Spanish Creek Campground

4.25

184 reviews

HIGHWAY 70 AT SPANISH CREEK, QUINCY, CA 95971, USA

SwimmingSummer Destination

Featured in:Swimming Camping California

Quick Facts

2,000 ft

Price

$30 - $80/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

23 campsites

Season

Peak Season: May 23,...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Royal Elk Park Management site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

2,000 ft

Price

$30 - $80/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

23 campsites

Season

Peak Season: May 23,...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Royal Elk Park Management site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Spanish Creek Campground

$30.00 - $80.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Fees vary by season and campsite type. Peak season rates are $35 for standard nonelectric and tent-only nonelectric sites, while group standard...

Standard Site Fee$35.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$80.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

530-927-7878

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What Campers Say

4.25

Satisfactory

Based on 184 reviews

89 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanspaciousfriendlysites

Some mention

noisetraincell service

"The campground has received mixed reviews, with positive highlights on its scenic location and swimming hole, but complaints about train noise and inconsistent management."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

HIGHWAY 70 AT SPANISH CREEK, QUINCY, CA 95971, USA

Spanish Creek Campground

HIGHWAY 70 AT SPANISH CREEK, QUINCY, CA 95971, USA

Driving directionsFrom Oroville, travel east on Highway 70 for 75 miles. The turnoff to the campground is two miles past Highway 89. From Quincy, travel west on Highway 70 for 8 miles. Campground is across the Spanish Creek bridge.

The campground is directly accessible via Highway 70, with paved roads leading to the site. Road conditions are good year-round; however, cell phone service is unreliable in the area, as noted by users.

Nearby places

Quincy (8 miles, 15-minute drive), Oroville (75 miles, approximately 1.5-hour drive)

Nearby supplies

Full-service store, gas station, and other supplies are available less than 10 miles away in the town of Quincy.

Best Time to Camp at Spanish Creek Campground

Experience nature's full palette as the seasons paint Spanish Creek in ever-changing hues. Summer transforms the campground into a sun-drenched paradise, with temperatures perfect for afternoon dips in the swimming hole and lazy evenings by the campfire. As autumn arrives, the forest erupts in golden splendor, while winter occasionally dusts the landscape with pristine snow, creating a peaceful wonderland. Spring awakens the wilderness with wildflowers and rushing waters from snowmelt. While Mother Nature provides the entertainment, modern connectivity takes a backseat—limited cell service ensures your focus remains on the natural world around you.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season and swimming hole make summer the prime time; yellowjackets and noise rise late summer.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Fall foliage and cooler weather are appealing; fewer crowds than peak summer.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.5 / 5

Spring brings flowing creek and green forest, but early season access may be limited by snow/runoff.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Campground operates primarily May–Sept; not a year-round winter destination.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 23, 2025 - August 31, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Peak Season: May 23, 2025 - August 31, 2025. First-come, first-served season: September 1, 2025 - September 28, 2025.
Current Alerts: No burn damage reported. Visitors are advised to buy local firewood and comply with food storage regulations.

About Spanish Creek Campground

Nestled within the breathtaking Plumas National Forest, Spanish Creek Campground offers an enchanting escape where crystal-clear waters meet towering pines. This hidden gem beckons adventurers with its beloved swimming hole, where generations of families have created summer memories, and its thoughtfully upgraded facilities that blend modern comfort with rustic charm. Here, the melodic rush of Spanish Creek harmonizes with the whispers of the wind through ancient forests, creating a natural symphony that soothes the soul.

Spanish Creek Campground offers options for tent camping, RV parking without hookups, and group camping.

Historical SignificanceSpanish Creek Campground carries whispers of adventure from decades past, having served as Camp Wallace Alexander in the 1960s, where countless Boy Scouts learned the ways of the wilderness and forged lifelong friendships around crackling campfires. Today's visitors can explore the area's rich heritage through nearby treasures like the mystical Indian Falls, where water cascades over ancient granite, and the remarkable Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, a living museum of rare plants and delicate ecosystems that tells the story of this unique Sierra Nevada habitat.

Weather and SeasonsExperience nature's full palette as the seasons paint Spanish Creek in ever-changing hues. Summer transforms the campground into a sun-drenched paradise, with temperatures perfect for afternoon dips in the swimming hole and lazy evenings by the campfire. As autumn arrives, the forest erupts in golden splendor, while winter occasionally dusts the landscape with pristine snow, creating a peaceful wonderland. Spring awakens the wilderness with wildflowers and rushing waters from snowmelt. While Mother Nature provides the entertainment, modern connectivity takes a backseat—limited cell service ensures your focus remains on the natural world around you.

ElevationPerched at 2,000 feet within the dramatic Feather River Canyon, Spanish Creek Campground offers the perfect elevation for year-round comfort. This sweet spot in the Sierra Nevada foothills provides cooler temperatures than the valley below while remaining accessible even when higher elevations are locked in snow. The moderate altitude creates an ideal climate for both relaxation and adventure, where the air is crisp enough to invigorate your morning hike yet warm enough for afternoon swims.

