California · Camping · Near Nevada City

Onion Valley

from $18
fee
May 22
season
May–Oct
best months

Is Onion Valley open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Tahoe National Forest.

  • Camping and Campfire Restrictions-Truckee and Sierraville Districts

    Agency alert covering Tahoe National Forest · Order 17-25-05 · USFS · Tahoe National Forest

As of · Source: USFS · Tahoe National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

  • At 4,799 ft
  • American River Ranger DistrictTahoe National Forest

Onion Valley Campground is a Forest Service site in the American River Ranger District of Tahoe National Forest, about 0.6 miles from the North Fork campground. It sits on a creek in a remote meadow, shaded by cedar, pine and fir trees, and is described as a pleasant escape. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Lake Spaulding weather station show July and August highs around 82°F with lows in the upper 40s, while winter highs stay in the low to mid 40s. Vault toilets are the only facility listed. A fee is charged for stays. North Fork is the closest neighbor, and the North Fork North Fork American River canoeing route is about 0.9 miles away. Mears Lake Valley and the Sierra Discovery Trail are both within about 3 miles.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Onion Valley

    Campground

    Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Burger King

    Fast food

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rains

    Golden Drift Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 11 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Nevada City
  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Onion Valley

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      44° / 25°

    2. Feb

      46° / 26°

    3. Mar

      51° / 27°

    4. Apr

      56° / 30°

    5. May

      64° / 37°

    6. Jun

      75° / 43°

    7. Jul

      82° / 48°

    8. Aug

      82° / 47°

    9. Sep

      76° / 44°

    10. Oct

      65° / 37°

    11. Nov

      51° / 30°

    12. Dec

      43° / 25°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lake Spaulding, CA, 3.9 mi away at 5,156 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.