Collins Lake Recreation Area provides pet-friendly camping with tent sites, RV spots, and cabins that welcome dogs throughout the campground. Pets must remain leashed at all times, and while dogs are not allowed on the beach areas, they can accompany campers throughout the rest of the facility. Sycamore Ranch RV Park offers similar accommodations with grassy, shaded sites along Dry Creek where pets can cool off during hot summer months. Lake Francis Resort and Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs also accept pets at their camping facilities. Most campsites feature water and electric hookups, with many offering full hookups including sewer connections. Clean facilities and well-maintained grounds make these locations suitable for campers traveling with pets. The campgrounds can get crowded during peak season, making it important to maintain control of pets at all times.
Dog-friendly hiking trails surround many of these campgrounds, with opportunities for on-leash walks along lakeshores and nearby forest paths. Collins Lake's pathways provide scenic routes for dog walking, including a nice ride to the dam that works well for exercising pets. During summer months when temperatures frequently exceed 100°F, early morning or evening walks are recommended for pet safety. The waterways at these campgrounds offer opportunities for dogs to cool off, though specific restrictions apply at swimming beaches. Campers report seeing wildlife including river otters at Sycamore Ranch, so keeping pets leashed helps protect local animals. Portable waste stations and designated pet relief areas help maintain campground cleanliness. Water shoes are recommended for both humans and pets at Collins Lake due to the rocky shoreline that can be difficult to traverse.
"Clean sites and pet friendly. We took the boat on our last trip here and had a great time. Great fishing spots!!"
"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"
"This is such a beautiful piece of California."
"There is a boat launch, and a pretty county park is adjacent."
"They said it would be okay as long as I had the gear to sleep outside in a tent as well. The place was quiet and we had no issues."
"Very nice campground, but cell coverage is nonexistent outside of one small area."
$45 / night
"Out of all of the campgrounds around Lake Oroville and within the state park rec area by far Bidwell is THE best..it's clean, it has cell service plus wifi if you need it, pets are ok, 2 to 3 boat launches"
"If you are looking for a small campground with full hookups, on the lake, close to Table Mountain and Feather Falls, this is for you."
"Right behind a casino, but a really nice park. Excellent bathrooms and showers. A pool area and dog park. Good Wi-Fi and amenities."
"Every time we’ve been into the store the customer service was superb and security drives around at all time to check the place out. 🤩 The amenities were great but some surprise bonus’ were the big game"
$40 - $55 / night
"She told us of some cool hiking trails nearby, and where we could paddleboard. The spot was clean with lots of room to spread out. Our dogs loved it!"
"Situated on 25 acres, this gem is truly the best place to relax and unwind. With beautiful scenery and so many outdoor activities to enjoy, we know you'll be planning your next stay before you leave."
"Location is great especially if you have a boat to launch or just enjoy being at the river. Campsites were nicely laid out. Being in the summer, busy as you might expect."
$55 / night
"It was quiet and private, but close to the hosts so they visited when I had questions about the best spots for swimming and hiking nearby."
"Had a fire in the fire pit and enjoyed the quiet(except for the coyotes in the distance!). Galen, our host, was always available to answer questions and to bring extra firewood."
$40 - $100 / night
"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."
$24 - $48 / night
"There are trails for hiking or mountain biking. You are minutes from Bullards Bar which is one of the most beautiful lakes around. I definitely suggest a day trip to the lake."
"It’s mixed RV and tent with no RV power so the generators are loud and you’ll be surrounded by them."
GuideRight behind a casino, but a really nice park. Excellent bathrooms and showers. A pool area and dog park. Good Wi-Fi and amenities. A little pricier than what I am used to but it was a really nice place to stay the night. Also awesome treat bad for the dog provided at check in, a really nice touch.
ScoutThousand Trails Lake Minden
Tiny Park, Giant Heart
We spent three weeks at Lake Minden and, to be honest, judged it too quickly. It’s one of the smaller Thousand Trails parks, and when we first rolled in, we weren’t sure it was going to be our kind of place. That changed fast.
Right off the bat, we were greeted warmly at the gate- no awkward waiting or guessing, just a “Hey there, welcome!” kind of vibe. Our assigned spot had a bad electric hookup, but moving one space over solved that and actually gave us a better view. So, win-win.
