Lake Francis Resort and Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs provide upscale glamping accommodations in the North San Juan region, with canvas glamping tents and yurts featuring comfortable beds, electricity, and private outdoor spaces. Lake Francis Resort features well-appointed safari tents with lake views and convenient access to swimming areas. "We stayed at the Diamond P cabin which has the best view of the lake within this group of cabins. You can walk to the lake from this location," noted one visitor who appreciated the proximity to water activities. Inn Town Campground near Nevada City also offers luxury glamping tents with heated mattress pads for cool evenings, creating a boutique camping experience with the comfort of resort amenities while maintaining a natural setting among towering redwoods.
Swimming, fishing, and paddling are primary attractions at the glamping resorts near North San Juan. Lake Francis provides kayak and paddle boat rentals, while Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs offers a serene lake experience without motorized watercraft. According to a camper, "We had such a fun time at this campground. Each day a family of deer came thru our site and were so tame they ate fruit right out of the kids' hands." Beyond water activities, guests enjoy wildlife viewing, hiking nearby trails, and exploring historic Nevada City's restaurants and shops. Most glamping campgrounds require reservations, with peak season falling during summer months when temperatures are ideal for enjoying the pristine waters of nearby Yuba River swimming holes and Scotts Flat Reservoir.
"*pros: great little market, very nice staff, clean, great views *cons: rocky watch your step, especially at the beach and a long the shore."
"We’ve been to Collins Lake a few times and we love it! Lots of different camping spots and the lake is stocked with fish. Ice cream at the store is a must."
"The common house has a fully stocked kitchen so you can camp without having to bring supplies! The campground is exceptionally clean and meticulously maintained."
"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 (my style)."
"It’s definitely a place I’ll put on my list to camp at again, especially when they figure out their electrical issues."
"WiFi is very very limited- drive to top of hill or lodge( very sporadic) Great Lake for swimming, fishing and small boats. Store on site. Clean swimming pool. Ideal for Tent or RV."
"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
"This is such a beautiful piece of California."
"The trees are amazing and there are about 2 miles of walking trails. The campground is along Dry Creek, which isn't dry but is covered in some sort of green stuff (not algae)."
from $33 - $222 / night
"This campground had riding trails that could bring you to Sly Creek and secret camping sites that a quad or 4 wheel drive could find. It's closed until 2023 due to the fires."
from $120 - $140 / night
"Everything is paved, and all of the sites are within walking distance of the reservoir. This campsite is extremely family-friendly, and I will be bringing my family back here in the future!"
"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?)"
from $32 / night
from $75 - $150 / night
GuideThis site does not recognize any state or federal pass the rate starts for 40 a day then they charge per person and per pet grand total for a one night stay with hookups 62$ for one RV one person one dog . 
RangerVery nice 1970 style park most spots only has water and electricity. Section X is full hook ups and close to all amenities. Lots of deers and gray squirrels playing about the park. Nice beach area with rental boats. Restrooms and laundry areas in good shape. This is a nice area to camp.
GuideSpent two nights in site 13, it was the site directly across from the camp host. Host was kind, very present and always cleaning and ensuring the camp was spotless! DO NOT take a trailer beyond the little gate to the “back” of the camp ground, the northern most part. We took our 32’ trailer through the gate because satellite images show a cul-dê-sac like turn around area. It is still present, however it is also a campsite and with people occupying the site, turning around is impossible. We had to back our trailer back down the road and into the main area again.
Bathrooms are clean! River nearby was refreshing and has a few small human made dams that allow for wading and safe play areas for kiddos. Chilly nights and hot days!
Scout5 stars for the campground itself. I've been camping at Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park since 1984, when I was just 20 years old. I have loved every camping trip since(at least 30 plus times)! The campsites are great, the grounds, and trails are well-maintained, and safe. I love that the general store is easy to get to and has ice and extras that we may have forgotten to bring. However, we have noticed over past few years that the restrooms in the campground have become increasingly filthy. I get that people walk in with dirt all over their shoes, so of course the floors will be dirty, but it's unacceptable to allow the toilets to be so gross! I will leave out the unpleasant details! I asked a young park ranger how often the restrooms are cleaned and he said every day. Apparently they source out the cleaning. It's obvious that all they do is sweep the floors, empty the trash and provide more TP. The sinks, and floors look like they haven't been scrubbed in a long time, and I noticed the toilets looked as bad the day we got there to the day they left. I remember in the 80's and 90's seeing rangers doing a very thorough cleaning each morning. We would walk in and could smell the cleaning chemicals, and the floor would be wet from mopping. Also, the showers are dirty too. They removed the benches in the individual shower stalls so there's no place to put your clean clothes. Do better Lodgepole!
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.
TravelerOur family loved it here. Great staff. The poo was clean and heated. They had volleyball, karaoke, clean bathrooms and open showers.
There is even a cute pond to fish out of.
Theirs an old town that has two stores open. One is ice cream and the other is breakfast and lunch.
Everything is affordable.
RangerLovely spots, no hookups, close to the highway but far enough off we couldn’t hear it. Stream is lovely, wish we had more time to spend.
ScoutShe was very rude
ScoutI wanted to find a spot somewhat close by and came across this one. I think it was because I went on a weekday but upon entering there’s no one at the front so there is no check in so you just go straight to your camp site. I wasn’t expecting there to be a distance from the campsite to your parking space but if you’re looking for a spot for van/SUV camping it’s a little difficult to find a spot. Some spots are better than others of course! Camp host was really friendly as well! Spotted some turkey, deer, and quail!
The North San Juan region sits at approximately 2,500 feet elevation in the Sierra Nevada foothills, creating a diverse camping environment where oak woodlands transition to pine forests. Summer temperatures often reach 90°F during daytime hours but cool significantly at night, making proper bedding essential for comfortable tent and yurt camping. The area's gold rush history has left numerous historic sites accessible from local campgrounds.
Lake activities: swimming and paddling: At Collins Lake Recreation Area, the calm waters provide excellent conditions for various water activities. "The fishing is awesome on Collins Lake! We fished from kayaks and always caught fish for dinner. There are nice hiking and biking trails in and around the campground as well," reports Ed E. The lake remains stocked with fish throughout the season.
Wildlife viewing: deer and birds: Sycamore Ranch RV Park offers exceptional bird watching opportunities along Dry Creek. "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 not including the more silent ones we saw. There are turtles and otters in the creek to check out as well," notes B. Douglas J. Morning hours typically yield the best wildlife sightings.
Hiking nearby trails: Within a 15-minute drive from most North San Juan campgrounds, you'll find access to South Yuba River State Park trails. "We spent the days at Fuller Dam, and the Yuba River and Scotts Flat Reservoir are nearby too," shares Nicole G. from Inn Town Campground. Most trails range from easy 1-mile loops to moderate 5-mile out-and-back options.
Clean facilities with modern amenities: Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs maintains well-kept grounds and facilities that campers consistently appreciate. "Clean and Rustic. WiFi is very very limited- drive to top of hill or lodge (very sporadic). Great Lake for swimming, fishing and small boats. Store on site. Clean swimming pool. Ideal for Tent or RV," notes Tamara P. Most campgrounds in the area provide hot showers and flush toilets.
Spacious campsites with privacy: Collins Lake Recreation Area offers sites with enough room for multiple tents and vehicles. "We camped here TWICE in 2019. Both campsites, #66 and #116 had power, water and sewage. They were both lake front campsites, which meant the water or shoreline was right at our 'front door' from our 27' travel trailer," explains Ed E. Site selection varies by campground, with lakefront options typically costing $5-10 more per night.
Proximity to Nevada City: Many campers value the short distance to Nevada City's amenities while enjoying yurt camping near North San Juan. "The campground is exceptionally clean and meticulously maintained. We even had a heated mattress pad in our glamping tent to keep warm. The owners, Dan and Erin Thiem, really have thought of everything," shares Amanda M. about Inn Town Campground. Most campgrounds are within a 20-30 minute drive of town.
Reservation requirements and timing: Most yurt camping options in North San Juan, California require advance booking, especially during summer months. Sycamore Ranch RV Park offers both tent and RV sites that should be reserved 2-3 months ahead for weekend stays. "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," explains Julie M.
Fire restrictions vary by location: Not all campgrounds permit wood fires, so check specific rules before arrival. "They do not allow wood burning fires, but you can use a gas fire ring or rent one from the campground," Nicole G. notes about Inn Town Campground. Fire restrictions typically become stricter during late summer and fall months.
Cell service limitations: Many camping areas have limited or no cellular coverage. At Lake of the Springs RV Resort, campers report: "No cell service in any of the loops and WiFi isn't great." Plan accordingly by downloading maps and campground information before arrival.
Kid-friendly amenities: Lake Francis Resort offers multiple cabin options with family-friendly layouts. "Two bedrooms, each with twin bunk beds and a full bottom bunk and twin above. Small bathroom with shower, mini fridge, hot plates, microwave, and dishes. Dining table and futon in the living area," describes Gina C. Most family cabins include basic cooking equipment and refrigeration.
Wildlife encounters: Children often enjoy the gentle wildlife interactions available at many North San Juan camping areas. "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!" shares Nicole G. about her experience at Lake of the Springs. Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Swimming options for different ages: Many campgrounds feature swimming areas with varying depths appropriate for different age groups. "The pool goes from 3.5' ft to 5' back to 3.5' ft," notes Gina C. about Lake Francis Resort's swimming pool. Natural swimming areas at nearby rivers typically have calm sections suitable for supervised children.
Site selection considerations: At Golden Trout Campground, RVers should note the varied terrain. "The main camp area sits on 2 sides of the creek and has hand pump water and a vault toilet. The road to the old campground is largely washed out but some still find their way down," advises Elaina S. Most sites accommodate rigs up to 30 feet, but larger vehicles may have limited options.
Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups vary significantly between campgrounds. "From what I could tell when driving around the majority of the sites were level; we had 4 spots and all were easy to back in," Eric P. mentions about Lake of the Springs, though noting occasional electrical issues. Larger RVs should request full hookup sites when making reservations.
Dump station access: Most campgrounds with RV accommodations provide dump stations, though some have limited capacity. Collins Lake Recreation Area offers a convenient dump station row outside the main camping area, allowing campers with partial hookups to easily manage waste disposal before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near North San Juan, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near North San Juan, CA is Collins Lake Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near North San Juan, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 36 glamping camping locations near North San Juan, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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