While Sierraville sits at an elevation of 4,974 feet in Sierra Valley, the surrounding RV camping options span a significant elevation range from 3,500 to 6,500 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during day with cool 45-55°F nights. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from April/May through October due to winter snowfall, with varying cell service reliability depending on proximity to town centers.
What to do
River swimming access: Loganville Campground offers a path down to the Yuba River where visitors can cool off during hot summer days. One camper notes, "The campground itself is pretty standard, sites are decent size, and lots of shade. There is a path down to the Yuba River, where you can get in the water or float on a tube. The best part about this campground is the river."
Alpine lake exploration: Within a 30-minute drive of Little Bear RV Park, visitors can access multiple mountain lakes. A reviewer highlights, "Within a 30 minute drive are a number of gorgeous alpine lakes. Gold Lake is especially beautiful and peaceful. I spent 5 nights here and while I love the more 'famous' Sierra attractions, I have to say: I didn't miss the crowds."
Historic site visits: The area around Graeagle offers both outdoor activities and historic exploration opportunities. From Movin' West RV Park, campers can access the town's preserved mill buildings and mining history. One visitor mentioned, "Short walk to town for a morning of mini golf. Even though the park is close to the road, I didn't hear anything."
What campers like
Quiet mountain setting: Visitors consistently praise the peaceful environment at Sierra Skies RV Park in Sierra City. One reviewer shared, "The Yuba River is a short hike away with a great swimming hole. Wonderful in those hot afternoons. The campground has free WiFi and a bathroom with showers."
Easy walking access to towns: Many campgrounds in the region offer proximity to small mountain towns. A camper at Movin' West RV Park noted, "The town is only 1 mile from the RV park and you can easily walk there. I highly recommend the Graeagle Outpost for coffee, ice cream, and more."
Clean facilities: RV parks in the region typically maintain well-kept grounds and facilities. A visitor to Clio's Rivers Edge RV Park commented, "The park is immaculately maintained. The sites are level and the scenery is breathtaking. Such a great experience and we can't wait to go back!!"
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most RV parks around Sierraville close during winter months. The operating season for Clio's Rivers Edge RV Park runs from April 15 to October 31, while Sierra Skies operates from May 1 to October 31.
Site spacing considerations: Some parks feature tighter spacing between sites. A camper at Clio's Rivers Edge noted, "It's a cute RV park, it's clean and close to a little town the bad thing is that every space is so close to each other, you have next to you their services and it's impossible to access your storage without bothering your neighbors."
Variable weather conditions: The mountain location means temperatures can vary significantly between day and night, even in summer. At higher elevations, nighttime temperatures regularly drop into the 40s even during July and August.
Tips for camping with families
Designated pet areas: Most RV parks accommodate pets with specific areas for dogs. At Clio's Rivers Edge RV Park, a visitor noted, "Secured large dog area with running creek within walking distance. A number of lower RV spaces within walking pathways to creek."
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with built-in recreation options. One camper at Thousand Trails Snowflower shared, "Family friendly, great little Lake for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding. RV sites have partial hook ups."
Community gatherings: Some parks organize special events for guests. A Movin' West RV Park visitor mentioned, "Memorial day weekend George hosted camp-wide dinner of BBQ tri-tip and kielbasa. Was nice not to have to cook and it was delicious!"
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven sites at some locations. At Thousand Trails Snowflower, one RVer observed, "RV sites are mostly electric and water only, and many aren't anywhere near level. Nonetheless, I loved the place and will definitely go back."
Hookup variations: RV camping near Sierraville offers varying levels of service connections. A camper at Little Bear RV Park noted, "This clean, quiet, and very family friendly campground offers a mixture of full and partial hookup sites, plus cabins."
Site selection strategy: At busier parks, arrive with time to find your preferred spot. A Thousand Trails visitor advised, "Thousand Trails does not reserve campsites so it can be quite a scene to find a site especially in the summer. Only one dump station was open (there are 3) so waited 30+ minutes to dump."
