About CHAPMAN
Overview Chapman Creek Campground is located next to Chapman Creek, near the North Yuba River. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing, This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.Recreation A large network of hiking trails is available in the area, including the nearby Pacific Crest Trail. The trailhead for the 2-mile long Chapman Creek Trail is located within the campground. Boating, fishing and swimming opportunites are available at nearby Sardine Lakes, about five miles from the campground. Sardine Lakes Resort offers boat rentals.Facilities The campground offers several single-family campsites. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, food storage locker and campfire ring. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided.Natural Features The campground is split into two loops, with one overlooking Chapman Creek and the other, neighboring a small meadow. Stands of mature fir and lodgepole pine trees covers the area, providing pleasant shade at most campsites. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (530) 265-4531. Nearby Attractions The nearby Lakes Basin area offers boating, fishing, hiking and more than 30 miles of maintained trails, that are also open to biking and horseback riding. The lakes provide visitors with ample opportunities to enjoy boating, canoeing and fishing. Anglers will find rainbow and brook trout in many of the scenic bodies of water in the area. A boat ramp is located at Gold Lake.Charges & Cancellations No Show Policy A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date (or for day-use facilities, by check-in time the day of arrival). * No-show customers are only recorded at staffed facilities. At most remote facilities, all customers are no
How to Get There
From Sierra City, take Highway 49 north 8 miles. The campground is on the left side of the highway. From Sierraville, take Highway 49 south 14.8 miles. The campground is on the right side of the highway.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
- 👕
Long-sleeve shirt
Synthetic or merino, sun-protective.
- 🧥
Light shell or windbreaker
Even on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 0 mph).
- 👖
Hiking pants or convertible
Layer for variable conditions.
- 🥾
Trail runners or low boots
Comfortable, broken in.
🎒 What to Pack
- 💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to CHAPMAN
Heading to CHAPMAN? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for CHAPMAN?
No central reservation system listed for CHAPMAN. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234546) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to CHAPMAN?
From Sierra City, take Highway 49 north 8 miles. The campground is on the left side of the highway. From Sierraville, take Highway 49 south 14.8 miles. The campground is on the right side of the highway.
How do I contact CHAPMAN?
You can reach the park at phone: (530)478-6253.
References & Official Resources
