Looking to go glamping near Loyalton and enjoy a rustic retreat into nature? Glamping offers the perfect opportunity to explore Loyalton and stay off the beaten path. You're sure to find glamping for your California camping adventure.
Sardine Lake Campground is located in the North Yuba River area, near the beautiful Sardine Lakes. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, hunting, fishing, canoeing and gold panning. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
Boating, fishing and swimming are available at nearby Sardine Lakes and Sand Pond. Sardine Lakes Resort offers boat rentals, lodging, and a restaurant. A large network of trails is available in the area, including Deer Lake and Tamarack Lakes Trails and the Pacific Crest Trail.
The campground stretches along a wet meadow at the base of the scenic Sierra Buttes. A forest of lodgepole pine offers partial shade. Beautiful high mountain lakes and rugged peaks can be found throughout the surrounding area.
For facility specific information, please call (530) 265-4531.
Lakes Basin offers many opportunities for boating, fishing and hiking. Boating, fishing and swimming are available at nearby Sardine Lakes, less than a mile to the west. Sardine Lakes Resort offers boat rentals. Anglers will find rainbow and brook trout in many of the lakes, streams, and rivers throughout the basin. A more developed boat ramp is located at Gold Lake and accomodates launching of larger boats. Over 30 miles of maintained trails for hiking, mountain biking, and motorcycle singletrack branch out across the area and the Pacific Crest Trail can be accessed at a few spots in the Lakes Basin area. The historic towns of Sierra City and Downieville offer historic and cultural attractions, restaurants, shops, churches, and vistor information.
No Show Policy A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date (or for day-use facilities, by check-in time the day of arrival). * No-show customers are only recorded at staffed facilities. At most remote facilities, all customers are noted as automatically checked-in on the date of arrival. * It is recommended that staffed facilities hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. * It is recommended that staffed facilities hold group day-use facilities until check-in time on the arrival date. There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation if the change includes dates from the original reservation. If they choose to depart early, they may forfeit some or all of the recreation fees. There is no change fee if the customer changes campsites that are the same price and on the same reservation dates in the same campground. If the campsite the customer is changing to has a price difference, the customer will be responsible for any additional fees or be provided with a refund, based on the price difference. Where recorded, no-show customers are assessed a $20.00 no-show fee and forfeit the first night's recreation fee for a campsite or forfeit the entire day-use recreation fee for a day-use facility. We recommend customers contact the facility if they are en route to their reservation but cannot make it by the check-in date. In these cases, no refund will be issued, but the facility can ensure that a "no-show" fee is not assessed.
$24 - $48 / night
Grasshopper Flat Campground (5,886 feet) is one of three family campgrounds located in the Lake Davis Recreation Area. Campground loops around in the hills overlooking the lake providing most campsites with sweeping views of the lake's crystal blue water. Pine forest gives most campsites plenty of afternoon shade. A boat ramp and RV dump station are nearby. A trailhead for 7 mile long Lake Davis Trail is less than half a mile away.
In addition to camping, the area offers a wide variety of popular water-related activities, including fishing, boating and swimming. Numerous fishing access points are located around the perimeter of the lake. Free trout fishing days are hosted by state agencies in June and September. Mountain biking, hunting and wildlife viewing are also available in the area. During winter months visitors enjoy ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
The 4,000-acre Lake Davis was created in 1967 for recreational opportunities, as well as to rejuvenate fish populations in nearby rivers and supply water to the town of Portola. The lake offers 32 miles of shoreline and is surrounded by tall pine trees. A variety of wildlife make its home near the campground. Tall mountain peaks offer backdrop to lake views.
The closest town is Portola, California, which is home to one of the largest railroad museums in the western United States. A state game refuge borders the lake to the east and the south.
For facility specific information, please call (530) 836-2575.
$38 - $100 / night
Upper Little Truckee Campground is located on Highway 89, about 12 miles north of Truckee. Its location makes it a great base camp for a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, hunting, hiking and biking. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
Fishing for rainbow and brown trout in the Little Truckee River is a popular activity enjoyed by visitors to the area. The surrounding area offers hiking and biking trails.
The campground is situated on the banks of the Little Truckee River, at an elevation of 6,200 feet. A forest of lodgepole pine, aspen and juniper trees covers the area, offering partial shade. A few sites overlook the river.
