The best waterside camping near Calpine

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In Calpine, camping by the water means waking up to the rush of rivers and the quiet of hidden lakes. With over 3,300 waterside sites, you can pitch your tent or park your rig steps from fishing holes and swimming spots. Expect pet-friendly grounds, toilets, and crackling campfires. Hikers hit forest trails early; anglers stake out their favorite bends. Budget runs wide—find camps from $15 a night, with the average closer to $60. Locals rave about Sierra Sol Camp (328 reviews), TerraSol~ "Earth Under the Sun" (246 reviews), and Victoria Forest (208 reviews) for easy water access and a laid-back vibe. Bring your rod, sturdy boots, and a good sense of adventure—Calpine’s waterside camps reward those who show up early and stay late.

96% (2.5K) 142 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Calpine

Rollins Lake Retreats Decorated 🎄

1. Rollins Lake Retreats Decorated 🎄

96%
(112)
46mi from Calpine · 3 sites · Lodging
Our property is lakeside at Rollins Lake In Colfax. We live on over 30 private, beautiful acres with footpath access to Rollins Lake. (3 minute walk from the dome or house, and 10-15 minutes from the cabin) where most summer days here are spent swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing ect., down at the water. Please note the Cabin is set on a seasonal CANNABIS garden. All three sites are vacation spots with AC and WIFI, not just simple accommodations, but experiences. The remarkable property is very hilly with pines and oaks. You can follow our driveway to the bottom and access the beginning of The Bear River which has a nice hiking trail alongside it or drive 8 minutes to the nearest boat ramp and 10 minutes to the town of Colfax where you will find gas, groceries, and restaurants. We have a beautiful spot where you will not see any neighbors so it is peaceful and private with gorgeous 360-degree views. It is also very safe! Bask in nature, quiet, and privacy! In summer there is a 3-night minimum for the cabin and dome. Occasionally a two day midweek will pop up on the schedule last minute. To see correct pricing, enter your dates as they can fluctuate with holidays, weekends. Prices are decreased midweek. We have 3 accommodations on the property -A GUEST SUITE (lakeside), up to 5 people. -A CABIN (15 min walk or 3 min drive/5 min walk, up to 4 people. -A GLAMPING DOME with an additional teepee tent site (lakeside)! Up to 6 people. We have fishing boat, kayaks, and paddle boards for rent. If you want an epic stay in the forest, private and away from others, this is your place. Also close to Grass Valley (15min), Nevada City (20 min), Colfax (less than 10).
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$113
 / night
Lake Davis Campground

2. Lake Davis Campground

45%
(10)
15mi from Calpine · 8 sites
The Forest Service decided they couldn't serve the public. Nothing has changed.
Tahoe National Forest

3. Tahoe National Forest

93%
(255)
1382 sites · Graniteville, California
Though the lake isn’t in the forest’s boundary, you can see it in panoramic views.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Plumas National Forest

4. Plumas National Forest

95%
(67)
821 sites · Little Grass Valley, California
Hike, cross-country ski, or even drive into the deep wilderness of this Sierra Nevada forest.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Plumas Eureka State Park

5. Plumas Eureka State Park

100%
(9)
62 sites · Johnsville, California
Experience California history at an authentic, historic mining area.
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

6. Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

94%
(122)
933 sites · South Lake Tahoe, California
Beautiful lakeside views and endless exploration on the Nevada/California border.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Eldorado National Forest

7. Eldorado National Forest

93%
(136)
980 sites · Kirkwood, California
Sierra Nevada gem offers lush forests, lakes, rivers, and peaks for year-round outdoor adventures.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Auburn State Recreation Area

8. Auburn State Recreation Area

92%
(12)
61 sites · North Auburn, California
Gold panning, whitewater rafting, and dirt-bike riding are just a few of the unique activities here.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires

In Calpine, camping by the water means waking up to the rush of rivers and the quiet of hidden lakes. With over 3,300 waterside sites, you can pitch your tent or park your rig steps from fishing holes and swimming spots. Expect pet-friendly grounds, toilets, and crackling campfires. Hikers hit forest trails early; anglers stake out their favorite bends. Budget runs wide—find camps from $15 a night, with the average closer to $60. Locals rave about Sierra Sol Camp (328 reviews), TerraSol~ "Earth Under the Sun" (246 reviews), and Victoria Forest (208 reviews) for easy water access and a laid-back vibe. Bring your rod, sturdy boots, and a good sense of adventure—Calpine’s waterside camps reward those who show up early and stay late.

96% (2.5K) 142 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Calpine

Rollins Lake Retreats Decorated 🎄

1. Rollins Lake Retreats Decorated 🎄

96%
(112)
46mi from Calpine · 3 sites · Lodging
Our property is lakeside at Rollins Lake In Colfax. We live on over 30 private, beautiful acres with footpath access to Rollins Lake. (3 minute walk from the dome or house, and 10-15 minutes from the cabin) where most summer days here are spent swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing ect., down at the water. Please note the Cabin is set on a seasonal CANNABIS garden. All three sites are vacation spots with AC and WIFI, not just simple accommodations, but experiences. The remarkable property is very hilly with pines and oaks. You can follow our driveway to the bottom and access the beginning of The Bear River which has a nice hiking trail alongside it or drive 8 minutes to the nearest boat ramp and 10 minutes to the town of Colfax where you will find gas, groceries, and restaurants. We have a beautiful spot where you will not see any neighbors so it is peaceful and private with gorgeous 360-degree views. It is also very safe! Bask in nature, quiet, and privacy! In summer there is a 3-night minimum for the cabin and dome. Occasionally a two day midweek will pop up on the schedule last minute. To see correct pricing, enter your dates as they can fluctuate with holidays, weekends. Prices are decreased midweek. We have 3 accommodations on the property -A GUEST SUITE (lakeside), up to 5 people. -A CABIN (15 min walk or 3 min drive/5 min walk, up to 4 people. -A GLAMPING DOME with an additional teepee tent site (lakeside)! Up to 6 people. We have fishing boat, kayaks, and paddle boards for rent. If you want an epic stay in the forest, private and away from others, this is your place. Also close to Grass Valley (15min), Nevada City (20 min), Colfax (less than 10).
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$113
 / night
Lake Davis Campground

2. Lake Davis Campground

45%
(10)
15mi from Calpine · 8 sites
The Forest Service decided they couldn't serve the public. Nothing has changed.
Tahoe National Forest

3. Tahoe National Forest

93%
(255)
1382 sites · Graniteville, California
Though the lake isn’t in the forest’s boundary, you can see it in panoramic views.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Plumas National Forest

4. Plumas National Forest

95%
(67)
821 sites · Little Grass Valley, California
Hike, cross-country ski, or even drive into the deep wilderness of this Sierra Nevada forest.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Plumas Eureka State Park

5. Plumas Eureka State Park

100%
(9)
62 sites · Johnsville, California
Experience California history at an authentic, historic mining area.
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

6. Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

94%
(122)
933 sites · South Lake Tahoe, California
Beautiful lakeside views and endless exploration on the Nevada/California border.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Eldorado National Forest

7. Eldorado National Forest

93%
(136)
980 sites · Kirkwood, California
Sierra Nevada gem offers lush forests, lakes, rivers, and peaks for year-round outdoor adventures.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Auburn State Recreation Area

8. Auburn State Recreation Area

92%
(12)
61 sites · North Auburn, California
Gold panning, whitewater rafting, and dirt-bike riding are just a few of the unique activities here.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires

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