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Free and Fee Camping
and Lodging near our California Rivers
Both free and fee camping are available near all of our California Rivers. Free camping is generally found in more rustic, less developed but nevertheless, beautiful campgrounds on public lands managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Pay or fee camping, which is found on Park Service and private land as well as on Forest Service and BLM land, generally offers more amenities such as toilets, potable water, trailer pads and often hot showers.
Information about free and fee camping near our California Rivers:
CA River & Camp Locations:
 Northern
 Central
 Southern-Central
 Southern
- American
- Kaweah
- Kern
- Kings
- Merced
- Tuolumne
- Yuba
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South, Middle, North American Forks: Free Camping
The ultimate FREE CAMPING opportunity!
For Guests of Whitewater Voyages rafting the South, Middle or North Forks of the American River, the really big news in free camping is our 7-acre, amenity-filled River Park Adventure Campground. Our deluxe river-beach campground located in Coloma just off Hwy 49 on the South Fork American River (just 40 minutes east of Sacramento) offers our rafters free camping the night before and night after their trips with us.
Find out more about our Deluxe River Park Adventure Campground |
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| American River Resort |
530-622-6700 |
| Coloma Resort |
530-621-2267 or Campgrounds - Coloma |
| Camp Lotus |
530-622-8672 |
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| Morning Star Resort |
Reservations Required. Private Lake. 530-367-2129 |
| Auburn KOA |
Just outside of Auburn. 530-885-0990 or koa.com |
| Auburn State Recreation Area |
Several large, primitive campgrounds. 530-885-4527 or 800-444-7275 or visit the Auburn State Recreation Area web site. |
Local Accommodation
Please check the motel's cancellation policy prior to securing your reservation. Some properties may require a minimum two-night stay on weekends. Sacramento is an alternative
and is close to an assortment of small, quaint restaurants.
Auburn Chamber of Commerce (530) 885-5616 |
South Fork
Placerville |
National 9 Motel (530) 622-3884
Cameron Inn & Suites (530) 622-9100
Hangtown Motel (530) 622-0637
Gold Country Inn (530) 622-3124 |
South Fork
Cameron Park / Georgetown |
Best Western (530) 677-2203
Motel 6 (530) 677-7177
Hilltop Motel (530) 333-4141 |
South Fork
Bed & Breakfast Inns |
The Coloma Country Inn (530) 622-6919
American River Inn (Georgetown) (800) 245-6566 |
Middle & North Fork
Motels & Inns |
Best Inn (530) 885-1800
Foothills Motel (530) 885-8444
Sleep Inn (530) 888-7666
Travelodge (530) 885-7025
Super 8 Motel (530) 888-8808
Holiday Inn (530) 887-8787
Forest House (530) 367-2840
Power's Mansion House (530) 885-1166 |
South Fork Fun Run |
Middle Fork Blaster |
North Fork Thriller |
American Combos
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Kaweah: Free and Fee Camping |
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| Kaweah Park Resort |
559-561-4424 |
| Sequoia National Park |
800-365-2267 or Campgrounds - Coloma |
| Lake Kaweah |
Just west of our run on the Kaweah, has camping managed by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers 559-597-2301 |
| Three Rivers Hideaway |
559-561-4413 or info@threerivershideaway.com ( We recommend camping at the Three Rivers Hideaway as this is where we meet for our trips). |
Local Motels and B & B
Note: Many of the facilities listed below have strict cancellation policies and require two-night minimum stays. If planning a motel stay, early booking is recommended. |
| Kaweah and Area |
Buckeye Tree Lodge (559) 561-5900
River Inn (cabins available) (559) 561-4367
Best Western (559) 561-4119
Comfort Inn (800) 331-2140
Lazy J Ranch (559) 561-4449
Fairfield Inn (559) 636-7600
Kaweah Motel (559) 592-2961
Shoshone Inn (559) 561-1600
Lemon Cove Camp & RV Park (559) 597-2346 |
| Bed & Breakfast Inns |
Cort Cottage (559) 561-4671 |
Sequoia Shooter |
Sequoia Gateway
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Kern River: Free and Fee Camping |
