Best Tent Camping near Loyalton, CA

Are you in need of a campground near Loyalton, CA? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your California camping adventure.

Best Tent Sites Near Loyalton, California (68)

    1. Bear Valley Campground

    2 Reviews
    Sierraville, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 994-3401

    "People from the area (i guess)  seemed to be "reserving"  sites with styrofoam coolers and water jugs...  they did not occupy their sites at night. I didn't use the vault toilet facility. "

    2. Lake of the Woods

    4 Reviews
    Sierraville, CA
    14 miles

    "Nice 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."

    "Took 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 ."

    3. Donner Memorial State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Truckee, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 582-7892

    $35 / night

    "Close to Truckee so you can easily get supplies. Lots of trees give a private feel even though it is a busy campground."

    "We were in a large site and had pleasant neighbors. The restrooms were SUPER clean with flush toilets and hot showers. Short walk to Donner Lake and Donner Museum."

    4. Crocker Campground

    2 Reviews
    Portola, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 832-1076

    $135 / night

    "The Crocker Campground is not part of the Crocker Guard House, the campground offers pit toilets, tables and fire rings, no trash service or water, pack in pack out. It is first come first serve."

    "This is a dry camlground with scattered spots amongst the trees. It is quiet with a couple pit toilets. There was only one other camper when I was there so we had most the place to ourselves."

    5. Goose Lake Campground

    4 Reviews
    Graeagle, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 283-2050

    "Dry camping with space between sites. Great for kayaking and tents. Some sites require high clearance vehicles. Beautiful views."

    "Pull right off the "highway" into the campground surrounded by a lake on three sides!! Camp right on the edge of the lake with a view of the sierra buttes. It doesn't get ANY better than that."

    6. Sagehen Creek Campground

    1 Review
    Truckee, CA
    17 miles
    Website

    "Small Creek runs near the sites with little brookies.  Study area near by pay attention where you are fishing. No dumping but there are toilets. "

    7. Bowman Campground

    7 Reviews
    Sierra City, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 265-4531

    "There are several primitive campgrounds to choose from. Some right near the lake. There is a pit toilet, but no water or fire rings. The drive is long and fairly rough."

    "The road is rough and can be treacherous driving on a cliff side. You will need good clearance on your car. Pit toilet only with no water. lots of hiking, good fishing, great kayaking."

    8. Tahoe National Forest Sierra Campground

    1 Review
    Sierra City, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 478-6253

    $18 / night

    "We found our way up to deadman’s lake about 1 mile south south east. A completely remote high mountain lake. It was a refreshing swim after a steep hike up."

    10. Faucherie Lake Group Campground

    5 Reviews
    Emigrant Gap, CA
    25 miles
    Website

    "We picked Faucherie as our destination and hit the trails in hopes of finding a spot.

    Portions of the trail got a bit rough, but manageable with higher clearance vehicles."

    "I’ve been out to this campground on countless years with my family from when I was a young child to now, i think only once or twice did we have to share the grounds with another group!"

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Tent Camping Reviews near Loyalton, CA

760 Reviews of 68 Loyalton Campgrounds


  • Dani P.
    Jul. 12, 2019

    Meeks Bay

    Beautiful and big family oriented campground

    Just a small walk away from Lake Tahoe shore. Big beautiful trees cover the entire campground. A couple bathrooms that surprisingly do not smell bad and have a running faucet. Bears are a real issue, so they have big bear boxes at each site - make sure to use them. Sites close together and not much privacy. Camp Host on site. Very limited parking at the sites, but free parking if you park outside of the campground along the main road and walk in. Do not leave food in your car, especially on the outside. And dont forget to Leave No Trace!

  • 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.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 15, 2023

    General Creek Campground — Sugar Pine Point State Park

    Available off-season camping near Lake Tahoe

    After October 2, it is first come, first available and only sites 26-72 were open so my review is limited to a small portion of the campground. When I researched ahead of time, it was the ONLY open campground I could find in the Lake Tahoe area. At least the per night rate was decreased to $25 ($23 for seniors). I don’t know about the rest of the loops but most of the sites in the open loop appeared to be “doubles” or even “triples”; the camper pads were paved but appeared to be side-by-side parking spaces. Fortunately, there were not many campers so this was not a problem, however, if the park were more crowded, this layout would only make sense if the camper pads were used to park vehicles and people tent camped. All sites appeared to be level. No hookups. Each site had a large picnic table, fire ring, and bear box. 

    We had been warned multiple times that we were camping in an active bear area and although we did not encounter any, one of the other campers told us they had seen a mama and bear cub, along with a coyote. 

    The showers and dump station were closed for the season. There was no host on-site. The restrooms were very basic: toilet and sink but no soap, paper towels, or air dryers. 

    My rating might have been higher if we could have seen other parts of the campground, but our experience was limited to one night and we did not visit the day-use area.

