Weimar, California sits in the Sierra Nevada foothills at approximately 2,400 feet elevation, offering moderate summer temperatures compared to the Central Valley. The surrounding rv sites near Weimar, California typically remain open year-round, allowing visitors to experience the changing seasons of Gold Country, though mountain locations may have limited winter access due to snow.
What to do
Riverside recreation: Swimming and floating at Thousand Trails Ponderosa are popular activities during summer months. "The River is nice with man made trails to easily walk down to a beach area," notes Angela C. Water activities form the centerpiece of many camping trips in the area, with one visitor sharing, "Lots of great fishing, floating, and kayak accessibly. Bring tubes and life vests. Poles and bait."
Mountain biking: Explore local trails around the Gold Country campgrounds, particularly at higher elevations. A visitor at Thousand Trails Snowflower reports, "If you mountain bike, there's some decent trails close by to ride. There's also legit fishing lakes within about a 20 minute radius." Local areas provide both beginner and more technical trails.
Local dining options: Small towns near camping areas offer food options within walking distance of some campgrounds. "Local grocery and pizza, frozen yogurt available within walking distance," notes Kate A. about amenities near Ponderosa RV Resort. These small towns provide convenient resupply points for extended stays.
What campers like
Swimming lakes: Natural water features provide relief during hot summer days. At French Meadows, "All sites have easy access to the water. All of the campers were very cool and extremely dog friendly," according to Graham K. The reservoir offers swimming opportunities with manageable water temperatures even for younger visitors as "water was perfect temperature for swimming for our toddlers."
Wildlife viewing: Deer and birds frequent many campgrounds in the region. At Lake of the Springs, campers report close wildlife encounters: "Each day a family of deer came thru our site and were so tame they ate fruit right out of the kids' hands." The surrounding forests support diverse bird populations.
Night sky viewing: Dark skies provide excellent stargazing opportunities. "This place is dark at night so really good for star watching," reports Julie M. about Sycamore Ranch RV Park. The foothill elevation and distance from major cities creates optimal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access challenges exist for reaching some campgrounds. French Meadows requires careful driving as one visitor notes, "The road to get to the site is extremely windy and narrow with no rails so be careful!" Mountain roads often lack guardrails and may be difficult for larger vehicles.
Site variations: Campground terrain differs significantly across locations. "WARNING- two thirds of the campsites were on a slope with no where to setup a tent on level ground," cautions a French Meadows visitor. At Snowflower, "RV sites are mostly electric and water only, and many aren't anywhere near level."
Cell service: Communication limitations affect most campgrounds. At Lake of the Springs, "cell coverage is nonexistent outside of one small area." Signal strength varies significantly by carrier, with most mountain locations having minimal coverage outside of towns.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies across campgrounds. The South Yuba Campground has challenges as "The composting toilet is a wreck. Not usable. Use cat holes instead (200 ft from water please)." Other locations like Sycamore Ranch offer "Bathrooms/showers for paid guest have a code to get in."
Tips for camping with families
Water safety: Swimming precautions are essential at river locations. "The river is swift," warns one camper about Ponderosa, emphasizing the need for appropriate safety gear. Another adds, "Bring tubes and life vests" for water activities.
Bug protection: Mosquito management is crucial at some locations. At Snowflower RV Resort, one group "spent the weekend trying to figure out why this camp is more bug-ridden than others and concluded that it is likely due to limited air currents through this secluded part of the forest." Pack appropriate repellent.
Activity options: Recreational amenities vary by season and management policies. "Due to Covid precautions, there was no playground, boat rentals, etcetera," noted one Lake of the Springs visitor, highlighting how amenities may change. Check current offerings before arrival.
Fire restrictions: Check current regulations as rules differ by location. Dutch Flat RV Resort prohibits wood fires entirely, while other locations may have seasonal restrictions. One Lake of the Springs visitor notes there are "no fires, propane is okay."
Tips from RVers
Reservation systems: Understand booking procedures for popular rv sites near Weimar, California. Lake of the Springs operates differently than other parks: "I'm not really a fan of 'first come first serve', it makes it hard when group camping," shares Eric P. For Thousand Trails properties, "Thousand Trails does not reserve campsites so it can be quite a scene to find a site especially in the summer."
Site selection: Research campsite specifics before booking. At Placerville RV Resort, "Read the fine print! If you are expecting a full-hookup site, make sure it has septic at your site! Many of the sites are water and electric only, and you have to use the one dump station at the camp entrance for dumping."
Waste management: Plan for dump station delays during peak periods. "Only one dump station was open (there are 3) so waited 30+ minutes to dump," reports a Snowflower visitor. Alternative options include honey wagon service at some locations: "They don't have sewer so you can dump it yourself at a dump area on the campground or have a service come to you and do it for $25."
