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The best camping near Columbia State Historic Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Columbia State Historic Park adventure.

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Community favorites near Columbia State Historic Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Columbia State Historic Park

89%
(243)

Yosemite Westlake Camp

33 sites ¡ RVs, Tents6 acres ¡ Coulterville, CA
Located on the John Muir Historic route to Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Westlake Campground and RV Park is convenient to all things Yosemite. Between here and the park is Rainbow Pool, a well-known swimming hole that campers here often visit on their way back to the campground for a refreshing dip in the cool waters. Coulterville was started as a gold-rush town. You can visit the museum and visitor center even try your hand at panning for gold.
from 
$48
 / night
100%
(80)

Squirrel Rock RV Campground

2 sites ¡ RVs8 acres ¡ Columbia, CA
Private RV campground in the Gold Country. Located in the historic townsite of Columbia known as the "Gem of the Southern Mines". There is 1 site so you'll have the campground to yourselves. There are 2 electrical panels so you can bring your family or friends if you like. If there are 2 RV's you can reserve the campground as a double site. We only accept fully self contained RV's & trailers. Campsite has 2 electric pedestals 50/30/110. Water hookups. No sewer. NO RESTROOMS AVAILABLE. Includes picnic table, camp fire ring, Weber BBQ, doggie station, horseshoe pit, corn hole, walking trails, and garbage/recycle bins. Winter camping dates subject to weather conditions. Located 0.6 mile to Columbia State Historic Park, parking and entrance is free and open year around. It is about a 15 minute walk. Close to Murphys, New Melones lake and Tuttletown recreation area, Moaning Caverns, Downtown Sonora, Mother Lode Escape Rooms, Columbia Airport, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, Black Oak Casino, Chicken Ranch Casino, Indigeny Reserve, Inner Sanctum Cellars Basecamp with other wineries and breweries nearby. About a 50 minute drive to Big Trees State Park and Pinecrest Lake. Yosemite National Park is about 1-1/2 hour drive to the Yosemite valley floor. Check for YARTS for transportation from downtown Sonora to Yosemite valley. There are several rafting outfitters in the area. Restaurants in the immediate vicinity include Mandy's Breakfast-Lunch, Columbia Frosty, El Jardin, St. Charles Saloon Pizza. Gas, diesel mini mart, market store nearby.
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$60
 / night
100%
(42)

River Ranch Campgrounds

27 sites ¡ RVs, Tents50 acres ¡ Twain Harte, CA
At River Ranch Campgrounds, Tuolumne, CA we offer a wide range of activities to make your stay enjoyable. Take a hike on one of the many trails winding through the Stanislaus National Forest at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains, or cast a line in the North Fork of the Tuolumne River or Basin Creek for some great native fishing. After a long day of exploration, come back to the campgrounds and relax by the firepit or enjoy a picnic in one of our many picnic areas. Activities in the campground include horseshoes and volleyball. We pride ourselves on blending nature and family camping in a safe, serene environment. We offer water hookups and centrally located restrooms with heated showers to make your stay comfortable and convenient.
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$40
 / night
99%
(1173)

Cosumnes River Ranch

25 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres ¡ Plymouth, CA
We are a family owned/operated ranch, located along the Cosumnes River, one of the last un-dammed rivers in California. As one of the last rivers flowing from the west slope of the Sierra without a major dam, the Cosumnes is a vital example of a healthy watershed. Our goal is to offer a unique outdoor experience for anyone looking for a place to spend time in the great outdoors. Whether you're looking for a single campsite, or a place for a larger gathering, we're excited to have you visit! Take your pick of activities available on site: swimming , gold panning, fishing, camp fires, wildlife watching, floating, hiking, and mountain biking to name a few. There are 3 miles of river to explore. Private and noise free. Porta potties on site.
from 
$85
 / night
95%
(41)

