Canyon Creek Campground

Star4.50
8 reviews

Quick Facts

6,001 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Currently closed due...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Get Directions
Canyon Creek Campground
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
No fees are required for this site; camping is free.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
USFS
Provider
nullnull
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.50

Recommended

Based on 8 reviews

6 Google reviews

Most mentioned

views

"No user reviews are provided in the source materials."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Canyon Creek Campground

39.4369, -120.5796

Driving directionsFrom Nevada City: Take Hwy 20 east towards Truckee approximately 20 miles. Turn left on Bowman Lake Rd (Forest Road 18). First 8 miles are paved, next 3 miles are gravel (1 1/2 lanes), last 5 miles are very rough and road is one lane. Continue past Jackson Creek Campground for 5 miles headed southeast on Forest Road 0843-037. From I-80: Take Hwy 20 cutoff on I-80. Take Hwy 20 heading west toward Nevada City for approximately 5 miles. Turn right on Bowman Lake Road (Forest Road 18). First 8 miles are paved, next 3 miles are gravel (1 1/2 lanes), last 5 miles are very rough and road is one lane. Continue past Jackson Creek Campground for 5 miles headed southeast on Forest Road 0843-037. From Hwy 89 North: Take the turn onto Forest Road 7 (Little Truckee Summit). Continue 16 miles west to Jackson Meadow Reservoir. Turn onto County road 956 and follow for approximately 3 miles. Turn right onto County road 843 (Meadow Lake Road) and follow for approximately 2 miles. At this point the road becomes very rough and rocky, low clearance vehicles and trailers are not recommended. Turn left onto County road 843-037 (Just past Jackson Creek Campground) and follow for approximately 2 miles until you reach Canyon Creek Campground.
The road to the campground is described as "very rough, rocky, and narrow," requiring high-clearance vehicles. Towing and trailers are not recommended. Official sources mention, "First 8 miles are paved, next 3 miles are gravel (1 1/2 lanes), last 5 miles are very rough and road is one lane."
Nearby places
Nevada City is approximately 20 miles away and Truckee is accessible via Hwy 20.
Nearby supplies
null

Best Time to Camp at Canyon Creek Campground

null

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Likely peak season for hiking, swimming, boating; note: currently closed for hazard trees.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Forest setting likely attractive in fall for colors and hiking; specific seasonal notes absent.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Spring runoff likely boosts creek/reservoir appeal for photography and hiking; specifics lacking.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

No winter activity info; site is currently closed due to hazard trees, winter access unknown.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Currently closed due to hazard trees.
  • Current Alerts: Closed due to hazard trees.

About Canyon Creek Campground

Tucked away in the heart of the wilderness, Canyon Creek Campground offers an authentic escape for those seeking solitude and natural beauty. This remote haven features 20 thoughtfully spaced campsites nestled within a towering mixed conifer forest, where the gentle sounds of Canyon Creek provide a constant natural soundtrack. Each site comes equipped with bear-proof food lockers and enjoys convenient paved parking, while vault toilets serve the camping area. True to its backcountry spirit, the campground operates on a pack-in, pack-out basis with no trash service, encouraging visitors to embrace Leave No Trace principles. The journey here is an adventure in itself—the access road winds through rugged terrain with rocky, narrow passages that demand a high-clearance vehicle. Those pulling trailers or RVs should seek alternative destinations, as this remote sanctuary is best suited for tent campers and small, capable vehicles ready to navigate the challenging but rewarding approach.
Canyon Creek Campground is a free, remote camping site suitable for primitive camping and tent camping.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
2:00 p.m.
Check-out
12:00 p.m.
Stay Limit
Null

Amenities available

Food storage lockers
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Canyon Creek Campground offers a range of recreational opportunities such as non-motorized boating, swimming, lake and pond fishing, mountain biking, and hiking, including backpacking and day hikes.
HikingThe campground provides hiking opportunities for both day hikes and backpacking. Specific details about trail difficulty or length are not included.
FishingThe site supports fishing in lakes and ponds. Detailed information on fish species or fishing conditions is not available.
SwimmingSwimming is allowed, though no details about designated areas or safety measures are provided.
BikingMountain biking is a recreational option at this campground. Further details about trails or skill levels required are not provided.
BoatingNon-motorized boating is permitted at Canyon Creek Campground. Specific details about types of boats allowed or docking facilities are not mentioned.
Winter Activities
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsThe campground is currently closed due to hazard trees. The rough and rocky road conditions pose an accessibility challenge.
Active AlertsClosed due to hazard trees.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
Food Storage RequiredBear-proof food lockers are available at this campground.

Weather at Canyon Creek Campground

Reviews

4.5
8 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Canyon Creek Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
No user reviews are provided in the source materials.
Review Summaries
Based on 8 reviews

What Campers Love

User reviews are not available to highlight positive aspects.
Based on 8 reviews

Common Concerns

No user complaints are provided.
Based on 8 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

No user-provided tips or recommendations are included.
Based on 8 reviews

Seasonal Insights

No seasonal trends related to user reviews are provided.
Based on 8 reviews

Camper Quotes

No direct quotes from users are present in the source material.
Based on 8 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

There are no reviews detailing specific campsites within the campground.
Based on 8 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews are available regarding accessibility features or experiences.
Based on 8 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews are available regarding pet policies or pet-related experiences.
Based on 8 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Canyon Creek Campground? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated January 5, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in California

Campgrounds
Tahoe National Forest
Canyon Creek Campground