328 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options near Penn Valley, California range from developed sites with modern amenities to more rustic experiences throughout the Sierra Nevada foothills. The area features several established campgrounds including Collins Lake Recreation Area, approximately 15 miles north of Penn Valley, which accommodates tents, RVs, and offers cabin rentals. Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley provides camping with hookups for RVs, while smaller private campgrounds like Manzanita Rock Meadow offer more secluded experiences on 25-acre homesteads with tent and RV sites.
Seasonal considerations affect campground availability, with most facilities open year-round due to the moderate climate of the lower Sierra foothills. Summer temperatures can reach the high 90s, making water-adjacent camping at Collins Lake and Rollins Lake particularly desirable during peak season. Several campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during summer weekends and holidays. Many sites feature fire restrictions during California's dry season, typically from late spring through fall. Travelers should verify current fire regulations before arrival as policies can change rapidly based on conditions. "It was a little challenging getting our 16' trailer to the pad but it was worth it. So quiet and serene there. I don't think the bigger rigs would be able to make the turn into the site and the road to the entrance is a bit rough," noted one camper about accessing a private site.
The region's mixed-use campgrounds typically provide access to swimming, fishing, and hiking opportunities. Proximity to the South Yuba River State Park is frequently mentioned in reviews as a highlight, with campers appreciating the swimming holes and hiking trails. Campgrounds closer to Nevada City and Grass Valley offer convenient access to services and local attractions, while more remote sites provide greater privacy. One visitor remarked about Inn Town Campground, "The campground is exceptionally clean and meticulously maintained. We even had a heated mattress pad in our glamping tent to keep warm." Most campgrounds feature varying levels of hookups and amenities, with some offering full services including showers and laundry, while others maintain a more rustic atmosphere with limited facilities.
"This campground is above Marysville California."
"They were both lake front campsites, which meant the water or shoreline was right at our "front door" from our 27' travel trailer."
"Just know that here on The Dyrt, the location on the map for some reason shows it as being many miles away from Kidder Ct: it’s marked as if it is at Higgins Corner, halfway to Auburn?"
"Super clean and friendly Not congested and close to many hiking trails Easy drive and close to Nevada City.
Especially nice during Christmas Season. Feels like walking back in time."
"Very peaceful and the fairgrounds are open during the day to walk around."
"Really nice with the lake and quiet woods feeling. No hassle booking and really reasonable price. Huge sites like 150x18 or there abouts."
"We 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."
"This is a smaller but nice lake. It hasn’t ever been over crowded when I’ve gone. The reason I like this spot is because campsites C3-C10 have the most shade you can hope for!"
from $42 - $53 / night
Check Availability"This is such a beautiful piece of California."
"There is a boat launch, and a pretty county park is adjacent."
"It was quiet and private, but close to the hosts so they visited when I had questions about the best spots for swimming and hiking nearby."
"Had a fire in the fire pit and enjoyed the quiet(except for the coyotes in the distance!). Galen, our host, was always available to answer questions and to bring extra firewood."
from $55 / night
"They said it would be okay as long as I had the gear to sleep outside in a tent as well. The place was quiet and we had no issues."
"Very nice campground, but cell coverage is nonexistent outside of one small area."
"Lots of staff roaming around and helping. Bring your BBQ"
"There are trails for hiking or mountain biking. You are minutes from Bullards Bar which is one of the most beautiful lakes around. I definitely suggest a day trip to the lake."
"It’s mixed RV and tent with no RV power so the generators are loud and you’ll be surrounded by them."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $60 / night
Check Availability
ScoutTakes a good hour plus to get from 80 to the French Meadows area. Very windy drive, road a bit rough, watch out for rocks. Campground is very quiet. Great hiking trails and gets nice and dark at night. Seems to be a good camp for fishermen. No hooks up, but a dump station up the road. Site size is typically much smaller that stated. May be tough for longer campers and trucks. Rangers are very relax. Will be back.
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.
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
GuideThey let us check in early it is all paved but not level!
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.
Traveler6 was the best campsite by far
Camping sites near Penn Valley, California range from secluded homesteads to lakefront properties throughout the Sierra Nevada foothills, with elevations typically between 1,000-2,000 feet. Most campgrounds stay open year-round due to the moderate foothill climate, though water levels at popular lakes like Collins Lake and Rollins Lake fluctuate seasonally. Local camping options include both public and private facilities within a 20-mile radius of Penn Valley.