Sonora Foothills Getaway

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents5 acres ¡ Sonora, CA
We are located in the charming town of Sonora, CA! 🌲🏞️ Our property is the perfect place to camp, or park your RV or van for overnight stays. We have one RV site with full hookups (supports 50 amp & 30 amp), as well 1 campsite available. There is plenty of room for parking your camper van as well if you don't need any hook ups! Our price includes access to several shared amenities to make your stay comfortable and convenient, including potable water, electricity, toilet, and wifi. Also included is a firepit, plenty of outdoor seating, an outdoor play structure for kids (under the age of 7), ladder ball, horseshoe pits, bocci ball, and corn hole. A large gazebo provides plenty of shade on hot days, and has power and a mounted bluetooth speaker. ***For an additional fee, you can upgrade your experience with access to our outdoor grilling area, indoor shower (w/private entrance), and laundry amenities. Pricing and details for each of these are found under "extras" and MUST be added during booking process*** Our property is surrounded by nature, and is close to Yosemite, Columbia State Park, Old Town Sonora, Melones Lake, Pinecrest Lake, Dodge Ridge Ski Resort, and many other beautiful places to explore! Our property is not polluted by a bunch of light, giving you the chance to experience tranquil evenings under the stars. Sonora is a beautiful town that is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, with plenty of hiking and biking trails nearby. It's also an ideal location for those looking to explore the historic Columbia Gold Rush Town. A lot of family friendly activities within a short drive! We take pride in providing a clean, safe, and welcoming space for travellers. We are on site and available for anything you may need, even if it's last minute. Book your stay with us today and experience the best that Sonora has to offer!
from 
$40
 / night
97%
(497)

Diamond Gulch

23 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents824 acres ¡ Groveland, CA
CLOSE TO YOSEMITE! Explore the mines and hang out on our Groveland, California ranch! We are 35 minutes to the main gate of Yosemite National Park. A great place to stay just outside of the park. We have 824 acres on a beautiful cattle ranch with two small ponds. On our property, you'll find frogs, turtles, oak trees, pine trees and stunning views of Yosemite. We have several campsites to choose from including RV camping, tent camping, and a glamping tent. Pets are welcome. Campfires are permitted as long as there is no fire ban. Potable water and toilet are available onsite. There's a golf course less than a mile away. We are also very close to town. In just a few minutes, you can drive to our local grocery store and pizza parlour. We are a 10-minute drive to Pine Mountain Lake. Beautiful Pine Mountain Lake offers golfing, dining, horseback riding, water sports and an airport. When you come to the ranch it feels like you are hundreds of miles away from civilization, but still close to everything you need. It is incredibly peaceful! This is a great place for someone who wants to escape city life and enjoy the tranquillity of nature. Much of the ranch is open wilderness for you to explore, and it's not uncommon to see deer, frogs, turtles, quail, turkeys, or other countless species of birds. Diamond Gulch Camp is the perfect place to relax if you’re a photographer, artist, family or a group of friends looking for a place to camp near Yosemite. A small portion of the property was used as a gold mine years ago, and you may find remnants of old home sites if you go exploring. We're not far from Wards Ferry Road, Groveland, Lake Don Pedro and other interesting places.
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$30
 / night
100%
(2)

The Painted Lake

6 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs20 acres ¡ Copperopolis, CA
Explore BLM and Reclamation land along the shores of New Melones reservoir near Angels Camp. Horses, goats, sheep , and chickens await you on every fence line you come to. Kayak on the waters below us as you camp on our vineyard fenced 20 acre private scenery. Our land is surrounded by 100’s of acres of lake front - public Federal lands surrounded by our private acreage .
from 
$75
 / night
98%
(662)

