Oregon House camping options span across rural Yuba County at approximately 2,000 feet elevation where the Sierra foothills transition to higher mountain terrain. The area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional snowfall. Most campgrounds in this region remain open year-round with peak season running May through September when water levels are highest in the local reservoirs.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Collins Lake Recreation Area stocks its lake regularly with fish, making it a prime destination for anglers. "I love this camp ground. Really nice lake always stocked with fish. Quiet at night and not rowdy during the day. Great place for family camping. They also have boat rentals," notes Veronica N. The lake is particularly known for trout and bass fishing.
Kayaking and paddling: Sycamore Ranch RV Park offers access to both Dry Creek and the Yuba River. "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!" shares Chris &. The park provides a boat launch area and is adjacent to a county park with additional water access points.
Wildlife viewing: Lake of the Springs presents opportunities to observe local wildlife including deer families. The campground's natural setting creates habitats for various animals throughout the property. One visitor mentioned: "Very nice campground. Next to train museum. Great common area. Lots of places to explore."
What campers like
Lakefront camping: Collins Lake Recreation Area offers waterfront sites with direct lake access. "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," reports Ed E. These premium sites tend to book quickly during summer months.
Yurt accommodations: Lake Francis Resort provides yurt camping near Oregon House, California as an alternative to traditional tent sites. Located approximately 15 minutes from Oregon House, their yurts offer comfortable glamping experiences with views of Lake Francis. The resort complements its yurt camping options with cabin rentals and traditional camping sites.
Quiet atmosphere: Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs maintains a peaceful environment despite being a popular destination. "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," explains Tamara P. The campground's layout and natural surroundings contribute to its serene setting.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Lake of the Springs has minimal cell service throughout the property. "Pros: Great views on first loop and wildlife throughout! Lake is beautiful too. Cons: No cell service in any of the loops and WiFi isn't great," reports Nicole R. For those needing to stay connected, the lodge area provides the most reliable WiFi access.
Site selection considerations: Collins Lake can become crowded during peak season, particularly on weekends. "Not a bad campsite, but was surrounded by RVs and people walking around. Can't bring dogs onto the beach area which was a bummer, but was too crowded anyways," shares Steven H. Less crowded experiences are available during weekdays and shoulder seasons.
Environmental conditions: Inn Town Campground in nearby Nevada City offers alternatives when Oregon House temperatures become excessive. "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. Facilities were super clean and nice. Great location for swimming in the Yuba river!" notes Hani S. Located at a slightly higher elevation, it often provides cooler temperatures during summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Ice cream stops: Collins Lake features an ice cream parlor that families particularly enjoy. "They sell quite a bit of camping and fishing needs. They also have a great ice cream parlor. Don't miss out on that if you do decide to camp here!!!" advises Ed E. The store also stocks essential camping supplies and fishing gear.
Wildlife encounters: Sycamore Ranch RV Park offers opportunities to observe local wildlife including river otters. "We saw a river otter playing in the creek, so there is life in it," shares Suzanne S. The park features approximately 2 miles of walking trails suitable for children and provides a stargazing environment due to limited light pollution.
Swimming options: Lake Francis Resort provides a swimming pool alternative to lake swimming. "Our family has been coming here for years. We love it. Nice quiet lake. Good campsites. Good general store and even a little restaurant and ice cream shack," notes Michael M. The pool offers supervised swimming during peak season when lake temperatures may be uncomfortably warm.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Lake of the Springs offers varied electrical service across its campground. "We were just happy to get out and camping. It's definitely a place I'll put on my list to camp at again, especially when they figure out their electrical issues," reports Eric P. RVers should note that some designated RV sites have been converted to tent sites due to electrical limitations.
Site leveling: Auburn Gold Country RV Park, though farther from Oregon House, provides an alternative for RVers seeking more developed facilities. "Had a standard Hookup-RV-Spot. Was very uneven, couldn't get the RV level," notes Sebastian M. Bringing additional leveling blocks is recommended for most area campgrounds due to the region's rolling terrain.
Service considerations: Collins Lake offers dumping facilities that some RVers find particularly valuable. "They do have a nice dump station row just outside the camping sites, so it is not necessary to have RV sewage at your campsite, which saves you a few $," mentions Ed E. The campground provides both back-in and pull-through sites for different RV configurations.
