Camping can be enjoyed year-round in some parts of Nevada County
Nevada County, California, has been inhabited since the mid-1800s. The county stretches from the Truckee River to the Middle Fork Yuba River; it's dotted throughout with campgrounds. Some campgrounds offer a touch of history, but all of them take advantage of the stunning landscape of the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Donner Memorial State Park
Donner Memorial State Park was founded in honor of the ill-fated Donner Party. It's located in the Sierra Nevada on the Scallenberger Ridge; it offers a great deal of recreation beyond simple camping. The campground has 154 sites that are provided with metal, bear-resistant food lockers; Nevada county law requires that all food, drinks and toiletries are stored inside the provided lockers. Donner Creek and Donner Lake can be used for boating. Within the park is roughly 2.5 miles of hiking trails, some of which connect to the U.S. Forest Service and the Pacific Crest trails outside the park's borders. The Emigrant Trail Museum and Pioneer Monument give visitors a sense of the history surrounding the area.
Donner Memorial State Park
Truckee, CA 96161
530-582-7892
parks.ca.gov
Orchard Springs Campground
Orchard Springs Campground is located on the southwest corner of Rollins Lake. The campground has 91 sites; it's open 365 days a year. There are many amenities, including two beaches, boat moorings, a general store, a large barbecue area, a volleyball net and an event stage. Along with providing sites for tenting, the campground also offers RV sites and six rental cabins.
Orchard Springs Campground
19085 Larsen Road
Chicago Park, CA 95712
530-346-2212
osresort.net
Scotts Flat Lake
Camping at Scotts Flat Lake--which is located just to the east of Nevada City--is divided into two areas. Gate 1 has 96 single sites and a special group site that holds up to 100 people. Gate 2 is slightly smaller, with only 75 single sites; however, it has three group sites that can accommodate 20, 30 or 40 people. There's plenty of room for hiking and an on-site laundromat.
Scotts Flat Lake
23333 Scotts Flat Road
Nevada City, CA 95959
530-265-5302
scotsflatlake.net
