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
Bonnie H
VerifiedSeptember 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
When I arrived , the campsite next to me was using my site as well. They have overflowed into my reserved site.
They had multiple cars parked in our driveway as well as all of their recreational equipment, paddle boards, etc.
There was no camp post to help solve the problem. When I asked the campers next to me nicely if this was their gear.
Their reply was aggressive “Yeah, so?”
Bonnie H
VerifiedSeptember 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
When I arrived , the campsite next to me was using my site as well. They have overflowed into my reserved site.
They had multiple cars parked in our driveway as well as all of their recreational equipment, paddle boards, etc.
There was no camp post to help solve the problem. When I asked the campers next to me nicely if this was their gear.
Their reply was aggressive “Yeah, so?”
Tim D
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
I have stayed here many times before. I have never seen this campground without a host.
Tim D
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
I have stayed here many times before. I have never seen this campground without a host.
Nicole W
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Campsite 02 is quite small and you are on top of your neighbors. If you are after privacy, this one is not for you. The yellow jackets were no joke! Anytime food came out, you get swarmed. Best to eat in your tent or vehicle. Sardine Lake is a short walk from the campground and the whole area is stunning! It is chilly in September, the high was 55 on the warmest day. Erratic rain and wind gusts. Lots of epic hiking in the Lakes Basin area. Will be going back, just not to #2 at this campground.
Nicole W
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Campsite 02 is quite small and you are on top of your neighbors. If you are after privacy, this one is not for you. The yellow jackets were no joke! Anytime food came out, you get swarmed. Best to eat in your tent or vehicle. Sardine Lake is a short walk from the campground and the whole area is stunning! It is chilly in September, the high was 55 on the warmest day. Erratic rain and wind gusts. Lots of epic hiking in the Lakes Basin area. Will be going back, just not to #2 at this campground.
Sebastian G
VerifiedAugust 25, 2025 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Incredible campground
Sebastian G
VerifiedAugust 25, 2025 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Incredible campground
Haley C
VerifiedAugust 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
No host!!
People were fighting about stolen sites and there was no host there to help. Anyone could come and take another site and there wasn’t anything anyone could do.
We witnessed this happen 3 times!
We ended up sharing our site with someone whose site was taken.
This is usually our favorite campground but our experience here this summer was disappointing.
Haley C
VerifiedAugust 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
No host!!
People were fighting about stolen sites and there was no host there to help. Anyone could come and take another site and there wasn’t anything anyone could do.
We witnessed this happen 3 times!
We ended up sharing our site with someone whose site was taken.
This is usually our favorite campground but our experience here this summer was disappointing.
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
