343 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Placerville range from full-hookup RV parks to primitive tent sites throughout the Sierra Nevada foothills. Placerville RV Resort & Campground offers 109 sites for tents, RVs, and cabins, and American River Resort provides riverside access with various accommodation types. The region includes several lakeside options like Finnon Lake Recreation Area and Sly Park Recreation Area, which provide alternatives for campers seeking water activities. Most campgrounds maintain year-round operations, though amenities and accessibility vary by location and elevation.
Road conditions and campground availability fluctuate seasonally with mountain weather patterns affecting higher-elevation sites. "The water level really varies on the year. Sometimes the water is right up to the edge of the campsites and other years it's about a half-mile walk," noted one visitor about Lake Camanche. Summer months bring higher temperatures in the lower foothills while providing relief at higher elevations near Pollock Pines. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly between Memorial Day and Labor Day when tourism peaks. Bear activity requires proper food storage at all locations, with bear boxes provided at most established campgrounds. Cell service remains spotty throughout the region, particularly in canyon areas along the American River.
Tent and RV sites throughout the area provide access to natural features, with water-adjacent camping receiving consistent praise. Campgrounds near Coloma offer opportunities to explore Gold Rush history along with river activities. Visitors appreciate the balance between wilderness experience and proximity to services. According to one camper, "This camp area is near city area but feels like you are far away from it," regarding Beals Point Campground at Folsom Lake. Wildlife sightings, including deer and occasionally bears, are common at many sites. Sites range from fully developed with electric hookups, showers, and sewer connections to more primitive options with vault toilets and drinking water. Campgrounds closer to Highway 50 tend to have more traffic noise but provide easier access to groceries and supplies in Placerville.
"Beautiful fall surroundings right adjacent to the South Fork of the American River. Easy walk or car ride to numerous hiking trails."
"If you ever want to experience the thrill of gold panning, and California history go here!"
"Nice campground - close to river. .5 mile walk to town for shopping/eating. All sites have fire pit and picnic table. Bathrooms clean and private showers."
"It is right in the American River and next to a class 3 rapid called Trouble Maker. It was awesome watching rafters and kayakers go through it."
"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."
"On my mtb I followed Badger Hill Rd which is a gravel road that gradually descends 500 ft over 2.5 miles through the forest then turned right onto a trail just prior to a bridge crossing a creek. "
"It reminded me of Lake Pillsbury north of Clear Lake Ca where we as a family had been camping since 1981. But with just over 2hr drive not 6hr with trailer. There is a pool, and kids pool."
"As with most of California everything is dry. The lake is very low and a half mile walk from park to get to. The sites are surrounded by dry tall grass and spaced out nicely."
"As full timers- we thought we hit the jackpot for the area in order to be near the towns we wanted to explore and also have service for good wifi."
from $33 - $58 / night
Check Availability"It’s great for kids that want to ride bikes around the sites- but be careful of the river, it’s swift."
"Great spot if you can get in half of the camp got washed away from the rain this year though ."
"Very quite camping spot very clean.coin operated showers😭 lake is very close by."
"I wanted to find a spot somewhat close by and came across this one."
from $33 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $65 - $300 / night
Check Availability"The lake was warm and it can get a little breezy in the afternoon. Make sure to bring a kayak or SUP board to enjoy the lake."
"Very nice area beautiful lake definitely reccomend bringing ear plugs as the nature in the morning is a very early alarm clock over all a great site that we will come back to"
from $30 / night
Check Availability"I like the place pros would be doing just water and electric hook up so your away from the croud,clean and quiet, great wifi, cons next to freeway, expensive,no firepit but have a communal fire pit,but"
"Mini train ride around park, great playground, mini golf, showed movie and a lot more awesomeness. Was not cheap but kept the kids entertained. Will be going back."
from $75 - $107 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThe area was quiet during my stay. Site is adjacent to the road, with a rock fire ring . The road up had some rough areas, but my outback had no real issues. I recommend hugh clearance, 4x4 to get here.
TravelerWatched a few small prairie dogs and relaxed
GuideWe went in February so we were the only campers in whole campground and got a killer lake front site. It was a little pricey compared to what I’m used to paying for camping(free), but the employees were extremely nice and friendly. We had a great time and paddle boarded, fished, and hiked in the surrounding areas.
GuideFrom pulling over and setting up camp, to backpacking all of your gear around the lake to the various of different camp spots, blue lake is the perfect camping area. I’ve camped here in the sunshine, rain, and snow and have had no regrets. It’s a great place for people who want to start getting into backpacking, as it’s a very short hike from the car while still very remote and peaceful.
ScoutCame on a Friday afternoon mid June and the campground was full so we camped on the ridge above the campground. There were a lot of people parked around to backpack and camp along the trails bin the area. It took 30 minutes to drive the 5 unpaved miles of grouse ridge road. No issues in my ‘83 2WD Westy
TravelerOur family loved it here. Great staff. The poo was clean and heated. They had volleyball, karaoke, clean bathrooms and open showers.
There is even a cute pond to fish out of.
Theirs an old town that has two stores open. One is ice cream and the other is breakfast and lunch.
Everything is affordable.
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.
TravelerAlways a nice site. Lots are very close together and can be loud. Bathrooms are super nice and clean and showers are helpful. Overall Yay! Saw a golden bear on a nearby walk.
TravelerWe showed up around 9pm and no spots were open, however we had stopped to discuss next steps and someone came up to us and offered us a spot on the corner of their site!! Very nice and pretty view of stars. Bear boxes and restrooms.
