Auburn Sra Campground

About

Auburn State Recreation Area spans 40 miles along the North and Middle Forks of the American River, offering some of the most accessible primitive camping in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The park encompasses rugged canyon terrain with elevations ranging from 500 to 2,500 feet, creating a diverse landscape of oak woodlands, chaparral, and riparian habitats. Mineral Bar Campground, the primary camping area, sits along the North Fork American River and offers 15 designated sites accessed via Iowa Hill Road from Colfax. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and access to pit toilets and bear-resistant food storage boxes. The campground operates on a mixed reservation and first-come-first-served schedule depending on the season. Ruck-A-Chucky Campground provides an additional 5 more remote primitive sites on the Middle Fork, accessible via Drivers Flat Road (high-clearance vehicles recommended). The area is a hub for whitewater rafting, kayaking, swimming, fishing, and gold panning. Miles of trails connect to the Western States Trail system. No potable water is available at any campground, and campers must bring their own firewood as gathering is prohibited.

Directions

From I-80 in Colfax, take the Canyon Way exit. Head north and turn right onto Iowa Hill Road. Continue approximately 3 miles on paved road to Mineral Bar Campground and the river. For Ruck-A-Chucky Campground, take Foresthill Road from Auburn and turn onto Drivers Flat Road (high-clearance vehicle recommended for the 2.5-mile unpaved section).