Camping near North San Juan, California with wildlife watching
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- North San Juan
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12 top campgrounds near North San Juan with wildlife watching
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Windsong Ridge Village
5 sites · RVs, Tents25 acres · North San Juan, Nevada
Welcome to Windsong Ridge, an evolving homestead on 25 acres of oak, pine, and manzanita woodland about 30 minutes outside of the historic gold rush towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City in Nevada County, CA. The property overlooks the iconic South Yuba River canyon and is 100% solar-powered and off grid with excellent cell coverage (Verizon and T-Mobile). Come be serenaded by the wind chimes throughout the property. Enjoy sitting by a fire and you may hear the coyotes in the distance after a day of swimming, hiking, paddling, site-seeing or attending one of the many festivals held throughout the year in town.
We are at 1800 feet, therefore the summers are hot (sometimes in the triple digits), and winters are mild (snow is a surprising event at this elevation).
We have developed an RV/tent site called Manzanita Rock Meadow (includes a wood-burning chiminea, composting toilet, trash, electrical, grill, and tables), with a pad for a high clearance van, RV and/or tent and plenty of room to spread out and set up camp.
Hike the adjacent trails on public lands or enjoy hiking trails in the state park along the Yuba River.
Bring your kayak or paddle board to Englebright Lake at any time of year.
In less than two hours, you can visit Truckee, Lake Tahoe, or the Sierra Buttes/Lakes Basin areas and much more.
In town you will find a variety excellent restaurants, farmers markets, live entertainment and wildly popular events throughout the year.
We’ll be happy to help you plan your visit! (Start by checking out https://www.nevadacountygold.com/)
If you have forgotten any camping essentials, you can let us know. We are campers here and might have what you need to loan out! We keep bags of instant light charcoal available for sale if you need it for $5. A bundle of firewood is available for $5 as well.
from
$55
/ night
98%
(26)
Rollins Lake Retreats with A/C!!!
3 sites · Lodging31 acres · Colfax, Placer
We live lakeside at Rollins Lake In Colfax.
We live on a beautiful 30 acres with foot path 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.
The property is very hilly with pines and oaks. You can follow our driveway to the bottom and access the beginning of The Bear River that has a nice hiking trail along side of it or 8 minutes to the nearest boat ramp and 10 minutes to the town of Colfax.
We have a nice spot where you do not see any neighbors so it is peaceful and private with gorgeous 360 degree views. It is also very safe!
We have 3 accommodations on the property A guest suite, a cabin, and a glamping dome!
We have fishing boat, kayaks, and paddle board rentals.
from
$125
/ night
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TerraSol
2 sites · Lodging40 acres · Nevada City, Nevada
I’ve had the pleasure to be the “caretaker” of this special land once inhabited by the Maidu Indians for the past 43 years. This is SPECIAL ground here and I’m sure you will feel the MAGIC!!!
This 40 acres sits on the Yuba River Ridgetop. At the "Platform of Pleasure" you will enjoy 100,000+ acre views of protected land looking North to the High Sierra, minutes away from downtown Nevada City and 8-10 miles from Yuba River Trailheads.
Firewood bundles are $15 per bundle (2+ hours of campfire when campfires 🔥 are allowed).
There is a $5.00 dog fee per dog/per stay.
On our property like anywhere in the woods
there are mosquitos, so you should bring bug spray.
We offer a tent platform, as well as a canvas tent listing.
Guests love staying here: "From the moment we arrived Chris was nothing but amazing. He helped us get settled in and even recommended some beautiful spots to hike/sight see. They are both so generous! The campsite beautiful and they did a very nice job supplying us with any materials we may need. Definitely coming back during the summer!"
from
$75
/ night
98%
(143)
200-acre developing eco-preserv
37 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents200 acres · Nevada City, Nevada
This extraordinary 200 acres is magical and host a wildness which feels peaceful and secure. It is also the home of the developing Wisdom Retreat Center noted for quality of beauty and silence. Many Indian arrow heads have been found here indicating former residences of indigenous tribes. There are many open meadows and old growth forest to hike and explore.
from
$80
/ night
99%
(59)
The Yuba Yurt
1 site · Lodging5 acres · North San Juan, Nevada
The Yuba Yurt is "glamping", or an idyllic remote working location, at its best. Carefully appointed "simplicity" immersed in Nature, but with stable high speed internet, situated equidistantly between the three forks of the "wild and scenic" Yuba River. Enjoy!
THE SPACE
Venture to the heart of Yuba river country and experience the rustic comfort
of glamping in a 30’ pacific yurt. A remedy for “Nature Deficit Disorder”, this is your opportunity to taste the magic of simple living in the round.
Located on the North San Juan ridge at the edge of Tahoe National Forest,
endless outdoor activities abound.
Enjoy incredible hiking, crystal-clear swimming holes and world-class
mountain biking trails during summer and pristine snow-play areas away from the crowds during winter.
Take in gorgeous scenic drives and numerous points of historical interest--including Malokoff Diggins--from California gold rush period.
