Map showing campground location near Emigrant Gap, California

Camper submitted image from Tahoe National Forest Onion Valley Campground

Tahoe National Forest Onion Valley Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Small and low-traffic, Tahoe National Forest Onion Valley Campground sits within Tahoe National Forest near Emigrant Gap, California, open from May through October. The campground divides loosely into a north and south side, which means even a handful of other visitors can feel well out of earshot. Sites are well-spaced, and most include a picnic table and fire ring. A vault toilet near the entrance has drawn favorable comments from multiple visitors, though the dump station at the front has shown signs of wildlife interference when ranger visits have been infrequent.

Water is a recurring theme in reviews. Streams run nearby, and frogs are audible at night. A meadow adjacent to the campground stays open enough for dogs to move around freely, and Jordan R. notes it was "perfect for my dog to frolic through." Open ground around the meadow also gives reasonable sightlines toward the sky after dark, which several campers have mentioned as a draw. Fire scarring up the road from a past wildfire has left standing dead wood that can serve as a firewood source, while also marking the landscape visibly.

The campground works well as an overnight stop on routes between the Sacramento Valley and the Sierra Nevada. North Fork Campground sits just to the southwest and is another option along the same corridor, though reviewers describe it as denser and more shaded. Campers staging trips through the area can find additional camping spots around Tahoe National Forest across a range of settings and access types. Arriving mid-week in summer gives the best chance of securing one of the limited sites without competition.

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Map & DirectionsTahoe National Forest Onion Valley Campground is located in California near Emigrant Gap

Public Campground

Directions

From I-80: Take Emigrant Gap exit and travel 7 miles south east on Texas Hill Road 19.

Coordinates

39.27800094 N
120.6538614 W

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Connectivity

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Toilets
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

53 min from Reno, NV
1 hr 3 min from Sacramento, CA
1 hr 18 min from Yuba City, CA
1 hr 24 min from Carson City, NV

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Reviews5 Camper Reviews - Tahoe National Forest Onion Valley Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

5 Reviews

A small, secluded campground with well-spaced sites and basic amenities in a scenic meadow setting. Guests commonly noted the peaceful atmosphere and beautiful natural surroundings, making it ideal for stargazing and quiet camping.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Ray B.

Guide

Reviewed Mar. 26, 2025

One Night on the Meadow

Some friends of ours love North Fork Campground just off I-80 at Emigrant Gap, so we were going to try it on the way back from the California coast to Reno. North Fork Campground was nice, and would have been a good place to spend the night, but felt a bit dark and tight with dense foliage along the beginnings of the North Fork of the American River. We saw that Onion Valley Campground was just a bit further. Nobody there, so we took a spot at the far end of the campground next to the meadow. Very peaceful for a short afternoon stop and a morning departure.

Month of VisitSeptember

Ian F.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 8, 2023

Onion Valley Campground

It was nice and secluded with not many sites so not many people or noise. Close to some good hiking trails.

Site5

Month of VisitJune

Caroline B.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 25, 2022

Pleasantly surprised

This camp ground was small but we managed to find a spot. Easy and fast access from Rocklin/Sacramento/Roseville. If you hike through some burnt areas you’ll find a really pretty stream. I loved the open fields of wild flowers. Those open spaces allow for some great star gazing night.

Month of VisitJuly

(4) View All

Jordan R.

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 3, 2021

Best Camping Spot Yet!

Came here as a plan B after the road to Bowman had too much snow. This was one of those plan B’s that turned out better than the original!

Only one other group on the opposite end of the campground since it has a north/south side. There aren’t many spots and they are well spaced out. Tables and fire rings in most of them. Vault toilet near the entrance was in surprisingly good condition. The dump spot by the front was obviously not bear/raccoon proof enough and I assumed rangers hadn’t been through in a while. Meadow near the campgrounds is amazing and was perfect for my dog to frolic through. Frogs are noisy at night due to the streams that run nearby. Fire scarring just up the road made for good firewood and a humbling reminder of what a wildfire leaves behind.

Month of VisitApril

Adam B.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 8, 2020

Great spot

We rolled in here after midnight and most of the spots were still empty, and they're far enough apart that we were able to set up camp without being too disruptive. There's a vault toilet, picnic tables, fire rings, and some gorgeous scenery. What more could you need?

(4) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What do photos show about the camping sites at Onion Valley Campground?

The camping sites at Onion Valley Campground are well-spaced and distributed between north and south sides of the campground. Each site comes equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. The surrounding area features beautiful scenery with open fields of wildflowers that create excellent stargazing opportunities at night. The landscape includes some burnt areas, but beyond these, visitors can find pretty streams and scenic natural beauty.

Where is Onion Valley Campground located in Tahoe National Forest?

Onion Valley Campground is located in the Tahoe National Forest near Emigrant Gap, making it easily accessible from Interstate 80. The campground offers a convenient location for visitors traveling from Sacramento, Roseville, and Rocklin areas, with relatively quick access. It's situated in a scenic area with north and south sides to the campground, providing different exposure options for campers.

What berry picking opportunities are available near Onion Valley Campground?

While specific berry picking opportunities aren't detailed for Onion Valley Campground, the surrounding Tahoe National Forest does offer seasonal berry picking in similar mountain areas. The open fields and natural surroundings near the campground suggest potential for finding wild berries during the right season. For dedicated berry picking, visitors should check with the Tahoe National Forest ranger district office for current information on locations and seasons before their trip.

What do visitor reviews say about Onion Valley Campground?

Onion Valley Campground receives high marks for its seclusion, privacy, and well-spaced sites that minimize noise and disruption. The campground is relatively small with limited spots, but this contributes to its peaceful atmosphere. Campers appreciate the basic amenities including vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. The surrounding area offers hiking trails, beautiful wildflower fields, and stargazing opportunities. Many find it to be a pleasant alternative to more crowded campgrounds in the region.

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