Tahoe National Forest — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: Camptonville, CA, CA
Price: From $24 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (97 reviews)
Season: May through October
North Fork Campground is located along the North Fork of the North Fork American River in the Tahoe National Forest, off of Interstate 80, at the Emigrant Gap Exit. Visitors enjoy fishing and swimming in this scenic area.The campground offers single-family sites, a few of which are designated for tent camping only. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/north-fork-ca to be notified when sites open up.
North Fork Campground offers scenic riverside camping along the North Fork American River in Tahoe National Forest with excellent fishing and swimming opportunities. Campers praise it as a beautiful, quiet, and peaceful destination with spacious tent sites and friendly camp hosts.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear present in area. Also: Canada Goose, American Dipper, Peregrine Falcon, Mountain Chickadee, Southern Alligator Lizard, Sierra Garter Snake, Mountain Garter Snake.
Insider tips for North Fork (Ca): Book early — this is a popular federal campground Some sites are very close to the river with a swimming hole a short walk away A few secluded and private sites available if you arrive early
Skip North Fork (Ca) if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available, only suitable for self-contained RVs. You're visiting outside May through October — seasonal operations only. You prefer larger campgrounds — only 16 sites total.
Best time to visit North Fork (Ca): May through October — Official operating season for the campground.
Nearby campgrounds: Tunnel Mills Ii (Camptonville, CA), Indian Springs (Nevada City, CA), Big Bend Group (Yuba River) (Nevada City, CA), Skillman (Nevada City, CA).
Cell signal at North Fork (Ca) (Camptonville, CA): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
North Fork Campground is located along the North Fork of the North Fork American River in the Tahoe National Forest, off of Interstate 80, at the Emigrant Gap Exit. Visitors enjoy fishing and swimming in this scenic area.The campground offers single-family sites, a few of which are designated for tent camping only. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring.
Known issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Book early
this is a popular federal campground
Some sites are very close to the river with a swimming hole a short walk away
A few secluded and private sites available if you arrive early
Official operating season for the campground
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.









From east bound Interstate 80 take exit 158A or west bound Interstate 80 take exit 158B south to Emigrant Gap. After exiting the interstate take a right on Texas Hill Road towards Emigrant Gap. Continue on Texas Hill Road for about 6.5 miles and turn right into the campground.
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