The town of Truckee, 10 minutes south, offers all the amenities of a year-round recreational mountain town including top notch restaraunts, resorts, hotels, grocery stores, gas stations, shopping, and historic sites. Lake Tahoe is located an additional 30 minutes south and offers excellent boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking and scenic driving opportunities as well as dining, shopping and lodging options. Stampede Reservoir and recreation area is a 35-minute drive southeast of the campground. Sardine Lakes, within beautiful Lakes Basin, is a 40-minute drive northwest, via the Golden Chain/Highway 49. Other recreational opportunities include Donner Camp Interpretive Trail, Donner Memorial State Park, Overland Emigrant Commemorative Trial, and numerous hiking, mountain biking, and OHV trails.
$20 - $66 / night
East Meadow Campground is located alongside the scenic Jackson Meadow Reservoir, in the Tahoe National Forest. Its location provides for a great base camp, allowing visitors to enjoy a wide range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hiking and hunting. East Meadow Campground is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
The adjacent 1,000-acre lake offers excellent opportunities for boating, canoeing, water skiing, swimming and fishing. Anglers will find rainbow and brown trout. A boat ramp is located at Pass Creek Campground. A designated swim beach is nearby. The lake is an irrigation source, meaning its level will drop as the season progresses. A portion of the Pacific Crest Trail meanders along the east side of the lake. It is open to hiking and horseback riding and provides opportunities for viewing wildlife. Hunting and biking are popular activities in the surrounding area.
Jackson Meadow Reservoir is situated in a rolling forested valley, where visitors are awarded beautiful views of the Sierra Crest and English Mountain. The campground lies on the northeastern shore of the lake, in a forest of pine and fir trees. Some sites have a view of the lake, and boats can be moored nearby.
For facility specific information, please call (530) 994-3401.
$24 - $48 / night
Lake of the Woods is a nice small lake. It can be quite popular especially on weekends. There are approximately 15 camping spots with fire pits and picnic tables situated along the shoreline. There is no piped water available. This lake generally opens later in the spring as it sits at a high elevation and takes longer for winter snows to melt to gain access. Camping is free and on a first come - first served basis. The lake has both public and private property. Fire restrictions may be different depending on where you locate your camp.
$39 - $47 / night
Boyington Mill Campground is located along the Little Truckee River, just 20 minutes from Truckee. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, abundant hiking opportunities and off-road trails. Stampede and Boca reservoirs are nearby for boating and swimming. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
Fly-fishing for rainbow and brown trout in the Little Truckee River is a popular activity enjoyed by visitors to the campground. The surrounding area offers hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle trails.
The campground is situated on the banks of the Little Truckee River, which is known as one of Northern California's best catch-and-release fly-fishing streams. It is situated among sparse Jeffrey pine and fir trees and shade within the campground is limited.
Boca Reservoir is a couple miles south of the campground. Stampede Reservoir is less than six miles north. Boating, water skiing, swimming and fishing are popular activities on both scenic lakes. Lake Tahoe is located about 35 minutes from the campground and offers excellent boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking and scenic driving opportunities, as well as popular dining, shopping and lodging options. Truckee, 20 minutes away, offers all the amenities of a year round recreational mountain town including interstate highway connectivity, top notch restaurants, resorts and hotels, grocery stores, gas stations, shopping, and historic sites. Other recreational opportunities include Historic Boca Townsite Interpretive Trail, Donner Camp Interpretive Trail, Overland Emigrant Commemorative Trial, Stampede Reservoir Recreation Area, Prosser Pits OHV area, and numerous hiking, mountain biking, and OHV trails.
$20 / night
William Kent Campground is conveniently located on Lake Tahoe's west shore, a few miles south of Tahoe City. It straddles the highway and features not only a large area in which to camp, but also a day-use area that is popular among visitors.
Just minutes away from the campground, 22-mile-long Lake Tahoe provides sunbathing, swimming, boating and water skiing. Anglers can look forward to healthy fish populations of kokanee salmon and mackinaw, rainbow and brown trout. The campground is also ideal for people planning a full day of bike riding around Lake Tahoe. Bike trails that traverse the western shores of Lake Tahoe begin near the campground.
