Camper submitted image from Rancho Seco Recreation Area - 1

View Photos

Camper submitted image from Rancho Seco Recreation Area - 2
Roads
Camper submitted image from Rancho Seco Recreation Area - 3
Nature
Camper submitted image from Rancho Seco Recreation Area - 4
Water
Camper submitted image from Rancho Seco Recreation Area - 5
Buildings
Unlock Planning Tools in App

Established Camping

Rancho Seco Recreation Area

Do you own or manage this property?

Claim Your Listing
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Rancho Seco Recreation Area, near Herald, California, is a great spot for those looking to enjoy the outdoors year-round. With spacious campsites and a friendly atmosphere, it’s perfect for families and pet owners alike, allowing you to kick back and enjoy nature without feeling cramped.

The campground is well-equipped with amenities like electric hookups and drinking water, making your stay comfortable. Visitors often highlight the beautiful lake, which offers opportunities for fishing and swimming, as well as a dog park where your furry friends can roam freely. One happy camper noted, “The campsites are spacious and you don't feel overcrowded if there is a family next to you.”

If you’re up for some adventure, there are hiking trails nearby that provide stunning views of the area. The general store has been recently updated, offering everything from souvenirs to camping essentials, so you won’t have to worry about forgetting anything. Just keep in mind that the facilities could use some attention, as some campers have mentioned the restrooms could be cleaner.

Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or a longer stay, Rancho Seco Recreation Area has plenty to keep you entertained. With its mix of relaxation and outdoor activities, it’s a great choice for your next camping trip.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Rancho Seco Recreation Area is located in California

Detail location of campground

Address

14962 Twin Cities Road
Herald, CA 95638

Coordinates

38.33200093 N
121.09400027 W

Open in Google Maps

The Dyrt Alerts

Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds.

Learn More
Presented byT Mobile

Drive Time

Presented byToyota Trucks

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 1 user

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Cabins

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • WiFi
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

54%
27%
20%
0%
0%

4.5

out of 5

15 Reviews

Reviewed Mar. 18, 2025

Rv camping

Nice quiet campground good fishing lake to fish just make sure you put your food away at night raccoons will get your food and snacks

Sitesite 5
Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed Oct. 31, 2022

Basic county campground

Paced sites, but very few are level. Restrooms and showers are old and filthy. The area itself is pretty, without and conifers throughout. Most visitors seem to be here for the fishing. All in all, it's just ok.

SiteB24
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Oct. 21, 2022

All types of fun !

I love this place because it is about 45 minutes from the house.  There's plenty to do with lots of great sites.  The first time we went, they didn't have any annual passes because they lady was out that day. But the other day, we were able to finally get a season pass.  You can fish, hike, or swim here. The campsites are spacious and you don't feel over crowded if there is a family next to you. It's pet friendly. The store was recently redone and they offer a wide variety of items, from keep sakes to any necessity you may have forgotten ( lighter, logs, clothes shoes, etc... )  There also boat rental that are a fair price, plus you get them for an hour or so. ( You will have to check the prices and availability. ) There's a dog park for the dogs to roam free off the leash, which also has access to water/ beach area for the dogs only.

Site40, 42, 43
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Rancho Seco Recreation Area by Sunshine M., October 21, 2022
Reviewed Sep. 5, 2022

Good family day use area

We spent one night here in a hook-up site. The rv camp sites are well spaced. We had power, water and good Verizon coverage. There is no Wifi.

The lake side area seems like a great place for families. The grounds are nice, picnic sites have plenty of space. The swimming area, sport facilities and general store seemed to provide great fun for the hordes of folks there.

One caveat was that the shower/toilet facilities were SHOCKINGLY atrocious!!! Considering how neat everything else was it was astonishing to see the condition of those facilities. Granted it was a Sunday afternoon when we got there but still.. unbelievable.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Rancho Seco Recreation Area by Bob S., September 5, 2022
Reviewed Sep. 3, 2022

Rancho Seco

Great place for a quick getaway. Fishing and swimming.

Site10
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Rancho Seco Recreation Area by Joe B., September 3, 2022
Reviewed Apr. 25, 2022

Super fun!

Good rated Easy to book online Clean campgrounds Regular maintenance and trash pick up Clear and beautiful water Awesome views

Site40
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Rancho Seco Recreation Area by Sunshine M., April 25, 2022
  • Review photo of Rancho Seco Recreation Area by Sunshine M., April 25, 2022
  • Review photo of Rancho Seco Recreation Area by Sunshine M., April 25, 2022
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2021

Great Place to Christen Our 2017 Micro Minnie Travel Trailer

Nice, peaceful well maintained campground that is within 30 minutes of our home for our first outing with our new travel trailer. Well kept secret! Very busy on the weekends but very quiet and peaceful during our one night during the week. A great place for novice and experienced sailors and sailboarders.

Site6
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Sep. 23, 2021

Great spot close to Sacramento

Have stayed here a couple of times while visiting family. Sites are large and well spaced, grounds are well maintained and has a gated entrance to filter day users and campers.

