How much does camping cost at Chapman?

Camping fees at Chapman range from $24/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Chapman first-come first-served or reservation?

Chapman accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Chapman before I book?

Yes! Chapman has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Chapman?

Chapman is open June 30 to October 15. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Chapman?

Chapman does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Chapman?

Fire policies at Chapman: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather closures contact the Yuba River Ranger District (530) 288-3231 (voice), (530) 288-3656 (TDD).. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Chapman have?

Chapman has 30 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Chapman?

Pets are not allowed at Chapman. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Chapman?

Chapman offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Chapman?

Popular activities at Chapman include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Chapman

2.93

20 reviews

Chapman Creek Campground, near North Yuba River, accessible via Highway 49 south from Sierraville.

Featured in:RV Camping California

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

5,873 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

30 campsites

Season

Open June 7, 2025, t...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Tahoe National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

5,873 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

30 campsites

Season

Open June 7, 2025, t...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Tahoe National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Chapman

$24.00 - $24.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $24.00; WALK TO: $24.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Hike and Bike Site Fee$24.00

Get Notified When Available

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(530)478-6253

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Chapman

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

Chapman Creek Campground, near North Yuba River, accessible via Highway 49 south from Sierraville.

Chapman

Chapman Creek Campground, near North Yuba River, accessible via Highway 49 south from Sierraville.

Nearby places

Sierraville: 14.8 miles / Approximately 25-minute drive. Camptonville: Closest town

distance negligible.

Weather at Chapman

Current alerts(7)

Bears frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers
Click here for more information on the Tahoe National Forest
Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
No Show Policy A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date (or for day-use facilities, by check-in time the day of arrival).

Best Time to Camp at Chapman

Best season: summer. Summer offers reliably warm, dry days (typically 65–80°F) and cool nights (mid-30s to mid-40s°F), full campground access (open June 7–Oct 15) and the clearest skies for hiking, fishing, swimming and boating in the nearby Lakes Basin. This is when trails are snow-free, Chapman Creek has good flow from snowmelt but is safe for creekside camping, and alpine wildflowers are still visible early in the season. Expect moderate crowds on holiday weekends and the warmest water temperatures for swimming—n Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.5 / 5

Peak season: warm days, trails snow-free and creek flowing; logging issues persist during summer.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: June 30 to October 15. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open June 7, 2025, to October 15, 2025.

About Chapman

Chapman sits in mid-elevation forest along Chapman Creek in Tahoe National Forest, a short drive from Camptonville and the Lakes Basin trail network. Operated by Tahoe National Forest, this small campground offers tent and RV sites with vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Campers use it as a base for hiking to Sardine Lakes, fishing the creek, and accessing nearby swimming and boating spots.

Chapman Creek Campground offers single-family campsites with options for tent camping and RV stays. Several sites have been affected by recent logging operations, reducing their usability.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers reliably warm, dry days (typically 65–80°F) and cool nights (mid-30s to mid-40s°F), full campground access (open June 7–Oct 15) and the clearest skies for hiking, fishing, swimming and boating in the nearby Lakes Basin. This is when trails are snow-free, Chapman Creek has good flow from snowmelt but is safe for creekside camping, and alpine wildflowers are still visible early in the season. Expect moderate crowds on holiday weekends and the warmest water temperatures for swimming—n Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation5873 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryChapman Creek runs through the campground, flanked by fir and lodgepole pine. One loop borders the creek. The other opens onto a meadow. Recent logging has thinned the canopy and left exposed sites and debris piles in many areas. The nearby Lakes Basin. A glacially carved landscape of alpine lakes. Sits within hiking distance. Elevation here means cooler temperatures than the foothills and lingering snowmelt that keeps the creek flowing through summer.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodgings are present in the campground.

Programs & ActivitiesCultural or educational programs are not mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 nights consecutively per visit or annually.

Guests Allowed Per Site

One vehicle or two motorcycles included per reservation.

Groups

Specific group site details are not mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsRecreation.gov (Online and Contact Center).

Site SizeSites range from tent-only to RV spots; however, reviews suggest many sites have uneven ground and limited usability.

PrivacyPrivacy has been negatively impacted due to recent tree removal. Users note minimal site privacy and exposed layouts.

Total Campsites30 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose campsites on the outer loop for better privacy and reduced debris issues.

Best CampsitesReviewers recommend the northwest side or back loop for better conditions. Sites 9 and 11 have been specifically flagged for debris and slash pile issues following logging operations. The back loop generally offers more usable layouts and less visible tree removal damage.

Need help booking Chapman?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Utility hookups and showers are not available

Potable water

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Chapman Creek Campground offers access to a variety of activities, including hiking on nearby trails such as the Pacific Crest Trail and Chapman Creek Trail. Visitors can engage in hunting, fishing, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing. Recreational opportunities extend to Sardine Lakes nearby.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available; vault toilets are provided.

Food Storage RequiredFood lockers are provided at each campsite to protect against bear activity.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Chapman

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From Booking Sources

2.9

20 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Chapman has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall sentiment towards Chapman Creek Campground has been mixed, with many reviews criticizing the post-logging conditions. Users describe slash piles, exposed layouts, and broken amenities.

Review Summaries

Based on 20 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include proximity to Sardine Lakes and the trail network, as well as natural features such as the creek and meadow.

Based on 20 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include poor maintenance, broken amenities, uneven ground, lack of privacy due to tree removal, and excessive bugs.

Based on 20 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites 003, 004, 011, 014, 020 have been negatively reviewed due to poor conditions. Site 11 is highlighted as one of the worst due to a giant slash pile.

Based on 20 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tip: Choose campsites on the northwest side or the back loop for better conditions and usability.

Based on 20 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Issues related to logging and tree removal have dominated recent reviews. Historically, the campground was appreciated for its shaded sites and scenic beauty.

Based on 20 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Dirty haphazard and confusing camping zones. Old bathroom vault. Bugs. So many bugs.' - Katie Brouner 2. 'Site numbers were all mixed up. Major wood work has made the sites pretty ugly.' - Alicia...

Based on 20 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews specifically address pet policies or experiences.

Based on 20 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

You want affordable access to Lakes Basin trails and don't mind basic facilities or tight site spacing.

Skip if

You need privacy, manicured campsites, or hookups beyond water and vault toilets.

Nearby Campgrounds

0.0

(5)

Sierra

Sierra sits along the North Yuba River in Tahoe National Forest, a short drive from Sierra City at 5,840 feet elevation. This budget-friendly Forest Service campground offers primitive tent and RV sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Campers come for riverside access to fishing, gold panning, and swimming once snowmelt subsides in late June.

Chapman

Real-Time Availability

Quick Facts

Real-Time Availability

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Plan a trip to Chapman

Campground Map

Weather at Chapman

Current alerts(7)

Best Time to Camp at Chapman

Planning Tips

About Chapman

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Chapman?

Amenities available

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews

Go if

Skip if

Overview

About the campground

Seasons & access

RV information

Directions

Plan a trip to Chapman

Current alerts(7)

Best Time to Camp at Chapman

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Chapman?

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews