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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
