Penn Valley, California sits at approximately 1,400 feet elevation in the western Sierra Nevada foothills, offering milder temperatures than higher elevation areas. Most RV sites around Penn Valley are situated among oak and pine woodlands, with summer daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F between June and September, making access to water recreation particularly important during peak season.
What to do
River swimming: Access the Yuba River via a trail from South Yuba Campground, where clear water and natural swimming areas await. "This river trail is the best in the state. Clear water, lovely pools... The river is beloved by kayakers and swimmers. Perfect snow melt means August is the prime time," notes Anna R.
Fishing: Try the stocked lakes at several local campgrounds during spring and fall seasons. At Thousand Trails Lake Minden, one camper mentioned, "Last trip we caught 3 bass and 12 bluegills. This trip we caught a personal record size bass. Great place for fishing all day."
Wildlife viewing: Bring binoculars for spotting local fauna, especially at dawn and dusk. "The camp host (Jan The Man) is the best camp host ever! 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 not including the more silent ones we saw. There are turtles and otters in the creek to check out as well," writes a visitor to Sycamore Ranch RV Park.
What campers like
Riverfront sites: Camp within earshot of flowing water at River Reflections RV Park for a premium outdoor experience. "The campsite we had was feet from the feather River. Who wouldn't be able to relax and enjoy with this as a background," explains Kathleen G.
Clean shower facilities: Find modern bathroom amenities at select campgrounds, with varying costs. "The facilities- including pay-showers - were very clean & in fabulous shape," reports Chris about Sycamore Ranch RV Park.
Spacious tent sites: Reserve early for the best spots with room to spread out. "The sites are spread out. The campground is well maintained with beautiful landscape and access/view of river," notes Elizabeth M. about River Reflections RV Park.
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: Plan communications accordingly when traveling to campgrounds in the Penn Valley region. As one camper at Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs reports, "No cell service in any of the loops and WiFi isn't great."
Bathroom conditions vary widely: Check recent reviews before selecting a campground based on facilities. "The composting toilet is a wreck. Not usable. Use cat holes instead (200 ft from water please). Poison oak is everywhere," warns Frying Pan Fred G. about Loganville Campground.
Seasonal insect challenges: Prepare for persistent bugs during warmer months. "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.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose campgrounds with play areas for younger children to enjoy. At Sycamore Ranch RV Park, Julie M. observed: "Very clean campground with a helpful host. This place is dark at night so really good for star watching."
Swimming spots: Identify safe water access points before arrival, especially during hot summer months. "The river is one of the best sites there is. There's hiking access to the river, and almost never anybody at this campground. It's scenic privacy at its best. Hike up or downstream for some really great swimming holes," advises J.d. E. about South Yuba Campground.
Kid-friendly walking paths: Select campgrounds with gentle trails suitable for all ages. "There are about 2 miles of walking trails. The campground is along Dry Creek, which isn't dry but is covered in some sort of green stuff (not algae). We saw a river otter playing in the creek, so there is life in it," reports Suzanne S.
Tips from RVers
Electrical reliability: Check amperage requirements before booking an RV site near Penn Valley. At Loganville, the weather conditions can impact services: "The weather was perfect in early October! It was not busy, there was on other occupied campsite not to close to where we were. It has water, bathrooms and a bear box."
Site leveling challenges: Bring adequate leveling blocks as many sites throughout the region have uneven terrain. At Auburn Gold Country RV Park, one camper noted: "Had a standard Hookup-RV-Spot. Was very uneven, couldn't get the RV level."
Dump station logistics: Factor in potential wait times for sanitary services. "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. about Lake Minden, highlighting the importance of checking facilities before arrival.
