Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Nevada City, CA has a lot to offer. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Nevada City is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Nevada City. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
Collins Lake is a favorite Northern California destination for families. This 1,600 acre recreation area offers LAKEFRONT RV& TENT camping with excellent fishing and wakeboarding. Collins Lake has California’s largest private trophy trout planting program of any lake north of Sacramento and equally famous for bass, crappie& catfish. Facilities include RV hookups, cabins, hot showers, laundry, marina, rental boats, sandy beach, playground, store with huge ice creams& espresso drinks. Family friendly with movies under the stars and live music every summer summer. Located only 70 miles northeast of Sacramento at 1200’ elevation. Family owned and operated since 1972.
Located on an historic 15 acre site, just under two miles from downtown Nevada City. We offer tent camping, RV spots with hookups, and glamping in canvas tents. Our sites, plus a range of convenient and welcoming amenities make Inn Town Campground a great place to get outside.
Info@InnTownCampground.com 530-265-9900
Giant Gap Campground is located on the north shore of Sugar Pine Reservoir, in the Tahoe National Forest. It is just 15 miles from Foresthill. Visitors enjoy the surrounding area for its fishing, canoeing, __OHV and hiking opportunities.
Fishing, canoeing, swimming and boating are popular activities on the reservoir. A paved, non-motorized trail circles the campground and connects to the day use area and Shirttail Creek Campground. The North Fork of the American River is nearby, with additional fishing and swimming. Many miles of hiking and off-road vehicle trails are in the surrounding area.
The campground and the adjacent 160-acre Sugar Pine Reservoir are situated at an elevation of 3,600 feet. The campground is situated in stands of cedar and ponderosa pine trees. Summertime temperatures are hot during the day and cool at night.
$24 - $48 / night
Welcome to Windsong Ridge, an evolving homestead on 25 acres of oak, pine, and manzanita woodland about 30 minutes outside of the historic gold rush towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City in Nevada County, CA. The property overlooks the iconic South Yuba River canyon and is 100% solar-powered and off grid with excellent cell coverage (Verizon and T-Mobile). Come be serenaded by the wind chimes throughout the property. Enjoy sitting by a fire and you may hear the coyotes in the distance after a day of swimming, hiking, paddling, site-seeing or attending one of the many festivals held throughout the year in town.
We are at 1800 feet, therefore the summers are hot (sometimes in the triple digits), and winters are mild (snow is a surprising event at this elevation).
Manzanita Rock Meadow is a pad for a high clearance van, small RV and/or tent with plenty of room to spread out and set up camp. IMPORTANT DETAILS are provided on our site description.
We’ll be happy to help you plan your visit! (Start by checking out https://www.nevadacountygold.com/)
Just a couple rules:
Hope to see you soon!
$40 - $55 / night
Beal's Point Campground is one of two locations on the lake that allows overnight camping in the campground. Barbecue pits, shade areas and large grassy areas can accommodate many family picnics and other activities. The Beal's Point Snack Bar also rents beach equipment. The beach equipment includes kayaks, standup paddleboards, shade canopies, and rafts of all sizes. Additionally, catering for family and company picnics, as well as group discount rental rates, are available.
$48 / night
Privately owned campground with true Lakefront campsites.
$42 - $53 / night
Bullards Bar Reservoir is located on the North Yuba River at an elevation of 2000 feet. It is located approximately 21 miles north of Nevada City, California. It has a maximum surface area of 4,760 acres and a length of over 16 miles and shoreline of more than 60 miles.
Activities include wildlife viewing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, boating, water skiing, and other water sports. Swimming opportunities are limited because of the steep slopes; however boaters will find numerous opportunities for swimming in various locations around the reservoir. The reservoir provides yearlong fishing opportunities for both warm and cold water fish species. Supplies are available at the marina as well as the nearby communities of Camptonville, North San Juan, and Dobbins.
The sides of the reservoir are generally steep and public access for boating and recreation is limited. The reservoir is surrounded by both conifer and hardwood forests with numerous brush species. There is plenty of shade at the campsites
For facility specific information, please call (530) 265-4531.