  • kathleen K.
    Jul. 2, 2021

    Dayton State Park Campground

    Unexpected Oasis

    First stop in my early summer road trip. Stayed for two nights. Easy self pay station at the front entrance. To get to the campground at the first right little dirt road before the pay station. Entrance into the park patch to the campground has a limited day-use fee also and there is group they use facilities with a large barbecue and outdoor sink that you would be able to wash dishes at if necessary. Great shaded spot in the middle of the desert. This was quite the unexpected little Oasis. Comes with peacocks. Limited number of spots available for tent camping or RV camping with no hookups. There are water spickets available and the park part of this Campground has flush toilets. The campground itself comes with a fire ring and a picnic bench. Trees are plentiful shade is wonderful the heat in this area in the summer time is Relentless but the shade is perfect at this location. There are peacocks on the property that apparently come from somewhere else I believe there are at least three of them they do make noise at night but it's not ridiculous unless there are coyotes on the property. Beware this is the desert there is wild life. Do not leave your food out at night. Bear boxes are not provided but keep your food items inside of your tent or your vehicle or lock them up. I did not have any issues because I am Savvy to the situation. I had a wonderful time hiking around and exploring the area through the trails making my way to the Carson River. This place is a gem and I will be back!

  • Patricia O.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2018

    Lindsey Lake Campground

    Rustic and remote

    There are only a few campsites here, 12, I think, and a rough road getting (SUV or truck recommended) into the campground. Once you reach camp, you’ll be rewarded with serene and beautiful surroundings. Lots of lakes and hiking in the area. Mosquitos can be a problem so come prepared. Vault toilet. No trash service, no piped water. There are picnic tables and fire rings.

  • R
    Jul. 7, 2018

    Prosser Family

    Large sites, quiet, & beautiful views

    We stayed for two nights during the end of June 2018. Despite being summer, the temperature drops significantly at night. Even with cold weather sleeping bags, my son and I were really cold. There’s no electricity or bath houses, so charge all your devices and shower before your visit, lol. The potable water pumps are tricky to learn how to use at first, and the water is very cold.

    The sites are large and relatively flat, so tent camping is easy. While there are some sites that cannot be reserved online, I highly recommend that you do not rely on getting one that is first come, first serve. We saw three trucks filled with families trying to go after the last non-reservable site. So, reserve yours online!

    Be aware that there might be bear that get close to your sleeping quarters as the area is full of them. I was never scared, but my son swore that he saw one while he was going to bed. I was still up chit chatting with neighbors, so I did not see anything. Earlier that day, the Forest Ranger came through the camp to do an interpretive by showing everyone various mammal furs, two of which were bears. He told us that they have learned to be attracted to ice chests (coolers) and plastic boxes; they know these can contain food, so cover them with blankets or towels when secured in your car or around the campsite. Of course, food should be locked away at night and when not being prepared.

    This campground is located next to Prosser Reservoir, so there are beautiful views of the lake. The sites on the back side of the grounds have the best views. Even if you don’t get a lake view, do not worry as there are plenty of places to hike with lots of spectacular views! Pick up a copy of ‘Lake Tahoe’s Spectacular Wildflower Trails’ by Julie S. Carville, and pick a trail! Sagehen Creek Trail (Hike #12 in the book, I believe) is very close by Prosser Family Campground.

    The coolest thing about this place is that you can drink while enjoying the natural views! Wahoo!

  • Lauren H.
    Jun. 20, 2019

    Tahoe National Forest Salmon Creek Campground

    A Dog's Dream

    Nestled against salmon creek and among the gold lake area, just outside of Bassetts. Very large sites, with some hike in with shallow creek crossing. Lush fields and forests. Great views. Can here traffic on ridge. Bear boxes at every site Trash and Recycling receptacles Picnic Tables at every site Fresh water available Bathrooms throughout

  • 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?

  • Jim S.
    Jul. 5, 2019

    Plumas National Forest Snake Lake Campground

    Rustic clean free

    Forest Service campground in Plumas NF I’ve stayed at several times when exploring the area. About 9 miles from Quincy and 2-3 off highway. Free. Fire rings (need annual campfire permit, free at park offices) and bear boxes. Outhouses. No water apart from lake (generally overgrown). Large clear sites with plenty of space between them. Forested area, dirt roads. Equestrian sites available.


Guide to Loyalton

Nestled in the scenic Sierra Nevada, Loyalton, California, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and tranquility.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy hiking and kayaking at the beautiful Bowman Campground, where you can explore trails and take in stunning lake views.
  • Experience the rich history of the area by visiting the nearby Donner Memorial State Park, which features a museum and trails leading to Donner Lake from Donner Memorial State Park Campground.
  • For those seeking solitude, Canyon Creek Campground offers a secluded spot perfect for kayaking and enjoying nature away from the crowds.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $35

  • Camping at Lake of the Woods is free and offers a serene environment with swimming opportunities.
  • The well-reviewed Bear Valley Campground provides a peaceful setting with amenities like drinking water and picnic tables, typically costing around $25 per night.
  • For a more rustic experience, Goose Lake Campground offers dry camping with beautiful views, generally priced at about $20 per night.

Explore these specific local activities

  • Fishing and swimming are popular at Lake Davis Dump Station, where you can enjoy the scenic views while relaxing by the water.
  • Take a hike to discover the stunning landscapes surrounding Merrill Valley Dispersed Camp, perfect for those looking to escape into nature.
  • Visit the nearby Sagehen Creek Campground for a rustic camping experience with access to fishing and hiking along the creek.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Loyalton, CA is Bear Valley Campground with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 68 tent camping locations near Loyalton, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.