Collins Lake Recreation Area offers comfortable glamping options for visitors to the Smartsville area. The surrounding landscape features a mix of Sierra Nevada foothills and woodlands at elevations around 1,200 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F, with much cooler evenings during spring and fall camping seasons.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Collins Lake maintains an active fishing program with regular catches reported by campers. "We camped here TWICE in 2019... The fishing is awesome on Collins Lake! We fished from kayaks and always caught fish for dinner," notes Ed E. from Collins Lake Recreation Area.
Hiking trails: The region offers various terrain for hikers of all skill levels. "There are nice hiking and biking trails in and around the campground" at Collins Lake, while at Sycamore Ranch, one visitor reports "There are about 2 miles of walking trails. The campground is along Dry Creek, which isn't dry but is covered in some sort of green stuff (not algae). We saw a river otter playing in the creek, so there is life in it."
Water recreation: Beyond fishing, the lakes provide various water activities. At Lake Francis Resort, "Nice quiet lake. Good campsites. Good general store and even a little restaurant and ice cream shack." Many campgrounds offer boat rentals for those without personal watercraft.
What campers like
Secluded spots: Finding privacy can enhance glamping experiences near Smartsville. At Peninsula Campground, "With only us and two other folks in the entire campground we enjoyed privacy and seclusion. Good bike riding too."
Waterfront access: Direct lake access remains a top draw. "We stayed at site 60A Lake Front View, which had stunning water views and a spacious setup 🤩👌🏽. The site gets a lot of sun in the morning and afternoon, so bring a popup canopy for shade—it made a big difference for us!" shares a visitor at Collins Lake.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides excellent wildlife watching. At Sycamore Ranch RV Park, one camper notes, "My favorite thing about this campground is the birds! I use the Merlin app to identify the birds here and so far this place holds my record of around 18 birds not including the more silent ones we saw. There are turtles and otters in the creek to check out as well."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Peak seasons fill quickly at popular glamping destinations. At Inn Town Campground, visitors appreciate the "very nice, beautifully maintained campground with a lot of topography." Another reviewer mentions "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."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between glamping sites. Lake of the Springs RV Resort has "No cell service in any of the loops and WiFi isn't great." Plan communications accordingly.
Seasonal considerations: Spring offers unique advantages. One camper notes, "We visited this camp ground last year for a pre-spring getaway and really liked it... The grass is green, and the leaves are out on all the oak trees which makes it more beautiful."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Facilities catering to children make family glamping trips smoother. At Coloma Resort, "Pool, playground, basketball and soccer - will definitely be back with the kids soon." The resort offers "A large grass area great for games, and if you are up for it, rafting, kayaking and fishing in the cold American river."
Educational opportunities: Incorporate learning into your glamping experience. Coloma Resort allows families to "pan for gold, relax, or bike, hike along the river, and kids can play along several playgrounds for kids of different ages."
Safety considerations: Water access requires supervision. One camper notes, "I had the opportunity to talk with Bonnie about her yurt and the great camping experience she hopes to provide for everyone who stops by" at High Camp, which provides a safer, contained glamping experience for families with young children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose RV spots carefully for the best glamping experience. At Sycamore Ranch RV Park, "Very clean campground with a helpful host. Bathrooms/showers for paid guest have a code to get in. The day use area has porta potties."
Hookup availability: Utilities vary between sites. At Collins Lake, "Both campsites, #66 and #116 had power, water and sewage. They were both lake front campsites, which meant the water or shoreline was right at our 'front door' from our 27' travel trailer."
Seasonal planning: Consider off-peak visits for more space. "We are here in the off season, so there weren't many other campers here. I think in high season it would feel cramped," reports a Sycamore Ranch visitor.
