Glamping near Oroville, California offers a mix of forested sites and lakeside experiences at elevations between 1,200-2,000 feet. The Yuba-Feather rivers region features oak and pine woodland environments with summer temperatures averaging 90°F from June through September. Winter camping options remain limited with several sites closing after the fall season.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Collins Lake Recreation Area, fishing from kayaks provides consistent success. "We fished from kayaks and always caught fish for dinner," notes Ed E., who camped at sites #66 and #116 with full hookups.
Wildlife watching: Campers at Lake of the Springs RV Resort frequently encounter local wildlife in camp. "Each day a family of deer came through our site and were so tame they ate fruit right out of the kids' hands. So cool!" shares Nicole G., who stayed during August.
Paddleboarding and kayaking: The calm waters at several lakes make perfect conditions for paddlesports. "Very nice for paddle boarding and kayaking. Clean sites and pet friendly," reports michaelle P. about Collins Lake.
Swimming at varied water levels: Water levels fluctuate seasonally at regional lakes. "In the Spring, the water level is much higher so the water line is closer to the campsites. In the fall, pre-winter, the water level is much lower. It was about a 50 yard walk down to the water from #116 camp site," explains a Collins Lake visitor.
What campers like
Spacious lakefront sites: Sycamore Ranch RV Park offers well-maintained waterfront camping. "Shaded grassy sites along the banks of Dry Creek just above its confluence with the Yuba River. Each site had a nice, flat, paved parking pad and hookups," writes Chris.
Stargazing conditions: The rural setting creates excellent night sky viewing. "This place is dark at night so really good for star watching," notes Julie M. about Sycamore Ranch.
Wildlife encounters: Bird watching proves especially rewarding in this region. "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... There are turtles and otters in the creek to check out as well," shares a Sycamore Ranch camper.
Ice cream options: Multiple campgrounds feature ice cream stands as unexpected amenities. A Collins Lake visitor specifically recommends: "The ice cream is sooooo worth it!! DO IT!!!"
What you should know
Crowding patterns: Some waterfront areas fill quickly during peak season. "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," cautions Steven H. about Collins Lake.
Cell service limitations: Lake of the Springs RV Resort has connectivity challenges. "No cell service in any of the loops and WiFi isn't great," warns Nicole R., while another visitor notes, "cell coverage is nonexistent outside of one small area."
Insect considerations: Prepare for seasonal insects in certain locations. "Watch out for meat bees... need a screen room to eat outside... they come out of nowhere," advises Betty K. about Lake of the Springs.
Electrical reliability: Some campgrounds experience utility issues. "There wasn't a single day when some campsite didn't have electrical issues, in fact they turned a lot of their RV sites into Tent Sites because of electrical issues," reports Eric P.
Tips for camping with families
Proximity to water activities: Lake Francis Resort offers family-friendly cabins near the water. "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 (it's about 100 yards) from this location," explains Gina C.
Family amenities: Multiple recreation options keep children engaged. "The pool goes from 3.5' ft to 5' back to 3.5' ft. There is also a small game room with a pool table, a baseball field, paddle boats, and kayaks to rent," continues Gina about Lake Francis.
Child-friendly fishing: Fishing success rates remain high for beginners. "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," shares Veronica N. about Collins Lake.
Shade considerations: Prepare for sun exposure at lakefront sites. "The site gets a lot of sun in the morning and afternoon, so bring a popup canopy for shade—it made a big difference for us!" advises John L.
Tips from RVers
Site selections for larger vehicles: The Parkway RV Resort offers spacious pull-through sites. "Clean facilities, well maintained grounds and friendly neighbors. Sites are level 75 ft pull through sites," notes Gary R.
Hookup placement: Some sites require extra equipment for sewer connections. "We were in site A10 which we found a little difficult to connect the sewer hose without two hoses," shares Denise G. about Parkway RV Resort.
Off-season advantages: Visiting outside peak season offers quieter experiences. "We are here in the off season, so there weren't many other campers here. I think in high season it would feel cramped," observes Suzanne S. about Sycamore Ranch.
Shade availability: Tree cover varies significantly between sites. "To get five stars the park needs mature trees," notes Michael C. about one campground, highlighting the importance of selecting shaded sites during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
