The best camping near Plumas National Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Plumas National Forest adventure.

The best camping near Plumas National Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Plumas National Forest adventure.
94% (61 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Plumas National Forest adventure.

Hike, cross-country ski, or even drive into the deep wilderness of this Sierra Nevada forest.  

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Plumas National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in Plumas National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds near Plumas National Forest

99%
(902)

Maple Creek Ranch

6 sites · RVs, Tents500 acres · Cohasset, CA
This year, the Park Fire has brought some changes to our surroundings, but we’re thrilled to share that our camp sites, pond area, and homes were miraculously untouched! 🌲✨ Here’s what you can expect during your stay: - Mud Creek Canyon: While this area was most affected by the fire, it remains a good spot for hiking and exploring. - The Pond: It’s looking beautiful, and we’re actively working to restore the stream that feeds it. Enjoy the serene environment as nature continues to flourish. - Ongoing Restoration: We’re committed to rejuvenating the land and ensuring your experience remains as wonderful as ever. ================= The Maple Creek Ranch and Tree Farm has been family owned and operated since 1934. The patriarch of the family, whose family had moved here from Sweden, had a great love of the forest and trains. The property was one of the first certified tree farms in California with the goal of nurturing a healthy forest. In the 1960’s, a mile of railroad tracks was laid and the whistle of a small, steam engine train could be heard throughout the community. Local residents and kids were treated to free train rides and special events for many years. There is a natural spring with a small creek that supplies the ponds with fresh water year around. There is also a small canyon on the property with a larger stream called Mud Creek. The land is rich in Indian history and there a artifacts and other signs on the Indians presence. The Cohasset area is relatively unknown. 15 miles from our property is Deer Creek and the Lasson National Forest is about a 2 hour drive north. While staying with us you can pitch your tent on our private 500 acres. We have 2 primitive camping spots on our property. Each spot has a picnic table and fire pit. There is a flush toilet shared for both camp sites. * During freezing weather the toilets may be closed so they don’t freeze! Please check before booking *The spots are spread out to ensure privacy. Our property is surrounded by the forest and is loaded with deer, squirrels, turkeys and other forest animals. We have numerous walking trails, a fresh water pond for fishing and swimming. Please notify us if you have an RV. Site 1 is best for RV's. Site 2 can accommodate smaller RV's.
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$60
 / night
99%
(738)

Love Creek Sanctuary!

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres · 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!
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$50
 / night
96%
(456)

Sierra Sol Camp

11 sites · Lodging18 acres · Camptonville, CA
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
98%
(81)

