The best camping in Auburn State Recreation Area, CA

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92% (12)

Gold panning, whitewater rafting, and dirt-bike riding are just a few of the unique activities here.  

The best camping in Auburn State Recreation Area, CA

Public campgrounds here are often sold out.
92% (12)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Auburn State Recreation Area adventure.

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Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Top-rated campgrounds

Finnon Lake Recreation Area

95%
(2328)
22mi from Auburn State Recreation Area · 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.
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from 
$40
 / night

Camp 🏕 Gold Dust Vineyard

97%
(355)
34mi from Auburn State Recreation Area · 6 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Somerset, CA
A six acre organic vineyard & natural winery on 21 acres awaits you at Gold Dust Vineyard. A working natural winery and cidery, come enjoy a glass, relax in the breezes at 2’700 feet. Decomposed granite soils and high elevation make for sweeping views and even better natural wine and cider! We welcome guests year round! Surrounded by nature, there is so much to do! Up in the Foothills, we experience all four seasons! Come relax☮️ March - May 🌸Don’t miss the wildflowers & babbling brooks, steams & rivers June - September 🏞Swimming in the Consumnes River or paddle boarding at Jenkinson Lake September - December 🍂🍁Fall foliage, wine harvest, apple picking and alpaca petting December - March ❄️⛷Snowy hikes, mushroom hunting and quick trips to South Lake Tahoe We accept reservations for wine and cider tastings and typically host guests between the hours of 11 am and 5 pm. Occasionally, during very hot and busy holiday weekends, we will host an evening tasting. We have running water on the side of the winery building. Please note, we are a mom and pop shop with just two of us and our young son running the show. We live on site in a tiny house and use the tasting area as our 'back yard' during off hours. We ask that guests please respect our area and off hours requests. We do not permit live fires or generators.
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from 
$32
 / night

The Foxes Family Farm

97%
(647)
42mi from Auburn State Recreation Area · 13 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Wilton, CA
Welcome to The Foxes Family Farm! Our property is situated on 5 beautiful acres and we offer private campsites that provide the ultimate in seclusion and relaxation. We have multiple tent/RV sites that come complete with one site with 50 amp and 3 with 30 amp power, water, and septic facilities, ensuring a comfortable stay for you and your motorhome. We also have a cabin available that sleeps 4 people and comes with A/C and a private bathroom. We also have 4 tent sites with potable well water, bathroom and for $3 shower with towel. No need to worry about laundry during your stay, as we have a washer and dryer available onsite. Additionally, we've , equipped with all the amenities you'd need for a refreshing and comfortable stay. We understand that your furry friends are part of the family, so we happily welcome pets to our property. Let them explore and enjoy the great outdoors alongside you. As the sun sets and the night sky blankets the surroundings, you'll have the opportunity to gather around a crackling campfire. Enjoy the warmth, roast marshmallows, and create lasting memories. Please note that campfires are allowed unless there's a fire ban in effect, ensuring everyone's safety. Located just a 35-minute drive from Sacramento, our property offers the perfect blend of tranquility and accessibility. Explore the city's vibrant attractions, then return to our peaceful retreat to unwind and rejuvenate.
Pets
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Toilets
from 
$50
 / night

Rollins Lake Retreats, A/C & WIFI

96%
(110)
15mi from Auburn State Recreation Area · 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).
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from 
$113
 / night

Sage

92%
(13)
46mi from Auburn State Recreation Area · 11 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Bear Valley, CA
Sage (named for our beloved 15 year old lab who passed) is a conveniently located property right on Highway 88 in Pioneer, California. Warm and inviting, Sage is a relaxing, modern spot for people heading up to Kirkwood for skiing or for nature, lakes, and fishing. Our place offers a fully operational commercial style communal outdoor kitchen, a small stage, huge redwood, slab dining table, and 14 acres of camping area. It also offers a beautiful 8 foot stock tank hot tub with the freshest clean snowpack water. So clean that it shares an aquifer with Crystal Geyser bottled water. These are all communal spaces. Please keep this in mind when booking, and be prepared to meet some great folks. Be kind to one another and enjoy the experience. We have several stay options to choose from, including a loft and group rates.
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from 
$75
 / night

