Nevada City sits in the western foothills of California's Sierra Nevada mountains at approximately 2,500 feet elevation. The surrounding forests feature a mix of pine, cedar, and oak with summer temperatures averaging 80-90°F during day and cooling to 50-60°F at night. Glamping accommodations close to Nevada City, California typically remain open year-round, with seasonal closures at higher elevation sites during winter snow conditions.
What to do
River swimming access: 5 miles from town Visitors to Sycamore Ranch RV Park can kayak down the Yuba River and up Dry Creek directly to their campsite. One camper reports, "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!"
Fishing opportunities: Year-round options Collins Lake Recreation Area maintains stocked fishing areas with convenient shore access. As one visitor noted, "Nice clean site near lake. Hubby enjoyed fishing. Kids loved canoeing out onto the lake. Amazed to watch a bald eagle grab a fish and fly away."
Hiking trails: Multiple difficulty levels Many glamping options near Nevada City connect to local trail networks. Trails range from flat lakeside paths to more challenging foothill routes. A camper at Lodgepole Campground shared, "Within a short drive, you can partake on some amazing hikes."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk best times The foothills around Nevada City support diverse wildlife including deer, otters, and numerous bird species. Sycamore Ranch visitors report seeing "a river otter playing in the creek" and another camper mentioned using "the Merlin app to identify birds here and so far this place holds my record of around 18 birds."
What campers like
Quiet natural settings: Lake of the Springs RV Resort provides secluded glamping sites where wildlife often visits campgrounds. One reviewer stated, "Each day a family of deer came thru our site and were so tame they ate fruit right out of the kids' hands. So cool!"
Clean facilities: Many glamping locations maintain high standards for restroom and shower facilities. A camper at Sycamore Ranch noted, "The bathrooms are pretty clean and you have to pay for showers. The facilities—including pay-showers—were very clean & in fabulous shape."
Convenience to town: Most glamping sites provide easy access to Nevada City's historic downtown. A visitor to Lodgepole mentioned, "Great location, used but respectful campers. Location can't be beat."
Community spaces: Several sites offer shared amenities for socializing. At Inn Town Campground, "This campground has it all. It's clean, has great amenities (pool, showers, kitchen, bathrooms), and it's a nice walk away from town. It has a spot for everyone - RVs, glamping tents, and the standard tent sites."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer temperatures in foothill locations can reach 90-100°F. One camper at Lake of the Springs reported, "It was over 100 degrees the wknd we were there so we spent practically the whole wknd in the lake. It was the perfect temperature to sit in for hours."
Cell service limitations: Several glamping sites have restricted connectivity. As one visitor to Lake of the Springs noted, "No cell service in any of the loops and WiFi isn't great." At High Camp, yurt accommodations provide a true disconnect experience.
Fire restrictions: Many properties have specific rules about campfires. Collins Lake allows fires in designated areas, while other sites restrict open flames entirely. A Lake of the Springs reviewer mentioned, "No wood fires, propane is okay."
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites near Nevada City require advance bookings, particularly during summer and fall weekends. Availability at popular locations can fill 3-6 months ahead for prime summer dates.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for children: Collins Lake provides family-friendly swimming areas with gradual entry points. A visitor mentioned, "Great campground! Our first stay at Collins Lake was fantastic. Plenty of activities for the family, like fishing and hiking."
Wildlife education opportunities: Many sites offer chances to observe local animals. At Sycamore Ranch, families can spot "turtles and otters in the creek to check out as well."
Safety considerations: Most glamping locations provide secure environments with on-site staff. One parent at Inn Town Campground shared, "The family enjoyed it. Its safe, clean, well maintained, very friendly staff and close to yuba river swim holes!"
Evening entertainment: Some sites offer organized activities or spaces for family gatherings. A camper noted, "We spent two nights doing a family and friends reunion. We loved our rv spot, the rest of the group had great tent site and glamping tents."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: At Thousand Trails Snowflower, "RV sites are mostly electric and water only, and many aren't anywhere near level. Nonetheless, I loved the place and will definitely go back. If you prefer parking lot RV parks though, go somewhere else."
Hookup availability: Most glamping sites near Nevada City provide partial hookups. Lake of the Springs visitor noted, "there wasn't a single day when some campsite didn't have electrical issues, in fact they turned a lot of their RV sites into Tent Sites because of electrical issues."
Dump station access: Plan accordingly for waste management. A Thousand Trails Snowflower camper reported, "Only one dump station was open (there are 3) so waited 30+ minutes to dump, hopefully management is working on that."
Site selection: Request sites away from main roads for quieter stays. At Auburn Gold Country RV Park, a visitor mentioned the site was "Clean, very well maintained but significant road noise."
