Cabin camping near Strawberry Valley, California provides access to the scenic Yuba River watershed in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Located at elevations between 1,500-3,000 feet, the region features pine forests and multiple lakes with fishing opportunities. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F during day but cool significantly at night, making cabin accommodations particularly valuable for temperature regulation.
What to do
Fishing access points: Collins Lake Recreation Area offers excellent fishing opportunities from kayaks or shoreline. "We fished from kayaks and always caught fish for dinner," reports a camper who stayed at lakefront sites. The lake is regularly stocked and provides good catches throughout the camping season.
Hiking trails: Near Sardine Lake, visitors can tackle multiple difficulty levels of trails. "I would recommend hiking up to the Buttes if you're looking for a challenge," suggests one camper. Another notes, "Trail to the upper lake is a nice steady incline. About an hour there and back. Little shade so wear a hat."
Water activities: Manzanita Rock Meadow provides proximity to swimming and paddleboarding. "She told us of some cool hiking trails nearby, and where we could paddleboard," writes a reviewer. The location offers convenient access to the Yuba River for water-based recreation.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Lake of the Springs campers frequently mention animal encounters. "Each day a family of deer came thru our site and were so tame they ate fruit right out of the kids' hands," shares one visitor. Another notes, "Great views on first loop and wildlife throughout!"
Swimming options: Collins Lake Recreation Area provides multiple water access points. "Nice clean site near lake. Hubby enjoyed fishing. Kids loved canoeing out onto the lake," writes a reviewer. Another mentions, "Great Lake and RV Park. We stayed in spot 110 with a lakefront view."
Historical features: Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park offers educational opportunities alongside camping. "There is a great history lesson in this park about the mining industry in California and what it has done to our environment," explains a visitor. The park showcases mining history through preserved structures and landscapes.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. At Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs, "No cell service in any of the loops and WiFi isn't great," reports one camper. Another states, "Very nice campground, but cell coverage is nonexistent outside of one small area."
Cabin availability windows: Seasonal operations affect cabin options. Sardine Lake operates from "May 23 to October 18" according to their listing information. Meanwhile, Lake of the Springs operates year-round, providing winter cabin options when other facilities close.
Temperature management: Summer heat requires preparation. One camper notes, "It was over 100 degrees the wknd we were there so we spent practically the whole wknd in the lake." Cabins with cooling systems are valuable during peak summer months, particularly at lower elevation properties.
Tips for camping with families
Ice cream options: Multiple campgrounds feature ice cream stands as family-friendly amenities. At Collins Lake, a camper recommends, "The ice cream is sooooo worth it!! DO IT!!!" Another mentions, "Registration area and cafe has ice cream available and souvenir store."
Beach access timing: Lake Francis Resort beaches fill quickly during peak season. "You can walk to the lake (it's about 100 yards) from this location. Though it does fill up fast (by 11am it was pretty full)," warns a visitor. Morning arrivals secure better lake positions.
Swimming options for different ages: Multiple water bodies serve different swimming preferences. "Sand Pond is great for swimming," notes a Sardine Lake camper. Another mentions, "The pool goes from 3.5' ft to 5' back to 3.5' ft" at Lake Francis, providing options for various swimming abilities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for level parking: Collins Lake features relatively even terrain. "From what I could tell when driving around the majority of the sites were level; we had 4 spots and all were easy to back in," reports a camper at Lake of the Springs.
Electrical reliability concerns: At some properties, infrastructure limitations affect RV camping. "They turned a lot of their RV sites into Tent Sites because of electrical issues," notes one Lake of the Springs visitor, suggesting checking with management about electrical capacity before booking.
Access limitations for larger units: Manzanita Rock Meadow has size restrictions for RVs and trailers. "It was a little challenging getting our 16' trailer to the pad but it was worth it. So quiet and serene there. I don't think the bigger rigs would be able to make the turn into the site," warns a visitor, recommending smaller units for this location.
