DJ Jazzy W.
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GuideWillow Campground — Brannan Island State Recreation Area
Can not wait to come back. p.s. Hot showers.
Popped in and only a few campers there. A bridge away from towns. Hot showers. Squirrels galore. Ill be back.
Camping near Valley Springs, CA
264 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Valley Springs, California serves as a gateway to numerous reservoir-based camping opportunities in California's Gold Country. Acorn Campground on New Hogan Reservoir and COE New Hogan Lake Coyote Point Campground provide lakeside camping with varying amenities. Within a 30-minute drive, Lake Camanche and Lake Amador Resort offer additional water-based recreation with more extensive facilities. The region supports diverse camping styles from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV parks, glamping options, and cabin rentals. Jackson Rancheria RV Park, about 20 miles northeast, provides a highly-rated experience with modern amenities and canyon views.
Water levels at area reservoirs fluctuate significantly throughout the year, affecting shoreline access and campsite proximity to water. According to camper Darin D., "The lake level varies wildly throughout the year; sites that are right on the lake can end up being hundreds of feet from the lake if the water level is low. Early summer is the best time to go for high lake levels." Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, while winters remain mild but can bring occasional rain. Most campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak summer months and holidays. Cell service varies considerably between locations, with some areas like Lake Camanche's South Shore having limited connectivity. The town of Valley Springs provides convenient access to supplies, approximately 5 minutes from New Hogan Lake campgrounds.
Wildlife encounters feature prominently in visitor experiences, with deer frequently observed near campsites. Lloyd G. noted at Acorn Campground: "The wildlife was people-friendly to say the least. I had a family of deer pretty much monitoring my whole trip." Water recreation dominates activities, with fishing, boating, swimming, and kayaking available at most locations. Site spacing varies considerably between campgrounds and specific sites. Campers frequently mention the well-maintained facilities at Lake Camanche, where Donnalyn C. reported: "Bathrooms are always clean and with hot water." Proximity to historic Gold Country towns provides additional exploration opportunities. Most campgrounds offer standard amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and restrooms, though hookup availability differs significantly between locations.
Best Campgrounds near Valley Springs (264)
1. Acorn Campground
"Lots of site variation, so do your homework or be flexible, you might get an amazing lake side spot with a view, but not enough room for a tent."
"A good clean campground, popular in central California. Reasonably priced $20 per night."
from $20 / night
Check Availability2. Lake Camanche
"Easy access to the lake. Campground is well maintained. Bathrooms are always clean and with hot water. No shower at this site. But there’s one close by at the Riverview, walking distance."
"I come here with my family every year around 4th of July. I would book way ahead for busy holidays like that.
The water level really varies on the year."from $50 / night
Check Availability3. Lake Amador Resort
"Fabulous lakeside camping.... We’ve been in March, May, July and September..... July, just too hot but we love being able to just get up and fish... The lake is stocked with Trout, Bass and Catfish."
"Lake water level was super low at end of summer & lake is hard to access. Unless you got a boat. Saw deer & wild turkeys. This park is huge."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability4. Rancho Seco Recreation Area
"The campsites are spacious and you don't feel over crowded if there is a family next to you. It's pet friendly."
"I pitched a tent in site 43 right next to the lake. Excellent place."
5. Jackson Rancheria RV Park
"We wanted a close to home location with all the hookups to make sure we knew how to use everything. We were shocked at how clean and beautiful this park was!"
"Spacious , clean, very friendly staff, beautiful walking trail around the park. The views are so beautiful we will definitely come back!"
from $50 - $70 / night
Check Availability6. Pardee Reservoir Recreation Area
"This campground is located in Lake Pardee. Some sites have a beautiful view of the lake. Lake View also has several RV sites but reservations go quickly. The lake is for fishing and boating only."
7. COE New Hogan Lake Coyote Point Campground
"We did a lot of kayak fishing and relaxing by the lake. We were able to walk the kayaks down with no problem."
8. Monument RV Park - Lake Camanche
"There is a fishing pond directly next to the campground and access to the lake just a few minutes away."
"Great location and full hook ups. Open year round, planning on coming back during the Winter!"
