The best star host campgrounds near Magalia, California

Looking to go camping near Magalia, California? Hipcamp has over 1400 options for you to choose from, with accommodations ranging from tents to cabins. The average price per night is $66, but you can find options as low as $20. If you're looking for top campsites with great reviews, check out Finnon Lake Recreation Area (780 reviews), Camp Nauvoo (546 reviews), and Maple Creek Ranch (307 reviews). Popular amenities include toilets, showers, and cooking equipment. And if you're into hiking, wind sports, or surfing, you'll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy those activities as well.

98% (3.3K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Magalia

Looking to go camping near Magalia, California? Hipcamp has over 1400 options for you to choose from, with accommodations ranging from tents to cabins. The average price per night is $66, but you can find options as low as $20. If you're looking for top campsites with great reviews, check out Finnon Lake Recreation Area (780 reviews), Camp Nauvoo (546 reviews), and Maple Creek Ranch (307 reviews). Popular amenities include toilets, showers, and cooking equipment. And if you're into hiking, wind sports, or surfing, you'll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy those activities as well.

98% (3.3K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Magalia

1. Camp Watanda at Lake Vera

96%

(151)

47mi from Magalia · 9 sites · Tents, RVs

We are closed for the winter with the exception for self-Contained RV's. Mesg me if you want a reservation FYI: We are a 15-acre lake and experience seasonal lows towards the end of the summer. I cannot predict what the lake condition will be in. Camp Watanda is a retired resident camp that we have converted to a vacation rental. We have 10 acres of wooded property, with the 4 camping kiosks close to the waterfront and 1 RV site on the waterfront and 1 tent site. The camping kiosk all have 8-10 mattresses, grilling table, picnic table, cooler, smoke alarms, rake, broom and fire extinguishers. We are pet friendly with 1 dog per kiosk. Tents can be pitched on the elevated decks. Our waterfront has a large fire ring, 2-covered pergolas, canoes, kayaks, life jackets and charcoal grill. Lots of fish in the lake, since this is a private lake, no license is required. There is also a bathhouse (very primitive and in serious need of remodel) close by with 3 showers, 3 toilets and 3 sinks. Up by the lodge is a cell phone charging station and Wi-Fi with Starlink connection. No dispersed camping. RV CAMPING: Because of the steep driveway and blind curve, we limit the vehicle length to 25 overall length. Our driveway is more suitable for RV's and Camper Vans and not Travel Trailers being towed. If you rent a kiosk, all campers must be on the same kiosk unless you rent a second kiosk. If you have a camping van and plan on using the van and the kiosk, then that is a second site. You cannot tailgate on a reservation just because the party only has 2 people on the kiosk, and you have 2 in the Van to make 4 people. These are tents sites on a Kiosk, there is parking for cars or trucks at the kiosk, not suitable for RV or Travel Trailers. Those vehicles will have to park at the waterfront parking lot. There are no refunds for cancellations within 72 hours of arrival. We reserve the right to adjust kiosk assignments at our discretion. NO SHOWS forfeit their site. Camp Watanda is private property, campers assume all liability for being on site. There is no lifeguard present. This is a natural habitat for woodland animals, there is an associated risk for camping in their home. Slips, trips and falls can occur on trails, camping structures and waterfront.

2. Warm & Cozy Luxury Yurt

100%

(35)

49mi from Magalia · 1 site · Lodging

**UPDATE: we've installed a couple new things for the 2025 summer season to keep things cool. A mesh screen door to catch that Westerly breeze, and a Hessaire evaporator cooler to keep you chill on hot afternoons!** Welcome to Lazy Dog Ranch! We only have one Yurt/rental on the property, but it is not your average yurt; this is glamping at its best. Set on 3 pristine acres in an open meadow surrounded by pine and cedar, our Yurt offers incredible views with a serene peaceful setting. This is the only rental on the property, so it is super private. You have your own separate driveway, and the owner's home is on the other side of the land, ensuring a very private stay. This is luxury yurting! The owner spared no expense in the buildout and furnishings. Every detail has been considered to make your stay unforgettable, including fast WiFi, well equipped kitchen & bath, high-end furniture and bedding, epic sunset patio views, great recommendations in town, and close proximity to the Yuba river (7 min drive to Edwards Xing) and all that Nevada City / Grass Valley has to offer.

3. Sierra foothills homestead retreat.

100%

(1)

43mi from Magalia · 1 site · Lodging

Come enjoy the magic of the foothills! This amazing 20 acre property has so much to offer, meadow areas and a full out door BBQ area, a year round pond plus it's only 10 minutes drive from the wild and scenic Yuba river! Beautiful crystal clear water and soft sand beaches await. This site is an ideal basecamp to enjoy all the amazing adventures the Sierras have to offer. Historic Nevada City is only 25 min away with is lively music scene and night life. Come soak in the relaxing lifestyle of the mountains. The site offers 2 wheel drive access and cell reception. Plus all the amenities of home, including ac, hot shower a kitchen range and oven!

