Camper submitted image from Collins Lake Recreation Area - 1

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People

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Water

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Animals

Verified

Established Camping

Collins Lake Recreation Area

19 Reviews

About

Collins Lake is a favorite Northern California destination for families. This 1,600 acre recreation area offers LAKEFRONT RV& TENT camping with excellent fishing and wakeboarding. Collins Lake has California’s largest private trophy trout planting program of any lake north of Sacramento and equally famous for bass, crappie& catfish. Facilities include RV hookups, cabins, hot showers, laundry, marina, rental boats, sandy beach, playground, store with huge ice creams& espresso drinks. Family friendly with movies under the stars and live music every summer summer. Located only 70 miles northeast of Sacramento at 1200’ elevation. Family owned and operated since 1972.

Location

Collins Lake Recreation Area is located in California

Directions

From jct Hwy 70 & Hwy 20 (Marysville): Go 12 mi E on Hwy 20, then 10 mi N on CRE-21 (Marysville Rd), then 1/4 mi E on Collins Lk Rd.

Coordinates

39.33661115818094 N
121.32849613769861 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.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Good
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Dispersed
Group
Cabins
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

Market
ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
WiFi
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites

For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly.

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Contact

General Info

Reservations

(800) 286-0576

Troy L.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 22, 2023

Hot

Overall Collins Lake was a nice camping resort. They have a lot of sites and the facilities are clean. We went towards the end of July and it was 107 degrees. Dogs aren’t allowed on the beaches so we didn’t go down to the lake, which would have been nice to cool off.

It was a good trip despite the heat. It would definitely be better if we had a boat or water “toys”. I would go back, but not in the summer.

Site351

Month of VisitAugust

(6) View All

Clarissa

Traveler

Reviewed Apr. 17, 2023

Great spot close to home

We’ve been to Collins Lake a few times and we love it! Lots of different camping spots and the lake is stocked with fish. Ice cream at the store is a must. Wi-Fi connection at the campsite was better than good. Don’t recommend using the last shower on the left in the bathhouse close to the beach. No water pressure at all. Bring your bikes if you have them because the ride to the dam is nice. Spot 73 is an okay spot. Water spigot is way too short and there was a lot of mud and water that wouldn’t drain from site. It’s not listed as such but you can pull through. Anyone that says this place is too crowded with RVs so close to each other has never been to an RV park. At least this place has trees!

Site73

Month of VisitMay

(10) View All

Travis C.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 18, 2022

Collins Lake Campground

Huge campground with plenty of great spots with electric and water hookup’s

Site9

Month of VisitOctober

(4) View All

Greg O.

Scout

Reviewed Feb. 20, 2022

Quick get away

Was able to squeeze a couple of days in. Only caught one trout but being out and next to the lake was well worth it. I’ve always done a day trip. First time staying for a couple of nights. Have to reserve well in advance to get a great spot close to the water.

Site317

Month of VisitSeptember

Larry W.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 13, 2021

VERY well-maintained family campground, with sometching for everyone!

More family oriented than “upscale,” what struck me was even though it maintains a substantial trout fishery, the surface tempin early June was z74 — PERFECT for swimming, tubing, etc.

Although the lake level is sadly representative of CA drought conditions, fishing was good. We caught 7 rainbows 14-17”, all but one caught deep via downrigger. A neighbor caught 3 nice bass to 5#. Full service resort, as indicated. We’ll probably be back...

ONE dramatic highlight (video) was a lengthy thunderstorm which featured some SERIOUS hail!! Midweek lake traffic was light.

Site362

Month of VisitJuly

Outdoordude D.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 3, 2021

Go to spot

Being close to home doesn't hurt. Love going during the week. Less crowded that way. Good fishing. When the water is up, my favorite spot is 396. I can kayak right from camp.

Site396

Month of VisitMarch

Daniel S.

Scout

Reviewed Dec. 12, 2020

Great, peaceful

Great Lake and RV Park. We stayed in spot 110 with a lakefront view

Malissa

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 30, 2020

Love Collins lake!