9. Gold Strike Mobile Village
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability10. Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground
"Next to a beautiful state operated historical park with lots of open space, tall ancient oak trees and two easy trails. Open space great for games, frisbee, soccer, or setup a volleyball net."
"So glad we did as it is tucked away on the grounds of an amazing state park! Most of the sites are small with a lot of tree coverage. It was quiet, quaint, and clean. "
from $30 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 39 min from Stockton, CA
- 56 min from Sacramento, CA
- 58 min from Modesto, CA
- 1 hr 29 min from Merced, CA
Recent Camping Photos near Valley Springs, CA
252 Photos of 264 Valley Springs Campgrounds
Darin D.
New Hogan Lake - COE/Acorn West
Pamela P.
COE New Hogan Lake Coyote Point Campground
Jovani M.
Acorn Campground
Larry W.
Lake Camanche
Kimmee P.
Lake Amador Resort
Theo A.
Jackson Rancheria RV Park
Kevin P.
Gold Country Campground Resort
Angel S.
Rancho Seco Recreation Area
Jim M.
Angels Camp Campground and RV
brittany M.
Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground
Ryan D.
Glory Hole Recreation Area
Lori T.
USBR Gloryhole Rec Area Big Oak Campground
Recent Reviews near Valley Springs, CA
852 Reviews of 264 Valley Springs Campgrounds
Fa B.GuideIron MT. Dispersed
Really cool history and perfect spot
Look up this site’s history, it’s quite fascinating.
While there’s a no trespassing sign, this is indeed a Forest Service-managed site and confirmed as a dispersed location.
I pulled in just as this older gentleman was onsite and he was telling me all about the owner back in the 60s-70s (“a mean guy”) and what a cool ski resort it once was.
Rob H.GuideUSBR Gloryhole Rec Area Big Oak Campground
Decent Campground
Very warm weekend (as to be expected in July) bathrooms and showers were satisfactory. It’s a public campsite with lots of families and most are there for the lake. Sites were large enough but No hookups for RV. We just stayed at night and spent the days with family in the area. Met our needs.
Corey J.
TravelerBig Meadow Campground
Gorgeous but rough
A few cons about this spot. There is NO drinking water. There are spigots but they all say non-potable. Most of the toilets were locked and the open ones were disgusting. There is no natural water to cool off in. The map looks like there is but there was none. There are so many mosquitoes that you have to hide in the tent during sunrise and sunset. Also, it’s right on the highway and the cars are loud! Finally, the road from Carson City going up Ebbets pass is a corkscrew of the death defying nail biting vomit inducing variety. With all of that in mind, it is the most beautiful spot I have ever visited.
- SShantra M.
ScoutBear River Group Campground
The other two reviews seem to be of a different campground, not accurate
I have stayed at Bear River Group Campground twice and plann to make it an annual trip. It is near a reservoir, but necessary to drive to get to the water. There is no road noise at all. It is fairly remote and very well set up for groups. Highly recommend it.
Lee D.
LegendBeals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Lake fun near Sacramento
General: Beals Point is one of two locations on Folsom Lake for camping. Large campground with a mix of electric and non-electric campsites plus some group sites.
Site Quality: Drives are paved and mostly level. We camped in a little “cul-de-sac” with just four sites. While these sites back up to the American River Bike Trail (aka Jedediah Smith Recreation Trail), it was overgrown, and I did not see direct access to the trail as we did the last time we were here.
Bath/Shower: Typical CA state park layout– all-gender units with toilet and sink (but no soap, towels, or dryers) and showers. Unlike other CA state parks, these take quarters instead of tokens. The units could use a little TLC, but what was most disheartening was how other campers had trashed them– toilet paper (and worse) scattered all over the insides. Obviously not the fault of the campground.
Activities/Amenities: Folsom Lake is the draw, and people were fishing, kayaking, and swimming. The 32-mile paved multi-use American River Bike Trail is easily accessible. There is a snack bar/concession stand for beach rentals, but it was not open when we were there.
Our stay here this time was over a weekend; it was completely full, and it reminded us once again that we prefer to camp during the week and shoulder seasons when campgrounds are less crowded!
