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Sly Park Recreation Area and Ghost Mountain RV Campground welcome pets at their campsites near Pollock Pines. Both campgrounds accommodate tent and RV camping with designated pet areas throughout the property. Pets must remain leashed while in camp and on trails, with waste disposal stations positioned near restroom facilities. Ghost Mountain offers both RV sites with water and electric hookups and cabin options that allow dogs, though reviews note some sites are small with angled parking that can be challenging for larger rigs. The campground maintains a family-friendly atmosphere with amenities including swimming pools, an arcade, and ice cream parlor that campers can enjoy while their pets remain at their site. Most campsites include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to potable water.
Jenkinson Lake's shoreline paths provide excellent dog walking opportunities with multiple access points from Sly Park campsites. The 9.5-mile lake perimeter trail offers shaded hiking with dogs on leash, connecting to a waterfall that's approximately one mile from the Hazel Creek day use area. During summer months, shallow water areas near Pine Cone camping loop allow pets to cool off while remaining on leash. Campgrounds are particularly busy on weekends with many children on bikes and pedestrians walking dogs, so vehicle speeds must be kept low on all campground roads. Wildlife is abundant in the area, requiring pets to be secured at night. Sites in Hilltop, Kamloop, and Dogwood loops offer more privacy and quiet for reactive dogs than the waterfront Pine Cone sites where campsites are positioned closer together.
"We had a view of the lake, the campground was relatively quiet. Very peaceful. There was a nice trail down to the water, and is dog friendly. Bathrooms were kept clean and stocked with TP."
"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."
"We didn't become members, but really like this resort in Pollock Pines."
"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."
"It was disappointing to learn this by getting a visit by the black bear who comes down from behind our campsite (which is why I do not recommend campsite 3)."
"Every site around us looked reserved but no one was there. The place is small and sites are tight."
from $36 - $108 / night
Check Availability"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!"
"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. Will definitely stay here again."
"The sites were mostly all at a slant so it was a bit uncomfortable in terms of the sleep situation."
"A health walk to the lake with a large sandy beach. Lake had a lot of boats on it but mornings and evenings you have it to yourself. Dogs welcome at this campground."
"Clean campground, friendly hosts, all the amenities you could need while enjoying time spent not too far away from the greater Sacramento area."
from $36 - $145 / night
Check Availability"Luckily there is a lot of Dispersed camping all the way around the lake! So beautiful, and the lake is really warm in the summer"
"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."
"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"Beautiful lake and campground. We will be back in August."
"Other good sites up here are 111 (full shade all day) and 113 with the awesome lake view."
ScoutThis resort is part of Colorado River Adventures and is private. Very nice park with everything you could need. People in sales are nice too and not pushy. We didn't become members, but really like this resort in Pollock Pines.
GuideBeautiful view of the lake, level plot, toilets, picnic table, potable water, fire ring, grill, recycling stations and large dumpsters. Dog friendly too. This campsite has everything you need to enjoy a nice evening by the lake. However, booking online or by phone is a pain in the ass. If you toussle around with the website, you'll see what I mean. We were also unable to reach anyone by phone.
They do not do walk-ins for campsites on Fridays or Saturdays. We came on a Sunday and were able to set up camp and leave our stuff to hit the grocery store in Pollock Pines. I think it was $45 for the night but very well worth camping in an established zone for the first time in a week! We drove into our site in a Ford E-350 and next to us was a converted schoolbus. Many SUVs as well. The camp host was on premises as well.
At the time of this review, the store across the check-in gate, Sly Park Resort, was closed until further notice.
GuideI love this place because it is about 45 minutes from the house. There's plenty to do with lots of great sites. The first time we went, they didn't have any annual passes because they lady was out that day. But the other day, we were able to finally get a season pass. You can fish, hike, or swim here. The campsites are spacious and you don't feel over crowded if there is a family next to you. It's pet friendly. The store was recently redone and they offer a wide variety of items, from keep sakes to any necessity you may have forgotten ( lighter, logs, clothes shoes, etc... ) There also boat rental that are a fair price, plus you get them for an hour or so. ( You will have to check the prices and availability. ) There's a dog park for the dogs to roam free off the leash, which also has access to water/ beach area for the dogs only.
ScoutWe love how clean it is, and the staff is friendly. The surrounding areas are woodsy and our dogs love the dog park!
TravelerThe area is nice, it is not near the lake but the lake is only a small drive away. The place is crowded and they pack you in here, but our site (113) was a nice place in the corner. There are much better sites with more room near the dog park if you are looking for more space.
TravelerGorgeous spot. Park undergoing renovations and roads a little tight but all in all a beautiful park. Great dog park
TravelerThis was where we went for our first outing with the travel trailer. The staff was very helpful. The dog park is AMAZING HUGE AND FENCED.
GuideWe came into south lake to visit family. This campground is right in town but there’s enough space and trees to give it a natural setting. Bathrooms are great and it’s pretty quiet considering it’s popular. Looks great for families and there’s a dog park, pool and trails.
