About Sardine Lake
Number of accommodations: 24
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Canoeing
Fishing
Hiking
Hunting
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Rates, Sites & Availability
24 Sites Available
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Site Details
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24 Sites Available
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Reviews (212)
What Guests Are Saying
Sardine Lake offers a stunning camping experience with beautiful views, well-maintained sites, and close proximity to hiking trails and lakes. While some campers reported issues with site reservations and a lack of a camp host, the campground is generally clean and family-friendly, featuring upgraded bathroom facilities. Overall, many visitors enjoyed their stay and plan to return despite some minor complaints about privacy and campground management.
What Guests Are Saying
Sardine Lake offers a stunning camping experience with beautiful views, well-maintained sites, and close proximity to hiking trails and lakes. While some campers reported issues with site reservations and a lack of a camp host, the campground is generally clean and family-friendly, featuring upgraded bathroom facilities. Overall, many visitors enjoyed their stay and plan to return despite some minor complaints about privacy and campground management.
Review Summary
Hannah P
VerifiedJuly 18, 2023 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Very nice campground, but not a lot of regulation around the quiet hours. Beautiful location and enjoyable stay!
Hannah P
VerifiedJuly 18, 2023 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Very nice campground, but not a lot of regulation around the quiet hours. Beautiful location and enjoyable stay!
Liz W
VerifiedJuly 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Site # 20.
This is a larger than the normal site. It seemed like a double site: 2 picnic tables, 1 bear box, 1 fire ring, room for an extra car and more people which was nice. Very close to the pit toilets, but couldn't smell them at the site. They were cleaned one of the days we were there, a large amount of people had to use these 2 because the ones down the road weren't open.
Need to bring your own drinking water.
Although there is water available at a tap nearby, we used the water ONLY for putting out the camp fire at night & morning, don't drink it.
Liz W
VerifiedJuly 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Site # 20.
This is a larger than the normal site. It seemed like a double site: 2 picnic tables, 1 bear box, 1 fire ring, room for an extra car and more people which was nice. Very close to the pit toilets, but couldn't smell them at the site. They were cleaned one of the days we were there, a large amount of people had to use these 2 because the ones down the road weren't open.
Need to bring your own drinking water.
Although there is water available at a tap nearby, we used the water ONLY for putting out the camp fire at night & morning, don't drink it.
Craig L
VerifiedJuly 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Great area as a base camp to do pretty much any activity you want. Be prepared for no cell phone coverage (a bonus) and to bring your own food unless you want to drive into Sierra city.
Craig L
VerifiedJuly 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Great area as a base camp to do pretty much any activity you want. Be prepared for no cell phone coverage (a bonus) and to bring your own food unless you want to drive into Sierra city.
lisa f
VerifiedJune 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
The sardine lake area is a extremely beautiful place. Campgrounds were clean. There were two concerning issues; there was a group of Russian individuals camping next to us. They were completely irresponsible with their campfire. They overloaded it at least 2 feet above the top of the camp fire ring , and we’re having fires on the ground by at their tents were close by. Campground hosts did clean the campgrounds, but did not seem to do much about policing. I personally spoke with the group and informed them about the extreme fire danger of the area, and that they needed to watch their fire. They had left a smoldering fire in their pit during the day the day before. There also was one family that had a dog that kept running around off leash. I had spoke to the campground hosts in conversation, and they were a very nice couple. Suggestion would be that they need to police the campground more. I Specifically like camping in campground with hosts, as I feel safer as hopefully they are keeping an eye on things. It was disappointing to say the least that there was some bad behavior by campers.
lisa f
VerifiedJune 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
The sardine lake area is a extremely beautiful place. Campgrounds were clean. There were two concerning issues; there was a group of Russian individuals camping next to us. They were completely irresponsible with their campfire. They overloaded it at least 2 feet above the top of the camp fire ring , and we’re having fires on the ground by at their tents were close by. Campground hosts did clean the campgrounds, but did not seem to do much about policing. I personally spoke with the group and informed them about the extreme fire danger of the area, and that they needed to watch their fire. They had left a smoldering fire in their pit during the day the day before. There also was one family that had a dog that kept running around off leash. I had spoke to the campground hosts in conversation, and they were a very nice couple. Suggestion would be that they need to police the campground more. I Specifically like camping in campground with hosts, as I feel safer as hopefully they are keeping an eye on things. It was disappointing to say the least that there was some bad behavior by campers.
Simone B
VerifiedJune 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
The only issue I have with Sardine campground is that half the time the taps are not working, but I keep coming back because its a beautiful spot.
Simone B
VerifiedJune 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
The only issue I have with Sardine campground is that half the time the taps are not working, but I keep coming back because its a beautiful spot.
Location Sardine Lake
Address:
Yuba River Ranger Station, This Is The Address For The Ranger Station, Not The Campground, 631 Coyote Street
Nevada City, CA, 95959
United States
Sardine Lake Campground is accessible via California State Route 49, which is approximately 15 miles to the east.
Latitude & Longitude: 39.6197 / -120.617
Elevation: 1749 feet
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: June 4, 2026
