Penn Valley sits at an elevation of 1,350 feet in California's western Nevada County, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F. The region features oak woodlands transitioning to pine forests at higher elevations, with access to several water features including Collins Lake and Lake Francis. Glamping options near Penn Valley remain popular from April through October, with most sites requiring reservations at least three months in advance.
What to do
Swimming in Dry Creek: Sycamore Ranch RV Park offers direct water access with minimal crowds. "We saw a river otter playing in the creek, so there is life in it," notes one visitor who appreciated the clean facilities and walking trails.
Gold panning adventures: At Coloma Resort, try your hand at prospecting in the historic gold discovery region. "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," explains a camper who enjoyed this unique historical activity.
Wildlife watching: The glamping yurts at Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs provide excellent opportunities for deer spotting. "Each day a family of deer came thru our site and were so tame they ate fruit right out of the kids' hands," reports a visitor who stayed at a site on a dry creek bed.
Kayaking: Multiple bodies of water surround Penn Valley for paddling options. "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!" shared a camper at Sycamore Ranch.
What campers like
Heated comfort: High Camp stands out among glamping close to Penn Valley, California with just three exclusive yurt sites. "The Inn Town Campground is unlike any other campground I've ever been to," notes one reviewer about a similar glamping experience in the area, highlighting thoughtful touches that extend the camping season.
Quiet mid-week visits: Peninsula Campground at Folsom Lake offers tranquility during off-peak times. "With only us and two other folks in the entire campground we enjoyed privacy and seclusion," writes a visitor who appreciated the early spring green grass and wild turkeys.
Clean, modern facilities: Many glamping establishments maintain hotel-quality restrooms. "The absolute nicest, cleanest bathrooms/showers I've ever seen in a campground," raves a visitor about Inn Town Campground, where tent campers can access amenities typically reserved for resort stays.
Lakefront views: Premium waterfront sites fill quickly at Collins Lake Recreation Area. "We stayed in spot 110 with a lakefront view," mentions one satisfied camper who enjoyed both the lake access and peaceful atmosphere of the RV park.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely throughout the area. At Lake of the Springs, "cell coverage is nonexistent outside of one small area," warns a camper who otherwise rated the location highly.
Reservation requirements: Most glamping locations require advance planning. "You have to book way ahead of time, but it's well worth it," advises a visitor to Coloma Resort who enjoyed the riverside location despite the planning required.
Seasonal water levels: Water access changes throughout the year at several locations. "In the Spring, the water level is much higher so the water line is closer to the campsites," explains a Collins Lake visitor, "In the fall, pre-winter, the water level is much lower. It was about a 50 yard walk down to the water."
Weekend crowds: For a more secluded glamping experience near Penn Valley, timing matters. "Weekdays are the best when there are few people but on weekends it does fill up," notes a Sycamore Ranch camper who appreciated the bird watching opportunities available mid-week.
Tips for camping with families
Ice cream stops: Inn Town Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "The campground is exceptionally clean and meticulously maintained," reports a visitor who appreciated the thoughtful touches like the fully stocked community kitchen.
Boat rentals: Collins Lake provides options for getting on the water. "They also have boat rentals," mentions a reviewer who found the campgrounds particularly well-suited for family trips, highlighting the stocked fishing lake and quiet atmosphere.
Kid-friendly wildlife: Lake of the Springs attracts local deer that children enjoy watching. "So cool!" exclaims a visitor about deer that were tame enough to take fruit from children's hands at this glamping destination.
Playground access: Many resorts include recreation areas for children. "You can pan for gold, relax, or bike, hike along the river, and kids can play along several playgrounds for kids of different ages," notes a Coloma Resort visitor describing the family-oriented amenities.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Auburn Gold Country RV Park presents some uneven terrain. "Had a standard Hookup-RV-Spot. Was very uneven, couldn't get the RV level," reports one RVer who found this aspect frustrating despite otherwise clean conditions.
Electrical reliability: Check service status before booking at Lake of the Springs. "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," warns a camper who visited during a busy season.
Premium lakefront options: Lake Francis Resort offers enhanced waterfront sites. "Our family has been coming here for years. We love it. Nice quiet lake. Good campsites," shares a return visitor who appreciates the consistency of the resort.
Spacing considerations: Many RV parks place sites close together. "The spaces are a bit small but clean," notes a Coloma Resort visitor, highlighting that despite proximity to neighbors, the facilities remain well-maintained.
