Loyalton sits at the edge of the Sierra Valley, providing access to a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed camping areas in the surrounding Sierra Nevada forests. Several camping areas feature both tent and RV sites, including Cottonwood Campground, which offers vault toilets and drinking water during its April to October season. The Bear Valley Campground provides more remote tent camping opportunities in a forested setting. For dispersed camping options, Big Dog Valley offers primitive campsites without developed facilities about 7 miles southwest of Loyalton. The region includes both Forest Service managed campgrounds with basic amenities and undeveloped camping areas on public lands.
Access to camping areas varies significantly across the region, with some sites requiring high-clearance vehicles to navigate rough dirt roads. Most established campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from late April through mid-October, with winter closures due to snow and weather conditions. The Lookout Campground, located in Dog Valley, requires traversing unmaintained mountain roads that present challenges for standard vehicles. Camping permits are not generally required for established campgrounds, though reservations are recommended for weekend visits during peak summer months. As one visitor noted about Lookout Campground, "The road is one of the reasons this site generally isn't too packed... you will spend 8.5 miles on a dirt road... involving going 5MPH to navigate deeper ruts or potholes."
Campers report high satisfaction with the privacy and natural surroundings at many sites near Loyalton. The Cottonwood Campground receives positive reviews for its spacious sites and proximity to outdoor recreation opportunities. A visitor commented that it offers "very heavily wooded campground in a beautiful area. Vault toilets are available along with potable water spigots within a short walk from each site." The more remote Bear Valley Campground attracts those seeking solitude, with one camper describing it as a "hidden gem" they "looked forward to visiting all winter." Most campgrounds feature fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities are limited at dispersed sites. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with better reception at higher elevations where visitors might get line-of-sight to nearby towns.
"Short walk across the parking lot is a gas station with small convenience store, and right next to that is the Casino. Small but with a great restaurant that cooked a really good steak."
"We will be coming back as there are few places to stop when driving to and from southern Oregon."
$20 / night
"Sites near Highway 89 will hear road noise during the day and the occasional vehicle at night."
"I walked the adjacent trail in the morning, which was very pretty. The pit toilets are old style and smelly, but clean."
$20 - $60 / night
"But most stay in other "dispersed" camping, and there aren't nearly as many vehicles as you might see, for example, in a Nevada dunes off-road park."
"First, it's quite an adventurous (read: bumpy) drive to get to it from the nearest paved road. Once you arrive, you'll be amazed at how much space there is between the sites."
$23 - $75 / night
"Right next to the water, and close to town. Cell phone reception. is spotty ."
"It was late and we couldn't find the owner so we ended up staying outside the park on the road. The manager got things worked out in the morning and refunded our money for the night before."
"Typical RV park with spaces closer together, so we picked a back-in space along the outside edge and it was perfect for our dogs. A hiking trail right outside of camp."
"Nestled against the Eastern Sierras, on the Cal/Nev. border. Restaurant in the casino temp."
$22 - $66 / night
"Right near bike trails and not to far from Town"
"Easy access to Reno."
"Right off I-80 and close to the Boomtown Casino but oh so peaceful and quiet. This campground has everything for the RV camper. It is also close to the Truckee River and great fishing."
"It’s a cute RV park, it’s clean and close to a little town the bad thing is that every space is so close to each other, you have next to you their services and it’s impossible to access your storage without"
"Secured large dog area with running creek within walking distance. A number of lower RV spaces within walking pathways to creek. Most were 30 amps and upper level had some 50 amps."
$20 / night
"Lake is calm, but it was too windy to set up the tent. Overnight temps in the 30's for Memorial weekend. Few trees, little shade. Lots of off road vehicles and RVs, but not a lot of noise from them."
