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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.
"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."
from $38 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $39 - $47 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"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."
from $22 - $66 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $36 - $85 / night
Check Availability"Everything is paved, and all of the sites are within walking distance of the reservoir. This campsite is extremely family-friendly, and I will be bringing my family back here in the future!"
"The campsite was close to other campers, but not right on top of them. The location is ideal. Bathrooms were the least favorite part, only one bathroom (with 4 stalls?)"
from $32 / night
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TravelerThis site does not recognize any state or federal pass the rate starts for 40 a day then they charge per person and per pet grand total for a one night stay with hookups 62$ for one RV one person one dog . 
ScoutExcellent staff and facilities. Quite. Well located and laid out.
TravelerSAFETY HAZARDS: So many trees cut down with branches and debris left over and not picked up by the contractor or the USFS that could cause injury or death. Imagine tripping or falling in a hole and being punctured by pointy branches. I am sure this was not inspected after the contractor left or prior to departure.
HEALTH: Womens bathroom was open on Saturday 12 Sep 26, but then it was locked on Sunday 13 Sep 26. Water spigots were also turned off outside. The RV dump station down the street was also closed too. Not sure what happening here as it is not the end of the season yet.
SITES: Images online are not current/out-of-date, don't trust it. Many sites including mine had a lot of trees and now it has 1 or 2, with many stumps and debris left behind. Many sites have zero trees now. Our 20ft campervan barely fit on the asphalt pad and many were only about 10-15 feet long and then others were over 50. I guess you take a chance on what is real and what is not.
SIDEBAR: Over at the North campground, I saw cleanup crews with chainsaws doing work within 10-15 feet of a family who was camping and eating breakfast at the table. I would think this would be a not only a noise issue but also flying debris issue. I guess the USFS does not care about safety of the paying public.
OVERALL: I understand fire prevention, but when you cut down living trees and leave behind the branches and such to dry out, now that is a new fire hazard along with the safety hazard. So sad to see such nice campgrounds being turned into such eyesores and hazards. If you have small children, senior citizens or pets, I would strongly urge you not to make a reservation here. If you just need to a place to park your camper(not tent) then it would be okay as long as you are away during the day as there is very limited shade now. Oh, I forget to say my parents raised me here and they lived here after I went in the Navy and this is an embarrassment to the Almanor Ranger District in Chester.
GuideSpent two nights in site 13, it was the site directly across from the camp host. Host was kind, very present and always cleaning and ensuring the camp was spotless! DO NOT take a trailer beyond the little gate to the “back” of the camp ground, the northern most part. We took our 32’ trailer through the gate because satellite images show a cul-dê-sac like turn around area. It is still present, however it is also a campsite and with people occupying the site, turning around is impossible. We had to back our trailer back down the road and into the main area again.
Bathrooms are clean! River nearby was refreshing and has a few small human made dams that allow for wading and safe play areas for kiddos. Chilly nights and hot days!
Scout5 stars for the campground itself. I've been camping at Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park since 1984, when I was just 20 years old. I have loved every camping trip since(at least 30 plus times)! The campsites are great, the grounds, and trails are well-maintained, and safe. I love that the general store is easy to get to and has ice and extras that we may have forgotten to bring. However, we have noticed over past few years that the restrooms in the campground have become increasingly filthy. I get that people walk in with dirt all over their shoes, so of course the floors will be dirty, but it's unacceptable to allow the toilets to be so gross! I will leave out the unpleasant details! I asked a young park ranger how often the restrooms are cleaned and he said every day. Apparently they source out the cleaning. It's obvious that all they do is sweep the floors, empty the trash and provide more TP. The sinks, and floors look like they haven't been scrubbed in a long time, and I noticed the toilets looked as bad the day we got there to the day they left. I remember in the 80's and 90's seeing rangers doing a very thorough cleaning each morning. We would walk in and could smell the cleaning chemicals, and the floor would be wet from mopping. Also, the showers are dirty too. They removed the benches in the individual shower stalls so there's no place to put your clean clothes. Do better Lodgepole!
TravelerSimply put, I am embarrassed to say that this one was opened with major safety issues. I was even told by a person at the Almanor Ranger Office in Chester that they were forced to open this campground.
Safety issues:
-Trees were fell and slash was left behind without cleanup by contractor.
-Boulders were moved and above mentioned slash was covering the holes left by the moved boulders creating major safety trip/fall hazards. These hazards could cause twisted and/or broken legs and feet and more.
-Fire Hazard: Above mentioned slash was left behind everywhere for it to dry out an become a major fire hazard. Yes, the camp site around the table and fire ring was cleared, but only by about 10-15 feet.
-Limited walking areas: As the slash was left behind, areas for walking or the kids playing was like walking in a minefield. Even on the paved drive path, there is holes and to move out of the way for trucks/campers requires movement onto the above ,mentioned slash that was not cleaned up.
I grew up in this area and after being gone in the military for over 30 years, I came home. This poor campground is a disgrace and I am deeply saddened by the condition the USFS and it's contractor left it in. If I was in charge, I would not have let it open for public use due to the safety issues.
What a shame.
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.
GuideWe stayed here on a Saturday night and there was only one other camper there. Easy to get level in our truck camper. Great little spot, only $10, clean vault toilet, our site was huge, would definitely camp again!
RangerI've been coming to this campground for 20+ years, and have had a wonderful experience each time. Getting a site down by the creek is ideal - it's so serene, and there are plenty of sites to choose from. They have first-come-first-serve sites as well, which have come in handy to us when a reservation isn't possible. Everything is paved, and all of the sites are within walking distance of the reservoir. This campsite is extremely family-friendly, and I will be bringing my family back here in the future!
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
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.
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