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| Lower Kern |
Two of the prettiest Sequoia National Forest campgrounds are Hobo and Sandy Flat, both off highway 178 on the Old Canyon Road. |
| Upper Kern |
Campgrounds in the Sequoia National Forest: We like Goldledge and Limestone campgrounds. |
| Lake Isabella |
Try Main Dam, Hungry Gulch, Camp 9, and Pioneer Point. Pick up an informational brochure at Lake Isabella Visitor Center (760-379-5646) |
Sequoia National Forest
Sequoia National Monument |
For those of you venturing into the high country of Sequoia National Forest and Sequoia National Monument, don't miss Lower Peppermint campground on the Lloyd Meadow Road just north of Johnsondale. The creek has carved out granite tubs and hollows that fill with icy water and are perfect on a hot summer day! And the incredible giant sequoias are close by. Pick up an informational brochure at the Sequoia National Forest Cannell Meadow Ranger District Office in Kernville (760-376-3781) |
| National Forest Campgrounds |
Many of the National Forest Campgrounds are first-come-first-serve. However, if you wish to try to reserve a campsite, call the National Recreation Reservation service at 877-444-6777 or visit their websites www.ReserveUSA.com and www.fs.fed.us |
| Lodging |
See your Upper Kern Class III-IV, Class V Thunder Run, Lower Kern, or Forks of the Kern travel information for local motels (Please note: all of our Kern trips meet in Kernville and lodging information is the same on all travel information sheets.) Kernville Chamber of Commerce web site is a mountain of information as well. |
Lodge, Motel and B & B Accommodation
Note: On weekends many of the facilities below require a two-night minimum stay and have strict cancellation policies... if this is a problem you might consider a Bakersfield motel. If planning a motel stay, early booking is recommended! |
| Local Motels |
Kern River Golden Trout Resort (760) 376-6033
McCambridge Lodge (760) 376-2288
Kernville Inn (760) 376-2206
Kern Lodge Motel (760) 376-2224
Sequoia Motor Lodge (760) 376-2535
Pine Cone Inn (760) 376-6669
River View Lodge (877) 885-6333 |
| Bed & Breakfast Inns |
Kern River Inn (800) 986-4382
Whispering Pines Lodge (760) 376-3733 |
Southern Sierra Escape |
Jungle Run |
Big Water Run |
Dazzler |
Snap, Crackle & Pop |
Thunder Run |
Forks of the Kern Wilderness Juggernaut
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Kings River: Free and Fee Camping
Though Fresno is the nearest city to our meeting area it is still about 1 ½ hours from our base camp located in Sierra and Sequoia National Forests above the Pine Flat Reservoir. Guests on our Mega 1-day trips and Mega 2-day trips are welcome to camp with us in our Kings River Pivate Base Camp the night before your trip (breakfast included).
For those attending our 2-day, 1-day Regular and Express trips, due to limited space, pre and post-trip camping is not available in our campground but there is plenty of free camping available nearby. |
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Sierra National Forest
Sequoia National Forest
Developed Family Campgrounds |
Developed family campgrounds available in the area include: Kirch Flat (very close to our meeting point), Mill Flat, Camp 4, and Camp 4 1/2. Kirch Flat group campground is also available for groups from 25 to 50 people for a fee - contact the High Sierra Ranger at 559-855-5355 for details.
These campgrounds have tables and vault toilets, but NO drinking water. There are no fees and no reservations. |
| Dispersed Camping |
Camping outside developed campgrounds is permitted at numerous rustic and scenic sites along the Kings River. These can be reached via a rough dirt road that runs along the river (fire permits required - 559-855-5355). |
Sierra National Forest
Sequoia National Forest
Reservable Group Camping |
Primitive, designated reservable group camping areas along the Kings River in Sierra and Sequoia National Forests: Green Cabin Flat, Gravel Flat and Bear Wallow.
There are no fees but a camping permit is required for groups exceeding 25 people. Requests for group camping should be made at least 30 days in advance of your trip (559-855-5355).
