Campervan Sites Near Bear Valley, California: Best Bear Valley Campervan Sites 2025

Bear Valley is campervan country—over 3,300 options let you roll in, plug up, and settle down without fuss. Wide mountain views, crisp air, and winding rivers set the tone. You’ll find campsites near lakes, tucked along trails, and beside ranches. Prices start at just $9 a night, with an average around $76, so there’s wiggle room for every budget. Top spots like Finnon Lake Recreation Area (1,192 reviews), Cosumnes River Ranch (879 reviews), and Camp Nauvoo (749 reviews) keep regulars coming back for the fishing, hiking, and horseback riding. Expect toilets, potable water, and showers at most sites—so you can focus on the trails and the lake, not the logistics.

94% (8.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Bear Valley is campervan country—over 3,300 options let you roll in, plug up, and settle down without fuss. Wide mountain views, crisp air, and winding rivers set the tone. You’ll find campsites near lakes, tucked along trails, and beside ranches. Prices start at just $9 a night, with an average around $76, so there’s wiggle room for every budget. Top spots like Finnon Lake Recreation Area (1,192 reviews), Cosumnes River Ranch (879 reviews), and Camp Nauvoo (749 reviews) keep regulars coming back for the fishing, hiking, and horseback riding. Expect toilets, potable water, and showers at most sites—so you can focus on the trails and the lake, not the logistics.

94% (8.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Finnon Lake Recreation Area

95%

(2328)

44mi from Bear Valley · 39 sites · Tents, RVs · Placerville, CA

ALL RV VEHICLES AND VEHICLES WITH TRAILERS MUST TAKE ROCK CREEK RD. (Even if your GPS says to use Mosquito Road). These vehicles will not fit and cannot cross the single-lane suspension Mosquito Bridge. These vehicles and trailers will be forced to turn around or back up to take Rock Creek Road. Smoke on the Water diner is open weekends, 530-622-1060. Hours are limited. Use caution - twisty, narrow country road If it's your first time, you might want to check out the route beforehand. From Sacramento on Hwy 50: At the second stop light, Spring St./Hwy 49, turn left, heading north about 1 block to the stop sign. Turn left, staying on Hwy 49, approximately 1 mile. Turn right on Hwy 193. Travel approximately 3.1 miles to Rock Creek Road. Turn onto Rock Creek Road and travel 8.9 miles to Finnon Lake/Diner on the Left. The campground is behind the Diner. The DINER "Smoke on the Water" is open only Saturday and Sunday. Traveling West on 50 from Tahoe: make a right on HWY 49 traveling north. Follow the above instructions. Welcome to Finnon Lake Recreation Area! Our lovely lake to discover. The night skies above Finnon Lake will reveal stars unseen in California. Enjoy searching for bullfrogs, and watch the flock of Canadian Geese fly in right at sunset as the horizon blends into the watercolor sky. This private lake supports the fire protection efforts of the Mosquito Fire Protection District and the firefighters of this community. Community volunteers manage the lake for the residents and the Fire Station. The primary funding source for the Finnon Lake Restoration is the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, which was signed into law in 2004 with a mission to support “efforts that improve the environmental, economic and social well-being of the Sierra Nevada Region, its communities and the residents of California,” according to its Website. Finnon Lake is also home to a popular 18-hole disc golf course and Mosquito’s only restaurant, Smoke on the Water Diner, which is open on weekends only 530-622-1060. During your stay, you can enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, paddling, hiking, or biking. Sites are from post to post. Our property is located in Placerville, California.

2. Diamond Gulch

96%

(1156)

44mi from Bear Valley · 41 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Groveland, CA

Groups of 15 or more use this code for 15% off your stay! ADMXESCZ Check out this sweet YouTube video of the property! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEvKF5nqcUM Early and late check-out available on tent/rv sites, free of charge. Just message me if you need an earlier check in! Free firewood! We are 30 minutes to the main gate of Yosemite National Park. A great place to stay just outside of the park. Be near the park, but feel that complete privacy. These sites are very spaced out from each other and are large. No need to cram together! Explore the mines and hang out on our Groveland, California ranch! 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.

3. Yosemite Colfax Spring

98%

(976)

45mi from Bear Valley · 13 sites · Tents, RVs · Groveland, CA

Welcome to Your Basecamp for Yosemite Adventure 🌲⛰ Just 15–20 minutes from the entrance of Yosemite National Park and about an hour from the Yosemite Valley floor, our camp offers the perfect location to recharge after exploring one of the most iconic natural landscapes on Earth. We’re also about 1.5 hours from the high-country beauty of Tuolumne Meadows, making this a great launchpad for day trips in every direction. Perched in the scenic Sierra foothills, our dry camping sites are celebrated for breathtaking panoramic views, open skies, and unforgettable sunrises and starry nights. It’s an ideal place to unwind, reconnect, and experience the outdoors in its raw beauty — without giving up the comfort of flushing toilets and hot, on-demand showers. Most of our sites are best suited for those who plan to explore during the day and return in the evening, as they receive full sun and have limited shade throughout the midday hours (during the summer months). For those looking to hang around camp during the day, we recommend bringing a shade canopy or pop-up to make your stay more comfortable. Whether you’re here for epic hikes, rock climbs, or peaceful views, our camp is a restful and rustic homebase nestled close to the wonders of Yosemite.

