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
Mark R
VerifiedJune 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
The area is breathtaking and the campground was just perfect. It was clean a d easy to use. We’ll be back!
Mark R
VerifiedJune 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
The area is breathtaking and the campground was just perfect. It was clean a d easy to use. We’ll be back!
Dottie C
VerifiedJune 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Two major things:
Our site was long enough for our 20' trailer (with experienced driver), but the angle of back-in was impossible - given the huge rock adjacent to the opening - and the 3 garbage bins across the way - AND, the remainder of abandoned 6x6 vertical wooden posts with metal attachments, adjacent to the camping site just across the road., that needed to also be avoided in order not to puncture a vehicle tire IMPOSSIBLE.
Worse..... >>> the campsite that backs up to the site we reserved, has their picnic table just outside the bedroom windows of our camper! 7 people with 3 cars, a camper and 3 tents were camping there - there was actually space for it all... but because of the close proximity of their picnic table, their all night partying around the picnic table until 2:30a caused us to get no sleep. That table should be moved closer to their roadway to allow reasonable privacy space between the units~!!!!! ***It was awful. ***
Dottie C
VerifiedJune 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Two major things:
Our site was long enough for our 20' trailer (with experienced driver), but the angle of back-in was impossible - given the huge rock adjacent to the opening - and the 3 garbage bins across the way - AND, the remainder of abandoned 6x6 vertical wooden posts with metal attachments, adjacent to the camping site just across the road., that needed to also be avoided in order not to puncture a vehicle tire IMPOSSIBLE.
Worse..... >>> the campsite that backs up to the site we reserved, has their picnic table just outside the bedroom windows of our camper! 7 people with 3 cars, a camper and 3 tents were camping there - there was actually space for it all... but because of the close proximity of their picnic table, their all night partying around the picnic table until 2:30a caused us to get no sleep. That table should be moved closer to their roadway to allow reasonable privacy space between the units~!!!!! ***It was awful. ***
Nancy T
VerifiedJune 23, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Gorgeous! Views of buttes spectacular from lakes. Hiking was awesome.
Nancy T
VerifiedJune 23, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Gorgeous! Views of buttes spectacular from lakes. Hiking was awesome.
Mike M
VerifiedJune 16, 2021 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Mike M
VerifiedJune 16, 2021 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Dominic F
VerifiedJune 10, 2021 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Great site. Was concerned that there were so many empty reserved sites. This means that there are lots of people who can't come camping. Please do something about this.
Dominic F
VerifiedJune 10, 2021 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Great site. Was concerned that there were so many empty reserved sites. This means that there are lots of people who can't come camping. Please do something about this.
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