4. Quartz Creek.

100%

(1)

44mi from Magalia · 3 sites · Tents, RVs

Expansive creek side property with multiple RV parking spots and great campsites within short walking distance of a year-round stream, Located less then 10 miles from the yuba river! On the property there are Beautiful quartz Beaches and small pools for kids or pets to play in! Also the gravel in the creek is gold bearing, pans and mini sluices can be used to recover fine gold!! keep all the gold you find! This creek is very beautiful and not only does is contain gold, gorgeous water worn crystals have been found also. There are many walking trails to explore on the property that can be used as atv or dirt bike paths. Shady madrone groves right next to the creek offer a cool place to camp while still being 2 wheel drive accessable! This place is wonderful base camp to spend time at the yuba river or hike in the mountains.

5. YUBA RIVER Group Lodging & Camping

98%

(20)

41mi from Magalia · 71 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Willow Springs is all about hosting GROUPS, large and small. We cater to family reunions, group gatherings of all kinds, workshops, seminars and church groups. Nestled in the foothills of the Tahoe National Forest, our Retreat Center offers a variety of accommodations to suit your needs, from 10 to 60. (SEE BELOW.) We are six minutes to several locations on the Yuba River and twenty minutes to Bullard’s Bar. Located just 15 short miles from the historic communities of Nevada City and Grass Valley, Willow Springs is a place to escape and re-connect with what is important, creating memories. We also incorporate principles of sustainability at Willow Springs, with an on-site educational herb and permaculture garden for which a self-tour is available (free) and a guided tour upon request. Fresh produce possible depending upon season and availability. We operate ala carte with our accommodations so we can customize your experience to meet your needs. You can choose one or more of the following: GROUP CAMPGROUND: This one-acre fenced in area allows for guests (Max 30) to bring their dogs and pitch tents in a protected area with an expansive view. Camp cooking has never been easier, as the community kitchen is well equipped with 2 full-sized refrigerators, gas stove/oven, pots and pans, dishware, silverware, triple sink, and two outdoor barbeques. The cooks will especially appreciate our unique outdoor “dishwashing station” for each individual (even kids!) to efficiently wash their own dishes instead of using throw-away plastic for each meal. Our bathhouse has two private toilets, two private showers with hot water and a double sink. Bring your own towels and toiletries. ADDITIONAL LODGING & AMENTITIES: YURT: A 20’ yurt (sleeps 4) is equipped with a full bed and queen sofa for members of your camping group that would like greater comfort. Limited electricity is available. BUNK HOUSE: This bunk house has 3 twin bunkbeds (sleeps 6) with a 12x14 covered deck. Limited electricity is available. RV SITES: Ranging from no services to full service. More information is available for other AMENITIES, including LODGE, YOGA STUDIO, PAVILION, EVENT TERRACE, MEDIA CENTER, and more, visit www.WillowSpringsLodge.com/blogs.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

T

Tanner

3 weeks ago

3 nights at Warm & Cozy Luxury Yurt

David has done an amazing job making this yurt feel cozy and homey. The property is very peaceful making it hard to leave. This yurt is also in a perfect location close to Nevada City, Grass Valley and highway 49. Thank you!

T

Tracy

November 2025

2 nights at Warm & Cozy Luxury Yurt

David's yurt is beautiful and has absolutely everything you need for a very comfortable glamping experience! The land is picturesque and David is a very attentive and kind host. I traveled with a friend and the yurt was plenty big for both of us - even with a couple of very rainy days we felt like we had plenty of space, and my friend was happy to report that the blow up mattress was very comfortable. I will definitely be back!

Connie

November 2025

19 ft Class B

Weekend Trip to Camp Watanda at Lake Vera

I had a wonderful and peaceful time. The lake was beautiful and there was wildlife. Everything is very well maintained and Kathryn was very warm and welcoming. I will definitely return again!

A

Arielle

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Warm & Cozy Luxury Yurt

The yurt is beautiful and comfortable, the location is great, and David is a welcoming host!

H

Hannah

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camp Watanda at Lake Vera

There camping was great. The kiosk provides a completely flat surface so we tented there. Nice little lake! Good hot water shower.

A

Angela

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Warm & Cozy Luxury Yurt

We had such a wonderful time staying at David’s luxurious yurt! It had all the amenities, was clean, beautifully furnished and decorated, and kept us comfy and happy for our 3-night stay. Thank you so much for having us, David! Can’t wait to come back.

A

Anna

September 2025

Tent

4 nights at Quartz Creek.

It was a lovely spot, plenty of level ground for a tent and a beautiful view. Solen was very friendly and helpful.

E

Elizabeth

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Warm & Cozy Luxury Yurt

Our stay was amazing! The yurt was quite and beautifully decorated and spotless. The view was so peaceful, especially for morning coffee from the porch. And it’s located close to the river and town. Will stay here again!