Camping near Placerville offers diverse sites along the Sierra Nevada foothills and American River basin between 1,800-4,000 feet elevation. The region transitions from oak woodlands to pine forests, creating distinctive camping microclimates within short distances. Water levels at reservoir campgrounds vary dramatically throughout the year, with late spring typically providing optimal shoreline access.
Gold panning adventures: At Coloma Resort, visitors can experience California's gold rush history firsthand. "If you ever want to experience the thrill of gold panning, and California history go here! You will not strike it rich, but with a couple hours of effort you can get a nice little bottle of gold flakes to take home with you," notes Jill F.
Whitewater watching: Camp alongside class III rapids at American River Resort for a front-row view of river action. "It is right in the American River and next to a class 3 rapid called Trouble Maker. It was awesome watching rafters and kayakers go through it," shares Chris U.
Lakeside trails: The waterfall trail at Sly Park Recreation Area offers an accessible day hike. "The hiking trails around the lake are beautiful and easy to traverse. I'm in my mid 40's and walked the south side waterfall trail from Hazel Creek to the first dam and back in about 3 hours…and I'm by no means a regular hiker," reports Michell C.
Riverfront sites: Premium spots directly beside the American River give campers constant water views. "Our site was perfectly shaded and good sized right on the waterfront," writes J A. about Coloma Resort.
Uncrowded spring camping: March and early April provide less crowded conditions at Peninsula Campground. "In the early spring it is quite, especially here, with green grass and wild turkeys. With only us and two other folks in the entire campground we enjoyed privacy and seclusion," explains Ray B.
Family-friendly facilities: Kid-specific amenities enhance family experiences. "You can tent camp, rent a cabin or RV camp. Great sites along the river too... kids can play along several playgrounds for kids of different ages. A large grass area great for games," reports Rosina A. about Coloma Resort.
Weekday advantages: Midweek camping offers significantly better experiences, particularly at popular spots. "Try not to forget anything because it is eleven twisty, narrow, miles back to the city of Cool, where you can buy the essentials. The weekends get crowded during peak season but if you visit mid-week you will have the place almost to yourself," advises T L. at Peninsula Campground.
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds allow visitors to choose specific sites upon arrival. "Take a tour as the online pics do no justice, and with almost 100 sites, you will find the perfect site that will suit your specifics," recommends T L.
Water levels fluctuate: Lakeside campgrounds experience dramatic shoreline changes. "The lake is very low and a half mile walk from park to get to," notes Melissa S. about Beals Point Campground.
Pool options for kids: Finnon Lake Recreation Area offers swimming alternatives beyond the main lake. "It is a very nice, little campground. Sites were okay. Not spacious but not too tight either. The lake was warm and it can get a little breezy in the afternoon. Make sure to bring a kayak or SUP board to enjoy the lake," advises Maria O.
Playground variety: Multiple play structures accommodate different age groups. "You can pan for gold, relax, or bike, hike along the river, and kids can play along several playgrounds for kids of different ages," notes Rosina A. about Coloma Resort.
Morning wildlife viewing: Early risers get rewarded with animal sightings. "Very nice area beautiful lake definitely recommend bringing ear plugs as the nature in the morning is a very early alarm clock," suggests Jason R. about Finnon Lake.
Site size limitations: Many campgrounds restrict larger rigs due to narrow roads. "I would be very cautious about coming here with a larger RV. Ours is 30' bumper to bumper. I think 32 would be ok," advises David C. about American River Resort.
Power considerations: Voltage issues can affect sensitive electronics at some campgrounds. "The power is not good. I had to bypass the surge suppressor because it kept cutting out due to low voltage. Voltage was generally 104-105," reports David C.
Dump station access: Not all sites offer full hookups despite high prices. "If you are expecting a full-hookup site, make sure it has septic at your site! Many of the sites are water and electric only, and you have to use the one dump station at the camp entrance for dumping. Kinda inconvenient and not what I would expect for $106 a night!" cautions HandL C. at Placerville RV Resort & Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Placerville, CA?
Placerville offers excellent camping options for all preferences. Placerville RV Resort & Campground provides well-organized, clean grounds with welcoming staff and various activities. For riverside camping, American River Resort offers sites with fire pits and picnic tables just a half-mile walk from town shopping and dining. Other notable options include Finnon Lake Recreation Area for lakeside camping and Sly Park Recreation Area near Pollock Pines for water activities. Many campgrounds in the area provide convenient access to the region's historic sites, wineries, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Are there RV rental options available in Placerville, California?
While there aren't specific RV rental companies mentioned in Placerville itself, several campgrounds cater to RVs and may have information about local rental options. Ghost Mountain RV Campground accommodates RVs and offers access to scenic trails for biking and hiking. Acorn Campground accepts RVs at reasonable rates ($20 per night, with discounts for Golden Age passes) though it's primarily geared toward smaller trailers. For RV rentals, check with local dealers in the greater Sacramento area or use online RV rental marketplaces that connect RV owners with renters. Many campgrounds around Placerville can accommodate various RV sizes, but calling ahead for specific site dimensions is recommended.
What fishing opportunities are available at camping spots near Placerville?
Lake Camanche offers excellent fishing opportunities near Placerville with easy lake access and well-maintained facilities. The South Shore area is family-friendly with clean bathrooms and access to hot water. For river fishing enthusiasts, Kit Carson Campground sits alongside the West Fork of the Kit Carson River, offering a scenic setting with tall stone walls on both sides of the valley. Additionally, several campgrounds around Folsom Lake provide fishing access when water levels permit. The American River watershed also offers trout, bass, and seasonal salmon fishing opportunities depending on the time of year.
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