Indian Springs Campground

If you're in Reno or Sacramento and are looking to escape the summer heat, coming up to the National Forest can be just the ticket! Indian Springs is at about 5500' and brought welcome relief from the 3-digit temps down the hill. If you don't have a reservation there is an iron ranger at the entrance, although they ask you not to pay for more than one night at a time in case someone reserves online (the exceptions are sites 16 and 17 which are non-reservable walk-ups). There were only 2 campers (including us) when we arrived mid-week visit, but every single site was filled by Friday night and through the weekend. Campground is very basic, with vault toilets and water only at spigots spaced throughout the campground. The larger vault toilet near the walk-in tent sites was clean, but the smaller bathrooms weren't clean.

The Forest Service website lists the maximum vehicle length as 25' but we decided to give it a shot anyway (we are 29') since it was late and we needed a spot with cell service. Although several sites are long enough to accommodate longer vehicles, there are 2 issues: 1) most of the sites are not very level and the longer your vehicle the harder it will be to level, and 2) the road through the campground is narrow and has some tight curves. Combine that with trees growing right by the edge of the pavement and some of the sites will be impossible for larger rigs to back into. The left-hand loop sites (1-13) have very short parking areas and are meant to be vehicle parking for tent campers. We managed to get into a site but it wasn't easy. All sites were filled for the weekend and, including us, there were 3 RV/trailers and the remainder were tent campers.

We chose Indian Springs because it was close to the interstate and that's usually where the cell signal is. We had great coverage (25 mbps down and 4 up on Verizon, similar on AT&T) but there is quite a bit of background noise from I80 (you can see cars whizzing by in some places) and there is also a train track on the opposite side of I80 from the campground (although it was far enough away that it wasn't intrusive and the occasional train whistle wasn't bad). Just down Eagle Lakes Road from the campground there is access to an OHV area and to the Fordyce Off-Road Trail, but we didn't see or hear any ATV or UTVs during our stay.

Most sites are extremely shaded so if you need solar you'll have a tough time. A portable panel will make it easier, and the sites that back up to the power line by Eagle Lakes Road are more open than the rest.

We've enjoyed watching the Stellar's jays and squirrels, and the campground is shady and pretty. The South Yuba River is between the campground and the interstate and is very pretty. There is access to the river in south corner of the campground.

Stayed only one night as we just needed a place to stay near our destination. Easy access from I80. Self check-in and pay at the front. Verizon service was very good- data and voice.

Saw a ranger drive through once during our stay. Saw no host or on-site supervision. Reservations can be made online or if within a few days, first come rule applies. Reservation boards are posted at each campsite so it is clear if a site is available or not. Surprisingly, the place had been practically full the weekend before we arrived.

It's a smaller campground with 2 loops. You can take a nice stroll down to the river and there is a swimming hole area which looked too treacherous during our stay but may calm in late summer. It's really very pretty- too bad it's right below the interstate.

If you find yourself here, be prepared for lots of noise from I80. Some nice campsites are near the Yuba River which is the only thing between them and a major interstate. The campsites nearest the river were the least level (i.e. #6). The most level (and longest) parking spurs were on the north side of the campground, adjacent to the road you drive in on. These were also the relatively quietest. If you're in an RV or trailer, you'll want one of those sites (#21, #23, etc.)

There is a picnic table and fire pit/adjustable grill at each site. Most sites are shaded by towering trees.

Walking through the campsites, there are lots of small pieces of trash, such as cigarette butts and bottle caps, a couple of beer cans left on a picnic table, etc. People are slobs. As if that weren't enough, there is also a sign on the bathroom (which I did not go into) advising people to place TP into the toilet, not the floor. Do we really have to tell people this?

I suppose I might stay here again if needed for the location, however, only if it were the only option.

Campground was closed when we arrived but we parked at the gate and stretched out legs walking through. Lots of trees so nearly every spot has privacy. Only a few level spots in the campground so if you have an RV better get lucky or have levelers. I didn’t see one pull through and most pretty short <35’ and it has some pretty tight turns. Definitely not a BIG RIG place. Very noisy as it’s literally below the highway.
We would have stayed if available but only because it was late and for just one night.