Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Pioneer, CA has a lot to offer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that California camping has to offer. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Pioneer, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$30 / night
"Next to a beautiful state operated historical park with lots of open space, tall ancient oak trees and two easy trails. Open space great for games, frisbee, soccer, or setup a volleyball net."
"So glad we did as it is tucked away on the grounds of an amazing state park!
Most of the sites are small with a lot of tree coverage. It was quiet, quaint, and clean. "
"Staff a very friendly and our site was just a walking distance to the bathrooms."
"We used the spot to not be in the snow but make the trip up to Iron Mountain Sno-Park...a 45 minute drive. The snow looked great for skiing but not so much for snowmen or sledding."
$25 - $70 / night
"I think this is my favorite California State Park. It is situated in the Calaveras Big Trees Giant Sequoia Grove."
"Pros - you are in the middle of the Sequoias, near hiking, kayaking, etc. Beautiful river nearby; pretty easy in and out for small-ish RVs. Hard to beat the location."
$50 - $70 / night
"We wanted a close to home location with all the hookups to make sure we knew how to use everything. We were shocked at how clean and beautiful this park was!"
"Spacious , clean, very friendly staff, beautiful walking trail around the park. The views are so beautiful we will definitely come back!"
$20 / night
"A good clean campground, popular in central California. Reasonably priced $20 per night."
"The lake has receded quite a but that one of the docks is about 100 yards from the actual lake now (California drought). The campsite was well maintained."
"No camping here but it is next to Henry Cowell SP. Tight turns, I would not recommend for RV’ers."
"We found a huge group site out here for our Burns Canyon trail run. I’m not sure if it was this exact location but it’s hard to miss! We’re planning another trip back already!"
$34 - $108 / night
"Good access to the river from many of the sites and in general the river is kid-friendly (during summer). Spots vary in size wildly so larger RV's might not be a good idea."
"The site was close to the water but you could not see the stream from the campsite. At night we could hear the water as it flowed over the boulders. Very peaceful!"
"They are set into the mountains with trees behind you. The park rangers are very present to keep people in check and the camp host drives by multiple times to keep the bathrooms clean."
"The lake is GORGEOUS and amazingly cool during the summer, and we also love winter camping in the snow as well."
$39 - $90 / night
"I love the rich history behind it. The cabin boasts a king sized bed. We're excited to have them on The Dyrt!"
"There are trees throughout the park and although it is located right on the road, only the sites that back up to the road hear road noise. There is a small pond in the center and we saw some ducks."
"We enjoyed walking around with our pets and getting ice cream. The only annoyance was loud music past curfew, but it was only on the weekend."
GuideWe couldn’t find this spot. We went up a dirt road near where it said on the map but it didn’t look right and wasn’t very accessible for our car. We ended up camping further down the road in what seemed to be a day use car park? We’re not really sure. It’s definitely worth checking in daylight hours, we struggled as it was 10pm when we arrived
GuideSites have lots of space, table, fire ring and generally level drive pads. Water spigots are not too far. Showers scattered throughout camp though not every bathroom has them. There is a small camp store that has wifi. Book far in advance to get a spot in summer.
TravelerI absolutely adore this dispersed site because of the fond memories that I had growing up using the site while it was fully operational (for 28 years). It used to be a fully operational campground, but it's now decommissioned and only accessible by walking in. That said, this spot likely won’t meet the expectations of most campers looking for convenience or amenities.
The road to the campsites is closed to motorized vehicles, but you can still drive up to a gate where there’s space to park about 5 vehicles—more if you don’t mind double parking with people in your group. From there, it’s a short walk in. Some sites still have old wooden picnic tables, but they’re pretty worn down. If you have a group larger than 8, I’d recommend bringing an extra table or some additional seating. Be mindful of your surroundings—there are many dead-standing trees and potentially hazardous branches, so choose your tent and eating areas carefully.
There are no toilets, no running water, and very few visitors aside from the residents who live along Hells Halfacre Road. However, if you walk down the hill from the campsites, you’ll find a few great swimming holes—definitely worth the effort on a warm day.
If you do visit, please respect the land and the locals. It’s a quiet, off-the-grid kind of place—perfect for those who appreciate solitude and rustic camping.
GuideWe were at another location up the road that was listed on Dyrt and the Forest Service Fire Team came up and started talking and they suggested this site and its awesome. You cross the bridge over the river and the trail is to the right. There are a total of 3 established sites. The 3rd site requires a vehicle with a little more clearance. We got our group to the second site and that included a van camper that was 2wd so its easy to get to the first two sites. All the sites are on the river and have paths down tonthe water with a little beach. When we were there I early June the water was still very cold. It's a popular fishing spot with the locals. Not much traffic at all as its on a side street. Each site is large enough for 3 campers to fit. Stone fire pits hard already been established as well. Would definitely come back given the chance.
ScoutA paved road leads you up into a recently deforested area that seems to have had a fire recently. Found a nice spot near the top with a wide open clearing, perfect for watching the sun set next to a fire. Very quiet. Will likely be back at some point.
TravelerVery Nice small authentic mining style campground. Suitable for RV and hook-ups.
GuideNice spacious spots. No power or water hookups. Water spigots close by. Bathrooms with flush toilets and a single spacious shower. The shower needs to be updated.
GuideFirst off, we're members here. It's one of our four base camps across the US. That said, there is plenty to do no matter how you dress.
RangerWe were in Sacramento to visit with family. Spent 4 nights mid week at Cal expo RV park. The campground is very flat. Part is concrete part is gravel. I found the campground to be very quiet during our stay and well maintained. Basically just a parking lot no frills. There are no picnic tables at your site. The shower house has a $20 deposit for a key. This is refunded on return of the key. Showers/ restrooms are average but clean. Overall a good place to park for a few nights. Sites have full hookups if you want them
Camping near Pioneer, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.
Camping near Pioneer, California, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Pioneer, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 321 campgrounds and RV parks near Pioneer, CA and 19 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pioneer, CA is Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 12 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 free dispersed camping spots near Pioneer, CA.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 parks near Pioneer, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
Keep Exploring
