275 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Smartsville, California range from developed recreation areas to smaller RV parks, with several options featuring waterfront access and cabin accommodations. Collins Lake Recreation Area and Sycamore Ranch RV Park provide tent and RV camping with full hookups, while properties like Manzanita Rock Meadow offer cabin rentals. The region includes both larger established campgrounds with amenities and smaller properties with more secluded camping environments, all within reasonable driving distance of Nevada City and Grass Valley.
Most developed campgrounds in the area maintain year-round operations, though spring and fall typically offer more moderate temperatures and fewer crowds. Sycamore Ranch RV Park features shaded sites along Dry Creek and the Yuba River, with paved parking pads suitable for both tents and RVs. Several campgrounds provide electric hookups, drinking water, and sanitary facilities, though availability varies by property. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. As one camper noted, "Weekdays are the best when there are few people but on weekends it does fill up."
Waterfront camping represents a particular highlight for visitors to the Smartsville area, with Collins Lake and Sycamore Ranch receiving consistently high ratings from campers. Visitors appreciate the fishing opportunities, with one reviewer mentioning, "We caught 7 rainbows 14-17 inches." Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, ice cream shops, and boat rentals enhance the camping experience at larger recreation areas. Sycamore Ranch offers more of a nature experience with wildlife viewing opportunities. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "My favorite thing about this campground is the birds! I use the Merlin app to identify the birds here and so far this place holds my record of around 18 birds." Many campgrounds in the area feature grassy sites with shade trees, providing relief during warmer months while maintaining scenic views.
"This campground is above Marysville California."
"They were both lake front campsites, which meant the water or shoreline was right at our "front door" from our 27' travel trailer."
"This is such a beautiful piece of California."
"There is a boat launch, and a pretty county park is adjacent."
"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."
"They said it would be okay as long as I had the gear to sleep outside in a tent as well. The place was quiet and we had no issues."
"Very nice campground, but cell coverage is nonexistent outside of one small area."
"It was quiet and private, but close to the hosts so they visited when I had questions about the best spots for swimming and hiking nearby."
"Had a fire in the fire pit and enjoyed the quiet(except for the coyotes in the distance!). Galen, our host, was always available to answer questions and to bring extra firewood."
from $55 / night
"Very peaceful and the fairgrounds are open during the day to walk around."
"Really nice with the lake and quiet woods feeling. No hassle booking and really reasonable price. Huge sites like 150x18 or there abouts."
"We visited Camp Far West for one night on a quick trip looking for somewhere remote, nearby, and slightly warmer during the winter months. It was green and beautiful. "
"There are trails for hiking or mountain biking. You are minutes from Bullards Bar which is one of the most beautiful lakes around. I definitely suggest a day trip to the lake."
"It’s mixed RV and tent with no RV power so the generators are loud and you’ll be surrounded by them."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"We decided this time around to reserve one of their cabins. We stayed at the Diamond P cabin which has the best view of the lake within this group of cabins."
"Nice quiet lake. Good campsites. Good general store and even a little restaurant and ice cream shack."
from $40 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Lots of staff roaming around and helping. Bring your BBQ"
LegendThe campsites are on both sides of the forest service road. We were never able to locate site 1 so it must have been eliminated.
If you enjoy camping and OHV riding then this should be on your list of campgrounds to visit.
LegendDeanes campground was empty when we visited. There are sites that provide ample space and our 26’ toy hauler would fit in with no trouble.
Vault toilet was clean and most of the camp sites were well maintained.
Of the three campgrounds in this area, Deanes was my favorite.
ScoutWe stayed on a Tuesday night in July and we think there was only one other camper in the campground. We aren’t sure because we arrived at 10:00 pm and didn’t see anyone but then saw them the next morning while touring the entire campground. Paved pads that were somewhat level, concrete picnic tables that were pretty clean, clean bathrooms and showers that required tokens. Pretty nice overall with some campsites arranged for groups of campers while others had good spacing. We stayed in site 28. The fire pit was very tall(36”) and about 75% full of ashes but we did not have a campfire. Mid-July was pretty warm with a low at night of 72. Overall a nice campground that is on the hills and above the lake. Some sites have lake views.
