392 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Gold Run area in California's Sierra foothills offers a mix of developed campgrounds and RV parks across diverse settings. Established campgrounds like Giant Gap near Sugar Pine Reservoir provide tent and RV sites with varying amenities, while Dutch Flat RV Resort caters primarily to recreational vehicles with full hookups. The region contains several water-adjacent campgrounds, including Rollins Lake's Greenhorn Campground and facilities near Scotts Flat Lake, providing opportunities for both lakeside and forested camping experiences.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping opportunities around Gold Run, with many campgrounds operating only from late spring through fall. Giant Gap typically opens from mid-May through late October, while some higher elevation sites in Tahoe National Forest have even shorter seasons. Most developed campgrounds require reservations during peak summer months. Winter camping options are limited to year-round facilities like Dutch Flat RV Resort and Nevada County Fairgrounds. "The road up to Iowa Hill is terrifying - especially in the dark. We camped in our 4runner as we got there when it was dark and there was so much glass and shell casings everywhere," noted one visitor about dispersed camping in the area.
Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront sites, particularly at Sugar Pine Reservoir. Giant Gap Campground receives positive reviews for its lake access and surrounding forest. "The camp sites are all very nice but 23 and 24 can't be beat with the best access to the water," shared one visitor about Giant Gap. Water recreation stands out as a primary draw, with several campgrounds offering swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating opportunities. Sites with shade receive consistently higher ratings, especially during hot summer months. While most developed campgrounds provide vault toilets, drinking water is not universally available, requiring campers to bring their own at certain locations. Campers should note that some areas like Rollins Lake can become crowded during peak season, with mixed reviews regarding site cleanliness and noise levels.
"The site was spacious and a short walk to the reservoir and trail. We hiked around the entire reservoir and it was gorgeous."
"The campsites are all very nice but 23 and 24 can’t be beat with the best access to the water ( you will have a lot of people walking by to get there also though)."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Just know that here on The Dyrt, the location on the map for some reason shows it as being many miles away from Kidder Ct: it’s marked as if it is at Higgins Corner, halfway to Auburn?"
"Super clean and friendly Not congested and close to many hiking trails Easy drive and close to Nevada City.
Especially nice during Christmas Season. Feels like walking back in time."
"This is a smaller but nice lake. It hasn’t ever been over crowded when I’ve gone. The reason I like this spot is because campsites C3-C10 have the most shade you can hope for!"
"They have a convenience store that is walkable distance to get supplies, food, candy from. You should reserve a spot right on the lake. If you have a boat you can anchor it right in front."
from $42 - $53 / night
Check Availability"The individual sites are distanced enough so it still feels private, bathrooms and water was available. Hiked the pioneer trail and then went swimming in the lake nearby."
"It was only a 20-minute drive from home in Nevada City. We enjoyed hanging around the campground, took a cruise over to Rucker Lake for some exploring."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Nice trails to explore that run along the river’s edge. Easy trails for beginners."
"One of my favorite summer spots, great Access to the American River. Site has pit toilets, fire rings, tables and bear lockers(have seen several bears)"
from $28 / night
Check Availability"Reserved 2 campsites next to each other for 10 family members for Father’s Day weekend 2019. Sites were large and not too close to each other so plenty of room to spread out. "
"Price is a bit steep IMO but the site was nice, a quick walk to the lake to cool off."
from $39 - $51 / night
Check Availability"Our site had several old rugs and leveling Timbers left behind, for example. Most sites are neither flat nor level, but close enough to get level. The setting is magnificent."
"There are multiple campsites by the water, no need to drive or take a long walk. There is a store on site that seeks everything you may need."
"Edit: I ended up sticking around to take in the place bc I had paid so much."
from $27 - $53 / night
Check Availability"I scared two black bears as I was walking (don't I wish I had that on film...). And yes, that's his footprint on my van door - he was checking out the bag of garbage I had stored on my roof."
"Some friends of ours love North Fork Campground just off I-80 at Emigrant Gap, so we were going to try it on the way back from the California coast to Reno. "
"Vault toilet near the entrance was in surprisingly good condition. The dump spot by the front was obviously not bear/raccoon proof enough and I assumed rangers hadn’t been through in a while."
GuideAbsolutely fantastic lookout to stay anytime of year. Spent 8 yrs straight going for our anniversary. Got to know the rangers well enough that we spent Thanksgiving there in an awesome snow storm. Luckily we were able t0 drive up in our built rig. Snowshoeing wouldn't have been so pleasant. Hope to make it back someday. Feeling a lil home sick.
ScoutNeeded a place to camp after driving 12 hours from Washington . Wanted to stay as close to Yosemite . This place did the trick . No one was there . Quiet and serene . Lots of scorched trees . But all in all was great . There is also cell service ! 7-23-26
ScoutI’d give this campsite a 4/5 if it weren’t for the road. Maybe if you get a spot right next to the river it isn’t an issue, but if you’re not that lucky then you’re going to be stuck hearing cars go by all day and night.
ScoutI've been camping at this location for 10 years. This year the bathrooms were so disgusting it was difficult to use them. The smell was awful and we never saw the hosts clean them once in the 3 days we were there.
