$28 / night

Camper submitted image from Mineral Bar Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area - 1

Camper submitted image from Mineral Bar Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area - 2

Nature

Camper submitted image from Mineral Bar Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area - 3

Roads

Camper submitted image from Mineral Bar Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area - 4

Buildings

Camper submitted image from Mineral Bar Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area - 5

Signs & Maps

Established Camping

Mineral Bar Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area

10 Reviews

Warning 4 Alerts are In Effect

There are 4 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

Ruck A Chucky is currently closed and will not reopen until 4/15/18 (weather dependent). This site will not be reserveable; it is only a 1st1st area. Road closes from 10/15 to 4/15 annually. Please have them check the local Auburn SRA State website for updates and further information. Mineral Bar is currently off reservations with an unknown activation date. The campground is going to have some work within it and may drop to a total of 14 sites. Currently Sites 1 ___ 8 are available on a 1st1st basis paid through iron ranger. Check the Auburn SRA State website for further details. Boat-in sites: 1st 1st from May 1 ___ 15; reservations available from May 15 ___ September 15; 1st 1st September 16 ___ 30; CLOSED when not on reservations (October 1, 2018 ___ April 30, 2019).

Campfires are not allowed from June 15 through October 31 due to fire danger.  Campfires are allowed from November through mid-June.

Wake Surfing Prohibited- Lake Clementine Beginning May 1, 2022 wake surfing is prohibited at Lake Clementine.  This new regulation was enacted due to damage to the shoreline, other vessels, and the marina facility caused by abnormally large wakes associated with wake surfing.

No dogs are allowed on the lake.

About

State Park

Mineral Bar

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Location

Mineral Bar Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area is located in California

Directions

From Hwy 80 in Colfax exit at Canyon Way, head north on Canyon way turn right onto Iowa Hil Rd. 3 mile paved road to sites and river.

Address

Lake Clementine Road & Foresthill Road
Auburn, CA 95604

Coordinates

39.10079657 N
120.9239394 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Available
AT&T
Available
T-Mobile
Fair

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Reservable
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups

SEE WHAT'S AVAILABLE

$28

/ nightCheck Availability View Site List

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Contact

General Info

Reservations

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Cooper L.

Traveler

Reviewed Mar. 24, 2024

Awesome place to Camp

I’ve been here about 8-10 times and every time I love my stay, it’s a quiet getaway around 45 mins away from me and the sound of the river is amazing. I’ve only been talked to once by a ranger who didn’t see my ticket but otherwise not many people usually there and they mostly leave by dark. Say hi if you see me I frequent sometimes!

Site7

Month of VisitApril

(6) View All

Lee D.

Legend

Reviewed Nov. 25, 2023

Off-season peaceful stay

General: Normally, there are 18 designated sites that are reservable only from May 1– October 15. What we didn’t know until we arrived was that only Sites 1-7 were open after this date; fortunately, only two other sites were occupied when we arrived at 5:30 pm on a Monday in late October. The access road is about six miles of curvy, hilly, and narrow (sometimes only one lane) pavement. There is a sign prohibiting trailers; our 18-foot camper van did fine but anything much larger would definitely be challenged.

Site Quality: Many of the sites are more suitable for tent campers. The parking area is at the top of the hill, and you set up your tent below. Most of the sites that have a “driveway” were not level, except for Sites 5 and 6. We lucked out with Site 6 – it was large and level and directly across from the vault toilets. A fire pit/grill, large concrete picnic table, and bear box complete the site (although there was a fire ban in effect).

Bath: Only one vault toilet was open, and it was very clean. It was cleaned again the next morning.

Activities: This campground is located on the North Fork of the American River. In season, this campground would be very popular with rafters; there is a raft launch and takeout area close to the campsites. The river was crystal clear and beautiful.

This was a small but beautiful campground. We were surprised that we had a semi-decent cell signal ranging from 1 to 2 bars (Verizon).

Site6

Month of VisitNovember

(13) View All

Anna V.

Scout

Reviewed Nov. 28, 2022

Enjoyed staying in the first come first served campground!

We camped during the off season (November) so we had our pick of the campsites, which was a great considering the spots are right next to each other. Using hand warmers and a tent warmer we did fine with the cold nights. Really nice site right by the water. No potable water or flushable toilets, so be prepared!

Site4

Month of VisitDecember

BRIAN O.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 6, 2021

Nice spot on the river

First visit here. Our campsite was right on the river. We enjoyed our stay here and would likely return to lounge in the river during the summer. Nice trails to explore that run along the river’s edge. Easy trails for beginners.

SiteADA accessible

Month of VisitOctober

(6) View All

Nicki A.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 27, 2021

Charming primitive campground!

Came to Mineral Bar in late September and loved it. It's only about an hour from Sacramento, including that windy road down into the canyon. The river was VERY low, but it was still fun to play around and float away the hot early fall afternoon.

The sites are fairly small and the campground has a funky layout. Squeezing two cars in most sites looked impossible. There is also no water, so be sure to bring enough for yourself.

Site13

Month of VisitOctober

Camila

Traveler

Reviewed Apr. 20, 2021

Beautiful and green but some spots are better than others

We stayed there for a weekend in late March and it was gorgeous! The only thing is most of the good spots were closed off. There was only one really good spot with shade that was more secluded than the others so I would suggest getting there early

Site7

Month of VisitApril

(5) View All

Christian N.

Ranger

Reviewed Dec. 29, 2020

Off the beaten track

Only 15 minutes away (windy road) from Colfax, but feels so remote!

Beautiful mountain valley of north fork. Clean campsites right along road with bearboxes, picnic tables, and fire pits. Easy river access down the hill to rocky swimming pools. Water was COLD obviously in December haha. Many hiking trails up and down the canyon.

Highly recommend! I’m coming back here for sure!

(16) View All

Drew M.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 10, 2020

Beautiful place

First come first serve campsites, i went for a solo camp trip and loved it. I came in on a Thursday afternoon and snagged campsite #5. (Useful tip, BRING A PEN AND EXACT CASH) Upon arrival, scope out the place and and claim your spot by filling out the envelope with your name and vehicle information and how many days your plan on staying. Place the cash ($28 a night) in the envelope and put it in the post that’s on the parking entrance. Depending on what time you arrive, rangers will issue you a pass on your campsite post the day of or the day after.

No showers or running water....there are only toilets available. Bring your own water to drink, wash dishes and pans, or wash yourselves. The nearest store is about 2 miles back to the main road if you need to re-up on anything.

Overall, the campsite area is nice, it’s close proximity to the river, depending on which site you chose, sites 1-6 offer little shade to none, the rest of the sites offer a good amount of shade. and your neighbors are kinda close. The river is extremely clean and clear with good temperature. The rangers are there everyday (I think). Very friendly folks. It can get pretty busy during the weekend with a lot of folks coming in for day-use. I love the campsite and will be back in the future. Just stay prepared and ready.

Site5

Month of VisitJuly

jim R.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 7, 2018

North fork American river camping

Close to the n. fork of the American river. Lots of great swimming holes close by up river. Great hiking path opposite the camp ground going up river. ActivitIes Include fishing, hIkIng, and gold prospectIng. Camping fee Is $30 per site. Some spaces are large enough for a rv.

jim N.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 12, 2018

Gold Panning on the river

Bring Water!

One of my favorite summer spots, great Access to the American River. Site has pit toilets, fire rings, tables and bear lockers(have seen several bears)