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Camping near Cedar Grove, CA

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    Cedar Grove, California provides access to several well-maintained campgrounds in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Sly Park Recreation Area offers tent, RV, and glamping opportunities with multiple campground clusters along Lake Jenkinson. The area includes established sites at Ghost Mountain RV Campground with cabin options and the Ice House Campground, which accommodates both tent and RV camping. Campgrounds in this region typically feature fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets, with some offering water hookups and electric sites for recreational vehicles.

    Campers planning trips to this area should note that many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer months when sites fill quickly. A camper noted, "We came to Sly Park for my sister's birthday in mid-July and had a fantastic time. The water level in Jenkinson Lake is low, as to be expected, but there's still enough for swimming, kayaking, boating, and fishing." Most campgrounds in the area are accessible via paved roads, though some sites may require navigating unpaved forest routes. The camping season generally runs from May through October, with some facilities like Thousand Trails Ponderosa remaining open year-round. Winter camping is available at select locations, though water spigots are typically turned off during colder months.

    The natural setting represents a primary draw for visitors to Cedar Grove area campgrounds. Sites around Lake Jenkinson provide water recreation opportunities including fishing, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Several visitors mentioned the exceptional stargazing conditions at Sly Park Recreation Area, with one review stating, "The stars are breathtaking at night. Gotta be my favorite part." For those seeking more privacy, campgrounds like Hilltop offer secluded sites tucked into forested areas away from the lake but within walking distance to water. Hiking trails circumnavigate Lake Jenkinson, providing scenic views and access to a small waterfall. Elevation in this region creates comfortable summer temperatures compared to lower-elevation areas, making it a popular destination for Sacramento residents seeking weekend getaways.

    Best Campgrounds near Cedar Grove (381)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Sly Park Recreation Area

      4.8(13)5mi from Cedar GroveRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "They are set into the mountains with trees behind you. The park rangers are very present to keep people in check and the camp host drives by multiple times to keep the bathrooms clean."

      "The lake is GORGEOUS and amazingly cool during the summer, and we also love winter camping in the snow as well."

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      2. Ghost Mountain RV Campground

      3.8(12)3mi from Cedar GroveRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "It reminded me of Lake Pillsbury north of Clear Lake Ca where we as a family had been camping since 1981. But with just over 2hr drive not 6hr with trailer. There is a pool, and kids pool."

      "About 1.5hr from Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe. Built thick forest of the Sierra mountains. Nice size campsites. Water and Electricity only."

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      3. Coloma Resort

      4.7(15)13mi from Cedar GroveRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Beautiful fall surroundings right adjacent to the South Fork of the American River. Easy walk or car ride to numerous hiking trails."

      "If you ever want to experience the thrill of gold panning, and California history go here!"

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      4. Jenkinson Campground—Sly Park Recreation Area

      4.2(5)6mi from Cedar GroveTents, Glamping

      "We brought our paddle board and we’re walking distance to the lake front. Lake was quiet, trails well maintained and facilities were cleaned regularly. Will definitely stay here again."

      "The sites were mostly all at a slant so it was a bit uncomfortable in terms of the sleep situation."

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      5. Ice House Campground

      4.2(16)17mi from Cedar Grove90 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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)."

      "Neighbors were close, though not so close to be crowded. Spot was very close to the restroom, advantage and disadvantage when a strong ordor would breeze on through."

      from $36 - $108 / night

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      6. American River Resort

      3.8(10)13mi from Cedar GroveRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Nice campground - close to river. .5 mile walk to town for shopping/eating. All sites have fire pit and picnic table. Bathrooms clean and private showers."

      "It is right in the American River and next to a class 3 rapid called Trouble Maker. It was awesome watching rafters and kayakers go through it."

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      7. Finnon Lake Recreation Area

      4.7(3)7mi from Cedar GroveRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "The lake was warm and it can get a little breezy in the afternoon. Make sure to bring a kayak or SUP board to enjoy the lake."

      "Very nice area beautiful lake definitely reccomend bringing ear plugs as the nature in the morning is a very early alarm clock over all a great site that we will come back to"

      from $30 / night

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      8. Camp Nauvoo

      4.7(3)7mi from Cedar Grove7 sitesTents, Glamping

      from $65 - $300 / night

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      9. Dru Barner Campground — Eldorado National Forest

      4.5(8)15mi from Cedar Grove48 sitesRVs, Tents

      "You’re also about 3 or 4 miles away from the Georgetown OHV which made it an easy ride to get to the dirt."