4. Fox Sparrow RV Resort & Campground

49mi from Bear Valley · 29 sites · Tents, RVs · Georgetown, CA

Experience the perfect blend of nature and comfort at Fox Sparrow RV Resort and Campground in Georgetown, California. Where the warmth of family ownership meets the serene beauty of nature. Nestled in the heart of unforgettable landscapes, our campsite, owned and passionately run by us, is more than just a place to stay; it's a sanctuary for creating lasting memories, a gateway to adventures, and a haven where every sunset marks the beginning of a cherished story."

5. Camp 🏕 Gold Dust Vineyard

97%

(355)

33mi from Bear Valley · 6 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Somerset, CA

A six acre organic vineyard & natural winery on 21 acres awaits you at Gold Dust Vineyard. A working natural winery and cidery, come enjoy a glass, relax in the breezes at 2’700 feet. Decomposed granite soils and high elevation make for sweeping views and even better natural wine and cider! We welcome guests year round! Surrounded by nature, there is so much to do! Up in the Foothills, we experience all four seasons! Come relax☮️ March - May 🌸Don’t miss the wildflowers & babbling brooks, steams & rivers June - September 🏞Swimming in the Consumnes River or paddle boarding at Jenkinson Lake September - December 🍂🍁Fall foliage, wine harvest, apple picking and alpaca petting December - March ❄️⛷Snowy hikes, mushroom hunting and quick trips to South Lake Tahoe We accept reservations for wine and cider tastings and typically host guests between the hours of 11 am and 5 pm. Occasionally, during very hot and busy holiday weekends, we will host an evening tasting. We have running water on the side of the winery building. Please note, we are a mom and pop shop with just two of us and our young son running the show. We live on site in a tiny house and use the tasting area as our 'back yard' during off hours. We ask that guests please respect our area and off hours requests. We do not permit live fires or generators.

6. Water front on Topaz Lake

95%

(88)

31mi from Bear Valley · 7 sites · Tents, RVs · Topaz, CA

Learn more about this land:Beautiful lake front property on Topaz Lake , we have 6 rv sites to choose from on 4 acres .First come first serve . Bring your Rv or pitch a tent . Bring your whole family. We have kayaks and paddle boards . Fishing boat available to rent . Life jackets available and a peddle boat too ! Lots of float toys !!

7. The Painted Lake

97%

(130)

44mi from Bear Valley · 8 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Angels Camp, CA

8. Sage

92%

(13)

26mi from Bear Valley · 11 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Bear Valley, CA

Sage (named for our beloved 15 year old lab who passed) is a conveniently located property right on Highway 88 in Pioneer, California. Warm and inviting, Sage is a relaxing, modern spot for people heading up to Kirkwood for skiing or for nature, lakes, and fishing. Our place offers a fully operational commercial style communal outdoor kitchen, a small stage, huge redwood, slab dining table, and 14 acres of camping area. It also offers a beautiful 8 foot stock tank hot tub with the freshest clean snowpack water. So clean that it shares an aquifer with Crystal Geyser bottled water. These are all communal spaces. Please keep this in mind when booking, and be prepared to meet some great folks. Be kind to one another and enjoy the experience. We have several stay options to choose from, including a loft and group rates.

9. Historical Columbia Campground

97%

(18)

36mi from Bear Valley · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Columbia, CA

Tucked-Away Camping Retreat Near Historic Columbia Escape to this peaceful, tucked-away slice of land just minutes from the heart of Columbia. Nestled just outside town, the land offers wide, flat space ideal for tent camping or RV parking (no hookups, just how the wild likes it). Enjoy the simplicity of the outdoors with picnic tables, a convenient wash station, and a classic outhouse as your restroom option — true rustic camping charm. Wander along the on-site ¼-mile nature trail or sit back and listen to the sounds of bluejays, woodpeckers, and doves. If you're lucky, you might catch sight of a wild turkey or a deer passing through. Spring and summer evenings bring stunning sunsets you won’t want to miss. Nearby Attractions: Just a 15–20 minute walk (or under a mile drive) to Historic Downtown Columbia 6 miles to the scenic Natural Bridges 6 miles to downtown Sonora — great for shopping, dining, and local brews 13 miles to Murphys, home to charming shops and renowned local wineries 15 miles to Ironstone Vineyard 10miles to the awe-inspiring Moaning Caverns Within 30 miles: five beautiful lakes — New Melones, Don Pedro, Lake Tulloch, Lake Hogan, and Wood Lakes - Perfect for Fishing & Kayaking Independently owned and operated, no other affiliations.

10. Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

99%

(1249)

29mi from Bear Valley · 7 sites · Tents, RVs · Murphys, CA

Thank you Hipcamper's for many great years of support. Historic Brice Station 100 acres, was a horse stop on the Ebbetts Pass stage line. Horses were fed, watered and swapped here, over 100 years ago. Today, Brice station hosts a ceramics gallery and school, vineyard and tasting room, Blacksmith school, Concert series, Shakespeare performances and Master artist, Michel Olson's, Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden and campground. Born in Berlin, Germany, he has spent much of his life performing, guiding, studying, while 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. Installation include, 100 ft sacred circle, yin/yang, sun dial and calendar. Quadruple Branch Arch. Avenue of art. Glass and Brass over Grass. Stone stage with two bell racks. Wheels of time. Florence the Freightliner. Glass henge. Chain henge. Family altar. Double sand box. Stone spiral Each, of the 6 campsites, have art installations as well. Site 1 is spacious with multiple tent sites, art Steel TeePee, and nice shade oak. Picnic table and some chairs. Parking for 4 cars. Sites 1 and 6 together, with kitchen area, makes a great group site. Site 2, is our largest single site. Multiple tent sites. 2 tables. Branch arch way. Parking for 6 cars. Hammock friendly trees. Site 3, is our cozy site. Multiple tent sites. Wood wizard and frog carving. Picnic table. Parking for 3 cars Site 4, has our second metal TeePee, with melted bottle suncatchers. Multiple tent sites. Picnic table. Parking for 3 cars Site 5, has Wood Henge, made from one enormous tree. Multiple tent sites. Picnic table. Parking for 3 cars. Site 6, has a burningman bicycle fence, and ski lift chair swing. Multiple tent sites. Picnic table. Parking for 3 cars. Brice Station Winery, tasting room. Open Fri. - Sun. 12 to 6pm .Quyle Kilns Pottery Gallery, School and ceramic art studio Wed thru Sunday 10am to 6pm Paul Quyle Blacksmith school. C.B.A. member. First and third Sat 9am. Brice Station Vineyard, tasting room and concerts bricestation.com Simply put, art, nature camping, with a hint of history, 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. Propane fire rings and counter top stoves allowed in campsite. Leashed dogs welcome, please pick up after. Please no extra loud music or voices.

11. Camp Electra in Mokelumne Hill

95%

(21)

37mi from Bear Valley · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Mokelumne Hill, CA

Meander through Historic Mokelumne Hill also known as Moke Hill to locals. Listen to music and have a drink on weekends at the Renegade Winery. Explore the Mokelumne river up Electra road. Plenty to see and experience all within walking distance. Mokelumne Hill is a quant town with lots of charm in the heart of the Gold Country. Bring your own tent or your small RV and campout at our rig site or "glamp" in our vintage VW "Choncho".

12. Angels Hideaway

100%

(3)

42mi from Bear Valley · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Angels Camp, CA

Hilltop Yurt and RV Parking Enjoy a large deck with an outdoor shower and scenic views. The front half of the property features sloping oaks, open space, and a seasonal pond, while the backside is wooded with a path leading down to the creek bed at the base of the hill. Make a campfire, BBQ, pan for gold, and soak up the fresh air. A swing for kids hangs from an oak near the yurt, and other trees onsite are perfect for a hammock. The solar panel powers basic amenities in the 24 ft yurt (2 beds), including the on-demand water heater for the shower. The bathroom is an outhouse. There’s ample space to pitch tents or dry camp in an RV. Please note: The driveway is a bit steep, so 4-wheel drive is preferred.

13. Willow Springs Resort

97%

(115)

50mi from Bear Valley · 29 sites · RVs, Lodging · Bridgeport, CA

Welcome to Willow Springs Resort Please come stay with us when you are visiting the beautiful Eastern Sierras. Willow Springs Resort is located five miles south of Bridgeport, California, in the heart of the Eastern Sierra premiere outdoor recreational region. Although you’re sure to unplug with all there is to do around here, our guests have access to some of the best Wi-Fi in the area. The facility is a small 50’s era motel and RV park with all the amenities one normally expects. We are a pet-friendly facility. We love pets and welcome them in our RV park but not in our motel rooms (with the exception of service animals). Willow Springs Resort was built 70 years ago and is still owned and operated by the same family. That family prides itself on operating a peaceful, beautiful, and clean vacation destination. The fish at the left was caught in Virginia Creek, which is just across the highway from Willow Springs! There are a host of activities to enjoy in the "big backyard" of this Sierra Nevada paradise. Whether you enjoy fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, swimming, or 4-wheeling, or want to take a photo class or tour of Bodie Ghost Town, the area offers it all. If you prefer to read a book or catch a falling star, meet new people, and share stories at the campfire, Willow Springs Resort is here to welcome you!

14. Squirrel Rock RV Campground

100%

(169)

36mi from Bear Valley · 2 sites · RVs · Columbia, CA

Private gated 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 ONLY. NO TENTS NO LONG TERM STAYS. Campsite has 2 electric pedestals 50/30/110. Water hookups at each site. NO SEWER. NO DUMP 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.

15. Private Reservoir

96%

(47)

45mi from Bear Valley · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Valley Springs, CA

Private property on a private reservoir. Enjoy some quiet time on the water, swimming, fishing, camping or just sitting and enjoying this hidden gem. Conveniently located a couple minutes from town to get some groceries or even fast food and gas. Also minutes from the large lake of New Hogan if your brining a jet ski or boat. Come relax on this 10 acres of private water access. Fish till your heart is content. Please catch and release. We have a variety of fish: Bass, Blue Gill, Cat fish and even some big Carp. Use our canoe or paddle boat or bring your own kayak, SUP, canoe etc. Newly added large floating dock, sand beach and large swing set/ hammock polls. Come play and have fun and listen to the sounds of frogs at night and the birds in the morning.

16. Green Acres slip

100%

(12)

35mi from Bear Valley · 1 site · RV · Sonora, CA

Park your trailer on our quiet property and watch the deer walk by your front door, rabbits running through the field and sip your coffee in the fresh mountain air. This slip is located on a little over 3 acres. 30amp electric hookups, septic and potable water all at the site. WiFi and a shared laundry building with a half bath on the property just a short walk from your slip. We are always adding to the property and the amenities and will update our listing as they become available to use. Thanks for looking! Friendly dogs are allowed on the property. Pinecrest 21 miles (34 minutes) Dodge ridge 26 miles (38 minutes) Columbia state park 7.1 miles (21 minutes). Murphy’s 25 miles (39 minutes) Grocery stores 5.5 miles (9 minutes) Black Oak Casino 6.3 miles (13 minutes)

17. Paradise Shores Camp

98%

(938)

47mi from Bear Valley · 46 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Bridgeport, CA

We're a family owned RV Park & Campground located on the shores of Bridgeport Reservoir. Together with our crew, we're excited to welcome you into our newly adopted home. We believe in campfires, starry nights, good laughs, exploration, a deep sleep and an early rise. The mountains are a place to get back to basics, a place to explore, to breathe. So turn off your phone and turn on your senses. It’s important to us that our guests don’t feel they are renting a tent/RV site or a camper as much as they’re immersing themselves into the outdoor experience. You may just want to sit outside and read for days, enjoy campfires and eat s'mores. For more adventurous, there's a full slate of self-guided recreational activities, such as hiking, kayaking, fishing, ATVing, rock climbing, biking, natural water slides, stand up paddle boards, bird watching, available in the area. We do have modern conveniences such as wifi internet; however, we encourage our guests to “unplug” and immerse in the slow paced life instead. At Paradise Shores, we believe in protecting people, animals and the planet. We make sure that the majority of products we use at our camp is recycled, composted, or re-used. We prefer to use products that are produced in a sustainable way and avoid those that aren't. We are continuously reducing the amount of waste we generate and actively promote recycling of aluminum, plastic, glass, and cardboard. We pack our own recycling and haul it to the nearest recycling facility which is an hour away. We co-opt the drive with other activities to reduce waste. We don’t use individually packaged toiletries or one-use products. We use plant and planet friendly detergent. We're based in a desert. We share our precious water with the entire planet. With only 326 million cubic miles of water on the earth, the decreasing amounts of access to quality fresh water is alarming to us. We monitor how we use water in our day-to-day activities and are constantly working on ways to reduce our consumption of fresh-water resources. We hope you can help us maintain this greener camping! We hope Paradise Shores Camp becomes your home as it is ours. It’s located in one of the most spectacular areas in the world. We’re surrounded on three sides by the high Sierra Nevada Mountains. Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne Meadows, Mono Lake, June Lake, Virginia Lakes, and Twin Lakes, as well as the historic gold-mining town of Bodie, CA are all within a short drive from our place. We're proud to know this area intimately and are excited to share the secret spots with you. The excellent hiking/running trails including the Pacific Crest Trail, thousands of miles of ATV, dirt bike and mountain bike trails are accessible right from our camp or within a short drive from here. The surrounding terrain offers endless activities and unbelievable scenery in remote wilderness settings. Pet Policy All our RV & Tent sites are pet friendly and we allow up to two dogs per reservation for a small fee. We can also accommodate up to two four-legged campers in our pet-friendly Baja or Tatra trailers for a small fee, we ask that they stay off the furniture (beds, sofas etc.) and are not left in the rental unattended. We love dogs, but sadly won’t be able to accommodate heavily shedding pets that aren’t house trained. Additionally, our insurance will not allow "aggressive breeds" that include any mix of: Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Doberman, German Sheppard. Please pick up after your pup and use a leash when at the camp. Thank you in advance for your consideration and help in keeping our camp a mellow and enjoyable place for everyone.

18. 160 Acres amidst National Forest

98%

(95)

41mi from Bear Valley · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Placerville, CA

Welcome to Slate Mountain where you have access to 160 acres of gated, private wilderness with 360 degree mountain views and exclusive waterfront on Slab Creek. There are two choices of sites to camp: At Site 1 you can park an RV or pitch a tent where you have access to a picnic table, fire pit, vault toilet, and amazing sunset views. At Site 2 you can pitch a tent and have access to a picnic table, fire pit, rocking chairs, and a hammock. Bring your hiking boots or your off-road toys and explore 160 acres of secluded forest filled with wildflowers, butterflies, ancient Pines and Cedars, wild berries, and wild game. Spend the day relaxing, picnicking, and try your luck at gold panning on pristine Slab Creek where not a single human or road exists for miles. Bring your paddle boards and kayaks and spend an afternoon at Stumpy Meadows, a beautiful mountain reservoir a 25 minute drive from the property. Apple Hill wineries and farms are a 40 minute drive. If you bring the off-road toys you also have access to miles of trails throughout hundreds of acres of national forest. Don’t feel like cooking? Smoke on the Water restaurant at Finnon reservoir in Swansboro is a quick 20 minute drive from the property. If you need supplies, a nice restaurant, or a day of wine tasting to break up the grit, downtown Placerville and Georgetown are both a 45 minute scenic drive. IMPORTANT NOTES: 1) To get the most out of your experience, we highly recommend a 4WD or vehicle, ATVs or eBikes. 2) The creek is at the bottom of the canyon, 1.5 miles from the gate at the entrance, and the road down is very steep and lined with blackberry bushes. We highly recommend an off-road vehicle/ATV or eBikes for easy access to creek. 3) Be aware you are in the middle of the forest and wildlife such as bear, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, and tics have been spotted on the property. Poison Oak is also common. 4) The property has cell service in the upper quadrant, however once you drop below the tree line toward the creek there is no service. 5) We highly recommend bringing a chainsaw or hatchet. There is an abundance of dead wood on the property that can be gathered for camp fires. Trees also occasionally fall on the trail which can impede access to the creek.

