Best Glamping near Portola, CA

Grasshopper Flat, Little Bear RV Park, and Sardine Lake offer refined glamping accommodations amid the Sierra Nevada mountains near Portola. These destinations feature comfortable, furnished spaces with amenities far beyond basic camping. Grasshopper Flat provides lakeside glamping with water access and essential amenities including drinking water, toilets, and trash service. "Spacious pads and super easy access to the lake where you can paddle board and kayak in peace," notes one visitor about Grasshopper Flat. Little Bear RV Park features glamping cabins with full amenities including electricity, water hookups, and shower facilities, ideal for guests seeking comfort while experiencing the outdoors. The sites provide picnic tables and established fire rings at most locations with expansive views of the surrounding forest and mountain terrain.

The natural surroundings offer extensive recreational opportunities at these glamping destinations. Visitors enjoy direct access to swimming holes, fishing spots, and paddling areas with boat-in access available at several locations. Lake Davis and Sardine Lake provide exceptional water-based activities with stunning alpine scenery. A reviewer emphasized, "Beautiful hiking within minutes of the campground with gorgeous views of the lake and boulders - and even waterfalls!" The Sierra Buttes create dramatic backdrops for photography and exploration. Most glamping sites operate seasonally from late April through mid-October due to mountain weather conditions. Plumas National Forest surrounds many of these accommodations, offering extensive trail networks connecting to natural features. Wildlife viewing opportunities include bald eagles, pelicans, and various woodland species visible from glamping accommodations.

Best Glamping Sites Near Portola, California (27)

    1. Grasshopper Flat

    8 Reviews
    Portola, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 836-2575

    $38 - $100 / night

    "Had a great time here - terrific proximity to lake & decent sized camping sites. Nearby Portola, & easy drive from the Reno area."

    "There was tons of shade, common area bathrooms and no fees for adding a second vehicle to a site. We were able to share a site which helps with cost."

    2. Little Bear RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Blairsden-Graeagle, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 836-2774

    $39 - $47 / night

    "Surprised how well maintained and friendly staff assisting with set up. Nice dog large area without enclosed fencing. All short term campers are located in the center very cozy."

    "The staff was friendly. The bathroom/shower was closed and I wish there had been easier access to the river but other than that it was a great place to stay."

    3. Sardine Lake

    9 Reviews
    Sierra City, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 478-6253

    $24 - $48 / night

    "The typical Sierra granite spires around the lake make for the scenery. There's a bar/shack on the water at the resort which is so cute and fun too."

    "We had great time at sardine lake campground. Great place for active families. Gorgeous view of sardine lake and sand pond in walking distance and lots of other lakes around the area."

    5. East Meadow Campground

    7 Reviews
    Sierra City, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 265-8861

    $24 - $48 / night

    "So remote and private but everything you need at the campground with water access within walking distance. Sites are great with picnic tables and bathrooms near by."

    "Bugs were minimal, a far cry from about 3 weeks ago at a nearby site. We were in Site 16, which has the ‘camp’ side opposite of our camper door - only reason we gave 4 stars & not 5."

    6. Lake of the Woods

    4 Reviews
    Sierraville, CA
    22 miles

    "Small lake perfect for kayak fishing."

    "Nice campground at great lake. Nice water for swimming. Fire rings and benches for each site. A dirt road to get to the campsite, but doable for experienced drivers or high clearance cars."

    7. Laufman Campground

    4 Reviews
    Milford, CA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 836-2575

    "It’s a one way drive thru so you have to drive up past the sign to the upper part of the drive thru. Picnic tables and fire rings, but you’ll need your own water and trash must be packed out."

    "Aspen filled Creek just a small walk south of campground. To keep this place looking beautiful, do not forget to pack out your trash and follow Leave No Trace ethics."

    8. Upper Little Truckee

    6 Reviews
    Sierraville, CA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 994-3401

    $20 - $66 / night

    "There was plenty of parking space, picnic tables, and a large fire pit at the group site. The river is beautiful."

    "Agree with other reviews regarding road noise though. Noisy during the day, but much quieter at night."

    9. Long Point Campground

    2 Reviews
    Janesville, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 283-0555

    $36 - $85 / night

    "This is one of three campgrounds on Antelope Lake near Susanville CA. Several of the sites are near the lake. All sites are well shaded with fir and pine trees. Great fishing and wildlife watching."

    "The lake has two islands, and boat access."

    10. Black Rock Campground

    4 Reviews
    Yucca Valley, CA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 534-6500

    "Very pretty views of the valley from the campground, and having hiking trails start from the campground was really nice. Only complaints are very close neighbors and little shade."