Private Yurts - Nevada City

2 sites · Lodging10 acres · Nevada City, CA
This magical and private Yurt in the woods are just 2 miles from Nevada City Come experience the Beauty of the Sierra Foothills and the Yuba River in our Yurts tucked into the forest just 2 miles from downtown Nevada City. With a natural creek right outside your door and hiking trails right off the deck, this serene and beautiful yurt retreat awaits you. Nevada City is renowned for its excellent food, shopping, nightlife and farmer’s market. A leisurely walk into town takes 45 mins, bike in 15 or drive in 5. Grass Valley is 10 minutes away as well and has more food, shopping, and entertainment for you. Access to the Yuba River is as close as 20 mins to Edwards Crossing and 20 mins to Hoyts Crossing on Highway 49. We absolutely recommend trying to stay for two or more nights so that you can get accustomed to the space, learn the property, settle in, and relax. Each yurt has a wood-fired stove inside with plenty of wood stacked to keep you warm. Each yurt has a small functional kitchen with a hot plate, toaster oven, micro sink, and fridge. Each yurt has a kitchen that is fully equipped with a hot plate, toaster oven, microwave, refrigerator, cutlery, pots and pans, grill, etc. Each yurt has a Queen bed with a heating blanket to help keep you cozy throughout the night. Each yurt has its own dedicated wood-fired hot tub. It requires a fire to be lit and maintained to keep it hot.  Things you might like to bring: headlamps,  robe,  flip flops, slippers, hiking shoes. Water: we are on a well and provide fresh drinking water in a container for you. It’s fine to drink, cook, and bathe with the water from the tap but it can have a minerally quality to it. We test the well annually. We provide filtered water but if it runs out, the water out of the tap is safe and delicious. The hot tub: it’s wood fired. This means you have to heat it with a fire to get it hot. This can take many hours to get to the right temperature. It’s a good idea to start a fire right when you get there! This tub may have leaves in it (they fall from above) and cloudy water. The water should NOT smell, the cloudiness is a part of the cedar tubs charm- ash from the fire and particulate from the cedar mix together. We treat it between guests with natural products that maintain the wood (you can’t use chlorine in these tubs). We clean it regularly. Shower before using it to wash off any oils and sweat in your body please! The outdoor shower is lovely :) Fireplace: We will leave you a bundle of wood that comes with the rental. If you need more wood you can purchase it from us or from the grocery store. We have lots of wood at the yurt and we ask you to pay $10 per bundle if you use more then we leave you inside. This is on the honor system- It takes a lot of time and resources to keep wood stocked for the property. If you don’t know how to start a fire you may want to bring an instant log with you. Please leave the lighter behind for the next guest. Sleep: we have a heating blanket for cold nights, It’s about 10 degrees cooler on our land than in town. This is a real treat during our hot summers. There will be a fan for you as well during the warm season. We live in the woods, there are bugs and wild animals on/or near the property. This is part of the country charm and should be expected. Please don't leave food outside.  Land acknowledgment: We acknowledge that our property is located on unceeded land. It is the traditional homeland of the Nisenan tribe. The Nisenan tribe is alive and active and continues to fight for federal recognition and compensation for land loss. We donate 10% of AIRBB proceeds between CHIRP which promotes the history and culture of the Nisenan tribe. https://chirpca .org/ And the Bear Yuba Land Trust which helps protect the fragile Yuba watershed. https:// www.bylt .org/is Thank you
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$122.50
 / night
99%
(93)

Tambo Ranch Tiny House Village

3 sites · Lodging14 acres · Paradise, CA
Welcome to our rustic retreat in rural Butte County, a haven we've called home since 1997. Nestled on 14 acres, our family farm offers a unique camping experience where you and your children can embrace the freedom to run and explore. Walk the property and connect with nature while visiting our alpaca, sheep, kittens, dog, and chickens. Take a leisurely stroll down a country road or stargaze under the clear night sky from the open circle of Adirondack chairs. Bask in the tranquility of this quiet country space, where fresh air abounds. Our location is a gateway to numerous outdoor adventures such as the Feather River, Lake Oroville, Lassen Volcanic Park and Table Mountain, and is just 22 minutes from downtown Chico and Cal State University, Chico. Discover local gems like the Bidwell Mansion, Bidwell Park, Lime Saddle Marina, Butte Creek Canyon, and the Honey Run Covered Bridge, all within a short drive. Paradise is known for its antiquing, mountain biking, and kayaking, and many enjoy its historic biking and walking trail along the old railroad line. Visit the Paradise Depot Museum, or the Gold Nugget Museum for a trip back in time. While you're surrounded by nature, enjoy the convenience of great cell service and Wi-Fi, perfect for streaming on our smart TVs with our fiber optic service. Should you need anything during your stay – be it a Band-Aid, needle and thread, or kitchen essentials – simply let us know. Our property is home to playful kittens and our friendly border collie, Caspian, who roams freely. If preferred, Caspian can be kenneled upon request. Escape to our farm stay and experience the best of rural living with modern comforts. Your adventure awaits!
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$99
 / night
100%
(93)