19. The Land Of Make+Believe

88%

(8)

32mi from Bear Valley · 4 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Murphys, CA

The Land of Make+Believe is a retreat space bringing magical realism to our nonfiction world... Located at the base of the Sierra Foothills in Murphys, California, we are fourteen acres perched on the edge of time. Our landscape straddles geologic formations that span millions of years across the Mesozoic and Paleozoic eras. The marbleized limestone outcropping is a prominent site feature that's culturally, geologically, and historically significant. It was used as a communal grinding rock — Chaw'se — by the Miwok to process acorns into meal for food. This same rock formation was later hydraulically mined for gold in the second half of the 19th century, amidst some of the largest mining operations during the California Gold Rush. Downtown Murphys, our local gold-mining town turned quaint wine country destination, is just 1.5 miles away. Our site manifests as a spiritual epicenter within the larger landscape, a gateway to the Sierras, a space of regeneration. Fourteen acres of pure possibility for gathering, for staying, for inspiration, for joy.

20. Bridgeport Reservoir Campground

90%

(1209)

47mi from Bear Valley · 36 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · CA

Bridgeport Reservoir is a lake at the lower end of Bridgeport Valley in Mono County, California. Its earth-filled dam was constructed in 1923 by the Walker River Irrigation District, along the East Walker River. The campground and marina was built I-don't-know-how-long ago, but it sure is nice! About Us: Welcome to Bridgeport Reservoir Marina and Campground. Join us for the classic camping and fishing experience with unique views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Within the Toiyabe National Forest, Bridgeport Reservoir Marina and Campground is conveniently located near two distinct hot spring areas. A true angler's paradise, the Reservoir has excellent trout fishing from spring through fall and is close by to multiple rivers for incredible fly fishing. A 35 minute drive on highway 120 will take you to the Tioga Pass Gate of Yosemite National Park. This gate is a great start to several different areas inside of the park that you may want to visit beyond that gate. Off-road enthusiasts would not have enough time in one visit to explore all of the 4x4 trails, abandoned mines, and sites in the area as well as the famous trail that brings you right to the Bodie Ghost Town. Climate and Ecosystem: At 6,400 feet (1,950 meters), this high desert climate has little to moderate tree coverage and gets hot during the days and cool at night. The conditions are much like Joshua Tree National Park or Alabama Hills camping area. During your visit, you will notice many flying insects that resemble mosquitos. These Chironomid are harmless and do not bite. On the contrary, the mosquito presence is very minimal. Swimming in the lake is possible usually between April to July.

Camper favorites near Bear Valley

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Willow Springs Resort

97%

(115)

50mi from Bear Valley · 29 sites · RVs, Lodging · Bridgeport, CA

Welcome to Willow Springs Resort Please come stay with us when you are visiting the beautiful Eastern Sierras. Willow Springs Resort is located five miles south of Bridgeport, California, in the heart of the Eastern Sierra premiere outdoor recreational region. Although you’re sure to unplug with all there is to do around here, our guests have access to some of the best Wi-Fi in the area. The facility is a small 50’s era motel and RV park with all the amenities one normally expects. We are a pet-friendly facility. We love pets and welcome them in our RV park but not in our motel rooms (with the exception of service animals). Willow Springs Resort was built 70 years ago and is still owned and operated by the same family. That family prides itself on operating a peaceful, beautiful, and clean vacation destination. The fish at the left was caught in Virginia Creek, which is just across the highway from Willow Springs! There are a host of activities to enjoy in the "big backyard" of this Sierra Nevada paradise. Whether you enjoy fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, swimming, or 4-wheeling, or want to take a photo class or tour of Bodie Ghost Town, the area offers it all. If you prefer to read a book or catch a falling star, meet new people, and share stories at the campfire, Willow Springs Resort is here to welcome you!

Squirrel Rock RV Campground

100%

(169)

36mi from Bear Valley · 2 sites · RVs · Columbia, CA

Private gated 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 ONLY. NO TENTS NO LONG TERM STAYS. Campsite has 2 electric pedestals 50/30/110. Water hookups at each site. NO SEWER. NO DUMP 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.

