Glamping accommodations near Strawberry Valley include Lake Francis Resort and Sardine Lake, both offering premium outdoor experiences with upscale amenities. Lake Francis Resort features yurts and luxury cabin-style glamping options with electricity, comfortable beds, and private outdoor spaces overlooking the lake. "Our family has been coming here for years. We love it. Nice quiet lake. Good campsites. Good general store and even a little restaurant and ice cream shack," shared one visitor about Lake Francis. At Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs, glamping accommodations include yurts with modern comforts situated among natural surroundings, providing a perfect balance of wilderness immersion with conveniences like drinking water, electric hookups, and shower facilities nearby.
Black Rock Campground and Collins Lake Recreation Area present additional glamping opportunities with unique lakefront settings. Activities at these locations include fishing, hiking on adjacent trails, and wildlife viewing—deer are frequently spotted around Lake of the Springs campsites. According to a camper, "We had such a fun time at this campground. Each day a family of deer came thru our site and were so tame they ate fruit right out of the kids' hands." Water recreation features prominently across these glamping destinations, with Collins Lake offering boat rentals and swimming areas with beach access. Most locations provide on-site markets or general stores for supplies, and many feature dining options ranging from small cafes to ice cream stands. Seasonal availability varies, with some locations like Sardine Lake operating from May through mid-October.
"*pros: great little market, very nice staff, clean, great views *cons: rocky watch your step, especially at the beach and a long the shore."
"We’ve been to Collins Lake a few times and we love it! Lots of different camping spots and the lake is stocked with fish. Ice cream at the store is a must."
"It’s definitely a place I’ll put on my list to camp at again, especially when they figure out their electrical issues."
"WiFi is very very limited- drive to top of hill or lodge( very sporadic) Great Lake for swimming, fishing and small boats. Store on site. Clean swimming pool. Ideal for Tent or RV."
"This campground had riding trails that could bring you to Sly Creek and secret camping sites that a quad or 4 wheel drive could find. It's closed until 2023 due to the fires."
"The common house has a fully stocked kitchen so you can camp without having to bring supplies! The campground is exceptionally clean and meticulously maintained."
"It’s clean, has great amenities (pool, showers, kitchen, bathrooms), and it’s a nice walk away from town. It has a spot for everyone - RVs, glamping tents, and the standard tent sites (my style)."
"Very pretty views of the valley from the campground, and having hiking trails start from the campground was really nice. Only complaints are very close neighbors and little shade."
"We decided this time around to reserve one of their cabins. We stayed at the Diamond P cabin which has the best view of the lake within this group of cabins."
"Nice quiet lake. Good campsites. Good general store and even a little restaurant and ice cream shack."
from $40 - $100 / night
"The typical Sierra granite spires around the lake make for the scenery. There's a bar/shack on the water at the resort which is so cute and fun too."
"We had great time at sardine lake campground. Great place for active families. Gorgeous view of sardine lake and sand pond in walking distance and lots of other lakes around the area."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $48 / night
from $75 - $150 / night
"This is such a beautiful piece of California."
"The trees are amazing and 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)."
"So remote and private but everything you need at the campground with water access within walking distance. Sites are great with picnic tables and bathrooms near by."
"Bugs were minimal, a far cry from about 3 weeks ago at a nearby site. We were in Site 16, which has the ‘camp’ side opposite of our camper door - only reason we gave 4 stars & not 5."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $48 / night
TravelerThis site does not recognize any state or federal pass the rate starts for 40 a day then they charge per person and per pet grand total for a one night stay with hookups 62$ for one RV one person one dog . 
RangerVery nice 1970 style park most spots only has water and electricity. Section X is full hook ups and close to all amenities. Lots of deers and gray squirrels playing about the park. Nice beach area with rental boats. Restrooms and laundry areas in good shape. This is a nice area to camp.
TravelerSAFETY HAZARDS: So many trees cut down with branches and debris left over and not picked up by the contractor or the USFS that could cause injury or death. Imagine tripping or falling in a hole and being punctured by pointy branches. I am sure this was not inspected after the contractor left or prior to departure.
HEALTH: Womens bathroom was open on Saturday 12 Sep 26, but then it was locked on Sunday 13 Sep 26. Water spigots were also turned off outside. The RV dump station down the street was also closed too. Not sure what happening here as it is not the end of the season yet.