The park, like many Thousand Trails locations, is clearly from a different era. The facilities, the grounds, even the layout- it all shows its age in the same way most of these long-standing parks do. But here’s the difference: it’s obvious they take care of what they have. You can feel the pride in the upkeep, and honestly, I’d take a clean, cared-for 50-year-old park over a neglected new one any day.
The community here is what made the trip. The staff pour real effort into the activities- they’re on time, thoughtful, and welcoming. Friday potlucks were the soul of the park. We forgot our plates and silverware more than once (parent brain), and Barbara, the activities director, always had us covered without missing a beat. That kind of care doesn’t go unnoticed.
Easter weekend took it to another level. My toddler had the time of his life painting eggs and coloring puzzles, and my wife - who’d never painted an egg before - might’ve had more fun than he did. The Easter egg hunt was packed with families and even staff with their kids. Prizes for the winners, candy in the eggs for the rest of us- my toddler’s too young for the sweets, so I had no choice but to help. That’s what dads are for, right?
There’s an ice cream social every Saturday, and it’s as delightful as it sounds. Tons of toppings, lots of conversation, and just a genuinely happy way to spend a weekend afternoon. We missed candy bar bingo this time, but it's already on the list for our return trip.
Special thanks to Gwen, the park manager, who couldn’t have been more welcoming. The assistant manager warmed up by the end of our stay, which made us feel even more like part of the community.
Facilities were surprisingly polished. The showers were spotless, stocked, and looked freshly upgraded with woodgrain tile and real stall doors. Toilets and sinks were just as clean, and even when I accidentally left my shampoo in the shower, I found it days later placed neatly on the side counter. That’s rare. Housekeeping here clearly cares.
The lodge is small- more like a retrofitted mobile trailer - but full of charm. It’s where most activities are held, and there's a cozy back room with a pool table, board games, a decent little DVD collection, and a small library. My toddler played Connect 4 like a champion (even though he mostly used it as a coin-drop game), and, tried valiantly to reach the pool balls.
Now, the lake. It’s... functional. Let’s be honest, it’s a man-made basin with some concrete leftovers that litter the sides that look like the Ghost of Swimming Pools Past. Not the prettiest, but they do stock it with fish and the docks looked newly redone- one rebuilt while we were there, looked really nice when they finished. I didn’t bring my gear, but next time, I’m sneaking out for some dad-time with a rod and reel.
There’s no pool at this park, but the grassy areas made up for it. Annual sites had a huge open field behind them where my son ran wild playing ball and chase. Minden must’ve mowed the day we arrived because the smell of cut grass hit us like nostalgia. They kept it mowed weekly, and my kid was hypnotized by the riding mower going up and down the stretch. In fact there's enough gassy area I thought a great spring/summertime regular event would be water days- think slip'n slides and mist sprinklers set up for the kids. That would be fun... and a cool relief in those hotter days.
There’s a playground with a raised soft-chip base, multiple slides, and just the right level of challenge for a toddler. He had a blast. Even the dog park, while nothing fancy (just a weed-sprouting rectangle), gave our Silky terriers a space to run a few laps. I may or may not have snuck them into the field after hours for some frisbee time. Nobody tell.
Connectivity was solid- I had full AT&T service for calls, texts, and data the entire time. It was a quiet park, minus one domestic dispute from a neighboring site that cleared up fast (and they moved out the next day). Otherwise, peaceful and calm.
Now, let’s talk about traffic flow- because this one got me. The park is built around a lake, and the road looping around it is one-way, enforced with a strict 5 mph speed limit. That’s great if you have kids or dogs and you want a calm environment. Not so great when you realize halfway to the store that you forgot your wallet. What should’ve been a quick grab turned into a 10-minute drive out, a 10-minute drive back in, and then… yep, 10 minutes out again. I’ve taken shorter road trips just to get ice cream. Lesson learned.
---
Stay Summary & Scores
Restroom & Shower Facilities: ★★★★★
Exceptionally clean, stocked, and well-maintained. Modern-feeling shower stalls with privacy and woodgrain tile. Toilets and sinks equally spotless.
Lodge Amenities & Common Spaces: ★★★★☆
Compact but full of charm. Activities room, pool table, games, small library. Retrofitted mobile unit, but used thoughtfully and consistently.
Overall Cleanliness & Maintenance: ★★★★★
Top-tier. Grass is cut regularly, restrooms shine, playground looks freshly maintained, and even left-behind items are handled with care.
Recreational Activities & Family Engagement: ★★★★★
Thoughtfully organized events (especially Easter), ice cream socials, egg painting, RC airplane shows, dog races, and a family-friendly vibe across the board.
Staff Hospitality & Park Culture: ★★★★★
Gwen leads with warmth. Barbara is the MVP of activities. Assistant manager needed some time to warm up, but did. Felt truly welcomed.
Lake & Waterfront Quality: ★★☆☆☆
Man-made and a little tired. Some concrete remnants along the edge. Not great for swimming, but fish-stocked and dock area recently improved.
Pet-Friendliness: ★★★☆☆
Dog park was weedy and basic, but functional. Open spaces nearby helped. Waste bins were present and clean.
Site Utility Functionality: ★★★★☆ First electric hookup was faulty, but the second was fine. Rest of the site utilities performed without issue. Easy to park and level.
Traffic Flow & Accessibility: ★★★☆☆
Strict 5 mph limit is great for safety (especially with kids) but makes trips around the loop feel like slow motion. One-way loop adds time - especially painful if you forget your wallet and turn your day into a 30-minute regret.
General Atmosphere & Community Vibe: ★★★★★ Welcoming, peaceful, and filled with community spirit. The kind of place where strangers become friends over potluck and board games.
ScoutThe host was very nice. When we got there we could not find the black water hookup. He came out and helped us get all connected. Most lots are used by permanent residents. I did not see any children. Very clean and was very pet friendly. All of the folks were very friendly and most had their own dogs. I am not sure I would come back, I am new to RVing and I think I need muck more to experience before I would go back to the same place twice. I am looking for parks closer to wineries as well.
GuideWe love Collins!! Very nice for paddle boarding and kayaking. Clean sites and pet friendly. We took the boat on our last trip here and had a great time. Great fishing spots!!
ScoutThe campground is easy to get to and has a nice convenience store in case you forgot anything. It was quiet and had a nice river view. Pets are allowed as well!
Guidewe found there to be a lot of rules at this campground such as no fires, however there is a community fire pit. No driving over 5 MPH, no charcoal grills or smokers, only electric and propane grills. They are also very serious about the 11pm quiet time.
Aside from all the rules this was a very clean, family and pet friendly campground. Very clean bathrooms with showers!! There are a few lakes that are very nice for fishing and kayaking. Nice calm water for a leisurely SUP experience.
ScoutOut of all of the campgrounds around Lake Oroville and within the state park rec area by far Bidwell is THE best..it's clean, it has cell service plus wifi if you need it, pets are ok, 2 to 3 boat launches, spots to fish, great showers and bathrooms plus the park rangers that run this specific campground are the most amazing people.. they remember you and they are always friendly and have a smile for you plus they are incredibly knowledgeable and clearly love their jobs..I love this campground and have been here many times this summer alone I will continue to come back and always recommend it to anyone and everyone
TravelerNice campground - close to river. .5 mile walk to town for shopping/eating. All sites have fire pit and picnic table. Bathrooms clean and private showers. A little pricey for a tent site - 45.00 and 5.00 for the dog but it’s California.
ScoutStinking flea infested cats roams the property, while infecting your rig with fleas from cats making make shifts homes under your rig. The property is dirty, bug infested, unsecured, fake man made mud hole of a so-called lake. The gall of them to call this place a"Resort" is definitely appalling. The staff tends to lean more on the racist side by having different sets of rules for the African American patrons. I definitely feel sorry for the African American lady that works in the front office having to endure the racial elements from management( the 2 greasy fried chicken eating cows) as well as her co-workers. The front office staff are convinced that piece of dirty crap of a mud hole are some type of relaxing place for families, NOT. That place needs to be torn down. Lake Minden is a dirty drug infested, bug infested, stinking cat infected, trailer trash, of a melting pot for dirty drug addicts, STAFF INCLUDED. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS CRAP HOLE TO ANYONE.(DON'T EAT THE🐠)
Campers visiting Loma Rica, California have access to several lakeside and riverside camping options within a 20-mile radius. The area sits at approximately 1,300 feet elevation in the Sierra Nevada foothills with summer temperatures regularly reaching 90-100°F. Winter camping is available at several year-round campgrounds, though nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing from November through February.
