Sierra Buttes at Sardine Lake
Sierra Buttes at Sardine Lake
Sierra Buttes Lookout
SARDINE LAKES
Sierra Buttes

Featured amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Fire Pit Fire Pit

Available sites

24 total sites

About Sardine Lake

Sardine Lake Campground is located in the North Yuba River area, near the beautiful Sardine Lakes. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, hunting, fishing, canoeing and gold panning. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Canoeing

Canoeing

Spring Summer Fall
Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Hunting

Hunting

Year-round

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • Fire Pit
  • Campfire Ring
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

24 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 002, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 003, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Back-in Site
🚐 005, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 006, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 007, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 009, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 010, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 011, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 012, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 013, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 014, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 016, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 017, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 018, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 019, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 020, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 021, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 022, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 023, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 024, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 025, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 026, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 027, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site

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.

Review Summary

4.1
237 reviews
5
51.5%
122
4
24.9%
59
3
12.7%
30
2
6.8%
16
1
4.2%
10

Susana H

Verified

October 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE

4

The location is beautiful, but the road leading to the site is very narrow. They should also take care of the landscaping maintenance.

Susana H

Verified

October 21, 2025 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE

4

The location is beautiful, but the road leading to the site is very narrow. They should also take care of the landscaping maintenance.

heath s

Verified

December 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE

5

A relaxing camping experience. The camp ground is nice.

heath s

Verified

December 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE

5

A relaxing camping experience. The camp ground is nice.

Laurel H

Verified

June 15, 2026 • Stayed at: 021, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE

5

Great views, big sites

DANIELLE R

Verified

June 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE

5

Absolutely loved this camp ground, will definitely be staying here again!

Amanda G

Verified

June 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE

5

We always have the best time visiting Sardine campground! We did have a very large bear visit us the 1st night. It took my husband a lot of work to scare it off but thankfully it did not return. Make sure to leave your site clean and utilize the bear box.

Gregory F

Verified

July 15, 2026 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE

5

Very clean, well run campground. The camp host was very friendly and helpful.
It's a smaller campground but close to many activities, including swimming, hiking, fishing, etc. A beautiful area overall...

Ken K

Verified

July 15, 2026 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE

5

Generally quiet. Nice sun/shade options. Beautiful area, friendly host.

Stephanie U

Verified

July 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE

5

Our favorite place to camp! So beautiful.

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

Nearest town

Nevada City, CA - 60 mi

About over 1 hr (89 min) to downtown

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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Explore Nevada City, CA

Population: 3,172

Nearby city: Reno, NV

Approx. 43 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 2,513 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service