Bright Bear Camp in Tahoe NF
2 acres hosted by Kelley A.
2 lodging sites · 1 RV site · 2 tent sites
Kelley is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Romantic
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is romantic.
Off-leash friendly
Pets can be off-leash at some sites.
Creature comforts
Enjoy the comforts of home at some sites—including flush toilets, showers, and a kitchen.
Activities
Biking
Hiking
Paddling
Snow sports
Natural features
Forest
Lake
River, stream, or creek
Mountainous
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Reviews
98% Recommend92 ratings · 75 reviews
Recommends
· July 2025
Close to Truckee, dog friendly Gem
6 m campervan · With pets ·
Campsite 3 - Under the Trees
Outstanding host and campsite. Super easy to find a few miles off 80. Great description of Kelley’s land and direction. We stayed at site3 which is next to the “house”. Big enough for our Sprinter van and bike rack (about 23 feet). Kelley is the perfect blend of helpful and non intrusive. There are 2 ports potties- one inside a building with a sink and one outside in a potty tent( nicer then it sounds lol!) the camp is all solar Powered. We plugged into the system for about an hour (just ask 1st) to run our van battery back to 100 percent. There was water as well but we didn’t need it . Outdoor shower. Outdoor sink for washing dishes. She brought us a thermocell for mosquitos which was really helpful! Pay the $60 to use the sauna. What a treat! It’s heated with firewood and has a cold plunge bucket outside. Big enough for 2-3. She even brought us towels for sauna. We hiked along the bear river which is beautiful and there was an official hiking trail where the road connects with Hwy 20. So peaceful and lovely ! Adorable eve lights that illuminate paths around camp. There are some swinging Adirondack chairs too. We would absolutely stay here again. It took us about 30 minutes to Truckee and one hour to Tahoe city /sunnyside area.
Dog was very welcomed and loved it too. Things to note: it is 2 miles down a dirt road . Bring what you need or rent from Kelley. There were some very cute tent/car camping spaces on site as well. Highly recommend this gem
Veda P.
3 reviews
This place was AMAZING. The little cabin was gorgeous, simplistic but totally decked out with whatever we needed. It was pretty private, and overlooked an amazing patch of forest. Kelley was amazing, so very helpful and kind, she really made sure we had everything we needed. The area was pretty remote, but not challenging to find. Felt just lost enough, but safe the entire time! There’s a sweet little river nearby, and you can hear it from the campsite, it was a short little walk to get there. Cold but stunning. I honestly can’t recommend this place enough. The tent camping looked amazing too, but my partner and I will for sure be back for the little cabin. All in all, the area was gorgeous, the host was phenomenal, the cabin was perfect. Can’t wait to go back! (also shoutout to Kelley’s neighbor Laurie, who was also really kind and generous!)
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Jessica R.
1 month on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2025
Kelley and Pearl were both great. Pearl was stocked with everything you need, nice cookware, bed was comfy, property is beautiful, and so much to do nearby. Kelley shared some good recommendations for trails and maintains the camper very well. I definitely recommend!
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Chaps203 C.
1 month on Hipcamp
We loved Kelley’s campsites. She has a beautiful property right next to Tahoe National Forest!
Everything is well set up and organized for campers’ convenience (toilet, showers, lights, sink, what else do you need?)
We enjoyed Kelley’s recommendations and friendliness and we’re definitely coming back!
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Antonio A.
2 months on Hipcamp
Our stay was fantastic! The sites were clean, cozy and quiet. Kelley gave is us a warm welcome and showed us everything we need to know. We definetly recommend this site.
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Lea K.
4 reviews
Isolated, tranquil spot in the woods. Kelley was especially gracious and helpful.
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Damien M.
9 reviews
We loved camping here! Kelley was amazing and always available to answer questions or give recommendations for nearby lakes etc. The campsite is beautiful, clean and quiet. Bathrooms are nice and clean, there’s even a hot shower! There were some mosquitoes but Kelley provided us with a thermacell which helped a lot. We hope to come again someday!
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Lisa B.
2 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2025
With pets ·
Pearl the Airstream
Sweet little spot and the host is great.comfy safe communicative
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Lindsey N.