A

Andrii

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camp Watanda at Lake Vera

We really enjoyed it! Our tent was number 3. It had all the amenities: water, a toilet, and a shower with hot water. The place is very quiet and cozy. The grounds are clean. There are free games for children, free boats and kayaks, gazebos with barbecues, and a communal fire pit with benches on the lake shore. We were very impressed. Our cabin was on the top, and to park near the cabin, we had to climb a steep hill. We've stayed in many places, but we really liked this place, and we will definitely come back. If you're planning to come here, I would recommend cabin number 2; it's on the bottom and very close to the lake. Thank you so much for the warm welcome and peaceful stay.

G

Grappling

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Warm & Cozy Luxury Yurt

Excellent stay!! All the comforts of home close to some great swimming hole's!!

View of the lake - some grassy areas but clear enough to swim in most of it

Toran

September 2025

Tent

2 nights at Camp Watanda at Lake Vera

My friend and I loved this spot! It was true glamping! The Caseywood kiosk felt very private - you can only see/barely hear one set of neighbors (getting the Gallup and Caseywood kiosks together would be ideal if you were going with a group of friends). It was great that the kiosk had the bunks removed but the mattresses were still there, so it felt spacious enough for my friend to set up their tent and full camping situation, but I was a lazy camper and just put down two of the provided mattresses with my own sleeping bag and pillow and got to sleep out under the stars. There weren't really any bugs/mosquitoes, which seemed odd given the proximity to the lake, and maybe that's seasonal, but it was a delight as well. And kayaking/paddleboarding on the lake and playing with all of the field games was so fun! We made dinner over the communal campfire one night, and had no issues with sharing the fire with a family that was doing the same. Such a friendly vibe - they even offered us dessert :) Oh and the camp host was very responsive to messages and gave lots of helpful info. Arrival and departure were easy and straightforward. I've had mixed experiences in the past with hipcamp spots, so this was a surprise and a relief. We would definitely stay again.

Tent sites are grouped so you can cluster your tents.

J

Jordan

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to YUBA RIVER Group Lodging & Camping

Great facilities - with everything you could need and more. Awesome location and wonderful hosts. Will be coming back again.

S

Shana

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Warm & Cozy Luxury Yurt

The yurt.bathroom is exactly as shown in the photos. Comfy bed with clean sheets, reliable wi-fi, good circulation and cooling, good kitchen facilities for light cooking, mini speaker to pair with, great shower, nice seating areas inside and outside the yurt, easy to locate, lockbox made entry/exit smooth and great restaurant options in Nevada City. Highly recommend Stone House for dinner and South Yuba State Park for a day trip. Minor downsides: pillows were all way too dense and kitchen counter/stove/sink cleaning was overlooked. Dogs greet you upon arrival (we love dogs!) We would happily stay here again. Thanks, David!

Heather

September 2025

12 ft pop-up camper

Weekend Trip to Camp Watanda at Lake Vera

We loved the RV spot at Camp Watanda! Kathryn was very helpful and great with directions and communication. The site had more than enough room for us and a picnic table. We had a 12' long tow in camper and loved the space. The lake, boats, games for kids were even better than expected! Really nice communal campfire area too that we pretty much had to ourselves. Lucky for a holiday weekend!

J

Joyous

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camp Watanda at Lake Vera

This was our favorite camping trip so far! Love the kiosk we were at . Volunteer #2, in my opinion is the best camping in a tent spot. It’s close to the water, restrooms, large picnic area with benches & a pergola. Not to mention a large sink with clean water right on our campsite! That’s a huge bonus if you are cooking/grilling! Soooo much fun activities for kids, teens & adults. Our two boys 15 & 12yrs loved playing badminton! I loved the kayaks! So many things we enjoyed about this spot! Katherine, the host was tremendous and we loved every bit of our stay! We forgot few things and without hesitation she let us borrow what we need it! She is fast, & super responsive! We cannot wait to go back there again…. Huge thanks to Katherine for making our experience so wonderful and welcoming! I’d give her 100/100 if I could!

F

Fabrizio

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camp Watanda at Lake Vera

Excellent location and amenities. This was my second time at Camp Watanda and certainly not the last one!

T

Teresa

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camp Watanda at Lake Vera

Great spot by lake and close to Nevada city. Host was very nice and responsive via message. Would visit again

c

carissa

August 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Warm & Cozy Luxury Yurt

Fantastic all around! I would absolutely recommend staying here to my friends and family. The yurt is cozy, cute and has everything you need. The property is private and peaceful. Driving to town is quick and Nevada city is definitely worth the visit. I hope to make it to the river during my next stay here. Highly recommend

Elaine

August 2025

Weekend Trip to Camp Watanda at Lake Vera

I loved tent camping at Watanda! The property was unique, and so pretty, filled with blackberries, ducks, and deer. It was so peaceful to kayak and canoe in the lake. We played badminton, tetherball, and other games that were on the property. It was a relaxing time. I can't wait to go back!

J

Jennifer

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camp Watanda at Lake Vera

We stayed at Gallup 4. Great quiet spot under the trees! We appreciated the big table, rocking chairs, ice chest and mattresses that were provided. The Yuba river suggestions were also great!