SITES: Images online are not current/out-of-date, don't trust it. Many sites including mine had a lot of trees and now it has 1 or 2, with many stumps and debris left behind. Many sites have zero trees now. Our 20ft campervan barely fit on the asphalt pad and many were only about 10-15 feet long and then others were over 50. I guess you take a chance on what is real and what is not.
SIDEBAR: Over at the North campground, I saw cleanup crews with chainsaws doing work within 10-15 feet of a family who was camping and eating breakfast at the table. I would think this would be a not only a noise issue but also flying debris issue. I guess the USFS does not care about safety of the paying public.
OVERALL: I understand fire prevention, but when you cut down living trees and leave behind the branches and such to dry out, now that is a new fire hazard along with the safety hazard. So sad to see such nice campgrounds being turned into such eyesores and hazards. If you have small children, senior citizens or pets, I would strongly urge you not to make a reservation here. If you just need to a place to park your camper(not tent) then it would be okay as long as you are away during the day as there is very limited shade now. Oh, I forget to say my parents raised me here and they lived here after I went in the Navy and this is an embarrassment to the Almanor Ranger District in Chester.
GuideSpent two nights in site 13, it was the site directly across from the camp host. Host was kind, very present and always cleaning and ensuring the camp was spotless! DO NOT take a trailer beyond the little gate to the “back” of the camp ground, the northern most part. We took our 32’ trailer through the gate because satellite images show a cul-dê-sac like turn around area. It is still present, however it is also a campsite and with people occupying the site, turning around is impossible. We had to back our trailer back down the road and into the main area again.
Bathrooms are clean! River nearby was refreshing and has a few small human made dams that allow for wading and safe play areas for kiddos. Chilly nights and hot days!
Scout5 stars for the campground itself. I've been camping at Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park since 1984, when I was just 20 years old. I have loved every camping trip since(at least 30 plus times)! The campsites are great, the grounds, and trails are well-maintained, and safe. I love that the general store is easy to get to and has ice and extras that we may have forgotten to bring. However, we have noticed over past few years that the restrooms in the campground have become increasingly filthy. I get that people walk in with dirt all over their shoes, so of course the floors will be dirty, but it's unacceptable to allow the toilets to be so gross! I will leave out the unpleasant details! I asked a young park ranger how often the restrooms are cleaned and he said every day. Apparently they source out the cleaning. It's obvious that all they do is sweep the floors, empty the trash and provide more TP. The sinks, and floors look like they haven't been scrubbed in a long time, and I noticed the toilets looked as bad the day we got there to the day they left. I remember in the 80's and 90's seeing rangers doing a very thorough cleaning each morning. We would walk in and could smell the cleaning chemicals, and the floor would be wet from mopping. Also, the showers are dirty too. They removed the benches in the individual shower stalls so there's no place to put your clean clothes. Do better Lodgepole!
TravelerSimply put, I am embarrassed to say that this one was opened with major safety issues. I was even told by a person at the Almanor Ranger Office in Chester that they were forced to open this campground.
Safety issues:
-Trees were fell and slash was left behind without cleanup by contractor.
-Boulders were moved and above mentioned slash was covering the holes left by the moved boulders creating major safety trip/fall hazards. These hazards could cause twisted and/or broken legs and feet and more.
-Fire Hazard: Above mentioned slash was left behind everywhere for it to dry out an become a major fire hazard. Yes, the camp site around the table and fire ring was cleared, but only by about 10-15 feet.
-Limited walking areas: As the slash was left behind, areas for walking or the kids playing was like walking in a minefield. Even on the paved drive path, there is holes and to move out of the way for trucks/campers requires movement onto the above ,mentioned slash that was not cleaned up.
I grew up in this area and after being gone in the military for over 30 years, I came home. This poor campground is a disgrace and I am deeply saddened by the condition the USFS and it's contractor left it in. If I was in charge, I would not have let it open for public use due to the safety issues.
What a shame.
GuideVery popular in the summer!! Amazing lake front campsites with incredible views. Also kind of pricey. There’s onsite security and a big store with delicious icecream. Totally incredible fishing opportunities.
RangerLovely spots, no hookups, close to the highway but far enough off we couldn’t hear it. Stream is lovely, wish we had more time to spend.