LegendGeneral: Beals Point is one of two locations on Folsom Lake for camping. Large campground with a mix of electric and non-electric campsites plus some group sites.
Site Quality: Drives are paved and mostly level. We camped in a little “cul-de-sac” with just four sites. While these sites back up to the American River Bike Trail (aka Jedediah Smith Recreation Trail), it was overgrown, and I did not see direct access to the trail as we did the last time we were here.
Bath/Shower: Typical CA state park layout– all-gender units with toilet and sink (but no soap, towels, or dryers) and showers. Unlike other CA state parks, these take quarters instead of tokens. The units could use a little TLC, but what was most disheartening was how other campers had trashed them– toilet paper (and worse) scattered all over the insides. Obviously not the fault of the campground.
Activities/Amenities: Folsom Lake is the draw, and people were fishing, kayaking, and swimming. The 32-mile paved multi-use American River Bike Trail is easily accessible. There is a snack bar/concession stand for beach rentals, but it was not open when we were there.
Our stay here this time was over a weekend; it was completely full, and it reminded us once again that we prefer to camp during the week and shoulder seasons when campgrounds are less crowded!
GuideThis appears to be another roadside pullout in the Demonstration Forest area rather than a legal overnight campsite. Based on on-site clarification from CAL FIRE at a nearby listing, overnight camping is not permitted in this Demonstration Forest area. Only the campground run by PG&E is legal.
Guide--- Not a legal campsite: confirmed by CAL FIRE ---
I originally stopped here with an in-progress cargo trailer conversion because this looked like an excellent roadside pullout: large, easy to access, relatively level, and long enough to maneuver a truck and trailer without drama. As a short stop, turnaround, or day-use staging spot, it is genuinely useful. However, this should not be listed or treated as an overnight campsite. While I was on-site, I was contacted by Officer Steve Garcia with CAL FIRE, who advised me that overnight camping is not permitted at this location. I had interpreted the posted seasonal“no parking” signage as suggesting that public use might be allowed outside the snow-removal season, but he clarified that the signage relates to snow removal and does not authorize overnight camping in the Demonstration Forest area. For practical details: the pullout itself is easy to enter and exit, with enough room for a modest trailer rig to get fully out of traffic and turn around. Road noise drops off substantially overnight, though traffic begins again in the morning. The area may be useful for a brief rest stop, equipment check, turnaround, or day-use pause. But as a camping location, the important information is simple: Do not plan to camp here overnight. I’m updating this review so others don’t make the same assumption I did. This is a good pullout, but it is not a legal overnight campsite.
GuideIndian Valley. Site 5. I love this campground and this area of California. It is not directly situated on the Hwy, and abuts the Yuba River, which is clear and gorgeous and draws a lot of birds and wildlife. A small, quiet family campground with an excellent local host couple. Vault toilets are kept clean. Site 5 has a large open space to the right and a beautiful view to the scenery beyond the river. The vault toilet was close, and now and then I could smell an odor, but it was not constant, nor terrible.
ScoutClean sharp fun to be there. Lots of staff roaming around and helping. Bring your BBQ
GuideVery popular in the summer!! Amazing lake front campsites with incredible views. Also kind of pricey. There’s onsite security and a big store with delicious icecream. Totally incredible fishing opportunities.
Camping opportunities near Smartsville, California exist across 3 distinct ecosystems: the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, riparian zones of the Yuba River, and oak woodlands. The area sits at approximately 1,500 feet elevation with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F, while spring brings moderate 70-75°F conditions. Most campsites in the region require advanced reservations between May and September when water activities peak in popularity.
Kayaking and paddling: Access the Yuba River directly from Sycamore Ranch RV Park where you can paddle upstream from camp. "I took advantage of the water and after getting shuttled up to the bridge kayaked down the Yuba and up dry creek all the way to our campsite!" reports one visitor who enjoyed the convenience of water access.
