White Cloud Campground: Nevada City California

BEAUTIFUL TREES AND A SOFT FOREST FLOOR 

A beautiful campground, but… is it your ideal spot? It may not be the best campground in the Tahoe National Forest, but it does have a lot to offer.

Late Arrival On A Rainy Night

The campground has several single-family sites, a few of which are designated for tent camping only, as well as one double site. The sites are non-electric. The campground is situated in a forest of cedar, pine, and douglas fir trees, at an elevation of 4,200 feet. We roilled in at 11pm and were amazed at how many people were walking around the campground with their flashlights. We quickly found our site and backed in. To my delight, the van was completely level. This is always an added plus when arriving late and not having to get out the leveling blocks.

It was the first Memorial Day weekend I can remember where it poured rain. Yes, heavy rain in September. While we felt sorry for all the people who were camping in tents, our warm dry van was the perfect setting for such a night. We fell asleep to the sound of heavy muffled raindrops hitting the roof of the van. Our insulated MaxxAir fan cover really muffled the rain drops during the heavy rain too.

Walking the Campground

When we woke up we could hear water dripping from the trees above. The overcast skies cast a beautiful light over the forest. We took a walk around to look at the campsites. Even though the campground was sold out for the weekend, more than 50% were vacant. I assume the forecast kept many people home. The campground was beautiful. It seemed very well maintained, offered plenty of shade for warm days and the campsites were quite spaced out.

Almost Perfect

For us there are only two things that would have made this a return visit destination. We wish the campground was away from the main road and closer to a lake or river. The campground, like Granite Flat, was right on a main road. Sleeping in the van isolated us from the nigh time road noise, but during the day it was quite evident that you were right on a road.

It’s a beautiful campground, but consider its proximity to the road and its distance from any bodies of water.

Have Fun, be Safe and let me know what you think if you visit.

Open Season

• May to October.

Amenities

• Picnic table.
• Fire ring.
• Bear box.
• Water spigots.
• Vault toilets.
• Trailheads.
• Shade.
• Pets allowed.

Fees

• Single sites $24. Double sites $48.

Camping Nearby

• Scotts Flat Lake is a 9 mile drive from White Cloud.
• Chute Hill Campground is a 19 mile drive from White Cloud.

Local Things To See And Do

The Pioneer Trail stretches 25 miles through the Tahoe National Forest and can be accessed from the campground. The popular path was designated a National Recreation Trail in 2003. Horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing are favorite activities on this popular trail.

Cell Signal

• • T-Mobile – 0 bars.

Location

• Latitude 39° 19′ 12.1332″ N / Longitude 120° 50′ 47.9436″ W

From Nevada City, drive east on Highway 20 for about 10 miles. Turn right at the White Cloud Campground sign and then the first right into the campground. From Interstate 80 take exit 161, Highway 20 to Nevada City and drive about 26 miles west toward Nevada City. Turn left at the White Cloud Campground sign and then the first right into the campground.

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