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
Larry L
VerifiedJuly 19, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
As usual the site was nice and the location has a lot to offer. This year the camp hosts were not present. Numerous rumors of visitors switching reservation placards at each site. Also numerous sites did not have campers arrive on the first day and sites were taken buy other campers “legally “ per Recreation.gov policy.
Kent S
VerifiedJuly 19, 2020 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Great experience- We did miss not having a host this year but overall, no issues
Michael R
VerifiedJuly 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
The campground was clean and taken care of. No issues with reservations or anything. Stayed in site 16. It's a little too close to the restrooms. Very awkward to be sitting there relaxing and seeing every person that walks in to do their business. The spigot is also practically in this site and up a small hill so whenever someone wanted to use it, they are essentially in your campsite. A young girl from the site across the road decided that she was going to run the water at full blast after using the restroom and also play a little. The parents were not paying attention to her and the water started to run into our campsite. We had to admonish her and make her stop so our site would not become a muddied mess.
Otherwise the campground is great. The whole area is amazing and we will definitely be back but will probably choose a different site. Zero cell phone coverage (Verizon).
Michael R
VerifiedJuly 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
The campground was clean and taken care of. No issues with reservations or anything. Stayed in site 16. It's a little too close to the restrooms. Very awkward to be sitting there relaxing and seeing every person that walks in to do their business. The spigot is also practically in this site and up a small hill so whenever someone wanted to use it, they are essentially in your campsite. A young girl from the site across the road decided that she was going to run the water at full blast after using the restroom and also play a little. The parents were not paying attention to her and the water started to run into our campsite. We had to admonish her and make her stop so our site would not become a muddied mess.
Otherwise the campground is great. The whole area is amazing and we will definitely be back but will probably choose a different site. Zero cell phone coverage (Verizon).
Gary G
VerifiedJanuary 18, 2020 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Clean, convenient and no problems
Gary G
VerifiedJanuary 18, 2020 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Clean, convenient and no problems
Amber B
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Note: there is no soap here!!! Bring your own hand soap. The area and campground is amazing otherwise. Drop/compost toilets get pretty ripe, so be prepared for that. While there are no showers, a swim in the lake is adequate. There is a small store not far from the camp if you need anything (like soap).
Ed H
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
wonderful site. nice hiking. paddle board the lake.
Lorraine F
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
The proximity to great hiking was wonderful- one day we stayed local and simply ran around the pond and swam; the next day we trekked to Upper Sardine Lake for a half-day climb to gorgeous views! The pay phone near the restaurant is a plus, and the campground facilities are well laid out.
Amber B
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Note: there is no soap here!!! Bring your own hand soap. The area and campground is amazing otherwise. Drop/compost toilets get pretty ripe, so be prepared for that. While there are no showers, a swim in the lake is adequate. There is a small store not far from the camp if you need anything (like soap).
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