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| More Info |
Contact the High Sierra Ranger District in Prather at 559-855-5355 for additional campground information. |
Motels / Hotels
Please inquire with the properties directly. Prior to booking room please check cancellation policy. |
| Fresno |
Best Western Village Inn (800) 722-8878
Courtyard Marriott (559) 221-6000
Days Inn Fresno (559) 222-5641
Holiday Inn Express (559) 277-5700
Knights Inn (559) 275-7766
La Quinta Motor Inn (800) 531-5900
Piccadilly Inn (800) 468-3587
Quality Inn 'N Suites (559) 229-5811
Radisson Hotel (559) 268-1000
Ramada Inn (559) 224-4040
Red Roof Inn (559) 431-3557 |
| Sanger |
Townhouse Motel (559) 875-5531 |
| Pine Flat |
Pine Flat Lake Resort (559) 787-2207
One-half hour from Whitewater Voyages' base camp
Limited amenities (not a modern or luxurious facility!) |
Joy Ride | Mega Joy Ride | Ride the Glide | Mega Ride the Glide
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Merced River: Free and Fee Camping |
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Yosemite-Mariposa
KOA |
Near Midpines Reservations accepted 209-966-2201 or koa.com |
| Indian Flat |
Near El Portal No reservations Mariposa Ranger District: 209-683-4665 |
| Yosemite National Park |
Reservations recommended 800-436-7275 |
| Yosemite Bug Hostel and Campground |
Near Midpines Reservations recommended 209-966-6666 Visit www.yosemitebug.com and www.yosemite.com |
Primitive Campsites
no facilities, no reservations |
There are several lovely, primitive campsites located on Bureau of Land Management land on the east bank of the Merced River along the Old Yosemite Valley Railroad Grade. These rustic camps can be accessed using Foresta Bridge in El Portal and the bridge in Briceburg, which is located where Hwy 140 first touches the Merced River east of Mariposa. |
Local Motels
Please inquire with the properties directly. When reserving a room, please check cancellation policy of motel... |
| Mariposa |
EC Yosemite Hotel (209) 742-6800
Mariposa Lodge (800) 966-8819
Miners Inn & Restaurant (209) 742-7777
Mother Lode Lodge (209) 966-2521 |
| El Portal |
Cedar Lodge (209) 379-2681
Yosemite View Lodge (209) 379-2612 |
| Merced |
Days Inn (209) 722-2726
Holiday Inn Express (800) 345-8082
Ramada (209) 723-3121
Sierra Lodge (209) 722-3926
Travelodge (209) 722-6224 |
Yosemite Wildwater | Foam Dancer
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Tuolumne River: Free and Fee Camping |
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Stanislaus National Forest
Lost Claim Campground |
Near the river, 11 miles east of Groveland on Hwy 120. |
Stanislaus National Forest
Sweetwater Campground |
Near the river, 4 miles east of Buck Meadows on Hwy 120. |
| Yosemite National Park |
Reservations recommended 800-436-7275 |
Stanislaus National Forest
Lumsden Campground |
Directly on the Tuolumne River. Directions: Go 7.5 miles east of Groveland on Hwy 120 and turn left at the Casa Loma Store on Ferretti Road then go right on Lumsden Road for 6 very rough miles down into the canyon. Allow 45-60 minutes for the drive in and out. Be sure to allow enough time to meet at our rendezvous point at the Casa Loma! |
Stanislaus National Forest
Lumsden Bridge Campground |
Also directly on the river. Follow the directions to Lumsden Campground above and continue 1.5 miles past Lumsden Campground to reach Lumsden Bridge Campground. |
| First-come rules apply |
U.S. Forest Service campgrounds are filled on a first-come basis, contact the Groveland Ranger District for more information: 209-962-7825. |
Local Motels
Some of the properties below have quite strict
cancellation policies or minimum stay requirements.
Please inquire with the properties directly. |
| Groveland and Area |
City Hotel (209) 532-1479
Columbia Inn Motel (209) 533-0446
Evergreen Lodge (800) 935-6343
Groveland Hotel (800) 273-3314
Groveland Motel (budget priced) (209) 962-7865
Gunn House Hotel (209) 532-3421
Harlan House (209) 533-4862
Hotel Charlotte (209) 962-6455
Sugar Pine Ranch (209) 962-7823
Alpenglo Bed & Breakfast (209) 962-4541
Berkshire Bed & Breakfast (888) 225-2064 |
Tuolumne Classic 1 Day | Tuolumne Classic 2 Day | Tuolumne Classic 3 Day
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Yuba River: Camping
There are several Tahoe National Forest campgrounds located in quiet, primitive and lushly forested areas along the North Fork of the Yuba River accessible off Hwy 49.
These campgrounds are filled on a first-come basis. Contact the North Yuba Ranger Station for more information: 530-288-3231 |
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| Fiddle Creek Campground |
100 Yards beyond the Fiddle Creek bridge. |
| Rocky Rest Campground |
1 mile beyond the Fiddle Creek bridge. |
| Indian Valley Campground |
1 mile beyond the Fiddle Creek bridge. |
| Ramshorn Campground |
About 6 miles beyond the Fiddle Creek bridge. |
| Union Flat Campground |
6 miles east of Downieville. |
Local Motels
Some of the properties below, while historical or
quaint, due to their remote location, have quite strict
cancellation policies or minimum stay requirements.
Please inquire with the properties directly. |
| Downieville |
Riverside Inn (530) 289-1000
Sierra Shangri-La (530) 289-3455
Carriage House Inn (530) 289-3573 |
| Grass Valley |
Best Western Gold Country Inn (530) 273-1393
Golden Chain Resort Motel (530) 273-7279
Holiday Lodge** (530) 273-4406
**mention Whitewater Voyages for 10% discount |
| Nevada City |
Flume's Castle (530) 265-9665
Red Castle Inn (800) 761-4766 |
| Sierra City |
Herrington's Sierra Pines (530) 862-1151 |
Maytag Whirl | Shangri-La | Class V Alive | North Yuba Combo
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