Yosemite's Colfax Spring

8 sites ¡ RVs, Tents15 acres ¡ Groveland, CA
Welcome to Yosemite's Colfax Spring! Home to a basecamp for river rafting trips during the summertime, we are located 15 minutes driving distance to the entrance to Yosemite National Park. If you are staying with us between May - September and want to come rafting, ask us about our river trips! Our camp sits on a ridge with views down into the Tuolumne River Canyon. The Tuolumne River begins at 13,000 feet of elevation in the High Country of Tuolumne Meadows and provides drinking water for over 2.7 million people in San Francisco. With cedar and pine trees, manzanita bushes, and wildflowers in the spring, enjoy the Sierras' flora and fauna. Our family has been operating our river rafting company for over 50 years, the last 11 of those years being here at Colfax Spring. Conveniently located off Highway 120, we are in close proximity to swimming holes, hikes, and more. Enjoy the privacy of our campsite and getting world-class views to yourself, with all of the amenities (flushing toilets, wi-fi, showers.) Make sure to check the Yosemite National Park website for information about reservations to visit the park!
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$90
 / night
100%
(39)

Rocksteady Adventures

4 sites ¡ RVs, Tents70 acres ¡ Copperopolis, CA
Off-grid campground adjacent to 1000 acre private reservoir perfect for fishing, kayaking & paddle boarding. 70 acres in Sierra Nevada Foothills with Valley Oaks, Gray Pines & Manzanita. Best birding in Calaveras County with over 188 species including Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Osprey & waterfowl.
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$30
 / night
99%
(1081)

Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

7 sites ¡ RVs, Tents100 acres ¡ Murphys, CA
Thank you Hipcamper's for another wonderful season. We will be closed for winter weather and new art installations till April 15, 2024. We look forward to hosting you next season. Michel and Pamela Historic Brice Station 100 acres hosts Master artist, Michel Olson's Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden. Born in Berlin, Germany, he has spent his life time travelling and becoming an accomplished artist in wood, stone and iron. Two of his gypsy rigs and several large art installations, are in the meadow next to the forested 6 site campground. Newest installation, 100 ft sacred circle, yin/yang, sun dial and calendar. 3 miles of hiking trails, with art, continue to be expanded. Site 1 is spacious with multiple tent sites, art TeePee, and nice shade oak.Site 2 is largest with multiple levels/tent sites and best sunset views. Site 3 is woodsy and cozy. Site 4 has iron TeePee with chandelier and several shaded tent sites. Site 5 has small grass meadow and wheel sculpture. Site 6 has burningman bicycle fence and 2 person swing. All sites have parking, tables, benches, and trees for shade, hammocks or slack lines. On site activities: 3 walking trail loops, each about 1 mile long Sun. morning YOGA 10am. Brice Station Winery, tasting room. Open Fri. - Sun. 12 to 6pm .Quyle Kilns ceramic art studio and classes,Open Wed.- Sun. 10am to 6 pm. Paul Quyle Blacksmith school. First and third Sat 9am. Seasonal concerts and Shakespeare. Equinox and Solstice celebrations. Simply put, nature/art camping at its best. Children are full price and must be attended to. No trailers over 14 ft. No campsite open fires June thru Oct. Communal kitchen/crafts area with large tables, BBQ and cook top available. Kitchen fire ring for summer fires. Counter top stoves allowed in campsite. Leashed dogs welcome, please pick up after. Please no extra loud music or voices.
from 
$59
 / night
97%
(521)

Wondernut Farm

4 sites ¡ Lodging37 acres ¡ Big Oak Flat, CA
Wondernut Farm is an upstart, entirely off grid, working farm-stead being built from the ground up. We breed milking goats and sheep, heritage pigs, and are in the process of converting to a grade A dairy and creamery! We use organic practices, management intensive rotational grazing, and dryland pasture management. We sell our animals locally so that others can have their own milking and meat animals. Our 110 year old hay barn and the roof of the former lumber mill were all we had to work with in getting off the ground. Being first and foremost a functional farm, we can't help but offer a somewhat warts-and-all look into everything it takes to be working to our goals. Our hearts are, and always will be, educational and local community focused, and we work closely with farmers and friends alike in better understanding our innovative animal husbandry, power, pasture and water systems. Whenever we have time, we'll afford the same time and opportunities to interested hip-campers. Our location is stunning and historic, and the beauty of the wild, natural landscape is powerful, yet offers easy access to both Yosemite Valley and the San Francisco Bay area. The area features excellent road and mountain biking in the immediate vicinity, vast access to hiking and backpacking trails, a huge variety of rock climbing in the area, the best whitewater rafting in California on the Tuolumne River, with some tasty places to eat or drink coffee in the nearby town of Groveland, just 10 minutes away. Accommodations at the farm are certainly rustic, and private but not secluded, with occasionally heavily project-exploded shared kitchen and living space, showers, and a composting toilet. Do be advised that animals are pooping, hammers are hammering, sometimes we need to look into a health or animal injury related issue. Sometimes there is blood in an animal birth or slaughter, and our working guardian dogs have been known to be noisy some nights. Water and electricity are both very limited (though we reuse all our water), waste must be carefully sorted into a number of different categories, and there is always evidence of ump-teen projects unfolding at once. The most difficult condition during much of the summer are nuisance flies, which are always gone at night. We have almost no mosquitoes or ticks. Depending on the exact situation and time of year, guests may have the opportunities to snuggle with baby animals and run our herd to or from pasture, and maybe even get their hands dirty picking veggies in the garden.
from 
$120
 / night
95%
(301)

