Best Tent Camping near Oregon House, CA

Tent camping options around Oregon House, California include established campgrounds like Fiddle Creek and Carlton Flat, both located within 30 miles of town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range. Oregon House Falls offers tent-only sites with 15 walk-in spots located near a seasonal waterfall, while Oracle Oak Grove provides a more secluded tent camping experience with only 4 sites available. Most locations in this area operate seasonally, typically closing during winter months from late October through April.

Most tent campgrounds in the Oregon House vicinity feature minimal amenities and primitive conditions. Campers should bring sufficient water supplies as drinking water is limited to only a few locations like Fiddle Creek. Fire regulations vary significantly by season, with many areas implementing complete fire bans during dry summer months. Vault toilets are available at most established tent sites, though sites like Oracle Oak Grove lack toilet facilities entirely. A camper wrote, "The sites are clean and well maintained, which is always great to find," though many noted the proximity to roads can create noise issues at certain locations.

The terrain for tent camping in this region offers varied experiences based on elevation and proximity to water. Areas closer to rivers like the North Fork of the American River provide opportunities for swimming and fishing but can become crowded during summer weekends. Higher elevation tent sites in the surrounding national forest lands offer more seclusion and cooler temperatures. Walk-in tent locations typically provide more privacy than drive-in sites. At Fiddle Creek, tent sites are arranged in a way that "if you get a group you can get your own little slice of the campground to yourself." Forest service land surrounding Oregon House offers additional options for backcountry tent camping with appropriate permits, particularly in less-developed areas to the east in Tahoe National Forest.

Best Tent Sites Near Oregon House, California (63)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Oregon House, CA

521 Reviews of 63 Oregon House Campgrounds


  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 25, 2023

    Lake Clementine Boat In — Auburn State Recreation Area

    Off-season peaceful stay

    General: Normally, there are 18 designated sites that are reservable only from May 1– October 15. What we didn’t know until we arrived was that only Sites 1-7 were open after this date; fortunately, only two other sites were occupied when we arrived at 5:30 pm on a Monday in late October. The access road is about six miles of curvy, hilly, and narrow (sometimes only one lane) pavement. There is a sign prohibiting trailers; our 18-foot camper van did fine but anything much larger would definitely be challenged. 

    Site Quality: Many of the sites are more suitable for tent campers. The parking area is at the top of the hill, and you set up your tent below. Most of the sites that have a “driveway” were not level, except for Sites 5 and 6. We lucked out with Site 6 – it was large and level and directly across from the vault toilets. A fire pit/grill, large concrete picnic table, and bear box complete the site (although there was a fire ban in effect).

    Bath: Only one vault toilet was open, and it was very clean. It was cleaned again the next morning. 

    Activities: This campground is located on the North Fork of the American River. In season, this campground would be very popular with rafters; there is a raft launch and takeout area close to the campsites. The river was crystal clear and beautiful.

    This was a small but beautiful campground. We were surprised that we had a semi-decent cell signal ranging from 1 to 2 bars (Verizon).

  • Summer A.
    Jul. 25, 2018

    Big Meadows Campground

    Sequoia National Forest Lovely Spacious Camp Sites

    It sounds like there are multiple Big Meadow camp grounds in California. This review is for Big Meadow Campground, Sequoia NF - FS, CA. The photos are of site 009B. My visit was wonderful. The camp sites are large. We set up two 8 person tents and one 2 person tent and there was plenty of room for more. The firepits are very well made. They block the wind while allowing good airflow. There is a very large picnick table at each site, a bear box, and plenty of shade. There is a vault toilet that is cleaned daily. The sites boarder a stream. The water level is about 3 inches in July with temperatures in the 80's. This is a dog friendly site. There is no potable water at this site.

  • Rosina A.
    Jun. 1, 2022

    Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

    Folsom Lake Penninsula

    Beautiful sunsets. No showers. Bathrooms are clean. Some sites are rather small and have little flat ground. Pics on website are tough to see when booking. Lake to most sites is a drive, but there are a few campsites on the lake. Many sites are on hill, you walk up the hill or down a hill with stairs. Lake has day use area, but also a dock area for camping folks. Lots of mosquitoes. They have a fire are to cook, no fire ring, have a bear box and picnic table. Some sites have plenty of shade while others are just plain sun so be prepared.

    Water is nice temperature and super clean! Nice to kayak, paddle, boat (they have boat ramps), fish, swim. Beach areas are rocks with weeds, but pretty.

  • Kate A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 20, 2021

    Thousand Trails Ponderosa

    Great location, but plan ahead

    This is a well maintained RV and tent camping resort. It’s great for kids that want to ride bikes around the sites- but be careful of the river, it’s swift. The RV and tent sites are in two separate areas, with more updated amenities available for RVs like hot showers. Shared pool site. Lots of great trails to weave through the campground on a mountain bike.

    One downside- it can be hot. Not a lot of tree cover for the RV sites- make sure you bring shade with you. Luckily, there’s a nice cool river to swim in!

    Fires are restricted sometimes in the summer. Some sites require a membership.

    Local grocery and pizza, frozen yogurt available within walking distance.

    Lots of great fishing, floating, and kayak accessibly. Bring tubes and life vests. Poles and bait.

