RV camping options around Pilot Hill, California encompass diverse terrain across the Sierra Nevada foothills at elevations ranging from 300 to 2,000 feet. The area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F between June and September, while winter months see milder daytime temperatures and occasional frost at night. Campsites near rivers offer relief during summer heat, but higher elevation locations require additional planning during winter months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: South Yuba River offers clear water swimming holes and excellent fishing spots. "This river trail is the best in the state. Clear water, lovely pools. Expect nudity as it is Northern California. The river is beloved by kayakers and swimmers. Perfect snow melt means August is the prime time," notes a visitor to South Yuba Campground.
Summer water recreation: American River access provides tubing and floating options during hot months. At Thousand Trails Ponderosa, campers appreciate the water proximity: "The River is nice with man made trails to easily walk down to a beach area... lots of great fishing, floating, and kayak accessibly. Bring tubes and life vests. Poles and bait," advises one camper.
Family activities: Mini golf and playgrounds entertain children at select parks. Placerville RV Resort offers "Mini train ride around park, great playground, mini golf, showed movie and a lot more awesomeness. Was not cheap but kept the kids entertained," according to one reviewer.
What campers like
Swimming pools: Cooling off during hot days is a priority for many visitors. One camper at 49er Village RV Resort noted they "spent most of the time in the pool, it was a hot weekend," while also mentioning the park has "full hookups, nice little store with ice cream and coffee."
Riverside camping spots: Direct water access from campsites provides recreation without driving. "The best thing about this campground is its location on the river... We managed to get a spot with some tree cover. It was incredibly hot when we were there so we spent most of our time lounging at the edge of the river. It really moved along and was fun to float down in a tube," reports a visitor to Thousand Trails Ponderosa.
Quiet locations away from highways: Some parks offer more secluded spots. A camper at SacWest RV Park stated they "stayed at the side close to the highway so it was a bit noisy but not too bad," suggesting campers request sites further from roadways for a quieter experience.
What you should know
Age restrictions on RVs: Some parks have policies limiting older models. At Mark J RV Park in Sacramento, a camper reported they "Couldn't even rent a space due to how old our RV was and had to keep looking." Call ahead to confirm if your RV meets age requirements.
Membership requirements: Certain campgrounds operate under private membership systems. At Ghost Mountain RV Campground, "This resort is part of Colorado River Adventures and is private. Very nice park with everything you could need," but visitors should know "your first visit you sit through a 1.5 hour long presentation where they basically try to get you to buy a very expensive membership type thing."
Weekend noise levels: Many campgrounds experience increased activity Friday through Sunday. One camper noted, "The only annoyance was loud music past curfew, but it was only on the weekend. I think you'll get inconsiderate campers like that anywhere."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Look for parks with dedicated play areas. "We had a great experience at the Placerville KOA. The staff was very welcoming and the grounds are organized and clean... They also have a pool area and hot tub. Our friends stayed in the cabins. They were clean and comfortable," shares a visitor to Placerville RV Resort.
Swimming options: Choose locations with pools during summer. "We stayed 4 days at this park and had the best time!! The kids loved the stocked fishing ponds, and even better was the immaculate 2 swimming pools and playground! Everyone was busy having fun the whole time," reports a family staying at 49er Village RV Resort.
River safety: Monitor water conditions and bring life vests. "The river is swift. The RV and tent sites are in two separate areas, with more updated amenities available for RVs like hot showers. Shared pool site. Lots of great trails to weave through the campground on a mountain bike," explains a camper at Thousand Trails Ponderosa.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Pack additional leveling blocks. At Auburn Gold Country RV Park, an RVer shared: "Had a standard Hookup-RV-Spot. Was very uneven, couldn't get the RV level." Bringing extra leveling equipment helps address uneven sites.
Site selection: Request sites away from road noise. "Camp site is clean. You can order food and they will deliver. Wonderful ada bathroom/showers with a fold down bench. Friendly staff. Near freeway (lots of traffic noise). Quiet morning," reports a camper at SacWest RV Park.
Dump station access: Verify sewer connections before booking. At Ghost Mountain RV Campground, "Poor hookups, no sewer, roads not paved, dusty," according to one visitor. Many rv parks near Pilot Hill offer only partial hookups, requiring trips to dump stations.
