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
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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
Ken K
VerifiedJuly 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Quiet, reasonably level, nice shade, beautiful setting, adequate privacy, friendly host.
Ray f
VerifiedJuly 23, 2026 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
It was an amazing view of the lake and mountains, but the campsite was a bit noisy with a few neighbors who were really loud and had barking dogs.
Paula S
VerifiedJuly 25, 2026 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
It’s a beautiful place & we had a great time, however when I made the reservation, the sites already reserved were coded as FF (first come, first serve) instead of R (reserved), so I thought I’d reserved 2 nights instead of one. Fortunately in the sea of FF sites, one was available that was truly FF & e were able to stay the second night.
The pit toilets were new & very clean!
Joni R
VerifiedJuly 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
We had fabulous weather and company. Also took advantage of having a wonderful meal at the restaurant which was quite a treat when camping. The sites are generous in size and have adequate amount of shade and sun. It was also good to have clean and well kept restrooms with available sinks for cleaning up dishes. There was an emergency in our family and we were informed by camp personnel since there was no signal phone connection, very helpful. When we had to make an outgoing call we drove down to Bassetts Station and were able to communicate and move forward. The best of all worlds!
Samuel P
VerifiedJuly 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Very disappointed that maps of sardine lake Campground showed various trails. One leading out theCampground that ends abruptly only after a few feet. The trail at sand Lake was not well kept, to put it mildly, and was incomplete, therefore, once again, leading one to believe a trail exists that doesn’t. If the trails are not going to be maintained or not existing, they shouldn’t be advertised as such. Very disappointing.
David B
VerifiedJuly 31, 2026 • Stayed at: 027, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Location is amazing BUT campsites are way too close together. Absolutely ridiculous.
John G
VerifiedAugust 7, 2026 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
The restrooms were clean and stock with toilet paper.
Sardine Lake is beautiful and we had a wonderful dinner at the resort. The resort requires reservations far in advance so it's not a spur of the moment thing. Still, well worth advance planning.
Leslie H
VerifiedAugust 7, 2026 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Really enjoy the area, the campground was in good shape, and the camp host was friendly. The campground was full; the region is becoming crowded, which is too bad.
Trina N
VerifiedAugust 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
Showed up at camp site and someone else was in it. We spoke with camp host and she spoke with campers in our spot. They would not move: she offered us another spot in nearby camp site-which we took; but the spot was not as good.
Carol M
VerifiedAugust 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: AREA SARDINE LAKE
I have been going there for over 50 years. Sand pond needs to have the pond cleared of all the plants in the pond. It was sad to see how low the upper sardine lake was
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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