Available sites
24 total sites
RV Sites
About Sardine Lake
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Canoeing
Fishing
Hiking
Hunting
Year-round
Fishing
Hiking
Hunting
Spring
Canoeing
Summer
Canoeing
Fall
Canoeing
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Picnic Table
Fire Pit
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
- Fire Pit
- Campfire Ring
Rates, Sites & Availability
24 Sites Available
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Site Details
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24 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (237)
What Guests Are Saying
Sardine Lake offers a beautiful setting with well-kept campgrounds, clean restrooms, and friendly hosts, making it a popular choice for campers. Many visitors enjoyed the stunning views, ample outdoor activities, and delicious meals at the resort, though some noted the increasing crowding and close proximity of campsites. Issues such as site disputes and trail maintenance were mentioned, but overall, the campground remains a cherished destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
What Guests Are Saying
Sardine Lake offers a beautiful setting with well-kept campgrounds, clean restrooms, and friendly hosts, making it a popular choice for campers. Many visitors enjoyed the stunning views, ample outdoor activities, and delicious meals at the resort, though some noted the increasing crowding and close proximity of campsites. Issues such as site disputes and trail maintenance were mentioned, but overall, the campground remains a cherished destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Review Summary
Martin N
VerifiedOctober 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
We benefitted from camping the first day after the fire/smoke closure. As a result it was very quiet. We liked that. Nice campground; lovely location. Not as close to the lake as we thought it would be.
Because of what I consider a glitch in the reservation system, we ended up reserving two campsites. We stayed at one, paid for two Cancellation wasn't going to help; we were past the refund period.
Our campsite, #5, got smelly at times due to its proximity to the bathroom.
Krisanto D
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Our trip to sardine lake was amazing. The campsite was clean and well kept. The lake was beautiful!!
Colleen S
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 027, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
We were in an area within easy access to Sand Pond and Sardine Lake. We went in the middle of the week and most of the other campers were in another part of the campground, so we had open space around us. Many of the other campers and visitors wore masks or kept their distance. The weather was great, warm during the day and cool at night.
Krisanto D
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Our trip to sardine lake was amazing. The campsite was clean and well kept. The lake was beautiful!!
Colleen S
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 027, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
We were in an area within easy access to Sand Pond and Sardine Lake. We went in the middle of the week and most of the other campers were in another part of the campground, so we had open space around us. Many of the other campers and visitors wore masks or kept their distance. The weather was great, warm during the day and cool at night.
Lynn V
VerifiedAugust 4, 2020 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
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Lynn V
VerifiedAugust 4, 2020 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
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Kamala M
VerifiedAugust 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
My son loved the proximity to Upper Sardine Lake, which is a true show stopper! Absolutely stunning. Vibe here is festive. All camp sites are tightly clustered with a stunning landscape all around. The one way access road circles all the interior campsites with an outer ring of campsites.. We loved our site but it isn’t terribly spacious. Gets very cold at night! Hot during the day. Close proximity to Bassett’s for gas and groceries.
Kamala M
VerifiedAugust 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
My son loved the proximity to Upper Sardine Lake, which is a true show stopper! Absolutely stunning. Vibe here is festive. All camp sites are tightly clustered with a stunning landscape all around. The one way access road circles all the interior campsites with an outer ring of campsites.. We loved our site but it isn’t terribly spacious. Gets very cold at night! Hot during the day. Close proximity to Bassett’s for gas and groceries.
Michael C
VerifiedJuly 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
We have been here for the last four years in a row! Great place. Quiet! We bring our trailer and meet our grandkids. before we got our trailer we camped at Gold lake each year for over 30 years and visited Jardine for a couple of days each time with its sand pond for swimming and it's lake for fishing. And don't for get about the lodge at Sardine for dinner and drinks.
Location & Directions for Sardine Lake
Yuba River Ranger Station, This Is The Address For The Ranger Station, Not The Campground, 631 Coyote Street, Nevada City, CA 95959 United States
Elevation: 1,749 ft
Highway access
Sardine Lake Campground is accessible via California State Route 49, which is approximately 15 miles to the east.
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: October 22, 2026
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Population: 3,172
Elevation: 2,513 ft
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