The best camping near Donner Memorial State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Donner Memorial State Park adventure.

The best camping near Donner Memorial State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Donner Memorial State Park adventure.

Camping near Donner Memorial State Park

97% (16 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Donner Memorial State Park adventure.

A gripping piece of history meets up with a mountain lake and spectacular mountain views.  

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Community favorites near Donner Memorial State Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Donner Memorial State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Donner Memorial State Park

97%
(175)

Garden Goddess Farm

8 sites · Lodging, Tents7 acres · Grass Valley, CA
Garden Goddess Farm is located in the Sierra Foothills on 6+ acres of organic edible gardens, manzanita, pines and oaks. The gardens and land help to support guests to unplug from business, bond with nature, explore homesteading practices, herbs and get inspired to learn how to grow your own food! (We can host up to 20 guests for reunions, anniversaries, birthdays and special celebrations. Message us to inquire! 100% of proceeds go to our youth program run by Honey Bee Foundation) Individuals, Couples and Families love the farm because of the quiet surroundings, great food and opportunity to learn about sustainable living. Farm is conveniently located 20 minutes from Auburn, Nevada City and Grass Valley. You do drive through a residential neighborhood to get to this unique location that has views of the forest, valley and Sierras. We are 60-90 minutes from Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake, Truckee and ski resorts. We have an on-site Personal Chef that is available to create Farm-Fresh Gourmet Meals, Culinary Homesteading Classes, Private Garden and Foraging Tours. We love celebrations and many guests come here to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions, personal retreats and special occasions. Most guests opt in for farm-fresh meal samplers, but feel free to bring your own camp stove, ice chest and food to cook. Privacy and what to expect: Property is usually very quite and overlooks hundreds of acres of forest looking toward the Snow-capped Sierras in the Winter and Spring. We are located in a neighborhood (Alta Sierra- in between Auburn and Grass Valley). We ask that everyone uses soft voices since we are in a canyon and sound travels to a few neighboring houses. There are 5 Hipcamp sites on property, so we could have up to 20 guests in a weekend. There is a main farmhouse where the manager and culinary students reside. Chef Susan mentors teens at the local highschools and homeschools and loves to share her knowledge about the land. There is a Culinary Classroom, Upper Deck and Gardens to enjoy. If you have teenagers, they love it here! 1/2 Basketball court, cooking and foraging classes. Accommodations 1. The Enchanted Meadow Love Shack (sleeps 3) (190 square feet) 1 King Bed and 1 twin. It's about 200 feet from main farm house and traditional bathroom. The path to and from this unit is steep and a dirt path with many stairs. If you have a 4 wheel drive you can drive right up to the unit. Bring your own sleeping bag or sleeping gear. 2. The Love Shack Tree House and Tent site (sleeps 2) 1 queen bed and balcony that overlooks garden. There is a tree growing inside this unit. There are table and chairs so you can cook on the balcony or the bbq area about 30 feet from unit. So cool! Bathroom and cool shower are 50 feet down a dirt path. Additionally, there is an area to pitch a tent. For example if a family of 4 wanted to split up and 2 in treehouse, 2 in the tent area. There is an additional $18 per guest if you want to use the campsite in addition. Please bring your own sleeping bag or sleeping gear. 3. The Sunrise Suite (sleeps 2) 1 loft twin bed (must climb a ladder ) and 1 couch futon. There an area in front of the unit for 2 people to eat and sit. Common bathroom and shower are 20 feet away. 4. Enchanted Meadow with 3 Serenity Tent sites (max capacity 6) This beautiful spot is great for groups, couples and families. To access this serene, private, nature-rich area, be prepared to walk down a steep path. It only takes 5 minutes to walk