Natural Features and SceneryImmerse yourself in a landscape carved by time and water, where Spanish Creek dances through emerald forests before joining its journey with the mighty Feather River. Towering conifers create a natural cathedral overhead, their branches filtering sunlight into golden streams that illuminate the forest floor. The crystalline waters of the creek invite exploration, from quiet pools perfect for contemplation to rushing sections that challenge anglers seeking native trout. Miles of trails wind through this diverse ecosystem, revealing hidden waterfalls, granite outcroppings, and panoramic vistas that capture the raw beauty of the Sierra Nevada.

Geological RegionSpanish Creek Campground sits at the heart of Plumas National Forest's geological masterpiece—the spectacular Feather River Canyon. This ancient landscape tells a story millions of years in the making, where powerful forces sculpted deep canyons that plunge dramatically from lofty peaks to create rich mountain valleys below. The North Fork Feather River and its tributaries have carved their signatures into the granite bedrock, creating a diverse terrain of rushing waters, peaceful meadows, and rugged cliffs. This dynamic ecosystem, where the Sierra Nevada transitions into the Cascade Range, offers visitors a front-row seat to witness the ongoing dialogue between water, stone, and time.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2:00 PM

Check-out

12:00 PM

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Generally accommodate 2 vehicles. First vehicle included in site fee
second vehicle incurs an additional fee collected onsite.

Groups

Group sites are available but may not be well-maintained, according to some users: "Group campsites B and C should have a dumpster closer." Another user commented on Group Site C: "Not flatted surface so our tents are downhill and VERY HARD to sleep."

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutCampground features two loops with sites spaced apart for privacy. Group sites available in the upper area; creekside sites in the lower loop.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov website or app, or by calling the contact center.

Walk-in AvailabilityWalk-up availability is offered during the first-come, first-served season (September 1-28, 2025).

Cancellation PolicyCancellations must be made prior to scheduled check-in. $10 cancellation fee applies along with forfeiture of the first night’s fee for late cancellations.

AccessibilityMany handicap-accessible sites are available according to user reviews.

Site SizeSites vary in size, with some suitable for larger groups. Reviewer commented on Site #5 as being "very large" and suitable for a 26-foot motor home, along with ample space for camping activities.

PrivacyPrivacy at sites is mixed; roads and railways nearby mean some noise during the night.

Total Campsites23 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose loop 2 for larger campsites and creekside access. Note that site 23 is near the day-use swimming area, which may increase noise.

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

Spanish Creek Campground offers opportunities for swimming, hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities. "Swimming area at the river is just at the bottom of the campsite," and "Anglers enjoy a healthy supply of rainbow trout in the nearby Feather River." There are also local trails for hiking and walking.

HikingLocal hiking trails are available near Spanish Creek Campground, providing opportunities for scenic exploration. "Several local trails not far from campsite."

FishingFishing opportunities include rainbow trout. Some user reviews have mentioned: "Fishing is so-so," while another stated, "Decent fishing spots - don't expect big fish."

SwimmingThe campground features a swimming hole and creek access, highly praised by users: "Swimming in the creek is great" and "The swimming hole was fun and refreshing."

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPrimary hazards include train noise from nearby active tracks and occasional bear sightings.

Active AlertsNo burn damage reported. Visitors are advised to buy local firewood and comply with food storage regulations.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Fire PolicyCampfires permitted in designated fire rings and grills. Firewood bundles available for purchase from camp hosts.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

Emergency ServicesMount Hough Ranger District office is nearby for local area information. The town of Quincy has emergency services including a hospital and police station roughly 8 miles away.

Trash & RecyclingTrash facilities are available but may not be conveniently located near group campsites. One reviewer suggested: "Group campsites really should have a dumpster closer to sites B&C."

Water FeaturesLocated on Spanish Creek, with access to swimming holes. Feather River is within walking distance.

Camp HostMixed reviews about camp hosts. Manny is frequently praised for attentiveness, while other hosts have been criticized for rudeness or absenteeism.

Weather at Spanish Creek Campground

Reviews

4.3

184 reviews

Satisfactory

Spanish Creek Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground has received mixed reviews, with positive highlights on its scenic location and swimming hole, but complaints about train noise and inconsistent management.

Review Summaries

Based on 184 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include clean vault toilets, friendly hosts, creek access, and spacious sites. "The creek is fantastic," "Vault toilets were clean," and "Camp host was very helpful and nice."

Based on 184 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include noise from trains, lack of potable water at times, limited cell phone service, and inconsistent stocking of supplies like toilet paper. "Be forewarned though of the trains...

Based on 184 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers suggest bringing earplugs to manage train noise and stocking up on toilet paper and firewood beforehand. "Bring ear plugs if you're a light sleeper" and "Bring your own toilet paper."

Based on 184 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Seasonal trends highlight increased noise and yellowjacket presence in late summer. "Lots of yellowjackets in the later summer months," and "Train noise is very prevalent during peak camping seasons."

Based on 184 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Swimming in the creek is great." "Vault toilets were clean but often without toilet paper." "Beautiful spot near the river." "The camp host was awesome." "Be prepared to wake up to trains 2-3 times...

Based on 184 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews reflect mixed experiences. Site #5: "Very large, with a picnic table and fire ring." Group Site C: "Not flatted surface, very hard to sleep."

Based on 184 reviews