Sierra

Campground · California · 16 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Tahoe National Forest (NF) · Open Access

16
Bookable sites
80 ft
Max rig length
up to 6
People per site
5,696 ft
Elevation
Fall Colors near Sierra Campground
Photo: CReed · Recreation.gov

Overview

Sierra Campground is located on the north bank of the North Yuba River between Sierra City and Yuba Pass. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, hunting, fishing, canoeing and gold panning.

Recreation

A large network of trails is available in the area, including the Pacific Crest Trail. Boating, fishing, and swimming are available at nearby Sardine Lakes, about 5 miles from the campground. Sardine Lakes Resort offers boat rentals.

Facilities

The campground offers single-family tent-only sites. Each site has a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided.

Natural Features

The campground is situated between the highway and the creek-sized North Yuba River in a forest of mature fir trees. Many sites overlook the river.

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (530) 265-4531.

Nearby Attractions

Lakes Basin offers many opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking. Sardine Lakes Resort offers boat rentals, lodging, and a restaurant. Anglers will find rainbow and brook trout in many of the lakes, streams, and rivers throughout the basin. A developed boat ramp is located at Gold Lake and accomodates launching of larger boats. Over 30 miles of maintained trails for hiking, mountain biking, and motorcycle singletrack branch out across the area and the Pacific Crest Trail can be accessed at a few spots in the Lakes Basin area. The historic towns of Sierra City and Downieville offer historic and cultural attractions, restaurants, shops, churches, and vistor information.

Charges & Cancellations

No Show Policy

A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date (or for day-use facilities, by check-in time the day of arrival). 

* No-show customers are only recorded at staffed facilities. At most remote facilities, all customers are noted as automatically checked-in on the date of arrival.

* It is recommended that staffed facilities hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.

* It is recommended that staffed facilities hold group day-use facilities until check-in time on the arrival date.

There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation if the change includes dates from the original reservation. If they choose to depart early, they may forfeit some or all of the recreation fees. 

There is no change fee if the customer changes campsites that are the same price and on the same reservation dates in the same campground. If the campsite the customer is changing to has a price difference, the customer will be responsible for any additional fees or be provided with a refund, based on the price difference. 

Where recorded, no-show customers are assessed a $20.00 no-show fee and forfeit the first night's recreation fee for a campsite or forfeit the entire day-use recreation fee for a day-use facility. We recommend customers contact the facility if they are en route to their reservation but cannot make it by the check-in date. In these cases, no refund will be issued, but the facility can ensure that a "no-show" fee is not assessed.

The facts

  • 16 bookable sites
  • Vehicles up to 80 ft
  • Up to 6 people per site
  • Loops: AREA SIERRA

Site types

  • 16 Tent Only Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

16 campsites at Sierra

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceGradeWaterMax rigPeople
001AREA SIERRATent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlightRiverfront80 ft6 🐾
002AREA SIERRATent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlightRiverfront40 ft6 🐾
003AREA SIERRATent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlightRiverfront38 ft6 🐾
004AREA SIERRATent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlightRiverfront16 ft6 🐾
005AREA SIERRATent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlight—25 ft6 🐾
006AREA SIERRATent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlight—25 ft6 🐾
007AREA SIERRATent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlightRiverfront25 ft6 🐾
008AREA SIERRATent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlightRiverfront25 ft6 🐾
009AREA SIERRATent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlightRiverfront30 ft6 🐾
010AREA SIERRATent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlightRiverfront28 ft6 🐾
011AREA SIERRATent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlight—40 ft6 🐾
012AREA SIERRATent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlightRiverfront33 ft6 🐾
013AREA SIERRATent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlight—33 ft6 🐾
014AREA SIERRATent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlight—28 ft6 🐾
015AREA SIERRATent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlightRiverfront35 ft6 🐾
016AREA SIERRATent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlight—30 ft6 🐾

Getting there

From Sierra City travel north on Highway 49, for about 7 miles the campground is on the right side of the road. 

From Sierraville travel south on Highway 49, for 15 miles the campground is on the left side of the road. 

39.63166, -120.55775 · 39°37'54.0"N 120°33'27.9"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in4.25.03.91.81.40.60.40.40.51.72.75.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 10.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Sierra

Can you reserve a site at Sierra?
Yes, Sierra is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Sierra have?
16 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Sierra?
80 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Sierra?
Yes, pets are allowed at Sierra.
Are campfires allowed at Sierra?
Campfires are allowed at Sierra. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Sierra also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Sierra's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • $20 per site $5 for extra vehicle

Restrictions:

  • Camping outside designated campground is prohibited in this area

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Sierra

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.