Best Campgrounds near Pioneer, CA

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Pioneer, California (326)

    1. Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Volcano, CA
    4 miles

    $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. "

    2. Gold Country Campground Resort

    8 Reviews
    Pine Grove, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 296-4650

    "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."

    3. North Grove Campground — Calaveras Big Trees State Park

    22 Reviews
    Arnold, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 795-2334

    $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."

    4. Jackson Rancheria RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Jackson, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 223-1677

    $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!"

    5. Acorn Campground

    28 Reviews
    Valley Springs, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 772-1343

    $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."

    6. Roaring Camp

    2 Reviews
    Pine Grove, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 296-4100

    "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!"

    7. Pipi Campground

    5 Reviews
    Grizzly Flats, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 295-4414

    $36 - $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!"

    8. Sly Park Recreation Area

    13 Reviews
    Pollock Pines, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 295-6810

    "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."

    9. Buffalo Hill

    1 Review
    Pine Grove, CA
    5 miles
    +1 (707) 474-2693

    $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!"

    10. 49er Village RV Resort

    6 Reviews
    Sutter Creek, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 245-6981

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Pioneer, CA

1144 Reviews of 326 Pioneer Campgrounds


  • Michelle R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful boondocking

    Passing through the area, I was pleased to find this site. Large spaces and plenty of room for more than one vehicle per site.

  • Raymond M.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Top of Arnold - FR 5N56 Dispersed

    This place is real camping

    This campground was the best campground that I’ve been to in a long time take note that this is real camping so there is no bathrooms. There is no running water. There is no showers not for the week but for the real man not recommended for women in small kids, but absolutely amazing and beautiful place. Be sure to obtain a fire permit from Cal fire and check fire restrictions in the area have a bucket full of water and a shovel next to your fire at all times again this place was amazing

  • Laura The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Glory Hole Recreation Area

    Pretty and quiet

    Easy to find, there was no one but my spot was labelled with the tags. Facilities are clean but the shower was cold, at best lukewarm. The lake's water was too low for a swim though :( sad

  • Shir S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    El Dorado

    Great place before lake tahoe

    We drove from redwood to Lake Tahoe and wanted a place to stay since it got late Good place Online booking and entrance if after hours and affordable price opposed to other sites in the area

  • Levi K.
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Campground by the Lake

    Not all reservations

    This is a great spot. We were out there the whole weekend and enjoyed the campground and lo9k forward to going back. There are first come first serve spaces available and that worked out great. The campground was not packed or to noisy over the weekend. We look forward to going back

  • Jolean D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Stanislaus National Forest Pine Marten Campground

    Close to the lake but not huge spots

    The location is beautiful. Smaller Alpine lake with spot for tents, and smaller RVs. Good space for outdoor setup and clean bathrooms. If you are looking for boondocking Sierra Nevada mts with a few comforts. This is great.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping

    Perfect

    Arrived pretty late so didn’t want to disturb others to check out all the sites, luckily there is a huge parking lot type area right in the front. Stayed for a night there with some other cars , no problems. Nice area. Easy drive in.

  • J
    Sep. 17, 2025

    American River Resort

    Perfect match

    During our stay (mid of September) the place was empty and we had the most relaxed time we could have. RV site close to the river and some deers also crossing our ways on the campground

  • Victoria S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping

    Serene Camping

    There were definitely a few long term campers here. But the place was very clean. No cell service fyi. Easy to get to, road is dirt but has very few bumps.


Guide to Pioneer

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.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Coloma Resort. A review stated, "The bathrooms are super clean," making it a comfortable choice for families.
  • Friendly Staff: Many enjoy the helpfulness of the staff at Ice House Campground. One camper shared, "Camp Host was great. Bathroom clean and smelled good for a vault toilet."
  • Scenic Views: The views at Pinecrest Campground are a hit. A visitor said, "The lake is GORGEOUS and amazingly cool during the summer."

What you should know:

  • Bear Country: If you're camping at Ice House Campground, be prepared for bear visits. One camper warned, "It would have been nice to know, since we have little ones exploring the area behind us."
  • Limited Amenities: At Acorn Campground, some amenities are lacking. A review mentioned, "Bathrooms are a problem for cleanliness," so plan accordingly.
  • Crowded Weekends: Many campgrounds, like Lake Camanche, can get crowded on weekends. One camper noted, "Got very crowded on the weekend," so consider mid-week visits for a quieter experience.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Coloma Resort has activities for kids. A reviewer said, "Pool, playground, basketball and soccer - will definitely be back with the kids soon."
  • Plan for Activities: At Pinecrest Campground, families can enjoy paddle boarding and outdoor movies. One camper shared, "We played paddle board in the lake, watched the new Minion movie at the amphitheater."
  • Pack Essentials: Make sure to bring everything you need, especially at places like Rancho Seco Recreation Area, where a camper mentioned, "The store was recently redone and they offer a wide variety of items."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: At Lake Camanche, RVers should be aware of site sizes. One review noted, "Expensive but kept up very well on the smaller camp sites."
  • Look for Amenities: Ice House Campground offers good facilities, but be mindful of the lack of hookups. A camper mentioned, "All that's missing is RV hookups, so people tend to run their generators."
  • Reserve Early: Popular spots like Sly Park Recreation Area fill up quickly. One RV enthusiast advised, "It's a very popular camping spot, so I recommend planning and reserving sometimes several months in advance."

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

Where is Pioneer Campground located and how do I get there?

Pioneer Campground is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California, in Amador County. The area is known for its Gold Country history and beautiful natural surroundings. To get there, you can access the campground via Highway 88, which is a main route through the region. Kit Carson Campground is nearby, situated in a 5-mile valley with tall stone walls on both sides along the West Fork of the Kit Carson River and Highway 88. For alternate options in the vicinity, Gold Country Campground Resort near Pine Grove is also accessible by car with drive-in and walk-in access options.

What amenities are available at Pioneer Campground?

Pioneer Campground typically offers standard camping amenities including fire pits, picnic tables, and restroom facilities. In the same region, Lake Camanche campgrounds are well-maintained with clean bathrooms and hot water, though some areas may not have showers on-site. Similarly, Acorn Campground provides clean facilities at reasonable rates ($20 per night, with discounts for Golden Age passes), and is suitable for small trailers and tents, with some sites that can accommodate larger RVs. Many campgrounds in the Pioneer area are situated near water features, offering recreational opportunities like fishing, swimming, and boating, though water levels may vary seasonally due to California drought conditions.

Is Pioneer Campground near Yosemite National Park?

Pioneer Campground is not particularly close to Yosemite National Park. While both are in the Sierra Nevada region, they're separated by substantial distance. From Pioneer, you would need to travel south and east to reach Yosemite, typically requiring a 2-3 hour drive depending on the exact route and conditions. For camping options closer to Yosemite, consider alternatives like Clark Fork Campground, which is more conveniently located for accessing the park. Clark Fork features 88 spacious sites with good separation between neighbors, making it suitable for families and groups planning Yosemite visits. Pipi Campground is another option that offers river access and various site sizes, though larger RVs might find space limitations.