down which is the easier part. Walking back up the trail you may feel winded since we are at 2,250 elevation. Best to pack a backpack with your gear if you don't want to make too many trips back and forth to your car unless it's part of your workout :) . There is an activity Teepee / Tipi and we encourage you to participate in the writing, arts and crafts projects! We have wildlife and bears may visit if you have accessible food. So bear-proof your food if at campsite or best to leave in car or farmhouse kitchen. When available, farm-fresh meals can be ordered and delivered to campsites. Otherwise you can prepare cooked meals up near main farmhouse. Other guests may be passing through on the nature trail during your stay but you have the ability to reserve the area as "Private" so no other guests will be visiting. $150/night for the 3 sites or $200/night to block off the entire meadow area for privacy. 5. The Big Deck Experience! (sleeps 2-4 adults. No children due to the height of deck and hot/cold tub) Enjoy breathtaking views of the Sierras, valley and forest from the balcony. Couch turns into a comfortable bed for 2. For additional adults, you need to bring sleeping pads for on the deck. Enjoy meals at 1 or both of the large dining tables. Play the gong and do some sound healing! This space is part of the main farmhouse (owner's residence) and has a beautiful 75 x 15 foot redwood deck with views of the Sierras. This area can be blocked off for privacy from 7pm-10am. At 10 some other guests may come to the area for brunch. Manager and 2 other guests live in the main farmhouse, so this area is considered "semi-private" Other guests may access deck during the day (this is negotiable depending on situation) $ 225/night includes up to 4 adults and 1 Farm-fresh Happy Hour. Sample appetizers and beverages from the farm! Upper Deck/Balcony: If not reserved for a private party, you may enjoy the gongs, meals and play a game in the shaded sitting areas. There are 2 large tables for dining and a couch that seats 8 for relaxing. When not raining we have a rug out for yoga. Deck overlooks the organic demonstration gardens and fruit orchard. If available, you can book an educational or foraging tour with one of the farm volunteers. Fresh chicken eggs are usually available for purchase. Garden Goddess Farm is a great place for kids and adults to learn about nature, cooking, culinary arts, foraging, growing your own food, medicinal / culinary herbs and sustainable living. Manager, Chef Susan-Executive Director of the Honey Bee Foundation, is usually on-site is available to prepare meals. She graduated from UC Berkeley, is a Master Gardener and has additional certifications in Creating Sustainable Communities and Permaculture Design. She mentors teens in the culinary arts and entrepreneurship and is the author of 2 books available on Amazon. Nopales-No Problema - The Joy of Cooking with Cactus and Recipes from the Garden Goddesses for Cuisine, Health and Beauty. Nearby Attractions to research: Historic Empire Mine, Grass Valley, Nevada City, Truckee and Auburn. Wine-tasting and local wineries. The beautiful South Yuba River or Bear River is a must-experience with their granite rocks and emerald pools. Scott's Flat Lake and other Fishing Lakes off of Hwy 20 (30-60 minutes), Trails for Mountain Biking and Hiking. Lake Tahoe, Truckee and Donner Lake (1 hour 15 min drive). What to bring to all accommodations: *If you are interested in ordering farm-fresh meals prepared by Chef Susan or assistant chefs you can reserve or let us know when you arrive and we can bill your Hipcamp account. Gluten-free, Vegan and Plant-based options available! If you plan on eating in town or cooking your own food bring: *Camping Stove with pan and cooking utensils *Sleeping bags and/or bedding *Ice chest with ice and food Pet Policy: - If you'd like to bring along your pet, we are happy to accommodate. Please add on the "pets" extra when you are completing your booking. This covers our pet cleaning fee. This is a must in order to bring your pet. - Please keep your pet(s) on a leash at all times - we have chickens and don't want them harmed or bothered. - Please bring your own bedding for pets Let us know if you have any questions and we look forward to your stay!
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$55.20
 / night
98%
(80)

