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
Stephanie D
VerifiedAugust 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
The scenic views do not disappoint. The grounds are clean and the bathrooms are stocked and clean. The camp sites are close together, you get to know your neighbor.
Stephanie D
VerifiedAugust 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
The scenic views do not disappoint. The grounds are clean and the bathrooms are stocked and clean. The camp sites are close together, you get to know your neighbor.
Ian M
VerifiedJuly 31, 2021 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
No camp host. Reservation placard went missing on day one. Put toilet are awful. Otherwise my site # 14 was awesome. Location is awesome. Needs a camp host.
Terry N
VerifiedJuly 31, 2021 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
We always enjoy camping around the Sierra Buttes. Hopefully the Forest Service can bring back a campground host to Sardine Lake next season.
Ian M
VerifiedJuly 31, 2021 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
No camp host. Reservation placard went missing on day one. Put toilet are awful. Otherwise my site # 14 was awesome. Location is awesome. Needs a camp host.
Terry N
VerifiedJuly 31, 2021 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
We always enjoy camping around the Sierra Buttes. Hopefully the Forest Service can bring back a campground host to Sardine Lake next season.
Lindsey M
VerifiedJuly 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Our first time camping at Sardine Lake after years of trying to camp without reservations in the Lakes Basin. The Sierra Buttes are dramatic, setting a granite mass above Upper Sardine Lake which is reached by a short hike or a genuine 4-wheel drive only road. The Sardine Lake resort dominates the east shore of the lake with cabins and boat rentals (both a bit pricey but plenty of people were in cabins and boats). The lake is a "pristine fishing lake" which means no swimming; swimmers go to Sand Pond below the lake or Upper Sardine Lake. Arriving on a Sunday afternoon, Sand Pond was packed with swimmers and picnickers, several of whom appeared to be day users rather than campers. This seemed odd as there are no towns nearby. I saw several large trout in Sand Pond so fishing there could be very good if you get there before the swimmers.
Lindsey M
VerifiedJuly 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Our first time camping at Sardine Lake after years of trying to camp without reservations in the Lakes Basin. The Sierra Buttes are dramatic, setting a granite mass above Upper Sardine Lake which is reached by a short hike or a genuine 4-wheel drive only road. The Sardine Lake resort dominates the east shore of the lake with cabins and boat rentals (both a bit pricey but plenty of people were in cabins and boats). The lake is a "pristine fishing lake" which means no swimming; swimmers go to Sand Pond below the lake or Upper Sardine Lake. Arriving on a Sunday afternoon, Sand Pond was packed with swimmers and picnickers, several of whom appeared to be day users rather than campers. This seemed odd as there are no towns nearby. I saw several large trout in Sand Pond so fishing there could be very good if you get there before the swimmers.
Todd H
VerifiedJuly 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Very nice CG, but a bit of a walk from the lakes. Still, we had a wonderful time there.
Todd H
VerifiedJuly 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Very nice CG, but a bit of a walk from the lakes. Still, we had a wonderful time there.
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