"the lake is a great swimming temp in june, the views are gorgeous, and there’s plenty of trees and shade. i was lucky to have the spot i was in because there was plenty of foliage to keep my site fairly"
ScoutCamped in a different area just past Peavine Pond accessed via Kiowa Road. Saw very little trash except scattered casings, some nice open areas. Road was in decent shape. My pup enjoyed swimming in Peavine Pond. According to a local I spoke with, this area is monitored by the sheriff’s department.
GuidePulled in here just before sunset. At first I was a little alarmed.. You are driving to a county landfill. But, just before you arrive, there is a little spot to the side, Google shows water but there is none. Watch for a little road through the brush that leads to a nice little area out of site and far enough away to mask most highway noise. There are some fire rings, tho that seems like a bad idea, and some trash. It worked for the night!
TravelerLot of industrial traffic and even a really loud train blasting its horn
ScoutI stayed one night in my 19 foot travel trailer. The spots aren’t big enough for much larger rigs. Lots of tint campers as well. Nice location. You can walk down to the lake Forest boat ramp and there’s a beach where you can go swimming it’s only 2 miles from Tahoe city $30 a night no hook up and porta potties but a great location.
ScoutThe road goes up the side of the mountain, has steep drop offs the side, and is quite rocky. We made it in a Mercedes Sprinter van pulling a tear drop camper but it was a bit harrowing. It would have been no problem in something like a 4Runner.
The GPS coordinates tell you to turn up what looks like a four wheeler path so we obviously kept going until we found a single bump out where we were able to turn around and stayed for the night. Absolutely stunning views and a perfect spot to see the sunset and stars come out. We had six dogs with us and the area was decently safe…steep slope but manageable for a healthy dog. Virginia City is so cool. Highly recommend this spot!
ScoutWe pulled up in the dark bc of the listing description. Something felt off so we came back in the daylight. It is not at all an entrance to the desert with trails and desperaed camping. Maybe it was at one time (?) but now its a heavily patroled culdesac next to a huge neighborhood who doesn't really like outsiders too much. They are nice, but leerly. As expected for the location. There are way better spots to actually experience the desert and not feel like youre doing something wrong just by being there.
GuideLooking for seclusion and found it! Nice clean area equipped w/ pit toilets that were as clean as a pit toilet can be. Picnic tables, bear boxes, and 2 fire pit/ BBQ at all 6 sites. Nice lil hike up to the fire lookout and creek for water. No RV access and trailers, well maybe a small tow behind. Pretty tight and no turn around.
GuideA couple places to pull off and settle down for the night. Can’t beat free! It is a little noisy being right by the highway but really dies down after dark besides the occasional truck and train that’ll past through. Great views of the Klamath mountains.
A small pile of trash nearby but like I said, can’t beat free.
GuideFantastic stop
Great views. Lots of space, cleanest Pit toilets I’ve experienced in the lower 48, Canada and Alaska…they really are that clean!
Fire rings Grills Picnic tables
Just can’t say enough good things about this place
Loyalton sits in the Sierra Valley at an elevation of 4,930 feet, making it a popular starting point for camping trips in the Tahoe National Forest. Summer temperatures average 80-85°F during the day and drop to 40-45°F at night, requiring campers to pack layers regardless of season. Dirt road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with several campgrounds accessible only via unpaved forest roads that deteriorate after rainfall.
Hiking the Crystal Peak Trail: From Lookout Campground in Dog Valley, follow the trail to Crystal Peak for panoramic views. "There is a nice little aspen grove that bisects the campground and every site has a picnic table and a fire ring. You'll want four wheels drive to get up there, but I've seen passenger vehicles make it just drive slow," notes Joey P., who camps at Lookout Campground.
Fishing at nearby lakes: Stampede Reservoir near Logger Campground offers trout fishing opportunities throughout summer. "Right next to the water, and close to town. Cell phone reception is spotty," mentions Brenna D. about Logger Campground, which serves as a convenient base for fishing trips.
