Camping on the South Fork American River
There are a few options for camping along the banks of the South Fork American River. Many of these are privately owned campgrounds that cater to the whitewater rafting community. Government parks and public lands are generally considered day use only, with a few notable exceptions in the more remote regions of the canyon.
Wilderness / Backcountry Camping on the South Fork
Camping on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land at specific areas along the South Fork American River is available with a valid BLM permit. Contact the BLM office for information regarding seasonal restrictions, exact location of camp areas, and to obtain your camping permit.
Established Campgrounds on the South Fork
There are several campgrounds along the South Fork of the American River. Camp Lotus, Coloma Resort, and American River Resort all have camping facilities and river access. Reservations are highly recommended.
Camp Lotus:
5461 Bassi Rd
Lotus, California
(530) 622-8672
American River Resort:
6019 New River Road
Coloma, California
(530) 622-6700
Coloma Resort
6921 Mt. Murphy Road
Coloma, California
(530) 621-2267
(800) 238-2298 9am-5pm, M-F