ScoutIt’s a nice park with a store and lots of things to do (pool, tennis court, etc) but we preferred a campground down the road for cheaper for the views of the lake. It’s dirt here so be prepared for everything to get dirty or muddy! We paid for the 5.2gb wifi since ours is having trouble connecting. I’d stay here again but wasn’t my favorite, I liked the general store a lot, cute gifts and things! They do have a really big dog park which we loved too, the dogs also seemed to love it!
Jenkinson Lake serves as the centerpiece for pet friendly camping near Pollock Pines, California, sitting at approximately 3,500 feet elevation in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The area experiences warm summer days with temperatures typically reaching 80-90°F while cooling to 50-60°F at night. Winter camping options remain available at lower elevations with snow possible from November through March, particularly at campgrounds near Union Valley Reservoir.
Waterfall hiking: The south side trail from Hazel Creek leads to a waterfall that's popular among hikers with pets. "There is a lovely, short hike to a waterfall! It's just a 1 mile walk along the lakeshore from the Hazel Creek day use area," notes Michell C. at Sly Park Recreation Area.
Gold panning: The American River near Coloma offers historical gold panning opportunities where campers can experience California's gold rush heritage. "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," shares Jill F.
Winter camping and fishing: Some campgrounds remain open year-round, providing off-season opportunities for dedicated outdoor enthusiasts. "We stayed the weekend at a great site. It was cold with a little rain but was very fun. I really enjoy this campground. Water level was low and this time of year the water spickets are off," reports Lloyd C. from Sly Park about winter fishing trips.
Lake recreation: Jenkinson Lake and Union Valley Reservoir provide boating and paddling options for water enthusiasts. "Jenkinson late is beautiful to kayak or paddleboard on and you can also rent for $20/hr + $10/hr after that," explains Bea I., who appreciated the lake access at Jenkinson Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear mountain nights offer exceptional celestial viewing experiences away from city lights. "The stars are breathtaking at night. Gotta be my favorite part. It's also fun to look across the lake and see all of the campfires sparkling in the distance," remarks Carly D. who enjoys camping at Sly Park.
Seasonal swimming: Warm summer temperatures make lake swimming popular, though water temperatures vary by location. "Lake was quiet, trails well maintained and facilities were cleaned regularly. Will definitely stay here again," reports Brian H., who enjoyed paddle boarding and lakefront access at Jenkinson Campground.
Campground crowds vary seasonally: Weekdays offer quieter experiences than weekends, particularly during summer months. "It does get very busy on weekends, so if you would rather not deal with the 'Weekend Warrior' type of campers, book your stay for mid-week (Mon-Thurs) and probably avoid camping in July altogether," advises Michell C. from her experience as a camp host.
Fire restrictions: Fire regulations change seasonally based on conditions and may affect campground policies. "They also follow fire season safety and you should plan for that," notes Carly D., highlighting the importance of checking current restrictions before arrival.
Campsite variations: Campgrounds offer significantly different experiences depending on their location and setup. "Many campsite 'clusters' many can be crowed. Many lovely areas. Choose wisely," advises Lisa R. about Sly Park, noting the importance of site selection.
Biking safety: Campground roads have heavy foot, bike, and vehicle traffic requiring caution. "Unsupervised children on bicycles, hikers, and other campers walking dogs on the roads is very common, unfortunately so are speeding cars. Be cautious on the roads and keep a close eye out," warns Michell C. based on her campground host experience.
Kid-friendly hikes: Several trails cater specifically to younger hikers with manageable distances and terrain. "Beautiful hikes that are easy for young children. Plenty of trails to choose from," notes Monique R. about family camping at Ice House Campground.
Campsite selection for families: Some campgrounds offer recreational amenities specifically for children. "Very nice park with everything you could need... We didn't become members, but really like this resort in Pollock Pines," shares Lisa W. about Ghost Mountain RV Campground, which features a pool, arcade, and ice cream parlor.
Site angles and parking: Some RV sites have challenging angles that can make parking larger rigs difficult. "We're in an okay spot, small and angled funky but still it's a wonderful place," reports amanda G. about Ghost Mountain RV Campground, noting the tight turns despite overall enjoying the campground.
Campground road navigation: Narrow roads with blind corners can challenge drivers with larger rigs. "Rainbow, Kam Loop, Dogwood and Hazel Creek camping loops are nicely shaded and stay much cooler than the camping loops toward the front of the park but it can be tough to get a larger motorhome or travel trailer into the back of the park," explains Michell C. about navigation challenges at Sly Park.
Water and electrical access: Hook-up availability varies significantly between campgrounds. "Nice park with amenities and family oriented with nice swimming pool during May thru October," notes James H. about Ghost Mountain RV, which offers water and electrical hookups that aren't available at many nearby forest service campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Pollock Pines, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Pollock Pines, CA is Sly Park Recreation Area with a 4.8-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Pollock Pines, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 253 dog-friendly camping locations near Pollock Pines, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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