2 reviews
Recommends
· May 2025
This is by far our favorite hipcamp spot to date. Kelly is a warm and welcoming host and communication is a breeze. The property is heavily wooded woth gorgeous trees and each site has ample flat, open space to enjoy. We absolutely, highly recommend this site!
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Karen G.
4 reviews
The cabin is cozy, comfortable, clean, minimalistic beauty and Kelley is the perfect host !
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Vyonne D.
3 months on Hipcamp
Kelley was an absolutely amazing host! Pearl the airstream was clean and cozy and equipped with everything needed for a campout in the woods. The sauna was an incredible experience - who wouldn’t want their own private sauna in the woods with a cold plunge shower?! It was an authentic Finnish sauna experience in the sierra mountains. The area is beautiful and there are plenty of trails, lakes, and pools to explore. Our pup loved it as well! If you’re looking for a night out in nature with little to no hassle, you’ve come to the right spot. And seriously - do yourself a favor and book the sauna!
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Michelle W.
2 reviews
Everything was amazing starting with a fantastic host who has an organized, clean and welcoming place for the guests, to the woods, the serenity, the comfort of the Pearl and all the amenities offered. For a great glamping experience, the Pearl should be on your list! Thank you, Kelley, we're happy to have had the opportunity to meet you and for having us and our dog Winnie!!
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Patricia R.
4 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· December 2024
5 m car ·
Campsite 3 - Under the Trees
Weather was rather unkind for our brief stop in November, poured with rain the entire time, but we received a warm welcome from the host, who was very helpful. Hard everything that was needed, conveniently located and well priced. Indoor and outdoor plumbing was a plus.
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Peter C.
5 reviews
Very clean, well kept, well stocked. Kelley was very responsive and helpful. Coffee was delicious. Definitely going back.
Sleeps 2 very comfortably.
Roxanne Y.
11 years on Hipcamp
We had a great time at Kelly’s. The property is beautiful. We will definitely be back. Amenities were perfect and Kelly was a gracious host.
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Ryan K.
9 months on Hipcamp
Absolutely wonderful cabin! You can tell just how much thought and care went into building this little oasis in the woods - high quality amenities, neat and very comfortable, well stocked and organized, and Kelley was incredibly responsive and helpful before, during, and after our stay.
Highly recommended for anyone staying in the area who wants the camping experience, but also a few extra comforts :)
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Alex V.
9 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2024
Tent · Group trip ·
Campsite 3 - Under the Trees
We loved our stay! It was very convenient and easy to get to. The host was responsive and helpful. Would stay there again!
Alison C.
3 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2024
Tent ·
Campsite 3 - Under the Trees
Very cool campsite among the trees. Host was awesome and helpful with information. Nice bathroom, outdoor shower and sink for dishes! We loved it and wish we could have stayed longer.
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Lauren H.
4 reviews
Recommends
· September 2024
Nice and quiet getaway place for vacation. First time lived with a Airstream Bambi, it's very cozy and comfortable. The host Kelley is so helpful and friendly. Definitely recommend it!
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Yuan L.
10 months on Hipcamp
We had the best time at Kelley’s camp. She was welcoming, warm, and above and beyond helpful (she definitely saved us from getting eaten up by bugs)! The site was quiet and close to Emerald Pools and other beautiful recreation sites, but we had a great time hanging out at camp, too. Bathroom was clean and convenient and the warm shower was much appreciated. Would absolutely recommend this site to friends, strangers, and fellow dog owners!
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Marin M.
11 months on Hipcamp
Kelley was such a wonderful host! This was our first time camping in a tent and we had the best experience. Kelley was awesome to chat with and provided everything you could possibly need including recommendations for things to do in the area. The bathroom was clean and the campground itself was very private. The hanging lights made it feel so cozy and really added to the ambiance. We also really enjoyed stargazing without the light pollution from the city. We will definitely stay with Kelley again if we get the chance!! 😊
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Alexandra L.
11 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2024
With pets ·
Pearl the Airstream
Kelley was an amazing host and so welcoming! We loved our stay in the Pearl, it rained all night and day during our trip and she had an amazing heater that kept as warm the whole time! The camper was cozy and had everything we could possibly need! Would highly recommend a trip here!
