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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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 $$."
