Collins Lake Recreation Area and Sardine Lake feature distinctive glamping options in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Camptonville. Both locations offer cabin accommodations with resort-style amenities that elevate the traditional camping experience. At Collins Lake, glamping sites come with picnic tables, drinking water access, and electricity, allowing guests to enjoy nature without sacrificing comfort. "We had such a fun time at this campground. Our site was in Section A on a dry creek bed. Each day a family of deer came thru our site and were so tame they ate fruit right out of the kids' hands," one visitor noted about their experience at Lake of the Springs, another nearby glamping option. Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs also provides glamping accommodations including yurts with convenient access to swimming and fishing opportunities.
Lake Francis Resort distinguishes itself with safari-style accommodations that feature comfortable beds, electricity, and proximity to water recreation. The glamping sites at Lake Francis provide guests with amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to a general store, restaurant, and ice cream shop. According to a camper, "We stayed at the Diamond P cabin which has the best view of the lake within this group of cabins. You can walk to the lake from this location." Activities around these glamping resorts include swimming in Collins Lake, fishing at Lake of the Springs, and enjoying the swimming pool at Lake Francis Resort. High Camp offers yurt accommodations with access to toilets, showers, and drinking water, making it suitable for guests seeking more comfortable alternatives to traditional camping while remaining immersed in nature. Most glamping options in the area are open seasonally, with Sardine Lake's premium sites available from May through October.
"*pros: great little market, very nice staff, clean, great views *cons: rocky watch your step, especially at the beach and a long the shore."
"We’ve been to Collins Lake a few times and we love it! Lots of different camping spots and the lake is stocked with fish. Ice cream at the store is a must."
"The common house has a fully stocked kitchen so you can camp without having to bring supplies! The campground is exceptionally clean and meticulously maintained."
"It’s clean, has great amenities (pool, showers, kitchen, bathrooms), and it’s a nice walk away from town. It has a spot for everyone - RVs, glamping tents, and the standard tent sites (my style)."
"It’s definitely a place I’ll put on my list to camp at again, especially when they figure out their electrical issues."
"WiFi is very very limited- drive to top of hill or lodge( very sporadic) Great Lake for swimming, fishing and small boats. Store on site. Clean swimming pool. Ideal for Tent or RV."
"We decided this time around to reserve one of their cabins. We stayed at the Diamond P cabin which has the best view of the lake within this group of cabins."
"Nice quiet lake. Good campsites. Good general store and even a little restaurant and ice cream shack."
from $40 - $100 / night
"This campground had riding trails that could bring you to Sly Creek and secret camping sites that a quad or 4 wheel drive could find. It's closed until 2023 due to the fires."
"The typical Sierra granite spires around the lake make for the scenery. There's a bar/shack on the water at the resort which is so cute and fun too."
"We had great time at sardine lake campground. Great place for active families. Gorgeous view of sardine lake and sand pond in walking distance and lots of other lakes around the area."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $48 / night
"Very pretty views of the valley from the campground, and having hiking trails start from the campground was really nice. Only complaints are very close neighbors and little shade."
"Everything is paved, and all of the sites are within walking distance of the reservoir. This campsite is extremely family-friendly, and I will be bringing my family back here in the future!"
"The campsite was close to other campers, but not right on top of them. The location is ideal. Bathrooms were the least favorite part, only one bathroom (with 4 stalls?)"
from $32 / night
"This is such a beautiful piece of California."
"The trees are amazing and 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)."
from $75 - $150 / night
TravelerThis site does not recognize any state or federal pass the rate starts for 40 a day then they charge per person and per pet grand total for a one night stay with hookups 62$ for one RV one person one dog . 
RangerVery nice 1970 style park most spots only has water and electricity. Section X is full hook ups and close to all amenities. Lots of deers and gray squirrels playing about the park. Nice beach area with rental boats. Restrooms and laundry areas in good shape. This is a nice area to camp.
GuideSpent two nights in site 13, it was the site directly across from the camp host. Host was kind, very present and always cleaning and ensuring the camp was spotless! DO NOT take a trailer beyond the little gate to the “back” of the camp ground, the northern most part. We took our 32’ trailer through the gate because satellite images show a cul-dê-sac like turn around area. It is still present, however it is also a campsite and with people occupying the site, turning around is impossible. We had to back our trailer back down the road and into the main area again.
Bathrooms are clean! River nearby was refreshing and has a few small human made dams that allow for wading and safe play areas for kiddos. Chilly nights and hot days!
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!
GuideVery popular in the summer!! Amazing lake front campsites with incredible views. Also kind of pricey. There’s onsite security and a big store with delicious icecream. Totally incredible fishing opportunities.
RangerLovely spots, no hookups, close to the highway but far enough off we couldn’t hear it. Stream is lovely, wish we had more time to spend.