      "A lovely quiet spot midweek, quiet drive to Georgetown for some great breakfasts if you want some classic American diner fare."

      from $3 - $8 / night

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      10. Union Valley Reservoir

      4.3(9)16mi from Cedar Grove178 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Clean campground, friendly hosts, all the amenities you could need while enjoying time spent not too far away from the greater Sacramento area."

      "We arrived after dark and had no idea what was around us. We were so pleasantly surprised when the sun came up to find ourselves surrounded by trees and so close to the lake."

      from $36 - $140 / night

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    Recent Camping Photos near Cedar Grove, CA

    523 Photos of 381 Cedar Grove Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Recent Reviews near Cedar Grove, CA

    1365 Reviews of 381 Cedar Grove Campgrounds

    • DThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 22, 2026

      Iron MT. Dispersed

      Stunning Views - rocky terrain.

      Our first dispersed camping experience, so i'm not sure how it compares to others. There is tons of space, no bathrooms, no water, basically no people - kind of lovely. The ground is all fairly rocky - so expect bumps and lumps under your tent. 😅 There is TONS of space in what I assume was their parking lot. Easy RV parking for sure. There is also a dirt road you can go down to get a bit further from the main road. Reccomend AWL or FWD if going more than half way down. Come prepared with enough water etc. - the views are absolutely worth it. Oh! And I often had 5G signal with Verizon. Sometimes only 4G, but very rarely fully lost signal.

    • Byron S.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 22, 2026

      Independence Hill Dispersed

      Big dirt pad, dirt bowl.

      A freshly worked dirt lot. Like a freshly plowed field. Tractor tire tracks make walking difficult. There is no signage at all. I'm not sure I'm not on private property. May be the sketchiest road I've ever driven. I intended to stay a week. Instead, I got here at sunset, I'm leaving at first light. Somehow, it has mosquitoes.

    • BThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 21, 2026

      (lake Alpine) Lodgepole Campground

      Quiet and Right on the Missouri River

      Super nice and attentive host. Bathrooms were super clean, including the shower.

    • Noah D.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 18, 2026

      Sand Flat Campground free

      1 star with a story

      I think if you go further down the road there is a free spot to sleep but we ended up going to the paid campground by mistake. We rolled in at 2am and when we woke up a very nice lady had us pay. Rightfully so, Nice campsite but $36 a night.

    • Tim S.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 17, 2026

      Greenhorn Capground at Rollins Lake

      Satisfactory

      We stayed in mid September 26. There was only one family camping the first few days we were there and then we had the entire campground to ourselves. Location was beautiful and it was extremely quiet with exception to the wildlife. Lots of deer, geese, ducks and squirrels. Possible one bear sure to a dumpster dive with shredded garbage on our last day. We were in a 28' RV. Rv camping is a no frill experience. No hook-ups but water spigot at each site. RVs have to parallel park at the top of the hill area. They campers have the difficulty of finding a level spot because most of the tent camping is on a slope. Flush toilets are available. Spotty cell service on Verizon's visible service but we were still able to stream entertainment on our phone's hotspot. Overall, we loved it stay due to the scenery and the obvious peacefulness due to an empty campground. Our 3 night stay midweek with no hook-ups was just over $200.00 which is to me absolutely outrageous but we needed a place to stay on short notice. Aside from the cost, we had an absolutely wonderful peaceful experience watching the wildlife and beautiful scenery.

    • Adaline J.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 17, 2026

      Nevada Beach Campground and Day Use Pavilion

      Pretty area & nice beach!

      Nice campground with a dog-friendly beach! The hosts said bears frequent the area, but we didn't see any. Our campsite was very peaceful and quiet.

    • Adaline J.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 17, 2026

      D.L. Bliss State Park Campground

      Gorgeous area!

      It's gorgeous, shaded, and clean! The campground was taken care of, and the staff was very nice and helpful. Plus, it's just a short walk from the campsites to hiking trails and a beach!

    • Mike M.
      Sep. 16, 2026

      Lewis Campground

      A long ways back

      Takes a good hour plus to get from 80 to the French Meadows area.  Very windy drive, road a bit rough, watch out for rocks.  Campground is very quiet.  Great hiking trails and gets nice and dark at night.  Seems to be a good camp for fishermen.  No hooks up, but a dump station up the road.  Site size is typically much smaller that stated.  May be tough for longer campers and trucks.  Rangers are very relax.  Will be back.

    • Wendy W.
      Sep. 14, 2026

      RV Village Campground At Camp Richardson Resort — Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

      Stole our money!

      Made reservations to stay at the lakeside hotel. 

      Was so excited for our first stay at Richardson Campground. 