Discover the active gold mining town of Allegheny, the scenic beauty of Downieville or soak the afternoon away at Sierra Hot Springs in Sierraville.
The village of Nevada city--with all it has to offer--is just 20 minutes
away.
Or simply relax...
As much a nature blind as a dwelling, the yurt is located on 5 peaceful
acres of mixed oak and madrone woodland with a filtered view of the Sierra
foothills, a claw foot bath tub under the stars and much more.
Light and airy with both propane and wood heat, the well-designed interior
features a spacious kitchen, a comfy queen bed and a full bathroom. The kitchen is stocked for a cook with quality cooking equipment and is supplied with oils, sauces and spices.
Tranquil and rustic, but with WiFi and a small streaming set-up, there are also games and plenty of good books.
A perfect anytime retreat!
THE AREA
RiverSea East is located on the San Juan Ridge, an area near Nevada City and Grass Valley that extends about 24 miles between the south and middle forks of the Yuba River.
A small Nevada County community far removed from town, modern day North San Juan is part hippie, part isolationist, part new age and part conservative.It's only a 20 minute drive from downtown Nevada City, but since you have to drive up and down the heavily forested, windy river-canyon road, it feels rather remote. When you get there, it consists of less than ten businesses scattered around the mountains, a bushel of dreadlocked hippies, a bunch of pot farms, a vineyard, and LOTS of empty, undeveloped wood, making North San Juan a really beautiful place, surrounded, as it is, by forested mountains and rivers.
North San Juan is a great place to explore. There's all kinds of hidden spots, neat places to go, river access with good swimming holes and little stores and cafes. This area is spotted with little organic farms, beautiful little houses and the occasional run-down looking trailer.Farm, house OR trailer, because North San Juan and the Ridge are so sparsely populated, every residence seems to have acres of property that the people are free to plant, enjoy or neglect at will.
OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF
PETS: Your well-behaved dog is welcome with advanced permission and agreement to our pet policy for an additional $10.00 per night. As this is a wilderness area with abundant wildlife, do not let your dog wander outside at night unattended. NEVER leave your dog unattended at the yurt or let them roam unleashed in the woods. Neighbors will report dogs who bark incessantly.
PARTIES and extra visitors are not allowed. Quiet time in the neighborhood is 10pm
SAVE OUR ROAD SPEED is 10mph at all times.
from
$125
/ night
96%
(403)
Sierra Sol Camp
11 sites · Lodging18 acres · Camptonville, Yuba
Welcome to Sierra Sol Camp! We have 9 different sites available to book as well as the option to book the entire property. Please scroll down to see all of the available options.
Here are the sites we offer:
-Sierra Sol Diva Den (cabin)
-Water Tower (cabin)
-Daisy Belle (canvas tent)
-Rise and Shine (canvas tent)
-Sierra Sol Camp Lotus (cabin)
-Sierra Sol Vintage Trailer (onsite trailer)
-Sierra Shipping Container Retreat (cabin)
-Sierra Sol Main Cabin (cabin)
-Sierra Sol Camp Whole Property (all sites)
The Sierra Sol Camp project has been hosting community events and friend gathering for years. We take great pride in extending a warm and welcoming space for all our visitors and extending the invitation to campers was a great next step.
We have listings ranging from yurts to shipping containers, an old water tower converted to a mini suit to a vintage trailer and canvas tents. The diva den was my old music studio and the main cabin is our family cabin. This is a magical and sacred space filled with a ton of memories please come join our community and nook in the sierras and make some more.
We are based in between the middle fork of the Yuba river right where it meets up with Oregon Creek. If you like a long walk it is 2.5 miles down the dirt road to Oregon Creek and the middle fork of the Yuba. Driving takes 5 to 10 mins. The other direction is the largest lake in our county Bullards Bar Reservoir and Emerald Cove Marina. We are 1 mile down Marysville Rd. from a launch called dark day. There is a trailhead at the top of overflow boat parking for a public swimming hole on the lake.
On our property, we have a main house with its own private facilities such as a kitchen, shower, and bath. On the land, we have 9 total unique cabin and canvas tent structures converted into boutique-like campsites. We have an epic outdoor entertaining kitchen and patio with an outdoor pizza oven and a little dog rinse behind the outdoor shower. The bathhouse is right across the way and provides a private but shared guest shower house, tub and sink. The sauna and fenced-in dog area are near the shipping container site. The sauna has just been remodelled with a shower and bathtub right outside the sauna house.
Like anywhere in the woods there is an hour at sunset when you may have mosquitoes down near the sites in the spring and some of the summers depending on the year. We have a natural spray for that or fans in the kitchen. Off the path, you may find poison oak in the thick of the woods. So please stay on the marked trails.
