381 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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."
"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."
"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!"
"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."
"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
Check Availability"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."
"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
Check Availabilityfrom $65 - $300 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability
TravelerOnly one designated site from what I saw, but more cars could fit! A rocky and bumpy drive up, but my 2WD rav-4 did just fine. Did see some bears on the way! Had two bars with t-mobile
TravelerOnly about 25 minutes from South Tahoe, pretty drive, and designated spots to pull in! Didn’t have any issues with noise, sites were very clean, and there was a pit toilet!
ScoutThis place is almost empty. It's gorgeous. The store on site doesn't sell alcohol or tobacco. They have everything else, not cheap but, not crazy overpriced.
TravelerThe campsites are so big and it's right on the river. The bathrooms are clean, hiking is forever and it's 8 miles up from the highway so most people don't know about it. It's quiet and there is a big sandy beach.
TravelerAll sites are First Come First Serve. Arrived on a Thursday with only 1 other camper at the grounds. By Saturday morning it was full and loud. All sites are close enough to the lake, that your priority should just be what ever fits your set up. Traveling in a 25ft Class C felt like I didn't belong and space was tight. Almost no sky for solar or starlink, and AT&T service gave me a single bar.
I'd return if I had a small towable or in a tent. Overall very scenic and peaceful during the week days.
As of August 2026 price was $10 a night.
ScoutEasy to find campsite, we arrived after hours on a Monday so drove around to find a spot and then paid using the collection box and envelopes, we couldn't get the QR code to work. Phone reception here is good. There is a constant hum of traffic but it is not loud and it is quiet around camp. Toilets and showers are clean and well stocked with toilet paper. We didn't stay long but saw some wildlife, coyote and squirrels mostly. A little bit of rubbish around from campers but overall very tidy. The sites are flat pull-in or reverse-in style, there are also some campsites marked with wheel chair access.
ScoutThe campground was clean and quiet
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!
TravelerWe got a pretty secluded site at Cabana 12 but the rest of the sites are kinda stacked on top of each other or out in the open right next to each other. If you want some more privacy then do C12. Being near the lake was great and having a camp store and bathrooms. Showers cost 50¢ for 5 min which isn’t bad but since the campsite is so expensive it would have been nice for them to be free.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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."
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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