Tent campsites near Penn Valley, California range from secluded forest retreats to riverside locations with varying levels of accessibility. Situated in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada at approximately 1,400 feet elevation, the region experiences hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Most tent camping areas remain accessible from April through October, with higher elevation sites closing during winter snowfall.
What to do
Gold panning opportunities: Fiddle Creek Campground offers access to streams where visitors can try panning for gold. As one camper notes, "People pan for gold and some walk up the road to Jackson Hole to float down. About 5 mins up, pass a few houses on your right."
Water activities: Camp Far West North Shore provides lakeside tent camping with swimming and kayaking options. A visitor mentioned, "We were right on the lake at the end of a peninsula. Not a sound except for the birds. We did a bike ride along the lake through the undeveloped overflow area and beyond to the north east end of the property."
Historical exploration: The Camp Far West area contains historical markers documenting its past as a camp on the immigrant trail to California gold fields. According to one camper, "The name had us a bit confused. Turns out the area was originally a camp on the immigrant trail to the California gold fields. You can learn more from the historical markers on site."
What campers like
Seasonal beauty: Many campers appreciate the region during specific seasons. A reviewer at Lake Clementine Boat In shared, "We camped during the off season (November) so we had our pick of the campsites, which was a great considering the spots are right next to each other. Using hand warmers and a tent warmer we did fine with the cold nights."
River access: The crystal-clear American River attracts many tent campers. One visitor commented, "I've been here about 8-10 times and every time I love my stay, it's a quiet getaway around 45 mins away from me and the sound of the river is amazing."
Solitude opportunities: Weekday camping often provides more isolation. A Camp Far West visitor noted, "We were the only people anywhere except for folks in the full hook-up area, which was far from us. It is our understanding that this campground is very busy during the summer, and a very different experience when all the watercraft are on the lake. Perfect when its off season."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require navigating narrow, winding roads. A Fiddle Creek visitor cautioned, "Its close proximity to Hwy 49 (maybe 75 feet away) makes for more headlights and traffic noise than I'm used to when camping (especially since the majority of traffic is from loud trucks that zoom by at 50-60 mph)."
Site selection considerations: Tent sites vary significantly in quality and privacy. A reviewer advised, "I'd reserved Campground 15 (at the very end of line) but after my husband complained about how far away it was from the toilets, we moved to Campground 6. Site 6 was fine, but Site 15 would've been quieter as it's farther away from the road and the river and it has more space around it than others."
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be problematic near water sources throughout summer. One camper noted, "Another negative is the abundance of mosquitoes, which I guess you have to expect when you're near a river but still not pleasant."
Tips for camping with families
Dishwashing facilities: Some campgrounds provide convenient cleaning stations. A visitor at Peninsula Family Camping observed, "One nice amenity was they have a dishwashing station at the bathrooms with hot water at no coin charge like the showers are."
Site hazards: Watch for poison oak, particularly in wooded areas. A reviewer warned, "When we arrived to the campground, we found that the sites we reserved were on a hill, and poison oak between them. We were able to get a combined site to fit most of our group, though."
Bathroom maintenance: Facilities may receive limited servicing during peak periods. A camper noted, "Toilets are pit toilets. So make sure you keep the door shut and lid down to help with the smell sometimes during busy week/ends. They are clean once a week and there are two dumpsters that are picked up weekly too."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many tent campsites near Penn Valley present leveling difficulties for larger vehicles. A visitor at Oracle Oak Grove mentioned, "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 even more memorable."
Parking limitations: Tent sites often have minimal parking areas. A Lake Clementine camper explained, "Many of the sites have a 'driveway' but 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."
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies widely throughout the region. A visitor reported, "Also no cell service.... which I love," while another noted, "We were surprised that we had a semi-decent cell signal ranging from 1 to 2 bars (Verizon)."