There is a beautiful non- motorized trail system in the area, with 5 different trails to choose from. Bullards Bar Trailhead is 14 miles, 7 Ball Trial is 1 mile, 8 Ball Trail is 3.8 miles, Rebel Ridge Trail is 1.6 miles and Schoolhouse Trail is 0.7 miles. Maps are available at the North Yuba Ranger Station just a couple miles east of the reservoir on Marysville Road.
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
2020 Tripadvisor Hall of Fame! Here at Lake of the Springs RV Camping Resort , every guest is welcomed with a smile and a friendly wave. Recognized as a top RV camp in California , our friendly staff is here to provide you with excellent customer service, so please do not hesitate to ask for assistance. Lake of the Springs RV campground in the California wilderness is your home in the great outdoors. Lake of the Springs RV Camping Resort is a 950-acre campground nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains on the fringe of the Sacramento Valley. This expansive RV campground in California boasts a private, 120-acre lake with great fishing, swimming and boating. If you don't have a boat, you can rent one of our patio boats and take the entire family out for a day of sunshine. Sit back, relax and simply enjoy all the wildlife including deer and wild turkeys that roam the preserve. RV Camp in California Wilderness Whether you're planning a retreat for the whole family, a group of friends or a getaway for two, there's no shortage of unique activities to explore at Lake of the Springs RV Resort. Plan activities upon arrival or visit this page before your departure to plan ahead. Looking for more? Our friendly staff can fill you in on all of the great ways to make your stay a memorable experience.
White Cloud Campground is located in the Tahoe National Forest along Highway 20 near Nevada City. The area provides a great escape from urban life.
The Pioneer Trail stretches 25 miles through the Tahoe National Forest and can be accessed from the campground. The popular path was designated a National Recreation Trail in 2003. Horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing are favorite activities on this popular trail.
The campground is situated in a forest of cedar, pine, and Douglas fir trees, at an elevation of 4,200 feet.
For facility specific information, please call (530) 265-4531.
White Cloud Campground is located on the Highway 20 portion of the Yuba Donner Scenic Byway near many gold rush era historical sites and old mining towns such as Washington and Nevada City. Nevada City, about 14 miles west, is a scenic historical mining town with many historical attractions, top notch restaraunts, various lodging options, shopping, and stores for everything you may need. Other attractions include the Pioneer Trail, South Yuba River, Washintong Scenic Overlook, Alpha and Omega Scenic Overlook and Interpretive Trail, Rock Creek Nature Trail, Chalk Bluff OHV trails, and Grouse Ridge Non-Motorized Area.
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
Our more developed site, closer to our residents’ compound welcomes vans, RVs or tents and has a gorgeous large deck with a fire pit and two outdoor rocking chairs, along with firewood bundles and charcoal available to purchase.
This is the spot for you if you want your privacy but also want to be closer to what’s happening on the homestead, which currently includes the development of a greenhouse, chicken yard and gardens; and near future plans to create a celtic labyrinth just down from this site. Also, it’s a bit easier for larger RVs to maneuver.
Just far enough away is a Krapper-with-a-view! (Please pee outside to maintain the integrity of our Humanure system.)
Usually strong cell signal (Verizon and T-Mobile).
Just a couple rules:
Hope to see you soon!
$55 / night
Scout
We went mid week in August and it wasn’t too crowded. The views were beautiful and the water was perfect. The road was much more technical than a standard forrest service road, but doable in most stock crossover vehicles or better. We had a borrowed AWD Transit van and did it with some patience and strategic line choice.
Scout
I am a 12 year old and I had tons of fun. Me and my friends were up there and there was conveniently a campground available in there same campsite. We went in the summer and the water was perfect! We went fishing and caught crawfish in a trap underneath the bridge near the front. Overall the staff were really nice and it was a great trip. I recommend it!
Traveler
If I could give zero stars, I would. Thousand Trails Lake Minden is very rundown. Immediately upon arrival at this so-called "resort," you can see the neglect from the outset. Their main sign is faded and sunburned, looking like it’s from 1970. The roads are riddled with potholes, none of which are paved. It’s clear the maintenance of this property has been ignored for years.
