View from Sierra Buttes
Diablo
Packer Lake near Diablo Campground
Restroom
Sierra Buttes Lookout, hike near Diablo Campground

Featured amenities

Restrooms Restrooms

Available sites

17 total sites

About Diablo

Diablo Campground is located in the Packer Lake area near the Sierra Buttes, in northern California. It is north of the Yuba River and next to Packer Creek. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Restrooms Restrooms
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Campfire Ring
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

17 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 003, Loop: AREA DIABLO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 004, Loop: AREA DIABLO Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 005, Loop: AREA DIABLO Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 006, Loop: AREA DIABLO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 007, Loop: AREA DIABLO Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 008, Loop: AREA DIABLO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 009, Loop: AREA DIABLO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 010A, Loop: AREA DIABLO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 010B, Loop: AREA DIABLO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 011, Loop: AREA DIABLO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 012, Loop: AREA DIABLO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 013, Loop: AREA DIABLO Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 014, Loop: AREA DIABLO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 015, Loop: AREA DIABLO Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 016, Loop: AREA DIABLO Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 017, Loop: AREA DIABLO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 018, Loop: AREA DIABLO Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire

Reviews (81)

What Guests Are Saying

Diablo campground is praised for its quiet atmosphere, well-spaced campsites, and beautiful surroundings, making it a favorite for many campers. The facilities, including clean bathrooms and well-kept grounds, enhance the experience, with some sites offering lovely creek access. However, challenges include rocky access roads for low-clearance vehicles and occasional noise from neighboring campers, which could be improved with better supervision and enforcement of campground rules.

Review Summary

4.1
81 reviews
5
49.4%
40
4
27.2%
22
3
9.9%
8
2
8.6%
7
1
4.9%
4

Lea A

Verified

July 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: AREA DIABLO

4

Nice campground. Site #5 was far enough away from the folks running generators and playing music to be pleasant. Pit toilet was full of flies, but someone contributed a fly strip to keep the numbers down.

Fabian B

Verified

July 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: AREA DIABLO

5

We had a great time at this campsite. It was close to Packer and Lower Sardine Lakes and Sand Pond. Although the Vaults were basically clean, the flies were annoying. We look forward to returning next year.

Fabian B

Verified

July 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: AREA DIABLO

5

We had a great time at this campsite. It was close to Packer and Lower Sardine Lakes and Sand Pond. Although the Vaults were basically clean, the flies were annoying. We look forward to returning next year.

Bob B

Verified

July 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: AREA DIABLO

5

Favorite campsite for over 20 years. New toilets and beatboxes this year. It’s starting to get reAl swanky!

Bob B

Verified

July 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: AREA DIABLO

5

Favorite campsite for over 20 years. New toilets and beatboxes this year. It’s starting to get reAl swanky!

matthew c

Verified

June 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: AREA DIABLO

5

New bathrooms were awesome. Nice quiet crowd.

matthew c

Verified

June 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: AREA DIABLO

5

New bathrooms were awesome. Nice quiet crowd.

Mario C

Verified

September 3, 2020 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: AREA DIABLO

4

I have been camping at Diablo campground for many decades, site #13 being my favorite because of the space from other campers. I was very pleased to see the new temporary bathrooms, and yesterday (Tues. Sept 1) the installation of the new permanent bathrooms. I've been camping in the Sierra Buttes - Packer Lake / Sardine Lakes area since 1960 and just can't stay away from it. My wife wants us to look at other areas to camp, but where else can you go and see the beauty this area provides? Not to mention sooooo many lakes to hike or mountain bike to, to fish and swim? But the view of the Buttes from Lower or Upper Sardine lake is epic to say the least.

Mario C

Verified

September 3, 2020 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: AREA DIABLO

4

Please see my review of August 23 - 26, 2020. I thought I was doing a review for this visit (Aug.30 - Sept 2). But it all still applies.

Mario C

Verified

September 3, 2020 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: AREA DIABLO

4

I have been camping at Diablo campground for many decades, site #13 being my favorite because of the space from other campers. I was very pleased to see the new temporary bathrooms, and yesterday (Tues. Sept 1) the installation of the new permanent bathrooms. I've been camping in the Sierra Buttes - Packer Lake / Sardine Lakes area since 1960 and just can't stay away from it. My wife wants us to look at other areas to camp, but where else can you go and see the beauty this area provides? Not to mention sooooo many lakes to hike or mountain bike to, to fish and swim? But the view of the Buttes from Lower or Upper Sardine lake is epic to say the least.

Location & Directions for Diablo

Yuba River Ranger District, Nevada City, CA 95959 United States

Elevation: 1,795 ft

Getting There

<p>From Sierraville, travel south on Highway 49 for 18 mi. Turn right at Bassett and continue just over a mile to the Sardine Lake turnoff. Turn right at Packer Lake/Forest Road 93 and continue to the campground.</p>

<p>From Downieville, travel n...

Nearest town

Nevada City, CA - 62 mi

About over 1 hr (92 min) to downtown

Highway access

The campground is accessible via Highway 49, which is approximately 18 miles from both Sierraville and Downieville.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 20, 2026

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Explore Nevada City, CA

Population: 3,172

Nearby larger city

Reno, NV

Approx. 45 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 2,513 ft

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