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Lilly M.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2024
We loved our time at Bright Bear Camp! Kelley was very accommodating and made sure our stay was as comfortable as possible. Pearl the airstream was picturesque and the property was great for the family to pitch a couple tents on. We'd love to come back.
Brad R.
9 years on Hipcamp
I loved tent camping at site #3 on Kelly's land! My sister and I took an impulsive trip to Tahoe, and we were drawn to Kelly's listing by the price, the views, and the positive reviews. Kelly provided us with detailed instructions on how to get there, and upon arrival, she showed us the well-maintained outdoor toilet and shower, as well as a separate locked bathroom, ensuring we knew how to use them. I haven’t visited many sites that offer such well-attended services!
Kelly also anticipated the arrival of mosquitos and kindly offered us a Thermacell, which was a lifesaver at our campsite. The location was just about an hour from South Lake Tahoe. I brought my dog, Calico Jack, and since it was his first time camping, I was a bit concerned. However, Kelly made us feel very welcome. I would definitely come back—perhaps next time, I’ll even rent the airstream on site! Exceeded my expectations greatly, and I am going to tell everyone I know about this site!
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Finn S.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2024
We loved this little spot! Quiet and tucked away. We were close to the bathroom and washing station which was convenient. We didn't need to, but there was a heated outdoor shower available to us as well.
Campsite had loads of space for our larger tipi tent. Bugs weren't that bad but the thermacell came in handy.
Colin B.
11 months on Hipcamp
Kelly had everything set up when we got there and was super nice! She explained everything very well and it was so awesome to not have to worry about setting anything up when we got there late, with the glamping package which was a springbar tent with a comfy bed, chair, and bedside table. Had cozy lights around the tent even! 50 feet or so from the site, there was a bathroom with running water in a private building, outside hot shower, and sink for dishes. You can even rent an airstream trailer nearby to this site!
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Shaelee H.
2 reviews
Recommends
· August 2024
Tent · With pets ·
Campsite 1 - Across the Meadow
Kelley has gorgeous property not far from Nevada City. It’s quiet, easily accessible, flat and well shaded. She was there upon arrival with a warm welcome and gives you a run down on the lay of the land and how everything works. There are multiple toilets on the property and a shower all functioning and well maintained. There’s storage to keep your food safe. She also has extra equipment you can rent at a reasonable price in case you forgot anything or want to step up your camping game. At night, little lights warm up the site and driveway adding to the ambiance and make navigating the property a breeze. You can also request to turn them off if you want to star gaze. I cannot recommend this spot enough. Kelley was incredibly hospitable and quick to answer any questions or requests. We had a great time and only wish we could have stayed longer. Thanks again Kelley! Can’t wait to come back and stay in the container home she’s currently building.
Krystal B.
2 reviews
Recommends
· August 2024
Kelley was beyond welcomed and supported during our whole stay in her lovely airstream. Airstream itself is spotless clean and well organized. The communication with Kelley was easy and delightful, we enjoyed this outdoor experience without any hassle: fresh towels, clean plates & utensils, cooking pots and cleaning supplies are provided. If you want to cook outdoors definitely bring your own propane stove, you will be cook under some beautiful redwood.
I do agree with some reviews: the mosquito situation was quite irritating, making sure you bring some repellent to avoid getting some bites, but also keep in mind it’s summer time in the woods so it’s really hard to keep mosquitoes away.
Yen Y.
6 reviews
Great spot. Kelly was very nice and helpful. She has done a wonderful job creating a great space for camping. The site had a nice, clean and insulated bathroom. There was also an outdoor shower and outdoor sink. The outdoor sink was something I had not seen at other campsites and I really appreciated it. This spot is also located a few miles away from Emerald Pools and Spaulding lake. Two spots definitely worth visiting.
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Phillip S.
3 reviews
I highly recommend this cozy campsite! Kelley is super friendly and easygoing, and the site has all the amenities (toilet, sink, large additional outdoor sink, hot outdoor shower, string lights, picnic table and chairs). Plus it’s very conveniently located between the 20 and the 80 along the Bear River with easy access to Emerald Pools/the Yuba. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Josephine R.
1 year on Hipcamp
Location
Nevada City, Nevada, California, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Kelley A.
Joined in June 2018Things to do nearby
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