Cabin camping near Penn Valley, California offers options within a 30-mile radius of town, centered in Nevada County at approximately 1,300 feet elevation. The foothills location provides a moderate climate with hot, dry summers reaching 90-100°F and cool, wet winters. Most cabin sites in this area are situated near lakes, rivers or wooded areas that provide recreational opportunities beyond standard camping.
What to do
Water recreation options: Collins Lake Recreation Area provides access to fishing, canoeing, and kayaking throughout the warmer months. "Great Lake and RV Park. We stayed in spot 110 with a lakefront view," reports a visitor to Collins Lake Recreation Area.
Historic gold mining exploration: Visit Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park to see California's gold mining history up close. "There is a great history lesson in this park about the mining industry in California and what it has done to our environment. You will see up close and personal the destruction of mountains by water jets in an effort to find gold," notes one visitor to Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park Campground.
River swimming: The Yuba River offers swimming spots with varying water levels throughout the season. "Manzanita Rock Meadow was perfect for us. We have a campervan and the spot was level and very clean, affordable, and with great views... We got to meet Galen when she brought us firewood and she told us about some great trails on the Yuba River to catch some amazing sunsets," a camper reports about Manzanita Rock Meadow.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Many cabin areas around Penn Valley offer opportunities to see deer and other wildlife. "We had such a fun time at this campground. Our site was in Section A on a dry creek bed. Dry in August at least. 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!" says a visitor to Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs.
Swimming in lakes: Most cabin campgrounds with lake access offer swimming areas that are popular during summer months. "It was over 100 degrees the wknd we were there so we spent practically the whole wknd in the lake. It was the perfect temperature to sit in for hours. No motorized water craft kept it quiet," adds another Lake of the Springs visitor.
Gold panning opportunities: Try your luck at finding gold in local waterways. "If you ever want to experience the thrill of gold panning, and California history go here! You will not strike it rich, but with a couple hours of effort you can get a nice little bottle of gold flakes to take home with you," mentions a visitor to Coloma Resort.
What you should know
Cell phone coverage limitations: Many cabin camping locations have limited or no cell service. "Not a bad cell coverage is nonexistent outside of one small area," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs.
Reservation requirements: Most cabin facilities require advance booking, particularly during summer. "You have to book way ahead of time, but it's well worth it," advises a Coloma Resort visitor.
Heat management considerations: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F in this region. "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!" recommends a visitor to Oroville-Feather Falls Casino KOA.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas with gradual entry: Look for lakes with beach areas for younger children. "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," shares a Collins Lake Recreation Area visitor.
Playgrounds and recreation: Some cabin camping facilities offer additional recreation options. "Pool, playground, basketball and soccer - will definitely be back with the kids soon," notes a Coloma Resort visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many cabin sites offer opportunities to see deer and other wildlife up close. "We enjoyed making a fire in the Chiminea, and enjoying the string lights that went on at sunset. We'll definitely come back next time we're in the area," shares a Manzanita Rock Meadow visitor.
Tips from RVers
Accessibility considerations: Some cabin locations 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 visitor to Manzanita Rock Meadow.
Electrical reliability: Power can be inconsistent at some locations. "It's definitely a place I'll put on my list to camp at again, especially when they figure out their electrical issues. From what I could tell when driving around the majority of the sites were level; we had 4 spots and all were easy to back in," notes a Lake of the Springs visitor.
RV site amenities: Facilities vary greatly between locations. "Electric hookups, sewer, clean grounds, playground, swimming pool, club house with bar and pool tables, and the casino and brewery are right there," shares an Oroville-Feather Falls Casino KOA visitor about their comprehensive amenities.