ScoutShe was very rude
Glamping options near Strawberry Valley, California sit at elevations between 2,000-4,000 feet in the western Sierra Nevada foothills. Summer temperatures range from 75-90°F during the day and 50-60°F at night, making spring through fall the ideal camping seasons. Winter access becomes limited at higher elevations, with many campgrounds closing after mid-October due to snow conditions.
Fishing opportunities: At Collins Lake Recreation Area, anglers can expect productive fishing from shorelines or boats. "I love this camp ground. Really nice lake always stocked with fish. Quiet at night and not rowdy during the day. Great place for family camping. They also have boat rentals," notes Veronica N.
Hiking trails: Sardine Lake offers several hiking options with varied difficulty levels. "There is plenty of hiking and fishing around and it is such a peaceful place to relax and read a book. I would recommend hiking up to the Buttes if you're looking for a challenge," suggests Hannah O. The trail to Upper Sardine Lake takes about an hour round-trip but requires sun protection as one camper notes, "Trail to the upper lake is a nice steady incline. About an hour there and back. Little shade so wear a hat."
Water recreation: Beyond fishing, lakes in the region support various water activities. At Inn Town Campground, campers use the location as a base for swimming. "Great location for swimming in the Yuba river! We spent the days at Fuller Dam, and the Yuba River and Scotts Flat Reservoir are nearby too," shares Nicole G.
Wildlife viewing: Campsites often feature regular wildlife encounters. At Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs, Nicole G. describes, "We had such a fun time at this campground. Each day a family of deer came thru our site and were so tame they ate fruit right out of the kids' hands." Other campers report seeing river otters, turtles, and various bird species throughout the region.
Clean facilities: Sycamore Ranch RV Park maintains well-kept camping areas and restrooms. "The facilities—including pay-showers—were very clean & in fabulous shape," notes Chris. Another camper adds, "This place is dark at night so really good for star watching."
Lakefront camping: Many campsites offer direct water access. At Collins Lake, Ed E. shares, "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."
Site selection matters: Layout and site orientation vary significantly. At East Meadow Campground, Ron A. advises, "We reserved a spot, site 21 and the door of our camper wasn't facing our camp. I noticed a few sites like that. It's pretty tight spaces and not a lot of privacy. We ended up moving to site 4, had more room and our door was facing our camp."
Cell coverage limitations: Many glamping locations near Strawberry Valley lack reliable connectivity. At Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs, Nicole R. warns, "No cell service in any of the loops and WiFi isn't great." Another camper reports, "Cell coverage is nonexistent outside of one small area."
Busy periods: Popular swimming and recreation areas fill quickly during peak season. At Collins Lake, Steven H. observed, "Not a bad campsite, but was surrounded by RVs and people walking around. Can't bring dogs onto the beach area which was a bummer, but was too crowded anyways."
Kid-friendly water access: Black Rock Campground and other lakefront sites provide easier swimming spots for children. "Very pretty views of the valley from the campground, and having hiking trails start from the campground was really nice," shares Anne W., though she cautions about "very close neighbors and little shade."
Wildlife education opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer wildlife viewing chances for children. At Sycamore Ranch, a 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."
Pack sun protection: Lake reflections intensify sun exposure. Sardine Lake visitors warn about limited shade on trails, and Black Rock Campground reviews consistently mention insufficient shade coverage at campsites.
Electrical reliability concerns: At Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs, Eric P. cautions, "There wasn't a single day when some campsite didn't have electrical issues, in fact they turned a lot of their RV sites into Tent Sites because of electrical issues."
Site access challenges: Larger rigs need careful navigation at some locations. At Black Rock, Mary F. notes, "The roads are in terrible condition, trash is strewn throughout, and staff is less than friendly or helpful. Roads are terribly narrow and sites are small and very uneven. Not a great place for a trailer nor class A."
Dump station availability: Limited service points mean planning ahead. At Collins Lake, Ed E. advises, "They do have a nice dump station row just outside the camping sites, so it is not necessary to have RV sewage at your campsite, which saves you a few $$."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Strawberry Valley, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Strawberry Valley, CA is Collins Lake Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Strawberry Valley, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 28 glamping camping locations near Strawberry Valley, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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