The best waterside campgrounds near Lincoln, California

95% (7.9K)

Top-rated campgrounds

95% (7.9K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Finnon Lake Recreation Area

95%

(2328)

30mi from Lincoln · 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. Rollins Lake Retreats Decorated 🎄

96%

(110)

26mi from Lincoln · 3 sites · Lodging · Colfax, CA

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).

3. Private River Oasis

95%

(77)

14mi from Lincoln · 5 sites · Lodging · Lake Of The Pines, CA

If you're looking for a quiet and peaceful retreat, "Private River Oasis" is the perfect place for you. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo trip, this property offers everything you need for a comfortable and memorable stay. With its stunning natural surroundings and modern convenient amenities "Private River Oasis" promises to be your perfect camping experience! So why wait? Book your stay today and start planning your dream vacation! The Space: A 13 ft Bell tent is setup for you with one queen bed and one single bed inside (beds are made with sheets and comforters). The tent sits approximately 75 ft above the river with breathtaking views of the river and canyon. If you are coming with a group, there is over an acre of flat land which is perfect for any type of tent setup. At the tent site you’ll have access to a table and chairs, lounge chairs, picnic table, gas BBQ, basketball hoop and balls, rock campfire, kayaks, and a porta potty. A short 3-minute walk away from the tent you’ll find the shore of the Bear River. Guest access: The tent site is only accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles. If you do not have a 4-wheel drive vehicle there is parking for up to four vehicles at the house. The tent site is less than a quarter mile walk downhill from the house. River access: If you’d like to visit the river to hang out, swim, or fish you can follow the dirt road next to the tent down to the river (3-minute walk). The riverfront has lounge chairs, a picnic table, and kayak's. The riverbank has small pebbles and rocks so water shoes are highly suggested for comfort when going into the water (recommended but not needed). Come and enjoy the views of the river, forest, and wildlife! This is a private tent site with one other listing on the property which is located at the house. You may rarely see other guests during your stay. Check out is at 12pm. If you or anyone in your party stays past 12:30pm you will be charged for an extra night for your full party. For guests that come for the day but do not stay the night there is a $25 fee per guest(s). If your vehicle gets stuck on the property and you need a tow we may be able to accommodate for a $350 tow fee per vehicle.

4. Trank Family Farm and Gold site

94%

(54)

38mi from Lincoln · 4 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Oroville, CA

We have lived on the farm now for over 21 years. The back part of the property was a stop point for the stage line between Oroville and Bangor during the 1880, Then gold was discovered on the property. There were multiple Gold claims on this property. The Old rock pilings are still there to explore. It is a favorite spot for finding Jasper, some Agates and quartz. Campers are welcome year-round to this tent site on the old Gold Claim of our 20-acre family farm! Drive right up to this fun-filled, family-friendly campsite, easily accessible by cars and SUVs alike - though 4WD is helpful during the rainy season. This site features two seasonal streams that cross on the property, as well as bushes full of ripe blackberries - if you catch them at the right time, help yourself. You'll enjoy hearing the birds echoing through the trees and could easily see deer tip toeing through the woods. Dogs on leash only. We raise 4H and FFA show and market goats, llamas, and a donkey and a cow, all of whom are very friendly! You'll also see our chickens, ducks, peacocks, and guinea hens. Rock pilings are on the island between the two seasonal streams that cross our land. Gold panning, hiking and creek walking is available on the property. Campers are welcome to stargaze in the field, create scavenger hunts for the kids, or simply sit back and enjoy the tranquility. The streams dry up in late June and fill up in November when the rains start. Trank Family Farm is 30 minutes from Lake Oroville, 20 minutes from Oroville Wildlife Area and the Feather River - great for kayaking, swimming, and fishing! Be sure to check out the trails and seasonal waterfalls at Table Mountain, 35 minutes away. There are 2 Indian Casinos & Hotels in Oroville, as well as 2 golf ranges - and all with in 20 minutes of the camp site. The college town of Chico is about 30 minutes outside of Oroville. If you want to explore farther, Butte Mountain range and the city of Paradise, CA is 45 minutes away. We can't wait for you to come visit!

Public campgrounds near Lincoln

Lake Clementine Boat In Campground

12mi from Lincoln · 15 sites · in Auburn State Recreation Area

100%

(3)

Ruck-a-Chucky Campground

20mi from Lincoln · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · in Auburn State Recreation Area

View of campground and bridge from the awesome Stevens Trail hike (http://www.everytrail.com/guide/stevens-trail-colfax)

100%

(8)

Mineral Bar Campground

25mi from Lincoln · 36 sites · Tents, RVs · in Auburn State Recreation Area

Note that there is no lake at Dru Barner.

Dru Barner Campground

29mi from Lincoln · 48 sites · Tents, RVs · in Eldorado National Forest

Giant Gap Campground

32mi from Lincoln · 25 sites · Tents, RVs · in Tahoe National Forest

Forbes Creek Campground

33mi from Lincoln · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · in Tahoe National Forest

Big Reservoir Campground

34mi from Lincoln · 1 site · in Tahoe National Forest

Ponderosa Cove Campground

37mi from Lincoln · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Eldorado National Forest

83%

(6)

Stumpy Meadows Campground

38mi from Lincoln · 39 sites · Tents, RVs · in Eldorado National Forest

Black Oak Campground

38mi from Lincoln · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · in Eldorado National Forest

92%

(7)

White Cloud Campground

39mi from Lincoln · 15 sites · Tents, RVs · in Tahoe National Forest

100%

(1)

Skillman Campground

41mi from Lincoln · 11 sites · in Tahoe National Forest

Stories from the community

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!