ScoutShe was very rude
ScoutI wanted to find a spot somewhat close by and came across this one. I think it was because I went on a weekday but upon entering there’s no one at the front so there is no check in so you just go straight to your camp site. I wasn’t expecting there to be a distance from the campsite to your parking space but if you’re looking for a spot for van/SUV camping it’s a little difficult to find a spot. Some spots are better than others of course! Camp host was really friendly as well! Spotted some turkey, deer, and quail!
GuideWe booked the Eagles Nest campsite, and the views were awesome! We stayed two nights and had a good time. There are two spots down below the main road that are accessible but recommend at minimum AWD, especially if visiting during the rainy season. The host was very helpful got us a case of water and even had fresh eggs that we bought. 👍🏼
The Sierra Nevada foothills surrounding Camptonville, California offer a diverse range of glamping options at elevations between 2,500-4,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-90°F, with cooler evenings creating ideal conditions for outdoor recreation. The area's mixed conifer forests provide natural shade at many camping areas while offering access to numerous lakes and streams.
Fishing opportunities: Collins Lake Recreation Area stocks its waters regularly for reliable catches. "Great Lake and RV Park. We stayed in spot 110 with a lakefront view," notes Daniel S. about his experience at Collins Lake Recreation Area.
Hiking trails: Sardine Lake Campground offers access to multiple hiking options with varying difficulty levels. "There's a trail to the upper lake is a nice steady incline. About an hour there and back. Little shade so wear a hat," explains Therese L. about Sardine Lake.
Swimming spots: Several lakes in the area provide swimming opportunities during summer months. "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," reports Nicole G. about her experience at Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs.
Wildlife viewing: The forested areas offer excellent opportunities to observe local wildlife. "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!" shares a visitor at Lake of the Springs.
Resort-style amenities: Lake Francis Resort offers additional comforts beyond standard camping. "They have a large portable toilet there for use. We spent our time at the pool which is near the flushable toilets and the ice cream parlor, restaurant, and camp store," mentions Gina C. about her stay at Lake Francis Resort.
Peaceful water activities: Many lakes in the area restrict motorized watercraft. "I really wish I'd brought my canoe. We went during COVID so the pool and some other amenities were closed," notes Nicole G. at Lake of the Springs.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain good standards for restrooms and common areas. "The campground can get trashed easily, so do your part to pack out your trash and leave it better than you found it," advises Dani P. from Sardine Lake.
Scenic views: The Sierra Buttes provide dramatic backdrops at many campgrounds. "Very pretty views of the valley from the campground, and having hiking trails start from the campground was really nice," shares Anne W. about Black Rock Campground.
Reservation timing: Popular glamping sites in Camptonville fill quickly during peak season. "Busy on the weekends. Booking advised," warns Therese L. about Sardine Lake.
Limited connectivity: Cell service can be extremely limited. "No cell service in any of the loops and WiFi isn't great," cautions Nicole R. about Lake of the Springs RV Resort.
Weather preparation: Summer temperatures can fluctuate significantly between day and night. "Our site was great, but didn't have very much shade," notes Erika B. about her Sardine Lake camping experience.
Fire restrictions: Some campgrounds have specific policies regarding campfires. "No wood fires, propane is okay," explains Eric P. about Lake of the Springs.
Supply planning: Many campgrounds have limited stores or services. "There's no cell service and no services at the campsite so pick up firewood from the one motel/cafe/gas/market on the way in," advises Danielle B. from her Sardine Lake stay.
Accessible activities: Look for campgrounds with gentle lake access for younger children. "The typical Sierra granite spires around the lake make for the scenery. There's a bar/shack on the water at the resort which is so cute and fun too," shares Nikki R. from Sardine Lake.
Playground alternatives: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities beyond natural features. "My daughter who is 5 loved writing her hoverboard around the entire park there are lots of kids to play with and the caretaker and his family were super welcoming and professional," explains Bearit W. about Sycamore Ranch RV Park.
Wildlife encounters: Many campgrounds feature regular wildlife sightings that children enjoy. "We saw a river otter playing in the creek, so there is life in it," notes Suzanne S. about Sycamore Ranch RV Park.
Educational opportunities: The area's rich mining history offers learning experiences. "There are a lot of historic gold-rush elements," mentions one visitor to Inn Town Campground.
Site selection strategy: Choose RV sites carefully based on shade and proximity to amenities. "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," recommends Ed E. about Collins Lake Recreation Area.
Electrical considerations: Some campgrounds experience power issues during peak season. "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 Eric P. about Lake of the Springs.
Seasonal timing: For RVers seeking more solitude, consider off-peak visits. "We are here in the off season, so there weren't many other campers here. I think in high season it would feel cramped," suggests Suzanne S. about Sycamore Ranch RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Camptonville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Camptonville, CA is Collins Lake Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Camptonville, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 33 glamping camping locations near Camptonville, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