BaseCampByBo!

4 sites ¡ RVs, Tents20 acres ¡ Groveland, CA
If you are looking for man made and leveled campsites, then this is not your basecamp. This land is a gorgeous 20 acres that means a lot to us.  It's space to find your peace of mind and pitch a tent or hammock, as you would when hiking the backcountry.  Aside from complimentary ice water, potty, shower, soaps, sanitizer, sunscreen, first aid, communal fire pit, wood stove and dishwashing area) this is not "glamping".  If you are  a person who appreciates nature and making due with what the land has provided, then we are a great fit. Guests have 20 acres to find a secluded, or socially distanced spot to pitch camp. This is for people that know how to camp in the backcountry -  Without a trash can, who don’t leave cigarette butts, respect the land and would rather not be sectioned off. Flat areas are all over if you explore, and use your feet to brush aside rocks and twigs, to lay down a tent base, as we do every time we camp in the backcountry. The geography of these mountains is just that, hills and mountains. The vista at the top of the property is gorgeous and easily camps 5 tents spaced out. The property does offer many other great camping areas, and I’m more than happy to point them out. Yosemite is 30 minutes away, Don Pedro lake is 30 minutes, Cherry Lake is 30 minutes, Preston falls and Carlon falls are both 30 min away.  Downtown Groveland Is 7 minutes away, and other historic towns are not too far.  Close to many swimming holes. Rainbow pools is 15 minutes away. 10 min from the local grocery store and other local shops. Base Camp is just off of highway 120. Sonora has a great farmers market on Sunday and is a beautiful 40 min drive away. Thank you for taking time to read this, we look forward to hosting you!  -Best    Jarrett & Bo
from 
$65
 / night

The best camping near Columbia State Historic Park guide

Overview

About

One of the best-preserved California Gold Rush towns, Columbia State Historic Park is a popular destination for school living-history programs, special family gatherings, or a year-round getaway. Columbia offers a unique blend of museums, exhibits, town tours, live theater plays, restaurants and attractions.

Visit the shops, catch a stagecoach, or take a ghost tour of Columbia. There are 25 wineries within a twenty minute drive, giant sequoias at Calaveras Big Trees State Park within a thirty-five minute drive, the exciting days of steam-train travel at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park within a ten minute drive, and Yosemite National Park is just over the hill. The area is also a prime spot for antiquing, gold panning, cave exploring and white-water rafting.

The Columbia City Hotel and its sister, the Fallon Hotel, are authentically restored 19th-century country inns. All rooms are elegantly appointed with Victorian antiques, custom crafted wall coverings, and beautiful lithographs. Take a peak at the front desk.

Each hotel has a sitting parlour where you can peruse books and magazines, or participate in one of many board games.

While both hotels stay as faithful to 19th century decor as possible, modern conveniences such as indoor plumbing, heating. and air conditioning have been added. Each room has a half bath and a shower basket is provided for the trip down the hall to the shared shower rooms.

There are also three charming cottages—a one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom—each with a full kitchen, fenced yard and DVD player.

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