Private Reservoir

96%

(47)

45mi from Bear Valley · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Valley Springs, CA

Private property on a private reservoir. Enjoy some quiet time on the water, swimming, fishing, camping or just sitting and enjoying this hidden gem. Conveniently located a couple minutes from town to get some groceries or even fast food and gas. Also minutes from the large lake of New Hogan if your brining a jet ski or boat. Come relax on this 10 acres of private water access. Fish till your heart is content. Please catch and release. We have a variety of fish: Bass, Blue Gill, Cat fish and even some big Carp. Use our canoe or paddle boat or bring your own kayak, SUP, canoe etc. Newly added large floating dock, sand beach and large swing set/ hammock polls. Come play and have fun and listen to the sounds of frogs at night and the birds in the morning.

Green Acres slip

100%

(12)

35mi from Bear Valley · 1 site · RV · Sonora, CA

Park your trailer on our quiet property and watch the deer walk by your front door, rabbits running through the field and sip your coffee in the fresh mountain air. This slip is located on a little over 3 acres. 30amp electric hookups, septic and potable water all at the site. WiFi and a shared laundry building with a half bath on the property just a short walk from your slip. We are always adding to the property and the amenities and will update our listing as they become available to use. Thanks for looking! Friendly dogs are allowed on the property. Pinecrest 21 miles (34 minutes) Dodge ridge 26 miles (38 minutes) Columbia state park 7.1 miles (21 minutes). Murphy’s 25 miles (39 minutes) Grocery stores 5.5 miles (9 minutes) Black Oak Casino 6.3 miles (13 minutes)

Paradise Shores Camp

98%

(938)

47mi from Bear Valley · 46 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Bridgeport, CA

We're a family owned RV Park & Campground located on the shores of Bridgeport Reservoir. Together with our crew, we're excited to welcome you into our newly adopted home. We believe in campfires, starry nights, good laughs, exploration, a deep sleep and an early rise. The mountains are a place to get back to basics, a place to explore, to breathe. So turn off your phone and turn on your senses. It’s important to us that our guests don’t feel they are renting a tent/RV site or a camper as much as they’re immersing themselves into the outdoor experience. You may just want to sit outside and read for days, enjoy campfires and eat s'mores. For more adventurous, there's a full slate of self-guided recreational activities, such as hiking, kayaking, fishing, ATVing, rock climbing, biking, natural water slides, stand up paddle boards, bird watching, available in the area. We do have modern conveniences such as wifi internet; however, we encourage our guests to “unplug” and immerse in the slow paced life instead. At Paradise Shores, we believe in protecting people, animals and the planet. We make sure that the majority of products we use at our camp is recycled, composted, or re-used. We prefer to use products that are produced in a sustainable way and avoid those that aren't. We are continuously reducing the amount of waste we generate and actively promote recycling of aluminum, plastic, glass, and cardboard. We pack our own recycling and haul it to the nearest recycling facility which is an hour away. We co-opt the drive with other activities to reduce waste. We don’t use individually packaged toiletries or one-use products. We use plant and planet friendly detergent. We're based in a desert. We share our precious water with the entire planet. With only 326 million cubic miles of water on the earth, the decreasing amounts of access to quality fresh water is alarming to us. We monitor how we use water in our day-to-day activities and are constantly working on ways to reduce our consumption of fresh-water resources. We hope you can help us maintain this greener camping! We hope Paradise Shores Camp becomes your home as it is ours. It’s located in one of the most spectacular areas in the world. We’re surrounded on three sides by the high Sierra Nevada Mountains. Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne Meadows, Mono Lake, June Lake, Virginia Lakes, and Twin Lakes, as well as the historic gold-mining town of Bodie, CA are all within a short drive from our place. We're proud to know this area intimately and are excited to share the secret spots with you. The excellent hiking/running trails including the Pacific Crest Trail, thousands of miles of ATV, dirt bike and mountain bike trails are accessible right from our camp or within a short drive from here. The surrounding terrain offers endless activities and unbelievable scenery in remote wilderness settings. Pet Policy All our RV & Tent sites are pet friendly and we allow up to two dogs per reservation for a small fee. We can also accommodate up to two four-legged campers in our pet-friendly Baja or Tatra trailers for a small fee, we ask that they stay off the furniture (beds, sofas etc.) and are not left in the rental unattended. We love dogs, but sadly won’t be able to accommodate heavily shedding pets that aren’t house trained. Additionally, our insurance will not allow "aggressive breeds" that include any mix of: Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Doberman, German Sheppard. Please pick up after your pup and use a leash when at the camp. Thank you in advance for your consideration and help in keeping our camp a mellow and enjoyable place for everyone.

160 Acres amidst National Forest

98%

(95)

41mi from Bear Valley · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Placerville, CA