William Kent Campground is situated in a residential area, alongside a busy highway. The campground has more than 80 sites, each surrounded by tall pine, cedar and fir trees. Many of the sites are secluded with evergreen shrubs and the terrain, with its shallow gullies and low ridges, helps to keep each site separate from neighboring sites.
A day-use area is located across the street from the campground for lake access and other water activities. Tahoe City is less than 5 miles away.
This location has limited staffing. Please call (530) 541-1537 for general information.
Rules & Reservation Policies As you make travel plans that include reservations on Recreation.gov, there are standard policies that apply to most locations of which you should be aware. Do keep in mind, however, that there are many exceptions, so it is best to review reservation information listed on individual facility pages for those policies and procedures that pertain to your specific locations. Any location or activity requiring a permit or lottery will have unique requirements and policies. Please check individual facility pages for pertinent information for those sites. Booking Window For most locations, you can reserve six months in advance of your stay for individual sites and 12 months in advance for group sites. There are some exceptions, so it is best to check with each facility. Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation. Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Tours & Tickets: You may request changes to tour dates at no cost before the arrival date. If you cancel before your tour date, you may be eligible for a refund. Cancellation fees apply. Please check the tour facility description details page for cancellation policies. Permits: Varies by location. Please check the permit details for the permit location. Late Cancellations Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival. Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply. Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge. No-Shows Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date. If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees. Tours: A tour or ticket no-show is one who does not cancel a ticket before arrival and does not arrive for the tour. Tour no-shows are not entitled to a refund. Refunds Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure. Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location. Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card. Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy. Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure. Recreation.gov Billing Information Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777." Changes to Policies and Procedures Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July
$42 - $118 / night
Guide
We just got back from a short 2 night trip to William Kent. It was a lovely little spot. The sites are definitely close together and the pads are tight. We have a 25 ft travel trailer and with my husbands truck it was definitely a tight squeeze. Plus our pad was really not very flat so leveling the trailer was tough. But beyond that, we had a great site. Someone else made the reservations but I think we really lucked out. Yes, we were on the back end, so as far from the lake as you could be, and yes there are cabins that butt up to some of the sites. But we rode our bikes and/or walked to the lake still, and we barely even saw any people in the cabins. Now there were other sites that were much closer to houses than that and I'm not sure I could've handled those but our site was great. The site itself was huge and really nice for my large family. There is a breakfast place right next to the campground so if you want more glamping you can swing over there in the morning. We also didnt care for the William Kent beach area cause there are no dogs allowed, so instead we drove down a few miles to a dog beach that was really nice. I dont know the name but it's to the right out of the campground, a few miles down and you will run into it. All in all, if you want dispersed camping, this isnt the place for you. But if you want a nice place to set up shop and be super close to tahoe and other amenities, this is a great spot. We had site 30.
Guide
I am a member of Thousand Trails and that being said this is one of my favorite TT spots in California. Family friendly, great little Lake for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding. RV sites have partial hook ups.  Thousand Trails does not reserve campsites so it can be quite a scene to find a site especially in the summer. Only one dump station was open (there are 3) so waited 30 + minutes to dump, hopefully management is working on that… they do offer a honey wagon service for $40.00 available 2 times a week.
Legend
We stayed here for two nights last year during a Northern California Camping trip. This site is on the western side of Lake Tahoe about 20 minutes from South Lake Tahoe. It’s a beautiful lake side campground with a very nice sandy beach for those willing to brave the cool waters. The sites are on top of each other. So you will need to pick your site carefully. This is also a popular campground and you will need to plan ahead or get lucky claiming a walk up site. The camp staff were very helpful and the facilities were great. This is a safe choice for a Tahoe visit, especially those traveling with kids.
Traveler
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.
Ranger
Excellent campground if you’re looking for a place to stay and it’s raining. We had a lot of fun watching the cars go by. You’re about 30 feet from highway 89. Traffic nonstop. Felt like a zoo animal. Thank god for the fire ring and port a potty. No showers.
GuideNo cell service and you’ll definitely have road noise during the day. However, it quieted substantially for nighttime sleeping hours so we slept fine. There are nice campsites located beside the Little Truckee River if you’re lucky enough to get one. Easy hiking trail along the river takes you down to lower Little Truckee Campground. We enjoyed our 2 night stay.
ScoutThe groundskeeper is very friendly and takes great care of the land. There was plenty of parking space, picnic tables, and a large fire pit at the group site. The river is beautiful. The only con is this campground is right off of a road, so you hear and see cars traveling by.