Kimball Farm

95%
(259)
43mi from Auburn State Recreation Area · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Woodland, CA
Welcome to Kimball Farm! We have cultivated our family farm to be a sanctuary - a place for people to feel the love of the earth, and what it has to offer us. Spectacular skies surround the farm, with roaming chickens, crowing roosters and vegetables, medicinal herbs, and fruits growing - a living model of what is beautiful AND possible in life. The cozy has a vibe of its own, and sits beside a sweet, peaceful pond, outdoor sitting area, and fire pit. There is plenty of room for additional tents and RV's. The convenience of accessible electricity, running toilets, hot water shower, gas grill and an additional covered sitting area make your camping adventure that much more comfortable. Super convenient to get here! We're less than 20 miles from the Sacramento Airport, and just a few minutes off of Interstate 5. Yet you'd never know it once you get to the farm and feel the peace and quiet. We're looking forward to seeing you soon! Additional note....Life on the farm is calm, peaceful and easy... operating with the natural rhythm of the sun cycle. What few clocks we do have, are stuck on twenty minutes past four. We are also family and kid friendly. Please private message us with any questions you may have, or if you would like additional information. We are also home wine makers. If you would like a tour of the cellar along with tasting please let me know. Please know that This is still camping and you will be subject to the elements of Mother Nature. Hot, cold, rain, wind, dirt, dust, mud and different animal sounds during the night. When you are here you may see frogs, toads, lizards, snakes (none poisonous) ants, turtles, squirrels, etc.. Those of you who have experienced camping before know that these are all normal things when out in nature but for those of you who have no camping experience I ask you to come with an open mind and a positive attitude towards a new experience. If you think you may have problems with any of these things PLEASE DON'T COME!!! We also have a dog named Sara that loves people. Most campers that come are very happy to have her around. She is polite and good with children. Some of you may not like dogs, if that is the case this will not be a fun experience for you. Please note that as of spring 2021 we no longer have as many animals. Because of the drought feed prices are too high.
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from 
$70
 / night

Star Gaze Farm Stay

98%
(62)
45mi from Auburn State Recreation Area · 1 site · RV · Woodland, CA
We bought this 1 Acre property surrounded by crops in 2013. The original farm house was built in 1952. It was a local hang out for all the kids on this road, of which most still currently reside. Our journey started here with a simple little cute house surrounded by dirt... We have worked non stop to make it our home. We've added a shop, built a master suite and put in trees, gains and pool. We built a poolhouse for guests and have added it to the airbnb community. We later built a pig barn and expanded our chicken coop. We enjoy gardening, growing pumpkins for our grandkids. We have multiple fruit trees in hopes to have lots of fruit to share . We love be outside 99% of the time. BBQ & sports, are always enjoyed, especially if it's football! Learn more about this land: Pull in and relax on our little farm. We have gorgeous sunsets and bright stars. We're located amongst farm land, almond and walnut orchards.  Our 1 acre has rotating crops behind it throughout the year. Our Rv site sits in the back of our property as seen in the pictures. It has power and water hookups only. The pool and laundry can be used by appointment. Please note, as of now we don't have a bathroom or shower option. Trailers must be self contained.  We have tiny rooster, Little John, 17 hens and a mini schnauzer. Fresh eggs are always available during your stay. We’re 2.5 miles from city limits. Close enough to stores and restaurants but far enough away for a quiet stay. We have lots of local winery’s within 20 minutes, hot air ballooning and an abundance of lakes within a few hours. Come visit us!
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from 
$54
 / night

TerraSol~ "Earth Under the Sun"

99%
(355)
23mi from Auburn State Recreation Area · 3 sites · Lodging · Nevada City, CA
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 15 miles from Yuba River Trailheads. Firewood bundles are $1 per stick per stick, (when campfires 🔥 are allowed). There is a $15.00 dog fee per dog/per stay. You can add the dog fee to your booking or pay cash when you arrive. 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!"
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from 
$80
 / night

Love Creek Sanctuary!

98%
(785)
8.8mi from Auburn State Recreation Area · 6 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Grass Valley, CA
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!
Pets
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from 
$50
 / night

Other options near Auburn State Recreation Area

The best camping in Auburn State Recreation Area, CA guide

Overview

About

Spice up your life with a new adventure at this recreation area. Hit the class II rapids or enjoy your time fishing on the Middle or North Fork of the American River. The Auburn State Recreation Area also allows guests to pan for gold on the riverbanks.

Strap on your comfy shoes for a hike around and through various habitats, including chaparral and foothill woodland. Take pictures of the local wildlife from gray foxes to bobcats. Don't forget to look up. You might catch sight of a bald eagle flying high above looking for its next meal.

Set up your tent at one of the family campsites or hike-in to one of the environmental sites. You can opt to fall asleep on the water with a floating campsite when you bring or rent a boat. There are restrooms and picnic areas but the area lacks showers.

When to go

The best time to visit Auburn State Recreation Area is during spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer brings hot temperatures ideal for river activities, while winter can be wet, offering a different kind of serene beauty.

Know before you go

  • Check for any trail or area closures before your visit, especially during stormy seasons.
  • Be prepared for the park's steep terrain and variable climate by dressing in layers.
  • Remember, there is no potable water available in the park, so bring plenty of your own.
  • Stay safe by hiking with a companion and keeping an eye out for wildlife like mountain lions and bears.
  • Keep dogs on a leash no longer than six feet and clean up after them using provided mutt mitts.
92%
12 ratings · 13 reviews

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