Welcome to Slate Mountain where you have access to 160 acres of gated, private wilderness with 360 degree mountain views and exclusive waterfront on Slab Creek. There are two choices of sites to camp: At Site 1 you can park an RV or pitch a tent where you have access to a picnic table, fire pit, vault toilet, and amazing sunset views. At Site 2 you can pitch a tent and have access to a picnic table, fire pit, rocking chairs, and a hammock. Bring your hiking boots or your off-road toys and explore 160 acres of secluded forest filled with wildflowers, butterflies, ancient Pines and Cedars, wild berries, and wild game. Spend the day relaxing, picnicking, and try your luck at gold panning on pristine Slab Creek where not a single human or road exists for miles. Bring your paddle boards and kayaks and spend an afternoon at Stumpy Meadows, a beautiful mountain reservoir a 25 minute drive from the property. Apple Hill wineries and farms are a 40 minute drive. If you bring the off-road toys you also have access to miles of trails throughout hundreds of acres of national forest. Don’t feel like cooking? Smoke on the Water restaurant at Finnon reservoir in Swansboro is a quick 20 minute drive from the property. If you need supplies, a nice restaurant, or a day of wine tasting to break up the grit, downtown Placerville and Georgetown are both a 45 minute scenic drive. IMPORTANT NOTES: 1) To get the most out of your experience, we highly recommend a 4WD or vehicle, ATVs or eBikes. 2) The creek is at the bottom of the canyon, 1.5 miles from the gate at the entrance, and the road down is very steep and lined with blackberry bushes. We highly recommend an off-road vehicle/ATV or eBikes for easy access to creek. 3) Be aware you are in the middle of the forest and wildlife such as bear, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, and tics have been spotted on the property. Poison Oak is also common. 4) The property has cell service in the upper quadrant, however once you drop below the tree line toward the creek there is no service. 5) We highly recommend bringing a chainsaw or hatchet. There is an abundance of dead wood on the property that can be gathered for camp fires. Trees also occasionally fall on the trail which can impede access to the creek.

The Land Of Make+Believe

88%

(8)

32mi from Bear Valley · 4 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Murphys, CA

The Land of Make+Believe is a retreat space bringing magical realism to our nonfiction world... Located at the base of the Sierra Foothills in Murphys, California, we are fourteen acres perched on the edge of time. Our landscape straddles geologic formations that span millions of years across the Mesozoic and Paleozoic eras. The marbleized limestone outcropping is a prominent site feature that's culturally, geologically, and historically significant. It was used as a communal grinding rock — Chaw'se — by the Miwok to process acorns into meal for food. This same rock formation was later hydraulically mined for gold in the second half of the 19th century, amidst some of the largest mining operations during the California Gold Rush. Downtown Murphys, our local gold-mining town turned quaint wine country destination, is just 1.5 miles away. Our site manifests as a spiritual epicenter within the larger landscape, a gateway to the Sierras, a space of regeneration. Fourteen acres of pure possibility for gathering, for staying, for inspiration, for joy.

Bridgeport Reservoir Campground

90%

(1209)

47mi from Bear Valley · 36 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · CA

Bridgeport Reservoir is a lake at the lower end of Bridgeport Valley in Mono County, California. Its earth-filled dam was constructed in 1923 by the Walker River Irrigation District, along the East Walker River. The campground and marina was built I-don't-know-how-long ago, but it sure is nice! About Us: Welcome to Bridgeport Reservoir Marina and Campground. Join us for the classic camping and fishing experience with unique views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Within the Toiyabe National Forest, Bridgeport Reservoir Marina and Campground is conveniently located near two distinct hot spring areas. A true angler's paradise, the Reservoir has excellent trout fishing from spring through fall and is close by to multiple rivers for incredible fly fishing. A 35 minute drive on highway 120 will take you to the Tioga Pass Gate of Yosemite National Park. This gate is a great start to several different areas inside of the park that you may want to visit beyond that gate. Off-road enthusiasts would not have enough time in one visit to explore all of the 4x4 trails, abandoned mines, and sites in the area as well as the famous trail that brings you right to the Bodie Ghost Town. Climate and Ecosystem: At 6,400 feet (1,950 meters), this high desert climate has little to moderate tree coverage and gets hot during the days and cool at night. The conditions are much like Joshua Tree National Park or Alabama Hills camping area. During your visit, you will notice many flying insects that resemble mosquitos. These Chironomid are harmless and do not bite. On the contrary, the mosquito presence is very minimal. Swimming in the lake is possible usually between April to July.

Public campgrounds near Bear Valley

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(3)

Lodgepole Overflow

1.5mi from Bear Valley · 30 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

100%

(1)

Silvertip Campground

1.9mi from Bear Valley · 23 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

100%

(14)

Lake Alpine Campground

2.5mi from Bear Valley · 25 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

Pine Marten Campground

3.4mi from Bear Valley · 32 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

100%

(1)

Stanislaus River Campground

3.5mi from Bear Valley · 25 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

Silver Valley Campground

3.6mi from Bear Valley · 21 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

Stellar hiking through this amazing forest!

100%

(3)

Big Meadow Campground

4.8mi from Bear Valley · 69 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

100%

(3)

Spicer Reservoir Campground

5.4mi from Bear Valley · 43 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

Spicer Reservoir and Spicer Group Campground

5.4mi from Bear Valley · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Stanislaus National Forest

100%

(2)

Mosquito Lakes Campground

8mi from Bear Valley · 11 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

Pacific Valley Campground

8.7mi from Bear Valley · 15 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

Hermit Valley Campground

10mi from Bear Valley · 25 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stanislaus National Forest

Stories from the community

M

Mia

1 week ago

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to The Painted Lake

Amazing and attentive hosts, Jeremy is awesome! Super friendly animals on the property and great views of the lake. Highly recommend, hosted our large group with ease. Will be returning!!

R

Ruth

2 weeks ago

29 ft Class C

With kids

1 night at Diamond Gulch

Very quiet, basic campsite. We loved it! The road to the campsite is narrow and a bit bumpy, but we made it with our 28ft motorhome.