Leslie M.TravelerForest Route 4N39 Dispersed
Amazing spot
You don’t exactly need to go all the way to the pinpoint, I pulled off to the side about a mile before pinpoint. Amazing spot, several areas to pick from, safe and quiet with amazing views. Few other people but that also made me feel safe. I would definitely come back.
Douglas S.LegendSly Guard Cabin
Typical of the campground you find in downtown Valdez Alaska
I invite you to take a look at the pictures. This is a simple gravel parking lot with hookups. There's nothing special about this location.
- MMaria Luiza P.Scout
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Tower Park
I’m so sad
We had been looking forward to this camping trip, but unfortunately our experience at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Lodi was very disappointing. Before our trip, I paid the Lock Fee($40) specifically to guarantee the campsite we had selected. However, when we arrived, we were assigned to a completely different site. After setting up our trailer, we went back to the office to ask about it. Instead of correcting the mistake, another employee told us that we didn’t even have a reservation and that we needed to leave the campground. We had to search through our emails, show our reservation confirmation, and even provide proof of payment from our bank before they finally found our reservation. Only then were we moved to the campsite we had originally reserved and paid extra to secure. Unfortunately, the worst part happened on our last night. We were camping with friends, and between us we had two electric bikes—one worth nearly$5,000 and another worth over$1,000. We went to bed around 2:30 a.m., and everything was still there. When we came out of our trailers around 8:30 a.m., both bikes had been stolen. We immediately called the police. The responding officer told us that just two weeks earlier, another camper had all of the sound equipment stolen from their vehicle at the same campground. What disappointed us most is that the campground doesn’t appear to have adequate security measures, such as surveillance cameras, and there was no warning at check-in that thefts had recently occurred. Had we known there was an increased risk, we would have taken additional precautions with our valuables. When families choose a campground like this, they expect a safe, relaxing environment where they can enjoy nature without worrying that expensive belongings will disappear overnight. The campground has great amenities and is a fun place for families, but our experience with the reservation issues and the lack of security left us extremely disappointed. I hope management takes these concerns seriously, improves security, and is more transparent with guests so other families don’t have the same experience we did.
Guide to Valley Springs
Valley Springs, California provides access to multiple established campgrounds along New Hogan Lake and surrounding reservoirs. Acorn Campground, located at New Hogan Lake, features sites for tents and RVs with basic amenities including picnic tables, fire pits, and flush toilets. Lake Camanche, Lake Amador Resort, and Pardee Reservoir Recreation Area offer more developed options with electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities. Most campgrounds in the region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some properties like Lake Amador Resort also offering cabin rentals and glamping opportunities.
The camping season generally runs year-round, though summer brings intense heat with limited shade at some locations. Several campgrounds require reservations through Recreation.gov, particularly during peak periods from late spring through early fall when water activities are most popular. Bathroom and shower facilities vary considerably between locations, with some campers reporting maintenance issues. "The campground offers a range of pull-through and back-in campsites along the slopes of the rolling hills, but most of the individual sites were flat and could accommodate a wide variety of rig sizes," noted one visitor to Acorn Campground.
Many camping areas provide direct lake access, making them popular for fishing, boating, kayaking and swimming activities. Lake levels fluctuate significantly throughout the year, affecting shoreline access and boat launch usability. According to visitor reports, sites near the water tend to fill quickly, especially on weekends. Campers mention that early summer typically offers the highest water levels for recreation. Facilities at most campgrounds include picnic tables, fire rings, and access to potable water, though hookup availability varies between locations. Several visitors highlighted the spacious nature of many campsites, particularly at Acorn Campground, where sites are well-spaced and some offer lake views. Noise levels can increase on weekends when boating activity is heaviest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Valley Springs, CA?
What camping is available near Valley Springs, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Valley Springs, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 264 campgrounds and RV parks near Valley Springs, CA and 12 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Valley Springs, CA?
Which is the most popular campground near Valley Springs, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Valley Springs, CA is Acorn Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 28 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Valley Springs, CA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Valley Springs, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Valley Springs, CA.
What parks are near Valley Springs, CA?
What parks are near Valley Springs, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 parks near Valley Springs, CA that allow camping, notably New Hogan Lake and New Melones Lake.
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