The "resort" advertises full hookups, but the reality is they have about 20 full hookup sites that can’t accommodate RVs over 35 feet. My 40-foot RV doesn’t fit, so I’m forced to drive around the lake to the non-hookup section, which only has water and power. To dump your tanks, you have to make trips to the dump station—hardly convenient for a place claiming to be a resort.
I paid $10,000 for a lifetime membership that allows me to stay at Thousand Trails properties for 21 days at a time. My mistake was not visiting any of their locations before making this purchase. I strongly urge anyone considering a Thousand Trails membership to visit several of their properties first—it will likely change your mind. Lake Minden is no better than other Thousand Trails locations, and in fact, I’d rank it among the worst.
As a full-time RVer, I’m stuck here for the 21-day maximum, and once that’s up, I’m forced to relocate two hours away to their next nearest property, Ponderosa. I’ll review that location when I arrive, but I don’t have high expectations.
What’s most frustrating is the blatant contradiction between their claims and reality. They require age-appropriate RVs for members, yet I’m parked next to a 20-year-old RV with a blue tarp on the roof. The facility is so poorly maintained it’s a stretch to even call it a campground, let alone a resort.
My regret for buying a Thousand Trails lifetime membership is astronomical. If I knew then what I know now, I would never have spent a dime. Thousand Trails should be ashamed to call themselves a resort. Lake Minden, like many of their properties, is nothing more than a run-down trailer park.
TravelerThis is a nice place to camp. It has a big pond you can go fishing in and it’s quiet. The only thing that I could say needed to be updated is keeping the trees groomed unfortunately we scratched our motorhome coming into the park.
Guide
This place and his staff were absolutely amazing. I had a couple of different times where I needed to change the spot and without fail they were there to help. Quite CLEAN everything! I wanted to stop awhile 30 days later I was told goodbye👋 cause I know the rules at a State Park!🤦😔😔💩
GuideI am not the easiest but the staff has a heart of gold and at every turn we’re really there to help.
Guide
We could not find this place. Needs better description. Afterwards in another rv park I worked it out. Need to go to their website first better directions than just el dorado. Dyrt dropped the ball on this one.
Scout
Had a standard Hookup-RV-Spot. Was very uneven, couldn't get the RV level. If you don't have the premium hookup spots, you got to pay 20$ "Service Fee" for dumping. Idk why because you end up doing it all by yourself as usual anyway. Feels like a bit of a rip off to be honest. The rest is nice, quiet (except for the geese) and clean.
Traveler
Nice peaceful spot. Few cars go by, but it’s tucked away enough.
Traveler
Des douches chaudes du wifi Super rapport qualité-prix Que du bonheur
Scout
Long drive on a narrow bumpy levy road to find a full time trailer park. NOT A RV RESORT!
Ranger
This campground is a very quiet spot after Labor Day, it is small, only 10 sites total and it is only open until September 30, which I don't understand since there is no snow here until November.
When we were there only one other camper was staying here and he was a deer hunter.
The water is shut off after Labor Day so come prepared. This campground has two sites that will take a 30' trailer and the remaining sites will take smaller trailers, tents or campers.
One site has a new picnic table but all sites have tables, fire pits and plenty of room between sites. Pit toilets are near the entrance and only one was clean when we stayed here.
Not to far from Bucks Lake if you want to camp and then drive to the lake.
Fees have changed, they are $25 a night and $12.50 if you have the pass.
Ranger
This was a beautiful campground, primitive in the Plumas National Forest but it is burnt to the earth after the North Complex Fire and it will never reopen.
We drove up on 9.25.24 to see if any of the down trees have been cleared and only some have been. You can pull into the camp but large dead and down trees prevent access to the campground.
The pit toilet is also damaged and it is unlikely the USFS will make any repairs.
Ranger
Sly Creek Reservoir is a beautiful mountain lake with several campsites along a small portion of the lake.
There is a boat ramp and ATV riding on the forest roads in the area.
The campground closed in 2024 for tree removal and cleanup but is expected to open in 2025.
Passes are honored.
Scout
Great spaces next to lake. No cell service. Lots of places to enjoy on the shoreline.
Guide
All camp sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Please ensure fires are permitted before starting a fire. The campground was clean and quiet. Pit toilets were clean and well stocked. Please note that I was there during the week. I imagine that during summer weekends it can get quite noisy with boat and jet ski traffic being so close to Reno. I would definitely stay again.