Swimming in the Yuba River: South Yuba River access points provide popular swimming spots during summer months. "We spent the days at Fuller Dam, and the Yuba River and Scotts Flat Reservoir are nearby too. Overall, this is a fantastic campground and I highly recommend," notes a camper at Inn Town Campground.
Fishing at local lakes: Collins Lake is regularly stocked and offers shore fishing opportunities. "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," shared a visitor at Collins Lake Recreation Area.
Kayaking and paddleboarding: Local waterways provide calm waters for paddling sports. "This is a fun spot that is not far from home, it's generally quiet, great for fishing and kayaking," mentions a camper at Collins Lake Recreation Area. Another visitor at Sycamore Ranch RV Park added, "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!"
Quiet natural surroundings: Many campsites offer peaceful settings with wildlife viewing opportunities. "This place is dark at night so really good for star watching," notes a camper at Sycamore Ranch RV Park. Another camper shared, "We saw a river otter playing in the creek, so there is life in it."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained campgrounds receive positive reviews. At Nevada County Fairgrounds, a visitor mentioned, "Really nice with the lake and quiet woods feeling. No hassle booking and really reasonable price. Huge sites like 150x18 or there abouts."
Wildlife encounters: Local camping areas provide opportunities for wildlife viewing. A visitor at Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs reported, "Each day a family of deer came thru our site and were so tame they ate fruit right out of the kids' hands. So cool!"
Site accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "It was a little challenging getting our 16' trailer to the pad but it was worth it. So quiet and serene there. I don't think the bigger rigs would be able to make the turn into the site and the road to the entrance is a bit rough," warns a camper about Manzanita Rock Meadow.
Seasonal crowding: Summer weekends can become busy at popular water spots. "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," shared a visitor at Collins Lake Recreation Area.
Limited cell service: Some campgrounds have poor connectivity. "Very nice campground, but cell coverage is nonexistent outside of one small area," notes a camper at Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs. At Inn Town Campground, visitors appreciate being disconnected yet close to amenities: "It's just outside Nevada City but you feel completely in nature thanks to all the big redwoods in camp."
Water activities for children: Lakes provide family-friendly swimming areas. "We were just happy to get out and camping. Kids loved fishing from the shore; quiet at night; deer had no problem hanging out with us as we had our meals," shares a camper at Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs.
Campgrounds with playgrounds: Some facilities offer recreational amenities for children. "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. Pool was small but the pool area was really nice," notes a visitor at Inn Town Campground.
Educational opportunities: The area offers opportunities to learn about local history. "Do not miss visiting the covered bridge at South Yuba State Park!" recommends a camper at Manzanita Rock Meadow. Another visitor at Inn Town Campground mentioned it's "Next to train museum. Great common area. Lots of places to explore."
Level sites: RV campers appreciate level parking pads. "We had spot in rear of facility. Lots of room uneven grass surface but auto leveled no problem. Small pond for kids only fishing. Easy freeway access can get to town on surface streets," shares an RVer at Nevada County Fairgrounds.
Full hookup availability: Some campgrounds offer complete RV services. "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," notes an RVer at Collins Lake Recreation Area.
Site spacing concerns: RVers mention varying site sizes across campgrounds. "Just can't recommend based on the very cramped conditions. Sites are not very level either. I needed to raise my front end 6 inches to get level," warns an RVer about Nevada County Fairgrounds. In contrast, at Grass Valley RV Resort, a visitor appreciated the "Concrete pads newer campground. Heated pool, friendly staff. Shopping 1.5 miles away."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Buck's Beach located in Penn Valley?
Buck's Beach is located near the Yuba River in Penn Valley. While not explicitly mentioned in available reviews, it's likely situated along Highway 49 near where Cal-Ida campground is located. Cal-Ida campers mention being able to walk across Highway 49 to access the river. For the exact location of Buck's Beach, you may want to check with local Penn Valley resources or the Nevada County Parks department for current access information.
What are the best camping spots near Penn Valley?
The Penn Valley area offers several excellent camping options. American River Resort provides riverside camping with fire pits and picnic tables at each site, plus it's only a half-mile walk to town. Beals Point Campground offers clean facilities, nicely spaced sites with trees, and easy access to lake swimming areas. For a more secluded experience, Inn Town Campground and the Nevada County Fairgrounds provide options closer to Grass Valley with full amenities.
What camping is available near Penn Valley, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Penn Valley, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 328 campgrounds and RV parks near Penn Valley, CA and 11 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Penn Valley, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Penn Valley, CA is Collins Lake Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 26 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Penn Valley, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near Penn Valley, CA.
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