Camp Nauvoo offers a secluded glamping and camping retreat on 86.5 acres of forested Sierra foothills along the banks of Weber Creek. Located just outside Placerville, this former youth camp features canvas safari tents, teepees with propane fireplaces, and a historic lodge, blending outdoor nostalgia with modern comfort.
Camp Nauvoo occupies 86.5 acres of pine and oak forest along the banks of year-round Weber Creek, offering a secluded retreat in the Sierra Nevada foothills just outside Placerville. Originally established in the 1960s as a summer camp for the LDS church, the property was later owned by the Boy Scouts of America before being purchased in 2016 by the Rose family. The owners set out to preserve the nostalgic, community-focused spirit of a traditional youth camp while upgrading the facilities for modern travelers. Today, the private campground maintains an intimate scale with only 19 sites, fostering a relaxed atmosphere where wild deer and turkeys frequently wander through the central meadow.
Accommodations at the camp cater to various styles of outdoor living, ranging from traditional dirt campsites to fully furnished glamping setups. Guests can choose to stay in canvas tents pitched on raised wooden platforms, spacious bell tents, or unique teepees that come equipped with their own propane fireplaces for cool foothill nights. The premier glamping family safari tents feature comfortable beds, real furniture, and private decks that look out toward the water or the forested bluffs. While five of the glamping sites are kept pet-free, the rest of the campground welcomes dogs, making it a popular choice for families traveling with pets.
The heart of the property is a 1,200-square-foot communal lodge, which houses a large stone fireplace, a commercial kitchen with a walk-in refrigerator, a microwave, and a Keurig coffee station. The lodge serves as a social hub, stocked with board games and a ping-pong table for quiet afternoons. Outside, the landscape invites active exploration with volleyball and basketball courts, a children's playground, and several miles of private hiking trails, including a challenging 1.5-mile loop with steep inclines. Weber Creek itself provides natural entertainment, featuring a shallow swimming hole located a short walk from the main camp area where guests can wade, swim, or search for crawdads in the clear water.
Evenings center around the camp's impressive outdoor campfire bowl, which is designed with tiered stadium seating and a lighted stage. This communal space brings guests together under the stars to share stories, roast marshmallows, and enjoy the crackle of the fire. Individual sites like the glamping tents and select group spots also feature their own propane fire pits and barbecues, allowing for private cookouts. With its mix of nostalgic camp amenities, modern comforts, and a preserved natural setting, the property offers a rare chance to experience the Sierra foothills much like the campers of decades past, but with hot showers and comfortable beds waiting at the end of the day.
Pack a reliable headlamp for navigating the unlit paths after dark, and be prepared for a short walk from the parking area to your creek-side site, as the campground is mostly vehicle-free to preserve its quiet, natural atmosphere.
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