Site17
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed May. 6, 2021

Nice experience, but could have been better

We picked ground #46. Great spot, good views. During the day this place is awesome with no issues. Each campground has its own water spigots, 2 tables, fire fit and semi flat grounds. Our site was well shaded. The issues that made me give this place 3/5 stars is because it is a heavy fishing park so in our campground we found multiple fish hooks and one happen to pierce my sandal. We have a 3 year old and brought our dog so imagine how dangerous that can be. Another issue is that I do not know if this is because of the weather but the whole park is infested with ground beetles that would just land all over you and your food. We couldn’t stay up pass sunset to enjoy the fire and s’mores because you would get flooded with the beetles. I’ve been camping for over 10 years and never seen this issue before. Another this to keep in mind is that you will be camping next to a decommissioned nuclear plant. So that’s half your view right there.

Site46
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Rancho Seco Recreation Area by Angel S., May 6, 2021
  • Review photo of Rancho Seco Recreation Area by Angel S., May 6, 2021
  • Review photo of Rancho Seco Recreation Area by Angel S., May 6, 2021
Reviewed Feb. 27, 2021

A Gem

This is a wonderful spot to stay for a few days in the off season. We stayed in February. Summers would be very hot and I imagine the area would be packed with day use folks. 12 miles from I-5 out in the country. Very quiet.  21 water and electric sites with a dump station on the way out. Some pull through sites. About 50 tent only sites, some just feet from the lake. RV sites are farther from the lake on mostly level gravel pads with picnic table, fire rings, and a trash can at each site. The grounds are very attractive and very well maintained and all of the staff we encountered were friendly and accommodating. There is one marked hiking trail that follows the lake shore for the first mile then through a field with cattle.

Site20
Month of VisitFebruary
Reviewed Sep. 24, 2018

great and family friendly

It has free showers there and the campground are awesome and you can camp right on the water. They have boat rentals and a fishing derby every year too. It just great and has a beach and they lake is nice size and has a store on site but confusing on operation hours tho.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Rancho Seco Recreation Area by George A., September 24, 2018
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2018

Great family camping

Enjoyed camping here several times as a family and with a group. Beautiful lake to canoe/kayak about. Sites along lake are best.

SiteNear lake
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Nov. 14, 2017

Amazing Place

OMG!! This is such an amazing and awesome place for recreational trips and outing. I recently visit that place as I was invited to my friend's birthday ceremony that was arranged there. I am just in love with the location and the view is so amazing. Everthing is so fine over there. I must say everyone should visit that place once. Read

Visit Site

Month of VisitNovember

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities and facilities are available at Rancho Seco Campground?

Rancho Seco Recreation Area offers 21 water and electric hookup sites for RVs with a dump station available upon exit. Each campsite includes its own water spigot, two tables, and a fire pit. Facilities include free showers and restrooms, though some visitors note these may be dated. The campground is gated to separate day users from campers, with regular maintenance and trash pickup services. Sites are generally spacious and well-spaced, with many offering shade. Lakeside sites are particularly popular, and some campsites are situated right on the water's edge.

How do I make reservations at Rancho Seco Campground?

Reservations for Rancho Seco Campground can be made online through their reservation system. The booking process is straightforward and user-friendly. For seasonal or annual passes, you'll need to speak with staff on-site during their regular hours. It's advisable to book in advance, especially for weekends and peak seasons when the campground tends to be busier. Contact the campground directly for specific reservation policies or special accommodations.

What do visitor reviews say about Rancho Seco Campground?

Rancho Seco Campground receives generally positive feedback, with many praising its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful lake views. Campers highlight the spacious, well-maintained sites, particularly those along the water. The campground is appreciated as a convenient getaway, located just 12 miles from I-5 and within 30-45 minutes of surrounding communities. The off-season is noted for its tranquility, while summer months can be busier with day users. Some mention that not all sites are level, and the cleanliness of facilities can vary. Overall, it's described as a lovely small park with excellent opportunities for water recreation.

What are the operating hours for Rancho Seco Park and campground?

The operating hours for Rancho Seco Park's on-site store and facilities can be somewhat inconsistent, with some visitors noting confusion about when certain amenities are available. The campground itself is accessible to registered campers 24 hours a day through a gated entrance system that separates day users from overnight guests. For the most accurate information on current operating hours, especially during different seasons, contact the park directly before your visit or check at the entrance upon arrival.

Is there a map of Rancho Seco Campground showing campsites and layout?

Yes, Rancho Seco Campground has a map showing the layout of the 21 RV sites and tent camping areas. Site #43 and #46 are noted as being directly adjacent to the lake with excellent views. The campground layout features sites of varying sizes and shade coverage. For the most current and detailed map, check with the park office upon arrival or contact them in advance. Maps typically highlight amenities, water access points, and recreational areas.

What recreational activities can I enjoy at Rancho Seco Park?

Rancho Seco Park offers numerous recreational activities centered around its beautiful lake. Fishing is especially popular, with an annual fishing derby. Water activities include swimming at the designated beach area, kayaking, and canoeing, with boat rentals available on-site. The park features hiking opportunities and sports facilities for families and groups. Wildlife enthusiasts should be aware of the active raccoon population, especially at night. With its combination of water access and open spaces, Rancho Seco provides a well-rounded outdoor experience for day visitors and campers alike.