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
ScoutNeeded a place to camp after driving 12 hours from Washington . Wanted to stay as close to Yosemite . This place did the trick . No one was there . Quiet and serene . Lots of scorched trees . But all in all was great . There is also cell service ! 7-23-26
ScoutI’d give this campsite a 4/5 if it weren’t for the road. Maybe if you get a spot right next to the river it isn’t an issue, but if you’re not that lucky then you’re going to be stuck hearing cars go by all day and night.
ScoutI've been camping at this location for 10 years. This year the bathrooms were so disgusting it was difficult to use them. The smell was awful and we never saw the hosts clean them once in the 3 days we were there.
Also, the camp hosts were MAGA and thought they owned the place. They had 3 large dogs that at times were running around the campground off leash. We were enjoying our time in the river when her 3 big dogs and her, came to our quiet peaceful spot and just took over and her dogs were off leash and out of control. They tried to attack my small dog multiple times and she wouldn't even try to control them. She kept telling us that she's the camp host and she could do what she wanted. We had to leave because it was so chaotic. She totally ruined our good time. Then, when I tried to make a complaint to the Lake Tahoe Hospitality group who manages that campground, they did not take the event serious and even tried to kick us out because we said a curse word. I told them we were not leaving since we had done nothing wrong and to call the Sheriff. Which they did and guess who took our side. Animal control was dispatched too. And, no, we didn't have to leave. I've never seen such blatant entitlement and disregard for others using the area and enjoying nature in all my life. Pure Trash.
RangerWe stayed here 2 nights while visiting Tahoe. There were several spots to park and roads to explore. It was quiet and the surface was dirt. I found a pull through die that was easy.
TravelerFeel like you’re in the woods all while being right in the smack of town! There is even a little coffee trailer that is AMAZING! All the amenities with a rustic feel. We will definitely be back!
GuideLook up this site’s history, it’s quite fascinating.
While there’s a no trespassing sign, this is indeed a Forest Service-managed site and confirmed as a dispersed location.
I pulled in just as this older gentleman was walking the area, and he started telling me all about the owner back in the 60s-70s (“a mean guy”) and what a cool ski resort it once was.
TravelerA few cons about this spot. There is NO drinking water. There are spigots but they all say non-potable. Most of the toilets were locked and the open ones were disgusting. There is no natural water to cool off in. The map looks like there is but there was none. There are so many mosquitoes that you have to hide in the tent during sunrise and sunset. Also, it’s right on the highway and the cars are loud! Finally, the road from Carson City going up Ebbets pass is a corkscrew of the death defying nail biting vomit inducing variety. With all of that in mind, it is the most beautiful spot I have ever visited.
ScoutI have stayed at Bear River Group Campground twice and plann to make it an annual trip. It is near a reservoir, but necessary to drive to get to the water. There is no road noise at all. It is fairly remote and very well set up for groups. Highly recommend it.
LegendGeneral: Beals Point is one of two locations on Folsom Lake for camping. Large campground with a mix of electric and non-electric campsites plus some group sites.
Site Quality: Drives are paved and mostly level. We camped in a little “cul-de-sac” with just four sites. While these sites back up to the American River Bike Trail (aka Jedediah Smith Recreation Trail), it was overgrown, and I did not see direct access to the trail as we did the last time we were here.
Bath/Shower: Typical CA state park layout– all-gender units with toilet and sink (but no soap, towels, or dryers) and showers. Unlike other CA state parks, these take quarters instead of tokens. The units could use a little TLC, but what was most disheartening was how other campers had trashed them– toilet paper (and worse) scattered all over the insides. Obviously not the fault of the campground.
Activities/Amenities: Folsom Lake is the draw, and people were fishing, kayaking, and swimming. The 32-mile paved multi-use American River Bike Trail is easily accessible. There is a snack bar/concession stand for beach rentals, but it was not open when we were there.
Our stay here this time was over a weekend; it was completely full, and it reminded us once again that we prefer to camp during the week and shoulder seasons when campgrounds are less crowded!
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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