C

Chris

September 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Rollins Lake Retreats, A/C & WIFI

We had a great stay. Erin’s spot was perfect for our little weekend get away.

Kelli

September 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Finnon Lake Recreation Area

The camp ground and lake were beautiful. The bathroom were clean. Toilet paper, paper towels and soap to wash your hands. Also lights in the bathroom. No shower which was very hard to do. But we all enjoy the time spent at Finnon lake. We will be coming back next year.

L

Laneya

September 2025

35 ft Class A

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Trank Family Farm and Gold site

We enjoyed our time at the camp. Robert was really awesome with showing us to the camp site and making sure we had everything we needed. The animals were so sweet. Be careful driving on the gravel roads if you have a low vehicle. The speed limit is 15, but in our Prius we went probably 5 mph.

K

Krista

August 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Rollins Lake Retreats, A/C & WIFI

Erin's getaway was a much needed step away from the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives. One step onto the welcoming deck reminded us of what is important - our family and spending time in nature. Easy access to food, grocery, day-trips and the beautiful lake make this a return destination for sure. We cannot thank Erin and her family for this opportunity to unwind and reconnect.

M

MyDung

August 2025

Tent

Group trip

1 night at Finnon Lake Recreation Area

Finnon Campsite offers a peaceful atmosphere, safety, and cleanliness.

S

SK

July 2025

With pets

3 nights at Rollins Lake Retreats, A/C & WIFI

Excellent mini vacation. Great place, fun lake, beautiful garden, nice owners, entertaining pinball, guitars, and piano. Overall a super place to visit. Thanks!

Jason

July 2025

1 night at Rollins Lake Retreats, A/C & WIFI

This was a great place to stay! unfortunately, we were only able to stay 1 night and wished we could have stayed longer. Make sure you follow the instructions given. GPS loses contact when you get closer to the place.

S

Sarita

July 2025

With pets

3 nights at Rollins Lake Retreats, A/C & WIFI

We had a very nice stay at Erin’s place for a little babymoon! The place had everything we needed. We enjoyed being able to sit out on the deck and chill. It was great to be able to walk to the lake and swim, especially since the rivers were so cold but the lake was warm. Thanks for the stay!

Reading optional. Napping unded the trees, a must.

A

Alex

June 2025

Tent

2 nights at Finnon Lake Recreation Area

Lake Finnon is such a pretty lake, perfect for taking out a floaty tube and laying back and taking in the sunshine. The water was warm! Look out for a bald eagle nest. The sounds of the local birds are lovely. The stars at night are surreal. Nicely kept bathrooms with flushing toilets. Only things to be prepared for is the incline of the site, so prep your tent for that downward grade. Also, there isn't much seclusion from neighbors, but everyone we met there were super friendly.

R

Robbie

June 2025

With pets

4 nights at Trank Family Farm and Gold site

Robert was a great host and the site was a nice place to camp. The donkey was so sweet and Robert was very responsive.

J

Jessie

June 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Rollins Lake Retreats, A/C & WIFI

Great spot! Apartment was clean and had everything we needed. Fun to swim and kayak the lake. Recommend a visit to empire mine state park for a hike and visiting grounds.

Sherri

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Finnon Lake Recreation Area

Loved the wild life! Saw a deer, turtle, frogs, lots of different birds and I bald eagle. Placerville is beautiful

S

Sarah

June 2025

19 ft campervan

1 night at Finnon Lake Recreation Area

Love Finnon !! Little Smokey this stay . I might recommend limiting campfires as there’s not a lot of airflow near the lake.

V

Victor

June 2025

With kids

3 nights at Rollins Lake Retreats, A/C & WIFI

Great hidden gem. SCREENSHOT DIRECTIONS internet doesn’t work great until you’re there, had to go back in to town for internet so I could see the gate code I was provided. My kids and I loved the pinball machine and the three of us slept comfortably and had a great time.

D

Debora

June 2025

Tent

1 night at Finnon Lake Recreation Area

Stunning. Serene. Peaceful. Quiet. Lovely I would go often if I lived closer

B

Brandon

June 2025

Tent

With kids

1 night at Finnon Lake Recreation Area

This place is always amazing. Definitely will be back

J

Jennifer

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Rollins Lake Retreats, A/C & WIFI

This is the perfect little place for a getaway. Super close to the lake! Easy walk to get there.

B

Bennett

May 2025

With kids

1 night at Rollins Lake Retreats, A/C & WIFI

Great spot for a peaceful getaway! The cabin was clean, comfortable, and fairly close to the lake—just what we needed.

Lindsay

May 2025

1 night at Rollins Lake Retreats, A/C & WIFI

This location was such a great location to be immersed in nature. We enjoyed being near the lake that was walking distance. We saw so many deer,squirrels and loved sitting on the deck listening to nature and it's surroundings.