Salmon Creek

Star4.43
119 reviews
Salmon Creek Campground, Salmon Creek, North Yuba River Area
SwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

6,000 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

31 campsites

Season

Open season begins J...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Tahoe National Forest site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Salmon Creek
$24.00 - $24.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Fees for individual sites during peak season are $24 per night. Additional fees apply, such as a $5 fee for a second vehicle, and $20 for no-shows....
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Standard Site Fee$24.00
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

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Provider
(530)478-6253
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What Campers Say

4.43

Recommended

Based on 119 reviews

17 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peacefulcleanspaciouslake

Some mention

noisereservation

"Reviews highlight the campground's natural beauty, spacious sites, and proximity to recreational activities. However, the lack of hosts and occasional maintenance issues are recurring concerns."

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Campground Map

Salmon Creek Campground, Salmon Creek, North Yuba River Area

Salmon Creek

Salmon Creek Campground, Salmon Creek, North Yuba River Area

Driving directionsFrom Sierraville, travel south on Highway 49 for 18 miles to Bassetts. Turn right and continue two miles to the campground, which is on the left side of the highway. From Sierra City, travel north on Highway 49 for 5 miles. Turn left at Bassett Station on Gold Lake Highway and continue just over a mile; the campground is on the left just past Packer Lake Road.
Access to Salmon Creek Campground is via paved roads. Road conditions are generally favorable, but reviewers have noted some noise due to proximity to highways. Seasonal closures may occur due to weather or emergency conditions.
Nearby places
Sierra City (5 miles, approximately 10 minutes) and Camptonville (18 miles, approximately 25 minutes).
Nearby supplies
Bassett Station nearby offers groceries, meals, gas, propane, and camping supplies. Graeagle, further northeast, has amenities such as homemade ice cream shops, vintage antiques, and other supplies.

Best Time to Camp at Salmon Creek

Summer through early fall transforms Salmon Creek into a bustling outdoor paradise, with warm days perfect for creek exploration and cool nights ideal for campfire gatherings. Don't be fooled by the calendar—June can still surprise visitors with lingering snow at this elevation, adding an unexpected winter wonderland element to early season trips. October rewards the adventurous with peaceful solitude and golden autumn colors, though savvy campers should note that water services may cease without warning as the campground prepares for winter's embrace.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season June–Oct: warm days, cool nights, full access to lakes, trails and rentals; highly praised.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Fall offers quieter visits and good colors but some amenities (water) may be reduced.

Spring(Mar-May)
Not recommended

Spring mostly closed; early June can still have snow and limited services.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed winter; open season June 7–Oct 15.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: June 7th to October 15th.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open season begins June 7th and ends October 15th. Reservations are available during this period.
  • Current Alerts: No active alerts are specified, but visitors should check fire restriction notices and closures.

About Salmon Creek

Nestled along the babbling waters of Salmon Creek, this intimate 31-site campground invites you to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature. Each thoughtfully spaced site comes equipped with your camping essentials—a sturdy picnic table for memorable meals under towering pines, a campfire ring for evening storytelling sessions, and access to clean vault toilets and fresh drinking water. It's the perfect basecamp for families seeking that sweet spot between wilderness adventure and comfortable camping.
Salmon Creek Campground features a variety of camping options, including sites for tents and RVs. However, it is a more primitive campground with minimal facilities and no utility hookups.
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Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Official check-in time is unspecified.
Check-out
Official check-out time is unspecified.
Stay Limit
Maximum consecutive stay is 14 nights. Visitors can stay up to 14 nights total each year.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Salmon Creek Campground is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a range of activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, and non-motorized boating. The nearby Lakes Basin area provides extensive trails and pristine lakes to explore.
HikingThe campground is near a large network of trails, including the Tamarack Lake Trail, Deer Lake Trail, and the Pacific Crest Trail. A reviewer praised the hiking options, saying, 'The numerous trails in the Sierra Buttes/Lakes Basin area are top flight & have beautiful close and distant views.'
FishingFishing is a popular activity, with opportunities to catch rainbow and brook trout in nearby lakes and streams. Sardine Lakes are especially noted for fishing.
SwimmingSwimming is available at nearby lakes such as Sardine Lake and Sand Pond. Reviewers describe the lakes as serene and inviting during quieter seasons.
BikingMountain biking is popular in the area, with over 30 miles of maintained trails available.
BoatingBoating is accessible at nearby Sardine Lakes, where boat rentals are available. Gold Lake also offers a developed boat ramp for larger boats.
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing opportunities are abundant, with the area offering sightings of various bird species and the occasional bear. One camper noted, 'Full of bird sounds and many flowers.'
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBears frequent the area; food must be stored in lockers. Fire restrictions and highway noise are noted. Reviewers mention brown discoloration in water.
Active AlertsNo active alerts are specified, but visitors should check fire restriction notices and closures.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.
Food Storage RequiredFood storage lockers are provided to mitigate bear activity.

Weather at Salmon Creek

Reviews

4.4
119 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Salmon Creek is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviews highlight the campground's natural beauty, spacious sites, and proximity to recreational activities. However, the lack of hosts and occasional maintenance issues are recurring concerns.
Review Summaries
Based on 119 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include spacious campsites, clean vault toilets, proximity to lakes and trails, and the peaceful and scenic environment. One reviewer stated, 'Salmon Creek Campground is without...
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Based on 119 reviews

Common Concerns

Negative feedback includes the lack of a camp host, outdated facilities, and water quality issues. One user remarked, 'Bathrooms closed. What do the fees go towards?'
Based on 119 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing mosquito repellent, extra toilet paper, and a water filter. Site 33 is particularly noted for its seclusion and size.
Based on 119 reviews

Seasonal Insights

During peak summer months, the campground is praised for its recreational opportunities but noted to be busy. Fall offers quieter experiences but may include reduced amenities, such as water being...
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Based on 119 reviews

Camper Quotes

- 'Incredible experience!! The drive itself is breathtaking.' (Matthew Simmons) - 'We love this campground! Primitive but good-sized sites in a beautiful area.' (Sandra C) - 'Vault toilets, water...
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Based on 119 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 3: 'Loved it!' (Matthew Simmons) Site 33: 'Last camp site and is pretty hidden. Absolutely beautiful campground.' (Nafessa C) Site 31: 'Moved away from the main site for some reason up on the...
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Based on 119 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility reviews are limited, but some sites are noted to be accessible by car. Frasier Falls' paved trail is a nearby accessible feature.
Based on 119 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are welcome, but some reviews note issues with off-leash dogs becoming a problem. 'The number of people with off-leash dogs is getting out of hand too.' (Phillip B)
Based on 119 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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