seekers.
  • Lower Lake Clementine Boat-In Campground is perfect for fishing and swimming, with the added charm of a boat-in access.

Tips for tent camping near Loomis

  • Be prepared for limited amenities at places like Camp Far West North Shore, where drinking water is not available, so bring your own.
  • Check the seasonal availability of sites, as many campgrounds, such as Lake Clementine, are only open from May to September.
  • Always pack essentials like firewood and food, especially at more primitive sites like Englebright Lake Boat In Campground, where services are minimal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Loomis, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Loomis, CA is Lake Clementine Boat In — Auburn State Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Loomis, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 42 tent camping locations near Loomis, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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