The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region surrounding Byron offers diverse camping options within 30 miles. Sites range from lakeside campgrounds to marina resorts with varying amenities, terrain, and accessibility. Summer temperatures typically reach 90-100°F while winter nights can drop to 40°F, making it important to plan accordingly.
What to do
Hiking trails: Mount Diablo State Park offers extensive hiking networks with varied terrain. One camper noted, "Hiked to the top of the mountain, to the lookout point, on a trail through the woods and brush. We come every year and will continue the tradition in years to come."
Fishing the Delta: Turner Cut Resort provides direct access to prime fishing spots. "Good for camping on the delta with green grass and close to the boat spots," according to one visitor.
Water sports: Sugar Barge RV Resort & Marina offers kayak rentals and boat launches. A camper mentioned, "They have a boat trailer parking lot and a boat ramp. The rv spots are very close together."
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife. At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, campers report seeing "deer, turkeys, owls, etc." One reviewer said, "The eucalyptus groves make the air smell wonderful, and there is so much wildlife to see."
What campers like
Sunsets over water: Many Delta campgrounds offer excellent sunset views. At Mount Diablo State Park, a camper shared, "We watched the sunset over the Bay Area, whew, it was spectacular." Another noted it's "literally the best place to see a sunset of 'The Bay'."
Restaurant access: Unlike more remote camping areas, Riverpoint Landing Marina Resort provides unique dining experiences. "Clean facilities, level gravel pads for the rv. Can fish the delta directly from the campsite," according to a visitor.
Shower facilities: Clean bathrooms with hot showers make extended stays more comfortable. At Del Valle Campground, a reviewer appreciated that "The restrooms and showers were clean and functional. Maybe a bit outdated, but I don't see that as a negative considering everything works. It's also nice that the showers are free, no need to bring your roll of quarters."
Family-friendly activities: Several campgrounds organize regular events. A camper at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park mentioned, "For October, we did an outdoor movie, magic pumpkins, costume contest, trick or treating, hay ride, and haunted house."
What you should know
Cell service varies: Coverage can be spotty at some locations. At Del Valle Campground, a visitor mentioned, "The lack of cell reception really helps the feeling of being away from the city life."
Summer heat: The region gets extremely hot during summer months. A camper at Mount Diablo State Park warned, "We went during the summer and it was very hot. The camp ground did not have much shade. We ended up taking a long hike around 4-5 pm when it started to cool food down."
Wind conditions: Delta locations can experience strong gusts. A Mount Diablo visitor cautioned, "No matter how hot it is you'll never be able to escape the howling winds at night. Good tent stakes and warm gear is a must."
Lake restrictions: Not all water bodies allow swimming. At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, a camper warned, "The water will make you sick or your (or your pets) skin break out in a real not fun way. It is toxic."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers family-focused amenities. A visitor shared, "We go with several families with kids 5-13 and they all have a blast. The price per night is very expensive but there are a lot of amenities. Nice playground, basketball court, volleyball, bouncy pillow, outdoor movies, pool, lazy river, water park."
Prepare for wildlife encounters: Animals regularly visit campsites. One camper at Mount Diablo advised, "Make sure that you lock up all food at night as the wildlife is very present and will take advantage of left out food."
Time your arrival: Some campgrounds have strict entry protocols. A visitor to Mount Diablo warned, "Only reason for 4 stars is that they lock you in at sunset; if you want to leave you have to call the fire department to open the locked gate."
Check seasonal closures: Facilities may change throughout the year. A camper at Jellystone Park noted, "Water park was closed. Call ahead to see if it is open when you want to go. I heard that it is never open because of some issue with permits or drought."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Del Valle Campground, a visitor advised, "The sites in the teens have less overhead shade but more privacy than those of higher numbers. The sites closest to the driving road/entrance/overlook will have the potential to be downwind of the bathroom."
Road conditions: Some of the best places to camp near Byron, California require careful driving. At Mount Diablo, a camper cautioned, "The road in is fairly winding with a bit of a drop down the cliff. If you're heading in at dusk or dawn, go slow. You will see deer stepping through the road."
Hookup limitations: Brannan Island State Recreation Area has specific site restrictions. A visitor noted, "Upper loop has hookups and tight sites, no bathrooms or showers. Lower loop has no hookups but has two bath houses."
Level sites: Some parks offer more level RV spots than others. At Riverpoint Landing Marina Resort, campers appreciate that the "level gravel pads for the rv" make setup easier.