  • Patricia O.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2018

    Lindsey Lake Campground

    Rustic and remote

    There are only a few campsites here, 12, I think, and a rough road getting (SUV or truck recommended) into the campground. Once you reach camp, you’ll be rewarded with serene and beautiful surroundings. Lots of lakes and hiking in the area. Mosquitos can be a problem so come prepared. Vault toilet. No trash service, no piped water. There are picnic tables and fire rings.

  • A
    Jul. 8, 2020

    Tahoe National Forest Onion Valley Campground

    Great spot

    We rolled in here after midnight and most of the spots were still empty, and they're far enough apart that we were able to set up camp without being too disruptive. There's a vault toilet, picnic tables, fire rings, and some gorgeous scenery. What more could you need?

  • Lauren H.
    Jun. 20, 2019

    Tahoe National Forest Salmon Creek Campground

    A Dog's Dream

    Nestled against salmon creek and among the gold lake area, just outside of Bassetts. Very large sites, with some hike in with shallow creek crossing. Lush fields and forests. Great views. Can here traffic on ridge. Bear boxes at every site Trash and Recycling receptacles Picnic Tables at every site Fresh water available Bathrooms throughout

  • Jim S.
    Jul. 5, 2019

    Plumas National Forest Snake Lake Campground

    Rustic clean free

    Forest Service campground in Plumas NF I’ve stayed at several times when exploring the area. About 9 miles from Quincy and 2-3 off highway. Free. Fire rings (need annual campfire permit, free at park offices) and bear boxes. Outhouses. No water apart from lake (generally overgrown). Large clear sites with plenty of space between them. Forested area, dirt roads. Equestrian sites available.

  • T
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Coyote Group Campground

    Coyote Group Camp

    • Large croup camp site with lots of flat places to pitch a tent. • Clean pit toilets. • 3x Bear food and 4x trash/recycling bins. • 2 (or 3?) water spigots • 4 big picnic tables • Some shade • Uneven terrain around sites and lots of fallen trees • Lots of parking, including triller/RV parking. Parking is paved and flat.

    • Walking distance to the river • Big fire pit

    We enjoyed this site! Excellent for a big group. I think we had 18 people. There could an additional bear bin to support as much food/scented items as a group of 25 would need. We ended up using the extra bear-proof trash bins as overflow scented item/food storage. Worked well.


Guide to Oregon House

Tent camping options near Oregon House, California range from first-come, first-served sites to reservable locations across the surrounding foothills. The area sits at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet, creating a transitional climate zone that offers warmer spring and fall camping seasons than higher Sierra locations. Summer temperatures frequently reach 90°F with limited rainfall between May and September, making water access a critical consideration for campers.

What to do

Swimming in Camp Far West Lake: The north shore area offers several swimming spots with gradually sloping entry points ideal for wading. "We were right on the lake at the end of a peninsula. Not a sound except for the birds," reports Ray B., who notes the area transforms during summer months when watercraft are common.

Creek exploration: Golden Trout Campground provides direct access to creek swimming holes and exploration. "The main camp area sits on 2 sides of the creek and has hand pump water and a vault toilet," explains Elaina S., who adds there are "2 private beaches next to the creek" in the old campground section, though rangers monitor for prohibited campfires.

Bird watching: Carlton Flat Campground offers excellent bird watching opportunities according to Jessica P., who describes it as an "awesome place for bird watching, hanging up your hammock and enjoying nature. Wonderful views of the mountains and sunset."

Gold panning: The North Yuba River provides recreational gold panning opportunities at several access points. Amber Q. notes that at Fiddle Creek, "People pan for gold and some walk up the road to Jackson Hole to float down. About 5 mins up, pass a few houses on your right."

What campers like

Oak tree canopy: The mature oak woodlands provide natural shade at many campgrounds. "The Oak trees that grow here are truly majestic and overall I would say this is a beautiful place to come and be one with nature," writes Aariana N. about Camp Far West North Shore, adding that spring visits offer "everything was so green and beautiful."

Historical connections: Several camping areas connect to California's gold rush history. Ray B. explains that Camp Far West "was originally a camp on the immigrant trail to the California gold fields. You can learn more from the historical markers on site."

Off-season solitude: Winter and early spring camping offers significantly different experiences than peak summer months. "We were the only people anywhere except for folks in the full hook-up area, which was far from us," writes Ray B., noting the campground becomes "very busy during the summer, and a very different experience when all the watercraft are on the lake."

Water sport opportunities: Oracle Oak Grove provides additional recreation options as Jake C. notes, "they have kayaks and other water sport equipment available for campers to make your stay even more memorable."

What you should know

Road noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds in the area. L. notes that Fiddle Creek's "close proximity to Hwy 49 (maybe 75 feet away) makes for more headlights and traffic noise than I'm used to when camping (especially since the majority of traffic is from loud trucks that zoom by at 50-60 mph)."

Insect preparation: Water proximity creates mosquito challenges at many sites. Elaina S. warns about Golden Trout Campground: "Beware there are TONS of mosquitoes!!" while L. confirms this issue exists at other locations, noting "abundance of mosquitoes, which I guess you have to expect when you're near a river but still not pleasant."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Oregon House, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Oregon House, CA is Oracle Oak Grove with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Oregon House, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 63 tent camping locations near Oregon House, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.