12 Best Private Campsites Near Markleeville, CA, US 2025

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for camping in the United States! We have over 180 private camping options near Markleeville, California. With average prices per night at $80 and options as low as $15, there's something for every budget. Check out our top campsites like Cosumnes River Ranch (382 reviews), Yosemite Garden Camp (194 reviews), and TerraSol (160 reviews) for tried and true options. Plus, enjoy popular amenities such as showers, toilets, and campfires. For the adventurous, there's climbing, surfing, and wind sports to keep you entertained. Start planning your camping trip today!

97% (325)

Top-rated campgrounds

Welcome to Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for camping in the United States! We have over 180 private camping options near Markleeville, California. With average prices per night at $80 and options as low as $15, there's something for every budget. Check out our top campsites like Cosumnes River Ranch (382 reviews), Yosemite Garden Camp (194 reviews), and TerraSol (160 reviews) for tried and true options. Plus, enjoy popular amenities such as showers, toilets, and campfires. For the adventurous, there's climbing, surfing, and wind sports to keep you entertained. Start planning your camping trip today!

97% (325)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

99%

(1249)

48mi from Markleeville · 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.

2. Kirkwood Base Camp

100%

(5)

40mi from Markleeville · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Pioneer, CA

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, this property offers a sense of seclusion and a short drive to Kirkwood Ski Resort and convenient to other area amenities including access to world class hiking, fishing, kayaking and other outdoor summer and winter activities in Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe area. This property is perfect for small families and ski parties looking for comfort and adventure. Located near the incredibly scenic Route 88 in historic gold country you can also visit museums, historic sites and even try your hand at panning for gold.

3. Creekside Camping on Love Creek

98%

(26)

43mi from Markleeville · 5 sites · Lodging · Avery, CA

We are excited to welcome you to our unique 2.5-acre forest retreat, Creekside Camping at Love Creek. This campsite is adults-only, designed to provide a quiet and tranquil environment for you to relax and enjoy nature. Our spacious 6'x8' stand-up tents are designed for your comfort, each equipped with a comfortable bed. All you need to bring “bedding and your towel”. *** If you prefer to travel light, we offer a "full-service" option that includes bedding and towels for a one-time fee. Please let us know if you're interested, and we can provide you with more details. For your convenience, our full bathroom facility, complete with hot water for the shower and sink, flushing toilet. You'll find many peaceful spots around the property to unwind and reconnect with nature. We've also provided a few extra amenities for your comfort, including pillows and blankets you can use outside while stargazing. A year-round, spring-fed creek meanders through the property, creating a truly serene and cooling atmosphere. Our campsites offer well-maintained pads with lovely views overlooking Love Creek and the lush canyon, all accompanied by the soothing sounds of the creek. As evening falls, our thoughtfully placed lighting creates a magical ambiance throughout the surroundings. While we offer a unique off-grid experience, we're conveniently located just a 5-minute drive down a paved road to HWY-4 and a coffee shop at the corner for your morning brew. The fantastic Red Apple bakery, known for its delicious fresh-baked goods, is also just down the road. For groceries, Big Trees supermarket in Arnold is a quick 8-minute drive. The charming town of Murphys also called the ‘Queen of the Sierra’ is only a 13-minute drive from our property. Nature lovers will be delighted to know that Big Trees State Park, home to magnificent Sequoia groves, is just a 10-minute drive away. If you're interested in swimming, several beautiful mountain lakes, including Utica Reservoir, Lake Alpine, and White Pines Lake (only 5 miles away), offer wonderful opportunities. For those seeking adventure, we are located just 1 mile from an extensive network of gravel roads, ideal for activities such as mountain biking. We very much look forward to welcoming you to our unique retreat!

Stories from the community

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.

D

Dan

October 2025

21 ft Class B

Weekend Trip to Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

We had a great time. Very private and quiet camping spot and we got a tour of the pottery buliding. Very interesting

A

Anne

October 2025

22 ft travel trailer

Group trip

1 night at Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

Pam, Dolores, Michel and crew make the stay at Sierra Circles/ Brice Station/ Quyle Pottery a multi-dimensional experience! Upon arrival, you immediately feel the love of 3 generations of folks who have worked on this land. Michel's incredible sculpture garden is on a beautiful knoll with great views of the area. The campsites are perfect for adventurous campers...RVs shouldn't expect hook-ups and level parking areas, but the artwork, dark skies and prolific bird life are worth it. Michel's sculptures change throughout the day as the sun migrates across the sky. A short walk down the hill takes you to the winery/tasting room, engulfed with Dolores's horticultural magic. Pam's pottery tour takes you back to another time. The music venue is sublime....we will definitely make another trip to see a show! Thank you so much for your warmth and gracious hosting! So many things to do nearby...visiting Big Trees, historic Murphy's and Columbia, wine tasting, etc. Plan to stay for at least 2 nights!