ScoutEnjoyed our stay, host was great. Not many campers during our one night off season stay. Agree with other reviews regarding road noise though. Noisy during the day, but much quieter at night.
GuideRight near bike trails and not to far from Town
GuideAmazing host! Kids had the best time fishing we caught 2 little guys. So nice to fall asleep to the river sound and yes you can hear the traffic on 89, but not terrible.
Guide
Campground is beautiful. Spots are first come first served and can fill up quickly. Small lake perfect for kayak fishing.
GuideTook my wife here for her first backpacking trip. Was over all a great experience. Went at the end of June . The lake is shallow in some areas with white sand . It got a bit windy at night and the mosquitoes were gone by the morning but mosquitoes do love hanging out by the water. Cool spot to stay a few nights
GuideNice campground at great lake. Nice water for swimming. Fire rings and benches for each site. A dirt road to get to the campsite, but doable for experienced drivers or high clearance cars. Pit toilet.
TravelerSites are free, first come first served. There was still snow blocking the road the Memorial Day weekend but by June 6th, the road was clear and passable with my Honda Fit. Great, free campground. If the road is blocked with snow part way up there are a few dispersed pull off spots available also.
Scout
Great campground but redone at the end of the 2020 season. They now have back in sites for RV's with different lengths. Check the website closely to make sure you fit!
RangerCamped one night here during the week and only had one other group there. One of those campgrounds where getting the right spot can make a big difference. I got #8 and I recommend it - it is the one in the corner closest to the river, so you have some privacy and easy river access.
Some of the other sites are pretty cramped and I could see this campground being a bit claustrophobic if it was fully, hence the four stars. But that said, for what it is, I appreciated it. Super easy access too, and only about 15 minutes from Truckee.
No cell reception on Verizon.
Guide
Guide
Not bad. Did not realize it was $15 for dump until in the queue for a single side, single point dump site. Has water points for spraying out dump hose (👍🏻), spigot for connecting to black tank flush (👍🏻) and a fresh water spigot to fill your fresh tank (if you’re into filling fresh water tank at a dump site). Worked as advertised, but would have driven an hour down the road to Reno where I could dump for cheaper (& saved myself a half-hour in queue) had I known.
Traveler
We stayed here after our Lost and found bike ride and it was great. There was tons of shade, common area bathrooms and no fees for adding a second vehicle to a site. We were able to share a site which helps with cost. Close to the lake but far from the road when you are down in the camp site sleeping so it's nice at night.
GuideBeautiful, quiet and clean campground. Gorgeous lake, great for swimming. Convenient launch for boaters. Easy to navigate and park in with an RV. The waterfront spots are amazing if you can score one!
TravelerAbsolutely delightful campground with flush toilets and potable water. Super close access to the water. Would be a perfect spot for tent camping if there weren’t so many trailers everywhere.
ScoutGreat, large sites that are well maintained. Sites are roughly 100 yards from the lake...Saw a Bald Eagle dive and grab a fish...Great fishing..Not so great for swimming. Opaque, green water from tall grass. A bit grimy..Great spot over all.
GuideHad a great time here - terrific proximity to lake & decent sized camping sites. Nearby Portola, & easy drive from the Reno area.
Lots of generators in use during the day (the only reason I can’t give it 5 stars, since we were tent camping) , but all seemed to abide by hours posted for operation.
Already have reservations for this summer!
GuideUpgraded to a camper this year! Site 23 was shorter than expected which upped the parking challenge but squeezed in okay. Had a great time - large area to spread gear out in, easy walk to semi-private cove on lake. AWESOME for birding - Bald Eagles 🦅, Pelicans, woodpeckers, chickadees & ravens - this is the Sierra after all. Can’t wait for our next visit.
GuideWe were lucky to get a FF spot and spent three nights. Clean restrooms and campground. Super easy access to the lake from this site where you can paddle board and kayak in peace.
TravelerThe campground was very nice however the restrooms and showers were dirty on a Sunday through Tuesday morning.
Scout
So remote and private but everything you need at the campground with water access within walking distance. Sites are great with picnic tables and bathrooms near by.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Loyalton, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Loyalton, CA is Sardine Lake with a 4.9-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Loyalton, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 glamping camping locations near Loyalton, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