Fishing opportunities: Collins Lake Recreation Area maintains a well-stocked lake for anglers. One visitor shared, "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."
Kayaking and paddle boarding: Sycamore Ranch RV Park offers creek access ideal for non-motorized water activities. A camper noted, "I took advantage of the water and after getting shuttled up to the bridge kayaked down the Yuba and up dry creek all the way to our campsite!"
Wildlife viewing: The area provides opportunities to observe local wildlife in their natural habitat. At Sycamore Ranch RV Park, visitors report, "We saw a river otter playing in the creek, so there is life in it."
Stargazing: Clear skies away from major city lights make for excellent nighttime viewing. One camper at Sycamore Ranch mentioned, "This place is dark at night so really good for star watching."
Lake views: Sites with water visibility are particularly sought after. A visitor to Collins Lake Recreation Area shared, "We stayed in spot 110 with a lakefront view."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained campgrounds receive positive feedback. At Bidwell Canyon Campground, a camper noted, "Clean campground, efficient check in. Lake is not walking distance, no internet. Great place for a quick stop over."
Spacious sites: Roomier camping spots allow for more privacy and comfort. A camper at Schoolhouse Campground mentioned, "These campsites are very spacious and wide open."
Camp store amenities: On-site supplies and treats add convenience to the camping experience. One visitor to Collins Lake Recreation Area commented, "Registration area and cafe has ice cream available and souvenir store."
Bear safety requirements: Bears are active in several camping areas. At Schoolhouse Campground, a reviewer warned, "This is bear country so we had a nightly visitor, the bear boxes are there for a reason so use them!"
Water levels fluctuate: Reservoir and lake access changes seasonally. A camper at Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs observed, "Unfortunately the beach access/swimming area has turned into a meadow which was nice to see deer but there wasn't a place for the little ones to swim."
Campsite topography: Many sites feature uneven terrain. One visitor noted about Bidwell Canyon Campground, "A lot of the sites are very uneven, ours was almost terraced, and the tent area was barely big enough for our 8 person tent."
Generator noise: RV sections without electrical hookups can be noisy. A reviewer at Schoolhouse Campground stated, "It's mixed RV and tent with no RV power so the generators are loud and you'll be surrounded by them."
Water safety planning: Many water access points require additional supervision. A visitor to Lake Francis Resort advised, "The down side is how quickly the easiest access to the lake fills up. There are other places you can drive and park to get to the water, but there it a drop off into the water from there vs a gradual walk in."
Heat management: Summer temperatures require additional planning. A camper suggested, "When I took a drive around it looked like many were similarly sloped/terraced not a flat site. Unfortunately this weekend was 108 or so as highs, so it was a very hot weekend. The campground would likely be better in late September/October."
Early arrival recommended: Popular swimming areas fill quickly during peak season. A visitor to Schoolhouse Campground recommended, "You are also just 10 minutes away from the Oregon Creek day area of the Yuba River. It gets crowded, so get there early if you want to stake out a spot."
Boat rental options: Several campgrounds offer family-friendly water recreation rentals. A camper at Collins Lake Recreation Area mentioned, "They have a large portable toilet there for use. We spent our time at the pool which is near the flushable toilets and the ice cream parlor, restaurant, and camp store."
Site selection considerations: RV parking at some campgrounds presents challenges. At Schoolhouse Campground, a camper warned, "While the space was long enough for our 35 ft trailer and truck the pad was narrow and there are a lot of rocks to maneuver around. We were barely able to open our slide and drop the stairs due to the amount of large rocks on each side of the pad."
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete services for extended stays. One visitor to Collins Lake Recreation Area shared, "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."
Dump station access: Separate dump facilities may be available even without at-site sewer connections. A camper noted about Collins Lake, "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 dog-friendly campsite near Loma Rica, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Loma Rica, CA is Collins Lake Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 25 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Loma Rica, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 197 dog-friendly camping locations near Loma Rica, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