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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$128
 / night
96%
(455)

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
100%
(92)

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
100%
(6)

Lazy Bear Cabin

1 site · Lodging10 acres · Alta, CA
Minutes from highway 80 in quietly beautiful Blue Canyon, come relax in your very own Lazy Bear Cabin. This off the grid cabin features solar power with backup power being provided by generator. Enjoy the crackle of a camp fire,, plenty of parking for a few camper vans, and a large porch for all your fresh air desires. We have equipped our small cabin with a sleeper sofa, 42” tv, wood stove, full kitchen and running water for a full bathroom. Minutes from Yuba Gap, Lake Valley Reservoir, Boreal, Donner Ski Ranch and Sugar Bowl. Enjoy a 30 minutes drive to Truckee for shops and eats. We look forward to hosting your next vacation Cabin is equipped with sofa bed along with a comfortable mattress. ***Please bring your preferred sheets, blankets, and pillows. Places to check out. Euchra bar hiking trail in Alta(experience hiker) Steven trails in Colfax Rollin lake in Colfax. Pennyweight trail in Colfax Lake valley in Emigrant Gap Emerald Pools in Emigrant Gap
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$119
 / night
95%
(2034)

Finnon Lake Recreation Area

39 sites · RVs, Tents140 acres · 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 can not cross over the single-lane suspension Mosquito Bridge. These vehicles and trailers will be forced to turn around or back up to take Rock Creek Road. Use caution - twisty narrow country road. If it's your first time you might want to check out the route ahead of time. 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- 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 most parts of 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. The lake is managed by volunteers of the community for the benefit of the residents and 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. Open on weekends only. Enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, paddling, hiking, or biking during your stay. Sites are from post to post. Our property is located in Placerville, California. Placerville is a charming California gold rush town named after the placer gold deposits found in its riverbeds and hills in the late 1840s. PLEASE NOTE, there is construction on the Mosquito Bridge. Expect delays, RVs/trailers must use Rock Creek Road (even if your GPS says Mosquito Road). Please message me with any questions. Please see our website: finnonrecreationarea.com for full directions. Diner: https://www.facebook.com/smokeonthewaterplacervilleca 530-622-1060. The diner is only open Saturday and Sunday. NO FIREWORKS OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED. Smoking is only allowed in an enclosed vehicle.
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$40
 / night
99%
(317)

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
99%
(75)

160 Acres amidst National Forest

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents160 acres · Placerville, CA
Learn more about this land: Welcome to Slate Mountain where you have access to 160 acres of gated, private wilderness with 360 degree mountain views and exclusive waterfront on Slab Creek. There are two sites available to book: At Site 1 you can park an RV or pitch your own tent; at Site 2 a brand new Wall Tent is already set up with cots, chairs, picnic table and a hammock for a turnkey glamping experience. Bring your hiking boots or your off-road toys and explore 160 acres of secluded, magical forest filled with wildflowers, butterflies, ancient Pines and Cedars, wild berries, and wild game. Spend the day relaxing, picnicking, and try your luck at gold panning on pristine Slab Creek where not a single human or road exists for miles. Bring your paddle boards and kayaks and spend an afternoon at Stumpy Meadows, a beautiful mountain reservoir a 25 minute drive from the property. Apple Hill wineries and farms are a 40 minute drive. If you bring the off-road toys you also have access to miles of trails throughout hundreds of acres of national forest. Don’t feel like cooking? Smoke on the Water restaurant at Finnon reservoir in Swansboro is a quick 20 minute drive from the property. If you need supplies, a nice restaurant, or a day of wine tasting to break up the grit, downtown Placerville and Georgetown are both a 45 minute scenic drive. IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE:  1) To get the most out of your experience, we highly recommend a 4WD vehicle, or eBikes. 2) The creek is at the bottom of the canyon, 1.5 miles from the gate at the entrance, and the road down is very steep in parts. We highly recommend an off-road vehicle/ATV or eBikes for easy access to creek. 3) Be aware you are in the middle of the forest and wildlife such as bear, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, etc have been spotted on the property. Poison Oak is also common.   4) The property has cell service in the upper quadrant, however once you drop below the tree line toward the creek there is no service.
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$68
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The best camping near Donner Memorial State Park guide

Overview

About

We've all heard of the Donner Party. They're the pioneers who were stuck in the mountainous Donner Pass during the winter. You remember: They ended up eating their dead (ewww).

Well, here's where you can learn the real story. The Emigrant Trail Museum is fascinating. It helps you understand just what it meant to people in the past to come to California.

Exhibits also tell the stories of the Native-American Washoe tribe. You can also learn about the building of the transcontinental railroad, primarily by Chinese immigrants.

And when you're done with history, splash right into Donner Lake. This beautiful lake welcomes kayaker, windsurfers, and swimmers. You'll have to leave the park's boundaries if you need a boat ramp (and the fishing is only so-so).

Eight miles of hiking trails let you explore this patch of the Sierras. Three campgrounds are available (all with metal lockers to protect food from black bears).

Notable campgrounds

  • Ridge Campground: Offers a serene camping experience with easy access to hiking trails and lake views.
  • Splitrock Campground: Secluded spots nestled among towering pines, ideal for a peaceful retreat.
  • Creek Campground: Enjoy the soothing sounds of the nearby creek and the lush surroundings.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early, as sites can be reserved up to six months in advance and fill up quickly.
  • Be flexible with your dates to increase your chances of securing a spot.
  • Check for cancellations regularly, as plans change and spots may open up.
  • Explore nearby camping options to ensure you have a backup plan.

When to go

The best time to visit Donner Memorial State Park is during the summer for warm days and cool nights, perfect for camping and hiking. Winter offers a snowy wonderland for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Be mindful of seasonal closures and weather conditions before planning your trip.

Know before you go

  • Always check the park's current conditions and closures before visiting.
  • Remember to store food and toiletries in bear-resistant lockers provided at campsites.
  • Pets are welcome on certain trails and areas, but must remain on a leash at all times.
  • Day-use areas offer picnic spots and restrooms, with some facilities closed outside of peak season.
  • For safety, familiarize yourself with the park's rules and regulations, including fire restrictions.

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