Camping sites near Vacaville, California range from established county parks to military facilities, with options within 30-60 minutes of the city. The region experiences summer temperatures frequently reaching 100°F between June and September, with winter lows rarely dropping below freezing. Terrain varies from open grasslands to oak woodlands, creating diverse camping environments across the area.
What to do
Hiking and nature trails: Skyline Wilderness Park offers extensive trail systems for day hiking. "The 800+ acres of hills, woods and fields offers archery, disc golf, hiking, horseback riding and more," notes one camper at Skyline Wilderness Park.
Water activities: Lake access is available at Steele Canyon, where water sports are popular during summer months. "I came to check out the more calm waters in the canyon for my paddleboard. The site was great layout and I had a really enjoyable time out on the water," writes a visitor at Steele Canyon.
Stargazing: Sugarloaf Ridge State Park features astronomy programs at the Robert Ferguson Observatory. One visitor mentioned, "We went on a night hike for a star gazing tour and had a great time!"
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: The natural settings support diverse wildlife watching opportunities. At Skyline Wilderness Park, campers report seeing "Wild turkey, deer, wood peckers regularly seen!" according to a recent review.
Creek access: Water features are valued by campers seeking relief from summer heat. One camper at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park noted their site was "next to the river" and the campground offers "easy water access for quick cleaning of dishes or putting out the fire."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms are frequently mentioned as a positive feature. A visitor to Canyon Creek Resort appreciated the "Quiet and very pretty" setting, noting they "stayed in section C as far away from the road as possible, right next to Putah Creek."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds have specific booking policies. At Napa Valley Expo, a visitor noted, "Host was responsive via email to my questions. Easy and reasonably priced reservations."
Road noise: Some campsites experience traffic sounds. A review of Brannan Island State Recreation Area mentions it is "noisy (lots of traffic on the main road bc of all of the boating traffic), hot and windy (seriously, it's like being in a super hot wind tunnel)."
Weather considerations: Summer heat affects camping comfort. "The only reason we didn't extend one more night was the freezing cold at night (visited in late December)," reported a winter visitor to Skyline Wilderness Park.
Site conditions: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds. At Canyon Creek Resort, a camper found "campsites weren't level and only had water and electricity."
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly campgrounds: Several sites cater specifically to families with children. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is described as "a great little park and campground" with "a large meadow in the center, which is great for frisbee, or other games."
Wildlife encounters: Animal sightings enhance the experience for children. At Lake Solano County Park, a visitor observed, "Peacocks are everywhere, so be prepared to a little noise."
Swimming options: Water access varies by location. One camper at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park mentioned, "You can walk to a trail to check out a waterfall from there (pretty darn steep!)."
Easy access amenities: Proximity to stores provides convenience. Skyline Wilderness Park is "like going to summer camp in the city" with one camper noting it's "in the city so close to wineries, restaurants and shops."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by campground. At Napa Valley Expo RV Park, "Hookups include 30 and 50 amp with water and sewer. Nice cemented pads."
Site spacing: RV sites have different layouts and privacy levels. Skyline Wilderness Park features "RV campsites are close together and semi-level. Bathrooms could use some TLC."
Urban proximity: Some RV parks offer unique access to city amenities. Napa Valley Expo provides a "Short walk (~10-15mins) to get to restaurants and wineries downtown as well as the Napa Valley Vine Trail for running/cycling."
Cell service: Connectivity varies across the best places to camp near Vacaville. At Skyline Wilderness Park, "Cell phone coverage is good. Have both Verizon and Att with at least 2-3 bars. 10-12 Mbps down 4-5 Mbps up."
