Available sites
24 total sites
RV Sites
About Sardine Lake
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Canoeing
Fishing
Hiking
Hunting
Year-round
Fishing
Hiking
Hunting
Spring
Canoeing
Summer
Canoeing
Fall
Canoeing
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Picnic Table
Fire Pit
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
- Fire Pit
- Campfire Ring
Rates, Sites & Availability
24 Sites Available
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Site Details
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24 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (237)
What Guests Are Saying
Sardine Lake offers a beautiful setting with well-kept campgrounds, clean restrooms, and friendly hosts, making it a popular choice for campers. Many visitors enjoyed the stunning views, ample outdoor activities, and delicious meals at the resort, though some noted the increasing crowding and close proximity of campsites. Issues such as site disputes and trail maintenance were mentioned, but overall, the campground remains a cherished destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
What Guests Are Saying
Sardine Lake offers a beautiful setting with well-kept campgrounds, clean restrooms, and friendly hosts, making it a popular choice for campers. Many visitors enjoyed the stunning views, ample outdoor activities, and delicious meals at the resort, though some noted the increasing crowding and close proximity of campsites. Issues such as site disputes and trail maintenance were mentioned, but overall, the campground remains a cherished destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Review Summary
Marianne D
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Nice campground near the Sardine Lakes, easy walk to Salt Pond and the lakes. Sites are well maintained, and despite what the Rec.gov site says, there are bear lockers and potable water.
Casey N
VerifiedSeptember 14, 2026 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Stayed at site 12, it was relatively private / separated from some of the other sites which was nice, plus easy bathroom access. Only complaint was there was not much in the way of tree coverage so it felt pretty open and was windy. Beautiful area though !
Shelly B
VerifiedSeptember 14, 2026 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Beautiful campground. If we had more respectful neighbors it would have been truly fantastic.
Sujay S
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
The campsite was clean, bathrooms were well stocked with toilet paper. All the campsite neighbours were friendly and not too loud. Overall a great experience
leeron l
VerifiedSeptember 8, 2026 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Great little campground. 10 min walk to Sardine lake with trails starting right at the campground. Trailheads at the day use parking area a little up the road from the main campground entrance. Great place to ground and make many amazing day hikes or short backpacks in the area with a place to land. Already returning to complete a route I want to make. Nice amenities, camp host on-site and helpful, sites are not super private but are nicely split between the bench and fire pit area and the flattened out tent areas.
Matthew P
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2026 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Great campground. Highly recommend reservations for a dinner at the resort as well...always great food.
Nicole W
VerifiedAugust 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Awesome loop campground and very friendly camp host.
Carol M
VerifiedAugust 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
I have been going there for over 50 years. Sand pond needs to have the pond cleared of all the plants in the pond. It was sad to see how low the upper sardine lake was
Trina N
VerifiedAugust 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Showed up at camp site and someone else was in it. We spoke with camp host and she spoke with campers in our spot. They would not move: she offered us another spot in nearby camp site-which we took; but the spot was not as good.
Leslie H
VerifiedAugust 7, 2026 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Really enjoy the area, the campground was in good shape, and the camp host was friendly. The campground was full; the region is becoming crowded, which is too bad.
Location & Directions for Sardine Lake
Yuba River Ranger Station, This Is The Address For The Ranger Station, Not The Campground, 631 Coyote Street, Nevada City, CA 95959 United States
Elevation: 1,749 ft
Highway access
Sardine Lake Campground is accessible via California State Route 49, which is approximately 15 miles to the east.
Policies & Rules
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Fees & deposits
- A $5 fee applies for additional vehicles beyond the first in campsites.
Wildlife & food storage
- Store all food in approved containers to avoid attracting bears.
Utilities
- No utility hookups or shower facilities are provided.
General
- Click here for more information on the Tahoe National Forest
Fires & fuel
- Campfires and charcoal fires may be restricted during hot, dry weather; check local conditions.
- Buy firewood locally and do not bring firewood from other locations to protect forests.
Cancellation policy
- No-show policies apply to reservations not canceled by check-out time; some facilities automatically check-in customers.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 22, 2026
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Population: 3,172
Elevation: 2,513 ft
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