Starry Hot Tub/Cold Plunge A Frame

4 sites · Lodging7 acres · Nevada City, CA
NOTE: From mid-October through mid-April, only the A Frame site is available. Our tents are seasonal for the warmer months :) Soak in a cedar hot tub and Renu cold plunge nestled in an oak grove, then sleep in our A Frame or one of our two luxurious yurt-like tents. Venture into the clearing with open skies for truly amazing starry views at night. It's a peaceful retreat surrounded by pines and oaks, yet is still less than 15 minutes from the historic Gold Mining towns of Nevada City and Grass Valley. A composting toilet is housed in a beautiful, well maintained outhouse and a heated outdoor shower is located next to the hot tub and cold plunge. These as well as the hot tub/cold plunge area are shared between our two sites. PLEASE NOTE: While many guests have found each spot to feel private, it's important to mention that these are located in a large clearing behind our house. You'll have ample space and privacy, with the added convenience of having someone nearby if you need anything. Distance to local attractions: Nevada City (11 minutes) Grass Valley (14 minutes) Yuba River (25 minutes) Scott’s Flat Lake (10 minutes) Cascade Canal Hiking (3 minutes) Hoot’s Trail epic mountain biking (17 minutes)
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$76.50
 / night
99%
(320)

TerraSol

3 sites · Lodging40 acres · 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 $15 per bundle (2+ hours of campfire when campfires 🔥 are allowed). There is a $15.00 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!"
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$79
 / night
98%
(70)

Rollins Lake Retreats with A/C!!!

3 sites · Lodging31 acres · Colfax, CA
We live 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. 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 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! 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 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, away from others, this is your place.
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$112.50
 / night

The best camping near Plumas National Forest guide

Overview

About

Encompassing more than a million acres of protected land in the northern Sierra Nevada range, Plumas National Forest offers an incredible diversity of outdoor activities, from summer rock climbing, hiking, camping, and fishing to winter snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and skiing. It's also a great place for long, scenic drives, and if you have a vehicle with 4WD, it's worth taking a jaunt through the 150-mile-long Plumas Backcountry Discovery Trail, which showcases some of the most remote areas in the forest. The forest has three ranger districts, each with dozens of publicly owned campgrounds, and many of the area's lower-elevation campgrounds are open throughout the year.

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for boaters: You can launch your boat right into the lake at Frenchman Campground.
  • Best for anglers: At an elevation of 6,479 ft., the popular Lone Rock Campground offers easy access to the waters of Antelope Lake.
  • Best for last-minute tent campers: Black Rock Walk-in Tent Campground has 20 walk-in tent sites available on a first-come, first-served basis plus a massive parking lot where RV owners can park their vehicles.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. You can reserve a campsite up to six months in advance online at Recreation.gov or by calling the Forest Service.
  2. Some campsites must be reserved at least three days in advance.
  3. Many campgrounds release some or all campsites on a first-come, first-served basis.
  4. Campgrounds with tent and RV camping are available in all three ranger districts, but dispersed camping (with a permit) is only an option in parts of the Beckwourth Ranger District.
  5. If you can’t find a campsite, check with the nearest ranger station about last-minute availability or look into staying at a  private campground or Hipcamp instead.

When to go

Plumas National Forest is at its busiest in the warm summer months, especially in July and August when children are out of school for the season. The autumn shoulder season is also pleasant, but many areas close after the first snowfall, which can happen as early as October. Some areas, such as the Frenchman Recreation Area, stay open year-round, attracting fans of ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Know before you go

  • Phone service can be spotty in parts of the forest, so make sure to download offline maps before you set out.
  • Bears are active in much of the forest, and some campgrounds require campers to store all food, toiletries, trash, and cookware in bear lockers (where available) or inside their vehicles.
  • Fire restrictions are common in this area, and can change at short notice. Check the Plumas National Forest website for up-to-date details.
  • If you plan to build a fire or use a barbecue or portable stove, during permitted times, you'll need to first obtain a campfire permit.
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