We have been here 5 times already this year. We love the lake, hookups for the motorhome and ice cream! Wonderful place!

Carina B.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 29, 2020

Great camping near lake with safe swim area

We have been to this camping spot a few times. It is big with a nice store. Music on the weekends on the deck. Some sites on waterside are nice. Nice beach. Can get crowded but we liked it. No issues. RV or Tent sites. Roads are steep in spots but no problems getting into site. You can boat and fish here but we didn't do either. Might be nice in the winter when nobody is around?

Site64

(4) View All

Ed E.

Legend

Reviewed Apr. 22, 2020

A GREAT Campground for your Spring and Late Fall Getaway

We camped here TWICE in 2019. First time in mid April and 2nd time on the first weekend of November. Both times were AWESOME!!!
Both campsites, #66 and #116 had power, water and sewage. They were both lake front campsites, which meant the water or shoreline was right at our "front door" from our 27' travel trailer. They were both back in spots but with ample room to maneuver the trailer into a great spot, unhitch our truck and park the truck next to the Travel Trailer. Site #66 was closer to the camp store which was one of the best ones I have been to so far. They sell quite a bit of camping and fishing needs. They also have a great ice cream parlor. Don't miss out on that if you do decide to camp here!!!
The fishing is awesome on Collins Lake! We fished from kayaks and always caught fish for dinner :-) There are nice hiking and biking trails in and around the campground as well.
Just an FYI, in the Spring, the water level is much higher so the water line is closer to the campsites, especially #66. In the fall, pre-winter, the water level is much lower. It was about a 50 yard walk down to the water from #116 camp site, which is a lake front site. They do have a nice dump station row just outside the camping sites, so it is not necessary to have RV sewage at your campsite, which saves you a few $$.
The campground also rents different types of boats and cabins at this campground. See website for details :-)

Site#66 in April #116 in November

Month of VisitMay

(21) View All

Bonnie M.

Guide

Reviewed Feb. 11, 2020

Beautiful shoreline camping

Open camping options make this a great spur of the moment option. We camped along the lake shore. They also have lots of great spots higher up, among the trees that come with picnic tables, firepits and water available. Portable toilets, so if your neighbors are clean, you're safe. Great little store with coffee and ice cream. Great place for boating and kayaking too.

Veronica N.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 17, 2019

Beautiful camping grounds

I love this camp ground. Really nice lake always stocked with fish. Quiet at night and not rowdy during the day. Great place for family camping. They also have boat rentals.

Month of VisitJune

Brian H.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 3, 2019

Nice place

Very nice campsite good staff beautiful place only down take is it’s very crowded they have there sites very close together so having dogs is a hassle at times..But overall great place to camp..

Steven H.

Scout

Reviewed May. 29, 2019

Packed

Not a bad campsite, but was surrounded by RVs and people walking around. Can’t bring dogs onto the beach area which was a bummer, but was too crowded anyways

Kimberlee M.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 27, 2019

We love Collins

Collins lake has become our destination for spring break. In early April it’s relatively quiet. Staff is great, facilities are clean, kids love the playground, and the ice cream is oh so tasty.

(5) View All

julie B.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 29, 2018

City Camping

This campground to us is city camping. The spots are right next to each other and there are a ton of people. The only good thing it has is the lake. You can just play in the water all day and it is right there. If you want to be close to the water and don't mind people then this is the place for you. **the ice cream is sooooo worth it!! DO IT!!!

Month of VisitAugust

michaelle P.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 13, 2018

clean and friendly

We love Collins!! Very nice for paddle boarding and kayaking. Clean sites and pet friendly. We took the boat on our last trip here and had a great time. Great fishing spots!!

(4) View All

Coleen C.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 12, 2018

Lovely lake

Had a great site big enough for a couple of tents. Nice clean site near lake. Hubby enjoyed fishing. Kids loved canoeing out onto the lake. Amazed to watch a bald eagle grab a fish and fly away.

Month of VisitSeptember