Fishing for trout: Collins Lake Recreation Area maintains stocked rainbow trout throughout spring and fall seasons. A camper noted the productive fishing: "We love Collins!! Very nice for paddle boarding and kayaking. Clean sites and pet friendly. We took the boat on our last trip here and had a great time. Great fishing spots!!"
Wildlife observation: Bring binoculars to Manzanita Rock Meadow where deer often approach campsites at dawn and dusk. "We got to meet Galen when she brought us firewood and she told us about some great trails on the Yuba River to catch some amazing sunsets," explains one camper who appreciated the wildlife viewing opportunities.
Secluded waterfront access: Laughing Buddha RV/Tent Camp provides private deck spaces overlooking natural areas. "The space was unsurpassed for quiet and privacy, with plenty of trees but not choked with underbrush," notes a tent camper who valued the solitude.
Lake swimming: During hot summer months, multiple lakes offer swimming opportunities with gradually sloping shorelines. At Camp Far West North Shore, one visitor observed, "We must have come at the best time of year because everything was so green and beautiful. The Oak trees that grow here are truly majestic."
Year-round camping options: Most campgrounds near Smartsville maintain operations throughout all seasons. A Lake Francis Resort camper mentioned, "Nice quiet lake. Good campsites. Good general store and even a little restaurant and ice cream shack," highlighting amenities available regardless of season.
Fire restrictions vary by property: Many campgrounds implement seasonal fire bans during summer and fall. At Inn Town Campground, "They do not allow wood burning fires, but you can use a gas fire ring or rent one from the campground," explains a reviewer who found alternative options.
Reservation windows: Most popular waterfront sites require booking 3-6 months in advance for summer weekends. One camper advises, "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? Whereas it is in reality only a mile away from downtown Nevada City."
Water levels fluctuate seasonally: Spring offers highest water levels for recreation, while late summer sees significant drawdown at reservoirs. According to one reviewer, "In the Spring, the water level is much higher so the water line is closer to the campsites. In the fall, pre-winter, the water level is much lower. It was about a 50 yard walk down to the water from #116 camp site."
Cabin options for beginners: First-time campers can ease into outdoor experiences by renting cabins at Collins Lake Recreation Area. "We stayed at site 60A Lake Front View, which had stunning water views and a spacious setup. The site gets a lot of sun in the morning and afternoon, so bring a popup canopy for shade—it made a big difference for us!" shared a family visitor.
Swimming safety considerations: Most lake beaches lack lifeguards and contain underwater drop-offs. At Lake Francis Resort, a visitor explained, "The down side is how quickly the easiest access to the lake fills up. Everyone has to drive over from the tent RV site to access the water. There are other places you can drive and park to get to the water, but there it a drop off into the water from there vs a gradual walk in."
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreation facilities like playgrounds and safe water entry points. "We spent our time at the pool which is near the flushable toilets and the ice cream parlor, restaurant, and camp store. The pool goes from 3.5' ft to 5' back to 3.5' ft," noted a family staying in a cabin.
Limited full-hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer partial hookups only, with fewer sewer connections than water/electric sites. A reviewer at Nevada County Fairgrounds observed, "Hookup campsites are demarcated by white powder on the ground. If you don't need hookups looks like you can go anywhere."
Leveling challenges: Bring adequate leveling blocks as many sites require significant adjustment. "Just can't recommend based on the very cramped conditions. Sites are not very level either. I needed to raise my front end 6 inches to get level," reported one RVer experiencing typical terrain challenges.
Navigating narrow access roads: Larger rigs face access limitations on several properties with tight turns. As one Manzanita Rock Meadow visitor noted, "It was a little challenging getting our 16' trailer to the pad but it was worth it. So quiet and serene there. I don't think the bigger rigs would be able to make the turn into the site and the road to the entrance is a bit rough."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Smartsville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Smartsville, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 275 campgrounds and RV parks near Smartsville, CA and 9 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Smartsville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Smartsville, CA is Collins Lake Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 26 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Smartsville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Smartsville, CA.
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