Botanical trail exploration: The botanical trail at Cottonwood Campground offers an educational half-mile walk along the creek. "A very easy 1/2 mile round-trip botanical trail is located at the south end of the campground. It is level, following the creek. Various markers highlight botanical references," explains S K., who visited Cottonwood Campground.
Privacy between sites: Many camping spots near Loyalton, California feature well-separated sites. "Most of the sites were pretty well spaced apart with a few exceptions. Fire pits, running water, vault toilets," reports Jason A. about Cottonwood Campground, highlighting its comfortable setup for extended stays.
Quiet weekday camping: Mid-week availability makes for peaceful experiences at several campgrounds. "Midweek in July it was, at best, 10% full," mentions Tom D. about his stay at Cottonwood Campground, reflecting the lower usage patterns common throughout the region.
Natural water features: Streams and rivers enhance many camping spots in the Loyalton area. "Most sites have lots of space between them, while a few are side-by-side with just a vehicle parking space separating them. Each has a level, wood-bordered dirt/gravel pad set up for a tent - usually placed in as quiet/remote corner of the site as possible," notes S K. about Lookout Campground.
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to many campgrounds requires navigating rough forest roads. "One of the worst roads I've ever been on...go slow," advises Amy R. about Big Dog Valley, highlighting the need for careful driving and appropriate vehicles.
Seasonal water levels affect recreation: Drought conditions impact water recreation at reservoirs. "The lake has been low last few times I've been but the fishing is normally great," reports Alyssa S. about Boca Rest Campground.
Highway noise impacts some sites: Campers should select sites carefully to minimize road noise. "No cell service and you'll definitely have road noise during the day. However, it quieted substantially for nighttime sleeping hours so we slept fine," explains Char P. about Upper Little Truckee Campground.
Limited cell service: Connectivity is inconsistent throughout the region. "Verizon cell service picked up one bar, intermittently. Enough to get out occasional status updates and check the weather, but not enough to be able to read stuff off the internet," describes a camper at Lookout Campground.
Choose campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities: Some sites cater specifically to families with children. "Kid friendly with activities and play areas. Pet park for off leash play! Clean and friendly staff!" writes Ben W. about Clio's Rivers Edge RV Park.
Watch for wildlife viewing opportunities: The region supports diverse wildlife that appeals to children. "Lake was right down the hill. Bathrooms are close if you are tent camping. Very limited cell service. Camp host was very nice and accessible," shares Marcie B. about her experience at Boca Rest Campground.
Consider lake-accessible sites for water play: Several campgrounds offer direct access to water recreation. "Beautiful campsite right next to the water. Vault bathrooms were clean. Lots of RV sites and fairly busy campground. People were respectful of quiet hours," notes Andrea M. about her family's stay at Boca Rest Campground.
RV site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven sites at some campgrounds. "Large rigs will not fit in this campground. We reserved a spot that said it would fit a 30' camper but we could not get our 29' 5th wheel into the space because of the angle and posts along the loop," cautions Clancy H. about Cottonwood Campground.
Full hookup options near Loyalton: RVers seeking full amenities have limited options. "Super friendly the second you drive in!! Escort you to your site and guide you in!! Ask if we need help setting up, deers roam around and so beautiful!!" shares Angela C. about her experience at Clio's Rivers Edge RV Park, one of the few full-service RV parks in the region.
Dump station locations: Plan ahead for sanitation needs as many campgrounds lack dump facilities. "All sites are full hookup, with wifi, and cable tv. Clean bathrooms, showers, and laundry," notes Steve about Gold Ranch Casino & RV Resort, which provides complete services for those needing full hookups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Loyalton, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Loyalton, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 294 campgrounds and RV parks near Loyalton, CA and 26 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Loyalton, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Loyalton, CA is Bordertown Casino RV Resort with a 4.1-star rating from 12 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Loyalton, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 free dispersed camping spots near Loyalton, CA.
What parks are near Loyalton, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Loyalton, CA that allow camping, notably Martis Creek Lake and Plumas National Forest.
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