First-Time Camping with a Toddler? Try This Dreamy Nevada City Glamping Trip

Let me start by saying, I am not a big camping girl. My parents never took me camping growing up. As an adult, I love the outdoors, hiking, and fresh air, but I’m still not the “spend the night in the wilderness” type.

That said, I always wanted to take my daughter camping. Pitching a tent felt intimidating, until I discovered the Hipcamp app. It’s like Airbnb, but for camping, with everything from glamping sites to tiny homes. Life changing! 

I live about an hour and a half outside of Nevada City and found the perfect glamping spot: The Love Shack at TerraSol (Hipcamp). Tucked away on a gorgeous 40-acre property overlooking the Yuba River, this place was truly special. The views were stunning, and the hosts were incredibly welcoming. The site featured a beautifully styled boho bell tent with a queen-size bed, running water, electricity, a bathroom with a shower and toilet, and even a fire pit (available when it’s not fire season).

The experience was absolutely magical. My 3-year-old daughter told me she never wanted to leave. Watching Noelle light up during our trip was everything and I’m already planning to make this an annual girls’ getaway. It was a chance for us to unplug, be present, and just enjoy each other. So special!

Exploring Nevada City

We also spent time exploring the charming downtown of Nevada City and swimming in the Yuba River. The town has an old, rustic vibe with lots of cute shops, coffee spots, and restaurants. We even stumbled upon a bustling farmers market on Saturday!

My Nevada City Recommendations:

Communal Coffee – Excellent craft coffee, pastries, and great food options.

Three Forks Brewing – Locally sourced organic food, wood-fired pizzas, a great beer selection, and fresh-made lemonade that both my daughter and I loved. They were also dog friendly! I brought my maltipoo Murphy on the trip as well.

South Yuba River – This swimming spot is about a 25-minute drive from downtown. It’s perfect for young kids and located near the largest covered bridge in the U.S.! We brought our dog Murphy and while pups aren’t allowed in the family swim area, there’s a designated dog beach just a 5-minute walk down a trail. Bonus: it was even less crowded.

Camping Must-Haves

Here are some things that made our trip so much easier and more enjoyable:

Elite Gourmet Double Cast Iron Burner – Perfect for cooking for taco night we had!

Badger Bug Spray – We were in the mountains, and this family-friendly spray helped keep the bugs away.

Bear Spray with Body Strap – Our host mentioned spotting wild animals often on their Ring cam at night. I liked having this on hikes for peace of mind.

Osprey Poco LT Child Carrier Backpack – My 3-year-old loves to walk… until she doesn’t. This was key to our hikes! 

Teva Women’s Midform Universal Sandals – I lived in these all trip. From hiking and swimming to exploring downtown, they did it all.

Final Thoughts

This trip was such a beautiful blend of adventure and comfort and just my speed when it comes to camping. If you’ve been on the fence about trying a camping trip with kids (especially if you’re not a hardcore camper), I can’t recommend this kind of glamping enough. Nature, comfort, and quality time? Perfection!