Traveler
FCFS OHV campground that can be approached from a couple of rough dirt roads, high clearance helpful, 4wd not needed. Not all sites are flat. 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. Took a hike. Very pretty. No OHV noise, but a copter was circling the area in the middle of the night.
Guide
I thought this campground was pretty decent for being NPS run and due to its large size. The campsite was close to other campers, but not right on top of them. The location is ideal. Bathrooms were the least favorite part, only one bathroom (with 4 stalls?) for one large loop of campsites. Check-in was a breeze. Nearby visitor center and camp store was convenient. There were hiking trails nearby. Be bear aware!
Guide
Large pull off area I found and stayed at for 4 days with amazing views of the sunset and sunrise! I was there on weekdays so was pretty much alone the whole time but even if the main spot is occupied there’s a couple of dirt roads that lead to more areas to camp. A couple of level spots and lots of room to hike around. Completely free and peaceful but 0 amenities so come prepared. Currently there is an abandoned red semi truck cab so it’s easy to find not sure if that will ever be moved in the future though!
Traveler
If you are looking to be near the water and no service, this is perfect. The rough road in I believe must keep some folks out but the lake is amazing.
Ranger
I made reservations here a week prior to our trip because I was looking for a warmer place to camp. I previously had reservations at Pinecrest, but it was going to be in the 50s during the day and 30s at night. Which isn’t ideal since I have a 7 month old and a 3 year old. But it ended up getting pretty chilly here as well - high 50s, low 40s. I do not recommended campsite 3, where we camped. It is a double site and is spacious enough for two families. But the campground had 3 bears that were visiting every night. One huge black bear, and a mama black bear with her cub. It was disappointing to learn this by getting a visit by the black bear who comes down from behind our campsite (which is why I do not recommend campsite 3). Luckily, our kids were asleep when the black bear came around 9pm. The camp host never came by to check us in, even though we were right next to their site. They did not inform us of the three bears that would be coming by. Obviously we are in bear country, so precautions were taken. But it would have been nice to know, since we have little ones exploring the area behind us (where one of the bears was coming down). When my husband informed the camp host of the bear that came by she wasn’t surprised at all and said “oh there’s three that come every night. One big black bear who is about 4.5ft tall on all fours - he’s a big guy! And a mama bear with her cub.” This was very strange to me that she didn’t come by and tell us this, nor did she tell the other campers around us. We went and informed the two sites by us so that they were aware of this. Aside from that, the campground is beautiful. You can chop your own wood, since there was a couple of dead trees around. The walk to the reservoir is short and sweet. The water isn’t freezing either, our dog enjoyed her daily swim. I recommend this campground for its beauty but be prepared for a bear visit.
Guide
It’s $30 a night for dry camping and goes up from there depending on what hookups you need. Very peaceful and the fairgrounds are open during the day to walk around.
Guide
Very clean campground with a helpful host. Bathrooms/showers for paid guest have a code to get in. The day use area has porta potties. This place is dark at night so really good for star watching.
Traveler
Loved the time spent. Crozier fire started. Made for a bitter sweet sunset.
Scout
It's along a cove in the lake. Super nice hosts and nice campers. The bathrooms are kind of gross but that's expected. Always camp here when we go to the lake.
Scout
I spent nine days camping at Boca rest, it is a beautiful campsite. I was there before memorial day weekend so it was fairly empty. The fishing and the little Truckee and the lake was outstanding.
Traveler
Place wasn’t too bad. Very nice people, very peaceful, and quiet, however, there were many people here who are permanent residents of the park, some of their areas are a little trashy looking for lack of a better word. Definitely not a bad spot if you’re on the way to another campground, but there are probably better ones to head to, especially if you have children with you. We were also looking for a place to camp with two days notice and this was all we could find. Cheap too!
Camping near Nevada City, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.
Camping near Nevada City, California, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Nevada City, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Nevada City, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 357 campgrounds and RV parks near Nevada City, CA and 13 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Nevada City, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Nevada City, CA is Collins Lake Recreation Area with a 4.5-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Nevada City, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near Nevada City, CA.
What parks are near Nevada City, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 parks near Nevada City, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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