Valley Springs sits at the edge of California's Gold Country, where Sierra Nevada foothills meet Central Valley grasslands. The area offers RV camping opportunities across diverse elevation ranges from 200 to 1,500 feet, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F. Most campgrounds maintain gravel sites with varying degrees of shade protection from oak and pine trees.
What to do
Gold panning lessons: At 49er RV Ranch in nearby Columbia, visitors can participate in free gold-panning lessons right on the property. "Great first trip for us! 49er was quiet and well-maintained. The staff was very friendly! They met us at the office when we pulled up and helped us get to the site," reports Michael C.
Swimming at Rainbow Pools: A popular destination for families visiting the region near Yosemite Pines RV Resort. "Our family really enjoys Rainbow Pools and Yosemite Pine's proximity to Rainbow Pools is part of why we stay here. The kids can jump and swim there and that's all they really want to do anyway," says Jeanette D.
Wine tasting tours: Multiple RV resorts provide access to local wineries. "This is not our usual type of camping experience, but since we met friends at a nearby winery, this worked for us since we did not want to drive far," notes Lee D. about 49er Village RV Resort.
What campers like
Well-maintained walking trails: Jackson Rancheria RV Park visitors appreciate the natural setting. "Not a bad spot anywhere! Spacious, clean, very friendly staff, beautiful walking trail around the park. The views are so beautiful we will definitely come back!" reports Susan R.
Year-round accessibility: Campers praise the region's favorable camping schedule. "Great location and full hook ups. Open year round, planning on coming back during the Winter!" notes Clint W. about Monument RV Park at Lake Camanche.
Family recreation amenities: Playgrounds, pools, and organized activities make the area family-friendly. "The kids loved the stocked fishing ponds, and even better was the immaculate 2 swimming pools and playground! Everyone was busy having fun the whole time and the grounds were perfectly kept," says Syd D. about 49er Village.
What you should know
Cell service reliability: Connection quality varies significantly between locations. "We got 4 bars on Verizon," reports MickandKarla W. about their stay at Flag City RV Resort. Other campgrounds in higher elevations report spotty coverage.
Sewer hookup configurations: Campers should prepare for different drainage setups. "The hookups worked good but the sewer hookup is elevated so you will probably want sewer hose supports to lift your hose," advises Courtney C. about Monument RV Park.
Campground security measures: Several RV parks maintain active security systems. "Very safe leaving it there. They have security patrol day and night," notes Gail M. about Jackson Rancheria when describing storage for their boat.
Tips for camping with families
Petting zoos and animal encounters: Yosemite Pines offers unique animal experiences. "With a pool, petting zoo, a corral where they have a fire and s'mores followed by a movie, this is a great place to camp with the kids," shares Jeanette D. The llamas are particularly popular with younger visitors.
Organized evening activities: Many campgrounds provide scheduled entertainment. "The only annoyance was loud music past curfew, but it was only on the weekend. I think you'll get inconsiderate campers like that anywhere," notes Ashley K. about her family's stay at 49er Village RV Resort.
Playground quality considerations: Inspect facilities before planning extended stays. "Playground was in rough shape, swings broken. Place needs an overhaul big time. Really really pretty area and the town of Columbia is very cute," reports Holly about Marble Quarry RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions and layouts: RVers recommend checking specific site measurements. "The cement pad was plenty long enough for our 40' fifth wheel and unhooked F450. The utilities are on the back quarter of the pad. We needed 15' of sewer hose," details MickandKarla W. about Placerville RV Resort.
Surface conditions: Pay attention to pad composition when selecting sites. "Sites are pull-through, gravel and fairly level," according to one visitor about SacWest RV Park.
Off-season advantages: Winter camping offers different experiences. "We've stayed here in rain and even a little snow flurry. Good place to stay for venturing out for golf, fishing, wine tasting and of course the casino," explains Gail M. about Jackson Rancheria RV Park.
