Mineral Bar Campground
Located on the east side of the North Fork American River, Mineral Bar offers up 18 campsites with tables, firepits and dry toilets.
Available campgrounds nearby
Top-rated for location, privacy, and amenities near Auburn State Recreation Area
More to explore nearby
Other campgrounds in Auburn State Recreation Area
Your guide to camping in Mineral Bar Campground
Overview
Biking
If beautiful scenery isn't enough, the Auburn SRA also offers some great single-track trails that are perfect for intermediate riders. Some of the Classic rides include the Foresthill Divide Loop and the Clementine Loop.
Boating
Lake Clementine offers up some good quality boating. It’s a couple miles from Auburn up Foresthill Road. It features a seasonal boat launch ramp, marina, and some boat-in campsites (yeah!). For regulations and to check conditions call this number: (530) 885-4527
Fishing
This area has quite a few different fishing options. The Middle Fork is a good place to catch trout and bass. Lake Clementine also has some solid options where you can catch Rainbow, Brook & Brown Trout, Large & Smallmouth Bass, Carp & Catfish.
Hiking
If hiking is your thing, then you are in luck my friend! Auburn State Recreation Area has more than 100 miles of mountain biking, hiking and equestrian trails, which cross the steep canyons and both forks of the American River. We reccommend checking out the top ten trails before you go because there are A LOT of radical options! Another great resource is Everytrail .
Horseback riding
There are miles of horseback riding trails here. So, you can enjoy a journey with your larger, hairier, 4-legged friend! Just make sure to check with the park for additional details.
Paddling
While Auburn is known more for its white-knuckle whitewater adventures, there is also some more chill paddling to be had. Lake Clementine is the perfect spot for a leisurely paddle and there is lots to see! You can paddle through rolling tree covered hills, grassy meadows, and timbered slopes. Just make sure to check out this lovely write up on the paddle.
Off-roading (OHV)
The Mammoth Bar Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area, with two MX tracks and 12 miles of motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle trails, is about 30 miles northeast of Sacramento in the foothills. Obtain a detailed Mammoth Bar brochure and a list of regulations at the park office.
Climbing
There is some great limestone quarry rock climbing to be had inside Auburn State Recreation Area. People have been experimenting with various problems here since the 1980’s and there are some challenging routes. It is mostly made up of sport climbing and there are some options for people that wish to boulder. For more specific info on climbing here, check out our friend’s write-up at Mountain Project.
Swimming
There are a variety of swimming holes for you to splash around in. It is especially nice after a long hike, strenuous mountain biking session or if you just need to chill out. You can also swim in Lake Clementine which has a designating day-use swimming area.
Whitewater paddling
A wide variety of solid whitewater options are available on the North and Middle Forks. The river and canyon scenery is gorgeous, but the river's swift currents are most definitely not for beginners. The North Fork and Middle Fork range from a Class II easy-going float to a much more dangerous Class VI portage. If you know what you are doing or are with an experienced guide. For something a little bit more mellow, check out Lake Clementine which has a seasonal boat launch ramp, a marina, boat-in campsites, and a day-use swimming area at the upper end of the lake.
Wildlife watching
Auburn is a big place and there are some pretty big animals. This may just be the spot to see that black bear, mountain lion, or bobcat! There are also less-grizzly animals, such as black-tailed deer, rabbits, foxes, opossums, and raccoons. Keep your eye in the sky and you might just see a bald eagle or red-tailed hawk overhead!
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