      Unfortunately, had to cancel as my Mother had a stroke. Attempted to cancel two weeks before our reservations…… They refused to cancel and to refund our money. Out $450! Not a small amount. 

      Disappointed. Angry. Disgusted.

    Guide to Cedar Grove

    Cedar Grove camping areas sit between 5,000-7,000 feet elevation in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, creating moderate summer temperatures compared to lower valleys. Most campgrounds in this region remain open from May through October, with water access varying seasonally. Winter camping options exist but require preparation for colder conditions.

    What to Do

    Paddling and water activities: At Sly Park Recreation Area, visitors can enjoy fishing and leisurely water activities. "Kayak and paddle board rentals make exploring the lake relaxing and fun! And the hike to the waterfall is fun and easy for all ages," notes a visitor at Sly Park Recreation Area.

    Fishing spots: Ice House Campground provides excellent fishing opportunities throughout the season. A camper reported, "We had a nice family campsite (53) very large, flat campsite. Across our site was the reservoir. Fishing was excellent! Overall a great campground in the El Dorado National Forest."

    Historic exploration: The Cedar Grove area sits near California's gold country history. At American River Resort, "It is right on the American River and next to a class 3 rapid called Trouble Maker. It was awesome watching rafters and kayakers go through it," according to a recent camper.

    What Campers Like

    Waterfall hikes: Several campgrounds offer access to waterfalls within walking distance. "There is also a lovely, short hike to a waterfall! It's just a 1 mile walk along the lakeshore from the Hazel Creek day use parking area," reports a camp host at Sly Park Recreation Area.

    Privacy options: Some sites offer more seclusion than others. At Pine Cone in Sly Park, "Lot 38 on Pinecone Strip, really private. No other campsite really visible. Close to bathrooms and water. Awesome hiking around the Lake Jenkinson," shares one camper.

    Winter camping: For those seeking off-season experiences, Ice House Campground remains accessible with certain limitations. A visitor noted, "We stayed the weekend at a great site. It was cold with a little rain but was very fun. I really enjoy this campground. Water level was low and this time of year the water spigots are off."

    What You Should Know

    Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in this area require advance booking, especially during peak season. At Jenkinson Campground, "We camped out at Jenkinson at Sly Park Recreation area... The campsites were shallow (relatively close to the road) and pretty close together."

    Fire restrictions: Seasonal fire regulations affect camping plans throughout the area. "They follow fire season safety and you should plan for that," advises a camper who visited Sly Park.

    Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds involves navigating narrow mountain roads. At Ghost Mountain RV Campground, roads can be challenging with one visitor noting, "Poor hookups, no sewer, roads not paved, dusty."

    Campsite variations: Terrain at many Cedar Grove area campgrounds slopes, affecting tent placement. A visitor at Jenkinson explained, "The sites were mostly all at a slant so it was a bit uncomfortable in terms of the sleep situation."

    Tips for Camping with Families

    Best family locations: Look for campgrounds with dedicated facilities for children. Camp Nauvoo gets praise as a "Hidden gem! It's beautiful, clean, and kid friendly. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there."

    Bike-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer good biking terrain for children. At Sly Park, "Unsupervised children on bicycles, hikers, and other campers walking dogs on the roads is very common," notes a camp host - suggesting supervision is needed.

    Swimming safety: Water temperature varies significantly at different reservoirs. A camper at Ice House Campground reports, "The water is freezing cold all year long but everyone still gets in it to either ski or fish."

    Tips from RVers

    Size limitations: Many Cedar Grove area campgrounds have tight turns and space constraints. At Ghost Mountain RV Campground, "We're in an okay spot, small and angled funky but still it's a wonderful place," reports an RVer.

    Dump station access: Plan for limited sewer hookups at many sites. A Thousand Trails Ponderosa camper explains, "They don't have sewer so you can dump it yourself at a dump area on the campground or have a service come to you and do it for $25."

    Elevation considerations: Higher elevation affects temperature fluctuations. "Hilltop sites are better for smaller campers. I have an 18' trailer and sites 126-128 are really nice. They are set into the mountains with trees behind you," notes a visitor at Sly Park.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What camping is available near Cedar Grove, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Cedar Grove, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 381 campgrounds and RV parks near Cedar Grove, CA and 29 free dispersed camping spots.

    Which is the most popular campground near Cedar Grove, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cedar Grove, CA is Sly Park Recreation Area with a 4.8-star rating from 13 reviews.

    Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cedar Grove, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 free dispersed camping spots near Cedar Grove, CA.

    What parks are near Cedar Grove, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 parks near Cedar Grove, CA that allow camping, notably Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

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