Also, the camp hosts were MAGA and thought they owned the place. They had 3 large dogs that at times were running around the campground off leash. We were enjoying our time in the river when her 3 big dogs and her, came to our quiet peaceful spot and just took over and her dogs were off leash and out of control. They tried to attack my small dog multiple times and she wouldn't even try to control them. She kept telling us that she's the camp host and she could do what she wanted. We had to leave because it was so chaotic. She totally ruined our good time. Then, when I tried to make a complaint to the Lake Tahoe Hospitality group who manages that campground, they did not take the event serious and even tried to kick us out because we said a curse word. I told them we were not leaving since we had done nothing wrong and to call the Sheriff. Which they did and guess who took our side. Animal control was dispatched too. And, no, we didn't have to leave. I've never seen such blatant entitlement and disregard for others using the area and enjoying nature in all my life. Pure Trash.
TravelerWe had a great stay at this RV park. The staff was incredibly friendly and even escorted us to our site, which was a nice personal touch. The park is well maintained, with plenty of mature trees that provide shade and make it feel peaceful. Overall, it's a clean, welcoming campground, and we'd definitely stay here again. Make your reservations early!!
TravelerWe had a great stay at this RV park. The staff was incredibly friendly and even escorted us to our site, which was a nice personal touch. The park is well maintained, with plenty of mature trees that provide shade and make it feel peaceful. Overall, it's a clean, welcoming campground, and we'd definitely stay here again. Make your reservations early!!
TravelerWe had a great stay at this RV park. The staff was incredibly friendly and even escorted us to our site, which was a nice personal touch. The park is well maintained, with plenty of mature trees that provide shade and make it feel peaceful. Overall, it's a clean, welcoming campground, and we'd definitely stay here again. Make your reservations early!
TravelerFeel like you’re in the woods all while being right in the smack of town! There is even a little coffee trailer that is AMAZING! All the amenities with a rustic feel. We will definitely be back!
GuideBoca is a comfortable little USFS campground with nice lake views.
Some of the sites and their trees are oriented a little uncomfortably for me, but I was able to back my trailer in a way that probably wasn't originally intended and open up enough room for my tow vehicle.
They have picnic tables at every site that I've seen and food storage, trash storage, bear lockers at every site.
There's gunfire across the reservoir, but I scarcely even noticed it and I'm very sensitive to it.
The camp hosts seem pretty unobtrusive.
The sites aren't particularly level, but with a few blocks I was able to get mine close enough.
I was in site number four, which is just a stone's throw from the bathrooms and dumpster. I'm self-contained, so I didn't bother looking at the bathrooms.
It's a very quiet campground. In fact, I was feeling guilty about running my generator half the time.
It was completely booked, so I was only able to get a couple of nights here, but I would certainly stay here again. Moderate levels of shade midday in July, but 83F sure beats 108F in the valley! From Site 4 I had a very clear view to the north, so I had great coverage with Starlink, at least 120 megabits; doing work was certainly a reality for me.
Checkout time is noon, and that's coming up quickly. So, thus ends my review for the moment.
[Edit] One more detail worth mentioning: as I was hitching up to leave, a doe and two fawns wandered through the trees right near the site, completely nonchalant. They weren’t begging, approaching, or acting habituated in a bad way, just quietly moving through the forest like I happened to be parked in their campground. It was a lovely little sendoff and exactly the kind of moment that makes a site memorable.
Public lands surrounding Gold Run, California provide a range of mixed-use campgrounds and undeveloped sites nestled in the Sierra foothills. Developed facilities include Giant Gap Campground near Sugar Pine Reservoir and Dutch Flat RV Resort, offering sites for both tent and RV campers. The region's campground options extend to Rollins Lake's Greenhorn Campground, which provides water-front sites with boat access. Most campgrounds in this area operate within 20 miles of Gold Run, creating a constellation of options along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet.
Seasonal considerations play a crucial role when planning visits, as several campgrounds like Giant Gap operate only from May through October. Summer brings warm temperatures and higher visitation, while spring offers more solitude with potential for muddy conditions. Many developed campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly for weekend stays during peak season. Fire restrictions are common during late summer and fall months. Cell phone coverage varies significantly throughout the area, with better reception near larger campgrounds and limited service in more remote locations. A visitor warned, "The road up to Iowa Hill is terrifying - especially in the dark... come with everything you need."
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for camping in the Gold Run vicinity. Sugar Pine Reservoir at Giant Gap Campground receives particularly positive reviews for its recreational opportunities. One camper noted, "The campsites are all very nice but 23 and 24 can't be beat with the best access to the water." Beyond the developed sites, dispersed camping can be found along forest roads, though these areas typically lack amenities. For those seeking more comfort, campgrounds like Inn Town Campground in nearby Nevada City and Scotts Flat Lake provide showers and more developed facilities. Noise levels vary significantly between locations - campgrounds closer to lakes tend to be more active, while remote forest sites offer greater solitude but require more self-sufficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gold Run, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gold Run, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 392 campgrounds and RV parks near Gold Run, CA and 26 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Gold Run, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gold Run, CA is Giant Gap with a 4.5-star rating from 11 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gold Run, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 free dispersed camping spots near Gold Run, CA.
What parks are near Gold Run, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Gold Run, CA that allow camping, notably Plumas National Forest and Martis Creek Lake.
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