Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Rescue, CA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Rescue is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Rescue. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
$38 / night
"The parking area is at the top of the hill, and you set up your tent below. Most of the sites that have a “driveway” were not level, except for Sites 5 and 6."
"Place the cash ($28 a night) in the envelope and put it in the post that’s on the parking entrance."
$30 - $99 / night
"If you have some extra time, be sure to check out Marshall Gold Discovery Park, home of Sutter's Mill, and the nearby wine country."
"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."
"I pitched a tent in site 43 right next to the lake. Excellent place."
"The sites were mostly all at a slant so it was a bit uncomfortable in terms of the sleep situation."
"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."
$20 - $150 / night
$50 / night
"Wicked August heat, BUT there’s the lake!
5 Stars — were it not for the SLOBS who preceded us!!"
"I come here with my family every year around 4th of July. I would book way ahead for busy holidays like that.
The water level really varies on the year."
$25 - $70 / night
"The campground we chose was kind of close to the road which would have been the only real negative."
"Beautiful site, hiking trails close by, well maintained grounds. Bear came through our camp one night hit the Bear box and walked off. Rangers were friendly and very informative about the area."
"I did feel the camping spots need some maintenance because the fire pits and bbqs are non functioning, we had to build our own fire ring. And the broken glass....... man it was everywhere!"
"We visited Camp Far West for one night on a quick trip looking for somewhere remote, nearby, and slightly warmer during the winter months. It was green and beautiful. "
LegendGeneral: Normally, there are 18 designated sites that are reservable only from May 1– October 15. What we didn’t know until we arrived was that only Sites 1-7 were open after this date; fortunately, only two other sites were occupied when we arrived at 5:30 pm on a Monday in late October. The access road is about six miles of curvy, hilly, and narrow (sometimes only one lane) pavement. There is a sign prohibiting trailers; our 18-foot camper van did fine but anything much larger would definitely be challenged.
Site Quality: Many of the sites are more suitable for tent campers. The parking area is at the top of the hill, and you set up your tent below. Most of the sites that have a “driveway” were not level, except for Sites 5 and 6. We lucked out with Site 6 – it was large and level and directly across from the vault toilets. A fire pit/grill, large concrete picnic table, and bear box complete the site (although there was a fire ban in effect).
Bath: Only one vault toilet was open, and it was very clean. It was cleaned again the next morning.
Activities: This campground is located on the North Fork of the American River. In season, this campground would be very popular with rafters; there is a raft launch and takeout area close to the campsites. The river was crystal clear and beautiful.
This was a small but beautiful campground. We were surprised that we had a semi-decent cell signal ranging from 1 to 2 bars (Verizon).
TravelerMy brother and I hit the north grove campground for the first time this past weekend. My expectations weren’t high but this place was great.
The campground we chose was kind of close to the road which would have been the only real negative. The campground map makes it seem like the road was further away from the sites but I woke up a couple of times from road noise.
Our campsite had a fire ring, bbq, picnic table and bear box and still had a large flat spot for my huge tent as well as parking for my car.
The weather was great, no bugs to be found and plenty to do. I already want to go back next year but choose a site further from the road.
TravelerIt sounds like there are multiple Big Meadow camp grounds in California. This review is for Big Meadow Campground, Sequoia NF - FS, CA. The photos are of site 009B. My visit was wonderful. The camp sites are large. We set up two 8 person tents and one 2 person tent and there was plenty of room for more. The firepits are very well made. They block the wind while allowing good airflow. There is a very large picnick table at each site, a bear box, and plenty of shade. There is a vault toilet that is cleaned daily. The sites boarder a stream. The water level is about 3 inches in July with temperatures in the 80's. This is a dog friendly site. There is no potable water at this site.
GuideBeautiful sunsets. No showers. Bathrooms are clean. Some sites are rather small and have little flat ground. Pics on website are tough to see when booking. Lake to most sites is a drive, but there are a few campsites on the lake. Many sites are on hill, you walk up the hill or down a hill with stairs. Lake has day use area, but also a dock area for camping folks. Lots of mosquitoes. They have a fire are to cook, no fire ring, have a bear box and picnic table. Some sites have plenty of shade while others are just plain sun so be prepared.
Water is nice temperature and super clean! Nice to kayak, paddle, boat (they have boat ramps), fish, swim. Beach areas are rocks with weeds, but pretty.
GuideThis is a well maintained RV and tent camping resort. It’s great for kids that want to ride bikes around the sites- but be careful of the river, it’s swift. The RV and tent sites are in two separate areas, with more updated amenities available for RVs like hot showers. Shared pool site. Lots of great trails to weave through the campground on a mountain bike.
One downside- it can be hot. Not a lot of tree cover for the RV sites- make sure you bring shade with you. Luckily, there’s a nice cool river to swim in!
Fires are restricted sometimes in the summer. Some sites require a membership.
Local grocery and pizza, frozen yogurt available within walking distance.
Lots of great fishing, floating, and kayak accessibly. Bring tubes and life vests. Poles and bait.
GuideThis is a nice location in that it's right across the road from Caples Lake. There can be a lot of road noise depending on your site as some sit right along the highway. Stayed here many times in various sites. There is a lot of hiking in the area, and several lakes. Vault toilets, picnic tables, grills, fire rings. May or may not have water. Hosts are nice and keep it quiet.
TravelerWe recently spent a night at this campsite and found it to be perfect for a quick overnight getaway. The area is spacious and conveniently located not too far off the main road, making it easy to access without feeling too isolated.
There are plenty of sites to choose from, catering to different preferences. However, we recommend taking some time to survey the land before setting up camp, as some spots are slightly sloped.
A huge plus is the gas station just about 5 minutes down the road. It’s well-stocked with all the convenient store items you might have forgotten at home, making it easy to grab any last-minute necessities.
Overall, it was a delightful stay. Just remember, always practice Leave No Trace principles—pack out what you pack in!
GuideWe rolled in here after midnight and most of the spots were still empty, and they're far enough apart that we were able to set up camp without being too disruptive. There's a vault toilet, picnic tables, fire rings, and some gorgeous scenery. What more could you need?
Traveler• 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.
Tent camping near Rescue, California offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the serene beauty of the Sierra foothills. With a variety of campgrounds featuring unique amenities and activities, there's something for every outdoor enthusiast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rescue, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rescue, CA is Lake Clementine Boat In — Auburn State Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Rescue, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 56 tent camping locations near Rescue, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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