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Tahoe/Shirttail Creek
Overview
Nestled within the Tahoe National Forest, the Tahoe/Shirttail Creek Campground offers a serene escape for those looking to disconnect and immerse themselves in nature. Located near Foresthill, California, this destination serves as a gateway to the high-country adventures of the Sierra Nevada. Unlike developed resorts, this park provides a rustic, traditional camping experience where the focus remains on the towering conifer forest and the sounds of the nearby creek. It is a seasonal destination, typically open from late spring through early fall, providing a cool mountain respite from the Central Valley heat.
Location & Surroundings
The park is situated at an elevation of approximately 3,600 feet, surrounded by a dense canopy of ponderosa pine, cedar, and fir trees. Its proximity to the Sugar Pine Reservoir makes it a prime spot for water-based recreation and lakeside relaxation. The landscape is characterized by rugged terrain and lush greenery, with the Shirttail Creek winding through the area. Travelers will find themselves deep in the woods, yet within a reasonable driving distance from the historic town of Foresthill, which is known for its gold rush heritage and stunning vistas of the American River canyon.
Amenities & Park Features
As a National Forest site, the amenities are designed for a self-contained camping experience rather than a luxury resort stay. The park features the following essentials:
- Paved parking spurs that accommodate various RV and trailer lengths.
- Access to potable water and vault toilets throughout the campground.
- A heavy-duty picnic table and fire ring at every individual site.
- A bear-resistant food locker provided at each location for safety.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The crown jewel of the area is the Sugar Pine Reservoir, which is just a short distance from the campsites. Here, visitors can enjoy fishing, swimming, and kayaking in the calm, clear waters. For hikers, the Sugar Pine Trail offers a scenic loop around the water, providing relatively flat terrain suitable for families. Adventure seekers will also appreciate the proximity to OHV trail systems, such as the Parker Flat staging area, which offers miles of motorized recreation through the rugged Tahoe National Forest landscape.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for RVers who prefer boondocking or dry camping in a peaceful, wooded environment. It is a perfect fit for families looking to introduce children to the outdoors through lakeside activities and forest exploration. Because there are no hookups, it is best suited for mid-sized RVs or camper vans equipped with solar or battery power. If you value solitude, fresh mountain air, and easy access to forest trails, this park offers a quintessential California mountain experience.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Darren Woodworth
Amazing experience just an hour away from Nevada City. Great swimming and hiking trails around the Reservoir. Drove through Colfax route on our way home to see the difference in drive time. Way steeper and some narrow roads. Probably not ideal for towing a trailer. Drove it once with my Avalanche and dirt bikes
Georgia LeeAnn
We stayed at 001 and it was beautiful!! A small creek running right through camp where the kids can explore, just a few feet from the trail down to sugar pine … we will be coming here often!! The stars were AMAZING, and the campground was very clean. Sugar Pine is a beautiful Lake great for kayaking, paddle boarding and just playing in the water! There is a perfect little beach area but I’d bring water shoes if it’s not soft it’s extremely sharp rocks so be prepared, there is also an island that you can swim to it’s pretty awesome! The paved trail goes almost completely around the lake so it’s stroller friendly. 10/10
Diego Salas
Honestly? We loved it. Very well maintained campground with plenty of shade and very clean bathrooms. We (a group of 6 adults, 2 kids, and 2 dogs) stayed here for 2 nights and had an amazing time. Very close access to the lake, which we took advantage of to go hang out at the shoreline and do some stand up paddling. There is a review saying that sound travels across the campground, and that's definitely true. But we found our neighbors to be very polite. Our spot (27) was a bit smaller than advertised. We fit 3 tents but one of them was definitely slanted.
Logan
Beautiful campground and reservoir. Not super crowded when we went. One campsite fit 12 of us but you have to be pretty quiet or the whole campground can hear you. Voice really carries. Quiet time at 10pm, outhouse bathrooms available. Very good and not too expensive.
Angela Smith
We loved our stay but want to warn future campers: 1. If you’re coming from Sacramento, make sure you take exit 121 to go through Foresthill and DO NOT take exit 133, which is the first route on google maps. One is a nice easy road and the other is a narrow road with hairpin turns and a sheer drop off. 2. Site 27 is NOT suitable as a group site. The only reason it’s listed as a group is for the extra parking slip. There’s only one suitable space to pitch a large tent and barely any room to sit around the fire. Site 26 on the other hand has a ton of space, albeit not enough parking. We had 11 people there with room for more. Fortunately we had both sites reserved for the weekend. Oh - would also benefit from some Yellowjacket traps. We hung two and caught a couple dozen over the two-night stay. Bathrooms were cleaned regularly and we didn’t smell them outside (and we were literally right next door). 3. Day use parking at the lake fills up quick so go early and bring $5 cash to drop in the slot. Water was clean and refreshing. Will definitely return in the future.