Searching for the best camping near Oroville, CA? Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Oroville campgrounds just for you. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Oroville. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
$135 / night
$45 / night
$45 / night
$25 / night
"This campground had riding trails that could bring you to Sly Creek and secret camping sites that a quad or 4 wheel drive could find. It's closed until 2023 due to the fires."
$60 / night
"I got to know the owners at Oracle Oak and they have taken great steps to make this a unique place to stay, they also have kayaks and other water sport equipment available for campers to make your stay"
$24 / night
"Tent only. You park and walk to you camping which is with other camps right by. It's not too bad and if you get a group you can get your own little slice of the campground to yourself. "
"After your hike you can sit on the picnic table enjoy your lunch and watch the woodpeckers and birds fly pass you. This place does get crowded during the summer and during hunting season."
LegendGeneral: 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).
GuideThere 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.
ScoutForest 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.
TravelerThis lake is a quiet getaway, with waterfront access and a warm lake. Short hike in but has picnic tables and bear boxes.
RangerWonderful spot. Sites were kinda small, but we we able to fit 2. -6 person tents and a 4 person in a row. Wasn’t windy when we got there in the morning, but that night the wind started and almost blew everything away. STAKE down, no matter the weather. Water was super warm, but gets icky in the summer, so definitely need to go early in the season.
TravelerThe first morning we were there my dog found and ate some weed that someone had carelessly and irresponsibility discarded on the ground and she became extremely ill and had to be rushed to the emergency vet for treatment. Practicing leave no trace is so important for the safety of all animals and the preservation of our wild lands.
The road in took about an hour and a half and I would not recommend attempting it without 4WD and high clearance. There is one stream crossing but it is minor.
TravelerSome of my family has camped here in the past at one of the tent sites. We decided this time around to reserve one of their cabins. 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. Though it does fill up fast (by 11am it was pretty full). They have a large portable toilet there for use. We spent our time at the pool which is near the flushable toilets and the ice cream parlor, restaurant, and camp store. The pool goes from 3.5’ ft to 5’ back to 3.5’ ft.
The cabin was great. 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. Nice wide front porch to sit on and enjoy the view, communal tables and bbq for all the cabins. This unit also had a swamp cooler to help manage the heat.
Check in is 4pm and check out is 11am. There is also a small game room with a pool table, a baseball field, paddle boats, and kayaks to rent.
The down side is how quickly the easiest access to the lake fills up. Everyone has to drive over from the tent RV site to access the water. There are other places you can drive and park to get to the water, but there it a drop off into the water from there vs a gradual walk in.
ScoutWe left 1 day into our 4 day stay. The scenery, beautiful. The river, stunning. The campsite, tiny and awkwardly set up (Site12 specifically), good shade though. Prior occupants left a bunch of trash (as in an entire tent.....) in the bear box that we had to dispose of. Clean enough bathrooms. No firewood on site (which we were sdvised there would be) at the camp host site, don't think we had one, if we did they're hard of hearing. Drove up the road to a different campsite per the info board and got wood there **CASH ONLY**
Awful site neighbors, incredibly loud, watching reality TV shows at top volume, even waking me up at 0400 talking full volume 10 feet from our tent. Another neighbor with a generator on until almost 11pm.
*****ROAD NOISE. So. Much. Road. Noise. There was next to zero peaceful outdoor serenity. Not only the noise from the road, but the headlights hit our tent all night as well.
Won't be back, sad to end the week early, but no way were we able to stay with all of that going on. Was supposed to be a peaceful, quiet, relaxing week away from the sounds of a loud city......all we did was add a few trees 🤷♀️
GuideAn empty camp except for one extremely friendly couple on the Sunday of the weekend after Labor Day. A cool site overlooking Spanish Creek, I ended up at Site 15, where the water rushing over the rocks created some nice babbling brook sounds.
The sites are a little small/close together, but they are well delinated with trees and logs. A bear box is supplied with each site, which is really nice for those of us who don't travel in a car. No hiker/biker spots available, so I had to pay the full $25 which is a bit steep for no shower. The vault toilets were some of the cleanest I'd ever seen. Basically zero smell. The water from the spigot seemed fine, and the camp also provided a large tank of non-potable water.
The trains were definitely loud in the night, because the rails cling to the sides of the canyon, and the wheels scrape against the rails on the curves. I would stay here a couple nights again, because the creek is beautiful, and the valley seems remote, while still being close to a moderately large highway, and Quincy, for restocking. I would definitely be prepared to be woken up, or pack earplugs.
Oroville, California, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation in nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best tent camping sites near Oroville, CA?
The Oroville area offers excellent tent camping options within a short drive. Bloomer Group — Lake Oroville State Recreation Area provides scenic lakeside camping with boat-in and hike-in access. For those seeking a more secluded experience, Fiddle Creek offers tent-only sites right off Highway 49 with a walk-in setup that provides privacy. The campground features pit toilets and is arranged so groups can claim their own section. Other notable options include Foreman Creek on Lake Oroville for waterfront sites and Alder Creek Campground for shaded sites tucked among trees. Most tent sites in the region offer basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, with varying levels of accessibility depending on road conditions.
What amenities are available at Oroville tent camping grounds?
Tent campgrounds around Oroville typically offer basic to moderate amenities. Loganville provides water, bathrooms, and bear boxes in a beautiful setting with clean sites under trees. Golden Trout Campground features hand-pump water, creek access, and riding trails suitable for quads or 4WD vehicles. Many Lake Oroville campgrounds include toilets (typically vault/pit style), picnic tables, and fire rings. Bear boxes are common at sites in the surrounding national forests due to wildlife activity. Some campgrounds have water access for recreation but may not offer potable water. Amenities vary seasonally, with certain facilities closing during off-season months. Most sites have level tent pads, though some campgrounds like Alder Creek may have uneven ground requiring careful site selection.
Is free tent camping available in Oroville, California?
Yes, free tent camping is available near Oroville, particularly in the surrounding national forest areas. Plumas National Forest Snake Lake Campground offers free camping about 9 miles from Quincy with basic amenities including fire rings, bear boxes, and outhouses. No water is available apart from the lake. Lindsey Lake Campground is another option with approximately 12 sites, though it requires a rougher drive in (SUV or truck recommended). While technically free, most national forest camping requires a free campfire permit, available at park offices. For those willing to explore further, dispersed camping is allowed in many parts of Plumas National Forest and Lassen National Forest following their dispersed camping regulations.
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