John

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

Michel was hospitable as usual, and we enjoyed our second trip to the property. Everything was clean and well maintained, just as it was in 2020. I hope we get to stay there again.

K

Karina

October 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

We love how spacious and safe this campsite feels! Michel is always so welcoming and helpful. We always enjoy our time here!

S

Sabrina

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

We had a nice stay at Sierra Circles camping site, Iron Teepee. We went wine tasting ant Brice Station and really enjoyed both the wine and the friendly host. The campsite was well maintained. We appreciated that Michel, our host, took the time to chop extra wood for us- it was a nice touch.

Garrett

October 2025

18 ft travel trailer

With pets

4 nights at Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

This was our second time staying here, and it just keeps getting better! The host is incredibly friendly. We love having the winery right on site; it’s such a beautiful spot to relax with a glass of wine after exploring. The art throughout the camp is amazing — there’s so much creativity everywhere you look. It’s become a tradition for us now, and we can’t wait to come back again!

M

Matt

October 2025

14 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

Excellent location. Fun decor, clean, and it's great to be in walking distance of the winery

M

Matt

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

Excellent place to camp. Michel is a wonderful host, the grounds are gorgeous, and the winery is fun.

G

Grace

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Creekside Camping on Love Creek

We had amazing time! Desiree was very kind and communicative. We would definitely go again!

A

Aadesh

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Creekside Camping on Love Creek

The tent accomodation was well organized. The place amidst trees and nature was a surreal experience . It was very peaceful and lights at night made the place look magical. It had all the amenities - barbeque grill/lots of seating areas/shared clean bathroom/ hanging pod/food storage. Hosts were super prompt and welcoming. I will definitely be visiting this place again.

Heidi

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Creekside Camping on Love Creek

Wow, what an amazingly thought out and cared for property! It's hard to find places that are so "in the wild" that are also very well kept. I was very impressed with how off the grid everything was (it didn't really feel like it). Amazing lights at sunset, and of course beautiful creek to hang out and dip your toes in. There were definitely some critters roaming around at night that I could hear outside the tent, but that was part of the fun for me. I would absolutely stay here again!

M

Marc

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

Spectacular stay at Sierra Circles (our 3rd trip). Michael is always super helpful with recommendations of things to see and do locally. The camp situation is spacious, private, and beautiful.

Elizabeth

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

We love this place! Full relaxation, wonderful artwork to enjoy, Wine tasting, pottery making and buying - what more can you ask for from a few days in the beautiful Sierras!

M

Marissa

September 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

We had such an amazing time camping as a group over Labor Day weekend for the second year in a row! The concert series at Brice Station is so fun, the campsite is gorgeous with all the sculptures (we hung twinkle lights in our teepee!), and Michel was such an awesome host. Definitely coming back again next year!

S

Stephanie

September 2025

Tent

4 nights at Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

This place is a hidden gem. Everyone I’ve talked to that is affiliated with this place seems to have life figured out and interesting stories to sharez

C

Cinthya

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Creekside Camping on Love Creek

Tent site was perfect, host communicated perfectly do we had a smooth check in. Bear horn available inside tent if needed. No mosquitoes when we went.

B

Brian

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Creekside Camping on Love Creek

The whole Love Creek property is a romantic oasis- a welcome respite from the Grid, which so happens to be off-the-grid. We stayed three nights, and only left the property once for a short hike because this is a place you'll want to immerse yourself in. There are many little private and semi-private snugs to curl up and read a book, or stretch out for a nap. As the light grows dim, the many solar-powered lights blink on, one by one, revealing an uplit and romantic setting in which you'll peacefully drift to sleep to the sound of the bubbling creek, frogs, crickets, and owls. Laurie was a lovely, helpful, and personable hostess. She, along with the owners, have tastefully appointed the property with ephemera from all over the world, and landscaped the grounds, honoring the natural surroundings. Love Creek is truly a place you can unplug and recharge your solar battery.

P

Pam

August 2025

22 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

Fun and funky! Well kept. Loved having the concert so close, it was fabulous. We will be back!

P

Paolo

August 2025

16 ft campervan

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

We had a great two-day stay at Sierra Circles. Michel is friendly and engaging, and his artwork is mesmerizing, especially when the sun hits it at dawn and sunset! Great location near Murphys and the beautiful nature and concerts.