Tent camping near Placerville, California provides visitors access to Sierra Nevada foothills landscapes with elevations ranging from 1,800 to 4,000 feet. The region experiences warm summer days with temperatures often reaching the 90s and cooler nights dropping into the 50s. Winter camping can be challenging at higher elevations where snow remains until late spring, while lower elevation sites typically stay accessible year-round.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Rancho Seco Recreation Area offers a small lake stocked with fish. "Nice quiet campground good fishing lake to fish just make sure you put your food away at night raccoons will get your food and snacks," notes Robert A.
Water recreation: Lake Camanche provides excellent swimming and boating options. "The water isn't freezing, it's usually pretty warm. The lake isn't huge, but makes for great boating," explains Kellie D. Visitors should note water conditions change seasonally.
Hiking trails: Explore the trail system around the campgrounds. At Azalea Cove Campground, John H. shares, "You can hike and boat in as well." Many trails connect campgrounds to lakes and scenic viewpoints, making day hikes accessible without driving.
Gold Rush history: Visit nearby historic sites like Marshall Gold Discovery Park. As one camper at OARS American River Outpost Campground mentioned, "The campground is in Coloma, which is in the heart of Gold Rush country...be sure to check out Marshall Gold Discovery Park, home of Sutter's Mill."
What campers like
Lake access: Many campgrounds provide direct water access. At Jenkinson Campground, campers appreciate the lakefront location. "We brought our paddle board and we're walking distance to the lake front. Lake was quiet, trails well maintained and facilities were cleaned regularly," reports Brian H.
Quiet weekday camping: Visitation patterns vary significantly by day of week. "Weekends are filled up and busy, but during the week days it's nice and quiet," explains a Lake Camanche reviewer. This pattern is consistent across most campgrounds in the area.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained campgrounds enhance the experience. At Rancho Seco Recreation Area, one camper noted, "Clean campgrounds, regular maintenance and trash pick up, clear and beautiful water."
Natural shade: Many campsites feature tree coverage that provides relief from summer heat. Jeff B. at Jenkinson Campground shares, "The real gems are further back into the campground where if you plan it right you can talk to nobody except your camp host."
What you should know
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. At Lake Clementine Boat In, a camper advises, "The access road is about six miles of curvy, hilly, and narrow (sometimes only one lane) pavement. There is a sign prohibiting trailers."
Wildlife precautions: Bears and other wildlife are active in the area. John H. at Azalea Cove Campground notes, "If you don't mind bears then this is a great spot." Bear boxes are available at many sites for food storage.
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. One visitor to Lake Camanche recommends, "Reserve at least 6 months out" for holiday weekends. Off-season camping offers more availability and quieter surroundings.
Water availability: Not all campgrounds provide potable water. Drew M. at Lake Clementine advises, "No showers or running water....there are only toilets available. Bring your own water to drink, wash dishes and pans, or wash yourselves."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly sites: Camp Nauvoo receives high marks from families. "Nice place to camp with the kids," shares Cassidy Y. Another camper noted, "Great sites for families and romantic sites for couples. Hiking, swimming, fishing and places for quiet time."
Water play opportunities: Several locations offer safe swimming areas. Beth G. described Camp Nauvoo as "a hidden gem! It's beautiful, clean, and kid friendly."
Site selection strategy: Consider proximity to facilities when choosing sites with children. At Jenkinson Campground, a visitor recommends, "The front half of the lake is sometimes quite close quarters full of large RVs and campers...The real gems are further back into the campground."
Hiking for children: Family-appropriate trails are available at several campgrounds. One camper at Jenkinson noted, "A nice easy hike will take you around the entire lake if you let it," making it suitable for families with varying hiking abilities.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Many campgrounds have uneven sites challenging for RVs. At Rancho Seco Recreation Area, a camper noted, "About 50 tent only sites, some just feet from the lake. RV sites are farther from the lake on mostly level gravel pads with picnic table, fire rings, and a trash can at each site."
Limited site privacy: RV sections often provide less seclusion than tent areas. A visitor to Jenkinson Campground observed, "The campsites were shallow (relatively close to the road) and pretty close together," suggesting bigger rigs should consider site placement carefully.
Utility hookups: Available connections vary significantly between campgrounds. At Rancho Seco, "21 water and electric sites with a dump station on the way out. Some pull through sites" make it suitable for smaller to mid-sized RVs.
Off-season advantages: For RVers seeking solitude, winter camping offers significantly different experiences. One camper shared, "We camped twice at this campground on the South Shore. We were the only ones camping on Christmas Weekend."
