Tent camping around Smartsville, California sits at the western edge of the Sierra Nevada foothills at approximately 1,250 feet elevation. This region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures. Many sites near Smartsville require advance planning as forest service campgrounds typically operate from April through October, closing during winter months when roads become difficult to navigate.
What to do
Water activities: The American River near Auburn State Recreation Area offers opportunities for swimming and rafting. "The river was crystal clear and beautiful," notes Lee D., who adds that "in season, this campground would be very popular with rafters; there is a raft launch and takeout area close to the campsites."
Gold panning: Several waterways around Smartsville allow recreational gold panning, particularly along the Yuba River. According to Amber Q., at Fiddle Creek, "people pan for gold and some walk up the road to Jackson Hole to float down. About 5 mins up, pass a few houses on your right."
Fishing: Camp Far West Lake provides fishing opportunities year-round, with bass, catfish, and trout available seasonally. Ray B. reports that during winter visits to Camp Far West North Shore, "we were the only people anywhere except for folks in the full hook-up area, which was far from us. We were right on the lake at the end of a peninsula."
What campers like
Peaceful off-season camping: Winter and early spring camping provides solitude at many sites. Anna V. shares about Auburn State Recreation Area: "We camped during the off season (November) so we had our pick of the campsites, which was a great considering the spots are right next to each other. Using hand warmers and a tent warmer we did fine with the cold nights."
Oak tree shade coverage: Many campsites feature mature oak trees providing natural shade during hot months. Aariana N. describes Camp Far West North Shore as the "Land of the mystical Oaks" and notes "We must have come at the best time of year because everything was so green and beautiful. The Oak trees that grow here are truly majestic."
Historical significance: Several campgrounds contain historical markers and remnants from Gold Rush era settlements. Ray B. explains Camp Far West's name: "Turns out the area was originally a camp on the immigrant trail to the California gold fields. You can learn more from the historical markers on site."
What you should know
Limited amenities: Most tent sites require complete self-sufficiency. Drew M. cautions about Auburn State Recreation Area: "No showers or running water....there are only toilets available. Bring your own water to drink, wash dishes and pans, or wash yourselves. The nearest store is about 2 miles back to the main road if you need to re-up on anything."
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require navigating narrow, winding roads. Lee D. notes about Auburn State Recreation Area: "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."
Highway noise: Some sites experience road noise despite natural settings. L. mentions at Fiddle Creek: "Its close proximity to Hwy 49 (maybe 75 feet away) makes for more headlights and traffic noise than I'm used to when camping (especially since the majority of traffic is from loud trucks that zoom by at 50-60 mph)."
Tips for camping with families
Bring insect protection: Mosquitoes can be prevalent near water sources in the Smartsville area. One camper at Fiddle Creek notes that "another negative is the abundance of mosquitoes, which I guess you have to expect when you're near a river but still not pleasant."
Proper waste disposal: Limited facilities require planning for trash management. At Oracle Oak Grove, no trash service is provided, requiring campers to pack out all waste. Jake C. notes this is a "Unique Stay in Northern California" where "the owners at Oracle Oak have taken great steps to make this a unique place to stay."
Reservation timing: For peak summer weekends, reserve well in advance for established campgrounds. Cooper L. mentions about Auburn State Recreation Area: "I've been here about 8-10 times and every time I love my stay, it's a quiet getaway around 45 mins away from me and the sound of the river is amazing."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for leveling: Few designated RV sites offer naturally level terrain. At Peninsula Camping and Boating Resort, Laura G. warns that "when we arrived to the campground, we found that the sites we reserved were on a hill." This requires RVers to bring adequate leveling equipment.
Limited hookup availability: Most campgrounds near Smartsville provide minimal or no hookups. Some sites at Camp Far West North Shore provide 30-amp electrical connections but limited water hookups. Cassidy Y. simply describes it as a "Nice place to camp with the family" without luxury amenities.
Poison oak awareness: Pay attention to vegetation boundaries when setting up. Laura G. cautions about Peninsula Camping: "When we arrived to the campground, we found that the sites we reserved were on a hill, and poison oak between them."