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Glamping Reviews near Portola, CA

114 Reviews of 27 Portola Campgrounds


  • Gina C.
    Jul. 26, 2019

    Lake Francis Resort

    Fun cabin rental

    Some of my family has camped here in the past at one of the tent sites. We decided this time around to reserve one of their cabins. We stayed at the Diamond P cabin which has the best view of the lake within this group of cabins. You can walk to the lake (it’s about 100 yards) from this location. Though it does fill up fast (by 11am it was pretty full). They have a large portable toilet there for use. We spent our time at the pool which is near the flushable toilets and the ice cream parlor, restaurant, and camp store. The pool goes from 3.5’ ft to 5’ back to 3.5’ ft.

    The cabin was great. Two bedrooms, each with twin bunk beds and a full bottom bunk and twin above. Small bathroom with shower, mini fridge, hot plates, microwave, and dishes. Dining table and futon in the living area. Nice wide front porch to sit on and enjoy the view, communal tables and bbq for all the cabins. This unit also had a swamp cooler to help manage the heat.

    Check in is 4pm and check out is 11am. There is also a small game room with a pool table, a baseball field, paddle boats, and kayaks to rent.

    The down side is how quickly the easiest access to the lake fills up. Everyone has to drive over from the tent RV site to access the water. There are other places you can drive and park to get to the water, but there it a drop off into the water from there vs a gradual walk in.

  • A
    Jun. 18, 2020

    Inn Town Campground

    Unlike Any Other!

    The Inn Town Campground is unlike any other campground I’ve ever been to. We have stayed in one of the glampinig tents, and have also brought our RV. The common house has a fully stocked kitchen so you can camp without having to bring supplies! The campground is exceptionally clean and meticulously maintained. We even had a heated mattress pad in our glamping tent to keep warm 😁 The owners, Dan and Erin Thiem, really have thought of everything. Staying with them is a must!

  • Travis S.
    Jul. 25, 2019

    Inn Town Campground

    In a word, excellent!

    This campground has it all. It’s clean, has great amenities (pool, showers, kitchen, bathrooms), and it’s a nice walk away from town. It has a spot for everyone - RVs, glamping tents, and the standard tent sites (my style).

    Highly recommend!

  • H
    Aug. 1, 2021

    Inn Town Campground

    Great getaway!

    We spent two nights doing a family and friends reunion. We loved our rv spot, the rest of the group had great tent site and glamping tents. Facilities were super clean and nice. Pool was small but the pool area was really nice. Great location for swimming in the Yuba river!

  • m
    Aug. 13, 2018

    Thousand Trails Snowflower

    SUP and kayak friendly

    we found there to be a lot of rules at this campground such as no fires, however there is a community fire pit. No driving over 5 MPH, no charcoal grills or smokers, only electric and propane grills. They are also very serious about the 11pm quiet time.

    Aside from all the rules this was a very clean, family and pet friendly campground. Very clean bathrooms with showers!! There are a few lakes that are very nice for fishing and kayaking. Nice calm water for a leisurely SUP experience.

  • T
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Coyote Group Campground

    Coyote Group Camp

    • Large croup camp site with lots of flat places to pitch a tent. • Clean pit toilets. • 3x Bear food and 4x trash/recycling bins. • 2 (or 3?) water spigots • 4 big picnic tables • Some shade • Uneven terrain around sites and lots of fallen trees • Lots of parking, including triller/RV parking. Parking is paved and flat.

    • Walking distance to the river • Big fire pit

    We enjoyed this site! Excellent for a big group. I think we had 18 people. There could an additional bear bin to support as much food/scented items as a group of 25 would need. We ended up using the extra bear-proof trash bins as overflow scented item/food storage. Worked well.

  • Alex P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2020

    Laufman Campground

    Very secluded

    It appeared that this campground hadn’t seen much traffic recently, some of the sites were very overgrown. There were pit toilets that seemed like they hadn’t been maintained but they were there nonetheless. It’s a one way drive thru so you have to drive up past the sign to the upper part of the drive thru. Picnic tables and fire rings, but you’ll need your own water and trash must be packed out. Free site, very lovely.

  • A
    Aug. 20, 2019

    Little Bear RV Park

    Gem in the words

    Surprised how well maintained and friendly staff assisting with set up. Nice dog large area without enclosed fencing. All short term campers are located in the center very cozy. Lots of families and kids and noisy. We were able to ride bike in the park and on the road that was safe with little to no traffic. Several grass areas for guest minus pets. The perimeter areas are for permanent residence with several for sale. So no chance of getting some nice sites. A number of tiny cottages to rent. The railroad tracks along side of park and loud in early hours you got use to it. Will return but off season when kids are back in school. Also no access to creek from park. Recommend very clean park

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 24, 2021

    Grand Sierra Resort & Casino RV Park

    Urban Camping

    We arrived early after a long drive. They immediately checked us in, gave us resort keys that allow access to the whole of the resort property. My kids loved the pool. The RV section when we first arrived was a large parking lot. No trees. No grass aside from the immediate vicinity of office. The Bathrooms were clean (the furthest were being renovated). Laundry room was clean. By the time dinner time arrived, the entire lot was full of RVs and families which made the parking lot seem more welcoming. We enjoyed every minute. The RV Office closes at 5pm and many of those who arrived after 5 were camped out in the parking lot.