CHAD

2 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to 160 Acres amidst National Forest

Very remote. Loved the isolation. Be prepared for rocky ground. The drive up was kind of gnarly, but that added to the adventure. Bring lots of your own water!

Lynn

3 weeks ago

32 ft travel trailer

With pets

3 nights at Water front on Topaz Lake

The entire camp was amazing…very clean facilities, easy access to roomy campsites, and huge docks to sit out over the lake…trees for shade and full hookups! Loved our visit and the sunset colors over the lake were epic

F

Frankenstein

3 weeks ago

16 ft car

1 night at Finnon Lake Recreation Area

Amazing! My stay was so relaxing, pretty much no one else at the lake. There were deer that came through camp once in a while. The bathroom was clean and a great amenity to have, water spigots all over the property. Self check in type situation, easy to find my spot and get myself situated even arriving after dark!

J

Jonathan

3 weeks ago

Weekend Trip to Water front on Topaz Lake

I loved tent camping at Topaz Lake. Make sure to pack a bunch of warm blankets if you go in early November. Pam was a great host and super helpful and responsive. The location is close to groceries, Reno, and a bunch of national parks. Highly recommend visiting and checking this place out. Best part of the trip was not just the amazing view of the lake but also how clean the facilities are. Really good spot.

A

Angela

3 weeks ago

13 ft travel trailer

2 nights at Finnon Lake Recreation Area

Beautiful, quiet spot great for a very relaxing time!

R

Rosalina

3 weeks ago

24 ft Class C

Weekend Trip to Diamond Gulch

It was such a peaceful place. It's super clean and we just loved the beautiful nights with endless firewood! Thank you for such a great experience!

G

Garrett

3 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Historical Columbia Campground

Very peaceful and close to everything there is to do, if you want to go for a hike natural bridges is 15 minutes away

A

Andy

3 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

Sierra Circles was wonderful! I had the camping area to myself due to the time of year and it was the perfect blend of a quiet experience in the woods that I was looking for and close enough to Murphy's to be able to pick up a few supplies. Check in was super easy and the hosts were very friendly and accommodating. I would definitely stay here again.

K

Kevin

3 weeks ago

20 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Camp 🏕 Gold Dust Vineyard

My wife and I loved our stay at Aaron’s vineyard. Our camper van was parked over looking the grape vines. We spent Saturday afternoon tasting wine at the outdoor tasting room, with a beautiful sunset. Aaron was very nice and accommodating. Will definitely be back again!

M

Mariah

3 weeks ago

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Finnon Lake Recreation Area

I spent my first trip there and highly recommend Finnon lake campground! I was very impressed with how clean the campsites were and how clean the bathrooms were as well! The drive and scenery was beautiful and relatively easy. I absolutely loved this campground and will be going back for future stays!

D

Dennis

3 weeks ago

25 ft travel trailer

1 night at Squirrel Rock RV Campground

Everything was awesome, only I forgot my water hose and Julie called and let me know. I picked it up the next time I was in the area.

Christopher

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Finnon Lake Recreation Area

This is our second time camping at this spot and it’s a hidden gem. The Lake is beautiful to watch on si rise and sunset time. Site A7 was perfect for our car camp set up. Not too far from the Lake and spaciouse enough as well.

The van is facing out. The tent is set up on the flat spot.

H

Hebe

November 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Finnon Lake Recreation Area

The lake front campsites are simply beautiful. We have a Ford transit van and also a sedan. A huge tent and we still have a lot of space on the site. The campsite has a downward slope just like described but we found a flat spot for our tent. The lake is beautiful for boating and fishing. How peaceful the campground is solely depending on how other campers are especially your neighbors, because the campsites are very close to each other. We didn't have a great night the first night because our neighbors arrived at 2 am and were setting things up and talking, laughing pretty loudly. So we essentially did not sleep at all that night. While the quite time is listed on the rules but seems like it is not enforced at all. So while I love this campground, I highly recommend going during the weekdays. The bathroom is a very nice addition. Again, it's clean majority of the time but it depends on how the campers take care of it. They are dogs friendly. They need to be on leash. We got a tie down which works amazing. There's also a lot of wildlife. I didn't hear frogs but a lot of birds. We saw eagles and their nest which is so beautiful. There is a restaurant called Smoke on the water. The food is AWESOME. They also have firewood for sale. Just need to double check their business hours. The drive up there was good. Remember to pay attention the detours. The last 15 minutes was really twisty. We will be back for sure!

Lots of fishing, but didn’t do any catching

J

Jeff

November 2025

15 ft pop-up camper

Weekend Trip to Finnon Lake Recreation Area

Terrific place to spend a weekend!! Site A2 is ideally located, close to the water and restrooms… but not too close. It was pretty booked up Saturday evening, but never felt cramped or congested. Will definitely book again👍

B

Berlynn

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Finnon Lake Recreation Area

Nice and maintained spot to camp at. I love the views from my tent and the bathroom is very clean. It was super easy to access

M

Mia

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Finnon Lake Recreation Area

Very peaceful area with lots of birds and beautiful trees! Our particular spot was A3 - Lakefront with a beautiful swinging chair and great access to the lake. Overall, would return here!