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$100
/ night
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(140)
Russtic Roadside Retreat (R3)
1 site · Lodging1 acre · Nevada City, Nevada
Learn more about this land:
R3 is a rustic studio/cabin located in a private corner of our half acre property, walking distance to historic Nevada City, CA. From its humble beginnings as a simple camping platform, R3 is now fully enclosed with a stunning glass front wall which preserves the great view from the site. A small kitchen area and bathroom with flush toilet and shower complete a private and cozy space. Guests need to provide their own food storage and preparation materials.
There is much local history and many cultural activities to enjoy in Nevada County. Outdoor pursuits include hiking, road and mountain biking, river and lake access, skiing, and many more, all nestled in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Foothills. Nevada City, and it's sister town, Grass Valley, are Gold Rush Victorian gems, boasting a variety of shopping venues, many fine eateries, and eclectic "watering holes" featuring craft brews, local wines and tasty cocktails. Live music in many locations adds an upbeat and lively ambiance. Unwind with a day at the river or lake, take a road or mountain bike ride, or a hike on one of the many local trails.
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$75
/ night
97%
(91)
Sacred Valley Ranch Retreat
3 sites · Lodging150 acres · North Auburn, Placer
Learn more about this land:
Hiking on the 150 acres is available and we also are situated next to an 1100 acre park. There is a picnic area and a pond for seasonal swimming... We have boarding area if you are inclined to bring your horse. We have many amenities to help you relax while you adjust to our unique location. Rope chairs, hammocks, sauna, etc.
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$68
/ night
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(30)
Bright Bear Camp in Tahoe NF
3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Nevada City, Nevada
Bright Bear Camp is a private two-acre property bordering Tahoe National Forest. We are located at 4300' elevation down a mostly dirt road along the beautiful Bear River and Bear Valley. This is a very peaceful spot among the trees with a small meadow and creek on the property.
As our name suggests, bears are occasionally in the area so keep an eye out. You may also see the spotted owls that live nearby - listen closely for their calls (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Spotted_Owl/overview).
There is much to explore in the area and more with only a short drive to the South Yuba River, Emerald Pools, Lake Spaulding, Donner Pass, Donner Lake, and Truckee.
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$40
/ night
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(101)
Honeycomb Hut
1 site · Lodging6 acres · Nevada City, Nevada
Picturesque cedar cabin nestled in the pines. Located one mile from downtown Nevada City. Fifteen minutes from the Yuba River (a magical swimming/hiking spot), ten minutes from popular mountain bike trails, and forty-five minutes from the closest ski resort. The hut is the perfect amount of space for one to two people, and is wonderful for romantic, friend, or solo getaways.
from
$105
/ night
99%
(680)
Love Creek Sanctuary!
6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres · Grass Valley, Nevada
Love creek sanctuary was founded in 2016. It all started with Stu the steer and his best friend Petey the goat, from there we have rescued over 90 animals, 45 make their home here at the sanctuary. Our camping areas are fenced from the animals but you are free to explore our 12 acres and interact with the animals during your stay here. We ask that children under 10 stay outside the animal areas and children over 10 are accompanied by a grownup. We have plenty of art and child friendly activities, just ask and we can set you up. We have a no dog policy because the chickens and birds are free ranging, unfortunately we have had several bad experiences with dogs attacking the birds and other animals. If you have a dog that has been around farm animals and is well behaved, let's talk about it. We have 5 dogs so the birds have NO FEAR of them.
---- We are a working farm - PLEASE READ-----
There are donkeys, roosters, dogs and peacocks that make noise, sometimes at night and always early in the morning. Please be aware that you may hear the donkeys bray (usually lasts about 30 seconds), roosters crow, guinea fowl chirp. It is startling and will wake you up. We do our best to keep the dogs hushed but we cannot stop the donkeys, roosters and peacocks from doing their thing. If you are a light sleeper, please bring earplugs or select another wonderful Hipcamp in our area, thank you!
In addition to the interesting sounds you will hear, you will encounter dirt, poop and spiders. Since we are a working farm, things get dirty. We spray all high traffic surfaces twice a day but things get dirty and when it rains it is muddy. Please plan accordingly.
We are centrally located between Grass Valley and Auburn, giving you access to endless recreational activities, wineries, breweries and restaurants.
We have 50 or so rescued farm animals, you can interact with our pig Hank, Mojo the goat or Teddy the alpaca.
NOTE: Starting Memorial Day each year, we have replaced all of our wood fire pits with gas fire pits. We have increased our prices to help cover the costs of propane.
Thank you for choosing us!
from
$50
/ night
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(6)
Mirabella
1 site · Lodging5 acres · Nevada City, Nevada
This 30 ft diameter Pacific yurt sits on 5 private acres with an occupied family home and sometimes used granny unit nearby Strategic design and landscape provide privacy for all. There is an airconditioned bedroom inside, a bath house with shower, connected by a deck in back and a small front covered patio. Access to the vegetable garden is included. We are willing to share summer vegetables. There is a shade cloth in the garden which provides a space for doing yoga or just having a picnic. Great night time views as well. A new addition is a portable swamp cooler in the main room--It requires tending but makes it live-able during the hot afternoons.
from
$95
/ night
Within one hour of North San Juan
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