Guide to Portola

Glamping close to Portola, California offers camping experiences at elevations between 4,800-6,000 feet in the northern Sierra Nevada mountains. The camping season typically runs from late April through mid-October, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during daytime hours and dropping to 40-50°F at night. Water levels at reservoirs like Lake Davis fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline camping areas and water access points throughout the region.

What to do

Fishing spots year-round: Lake Davis provides excellent trout fishing opportunities with shoreline and boat access. "Great fishing...Not so great for swimming. Opaque, green water from tall grass. A bit grimy..Great spot over all," notes a camper about Grasshopper Flat.

Paddleboarding on alpine lakes: Several small lakes offer calm waters ideal for paddling. A visitor to Sardine Lake states, "Lower lake is accessible by 4x4 but high clearance is necessary and good understanding of lines is recommended."

Hiking nearby trails: Many campsites connect to trail networks with various difficulty levels. "Trail to the upper lake is a nice steady incline. About an hour there and back. Little shade so wear a hat," mentions a Sardine Lake camper.

Wildlife viewing: The area hosts diverse bird species and woodland animals. "AWESOME for birding - Bald Eagles, Pelicans, woodpeckers, chickadees & ravens - this is the Sierra after all," shares a visitor to Grasshopper Flat.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and common areas. "Very clean and well maintained! A quiet and relaxing place to stay. The staff was friendly," reports a camper at Little Bear RV Park.

Swimming access: Natural swimming holes provide relief during warm summer days. "Lower sardine lake. Busy on the weekends. Booking advised. Facilities are good," notes a camper about Sardine Lake.

Quiet atmosphere: Campers appreciate the peaceful settings away from crowded destinations. "Beautiful, quiet and clean campground. Gorgeous lake, great for swimming. Convenient launch for boaters," shares a visitor to Grasshopper Flat.

Dog-friendly areas: Many sites welcome pets with designated play spaces. A Little Bear RV Park camper mentions, "Nice dog large area without enclosed fencing. All short term campers are located in the center very cozy."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most popular sites fill quickly, especially during peak season. "Campground is situated nicely with perfect trees for our hammocks and bathrooms were tidy," notes a visitor to Sardine Lake.

Generator restrictions: Some campgrounds limit generator hours to preserve quiet atmosphere. "Lots of generators in use during the day (the only reason I can't give it 5 stars, since we were tent camping), but all seemed to abide by hours posted for operation," shares a camper at Grasshopper Flat.

Weather considerations: Mountain weather can change rapidly with temperature swings. "We were lucky to get a FF spot and spent three nights. Clean restrooms and campground," reports a Grasshopper Flat camper.

Dump station fees: RV services may require additional payment. A camper at Lake Davis Dump Station notes, "Not bad. Did not realize it was $15 for dump until in the queue for a single side, single point dump site."

Tips for camping with families

Pack insect repellent: Mosquitoes can be prevalent near water in early summer. "Bugs were minimal, a far cry from about 3 weeks ago at a nearby site," mentions a camper at East Meadow Campground.

Prepare for temperature changes: Nights can drop below 50°F even in summer months. "We had great time at sardine lake campground. Great place for active families. Gorgeous view of sardine lake and sand pond in walking distance," states a Sardine Lake visitor.

Check water conditions: Swim areas vary in water quality throughout the season. "Aspen filled Creek just a small walk south of campground," notes a visitor to Laufman Campground.

Bring bear-resistant containers: Active bear populations require proper food storage. "This is bear country so be advised. The lake has two islands, and boat access," warns a camper about Long Point Campground.

Tips from RVers

Site selection considerations: Some campgrounds have limited large rig access. "Super place, hosts are friendly & helpful! Some spots are tricky to back in, but easy walk to the reservoir for beach/water time," advises an East Meadow Campground visitor.

Road conditions: Access roads vary in quality and clearance requirements. "Road is gravel, one large pot hole in the middle of the road made it difficult for a compact or large RV to get into campground. Easy for a 4wd or high clearance rig," notes a Laufman Campground camper.

Water availability: Not all sites offer water hookups. "It appeared that this campground hadn't seen much traffic recently, some of the sites were very overgrown. There were pit toilets that seemed like they hadn't been maintained," shares a visitor about Laufman Campground.

Local services: Limited services require planning ahead. "If the campground was full then you would be able to see just about everyone there from any site so zero privacy," advises a camper about Laufman Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Portola, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Portola, CA is Grasshopper Flat with a 4.4-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Portola, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 27 glamping camping locations near Portola, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.