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
Lucas B
VerifiedJuly 25, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Great!
Lucas B
VerifiedJuly 25, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Great!
Todd H
VerifiedJuly 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
We really enjoyed this campground. Easy walk to Sand Pond and Sardine Lake. Most campsites seemed pretty close to each other but there are a few on the edges that are more private. We really liked #5. A bit closer than preferred to pit toilet but roomy and more private than some of the other sites. Will come again
Todd H
VerifiedJuly 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
We really enjoyed this campground. Easy walk to Sand Pond and Sardine Lake. Most campsites seemed pretty close to each other but there are a few on the edges that are more private. We really liked #5. A bit closer than preferred to pit toilet but roomy and more private than some of the other sites. Will come again
Becky C
VerifiedJuly 19, 2021 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
This campground used to be great but has really gone down hill. We have stayed here over the years but after our last visit in July 2021we probably won't be going back. There is no longer a host and it was the wild west - dog running around, feces unpicked up, no quiet hours, etc. The pit toilets were covered in flies and you could smell them 25 yards away.
Becky C
VerifiedJuly 19, 2021 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
This campground used to be great but has really gone down hill. We have stayed here over the years but after our last visit in July 2021we probably won't be going back. There is no longer a host and it was the wild west - dog running around, feces unpicked up, no quiet hours, etc. The pit toilets were covered in flies and you could smell them 25 yards away.
maria C
VerifiedJuly 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Best places
maria C
VerifiedJuly 18, 2021 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Best places
David S
VerifiedJuly 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Nice scenic environment. Have been coming here (only occasionally in recent years) since 1960. The restrooms were clean and well-stocked and there are conveniences close by. It no longer has the wilderness feel it had in the 1960s but still enjoyable.
David S
VerifiedJuly 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Nice scenic environment. Have been coming here (only occasionally in recent years) since 1960. The restrooms were clean and well-stocked and there are conveniences close by. It no longer has the wilderness feel it had in the 1960s but still enjoyable.
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
