Campo Seco sits at 866 feet elevation in California's Gold Country, between the Sierra Nevada foothills and the Central Valley. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F from June through September, while winter months bring occasional snow at higher elevations. Most RV parks in the area remain open year-round due to the relatively mild climate.
What to do
Gold panning experiences: Railroad Flat Campground offers access to the Merced River where visitors can try their luck at gold panning. "The scenery was stunning! It rained on-and-off with sunshine in between, so I rode my bike along and went fishing while the sky was blue, then hid under a blanket with a cup of tea and watched the stormy skies," reports one camper.
Wildlife viewing: Lake Tulloch RV Campground provides opportunities to observe local wildlife. "Deer are fearless & majestic, several 'packs' walked through our campsite all throughout Sunday night when everyone else was gone. They walked up to us to smell our campfire & our food," notes a visitor.
Swimming holes: McCabe Flat Campground features river access for cooling off during hot summer days. "There is a great little swimming hole just up the path. I was in spot 29. It had its own little path down to the river, and it was mostly away from everyone else," shares a camper.
What campers like
Riverside camping: At Railroad Flat Campground, campers appreciate the natural setting. "Set along the banks of the Merced River it's especially beautiful during spring wildflower season, and in the fall. There is a nice walk just beyond the campground that continues to follow the old rail road. Lots of wildlife: wildflowers, newts, and river otters," writes one visitor.
Family-friendly amenities: Yosemite Pines RV Resort offers activities for children. "With a pool, petting zoo, a corral where they have a fire and s'mores followed by a movie, this is a great place to camp with the kids," explains one camper. "The showers are free and usually clean although on Saturday evening the campground was full and the bathrooms were dirty and out of TP."
Clean facilities: Many RV parks near Campo Seco maintain well-kept grounds. "Very well maintained. The grounds are clean, nice level concrete spaces with lots of grass around them. Easy to social distance," notes a visitor to Jackson Rancheria RV Park.
What you should know
Reservation planning: During peak season, Campo Seco area campgrounds fill quickly. "Reservation fill up quickly and you can see why, as the closest town is about an 1.5 hours away. You can reserve camping up to 5 months in advance," advises one experienced camper.
Fire restrictions: Check current fire regulations before your trip. "Check fire restrictions. Nice spot not far outside Yosemite. The road in is dirt there are walking/hiking trails along the road and river," shares a McCabe Flat Campground visitor.
Wildlife precautions: Prepare for encounters with local fauna. "ANTS WILL GET IN THERE. We had ants all over our dishes in the morning, but not our stuff in tubs, so make sure your things are ant proof. All food goes into the containers, don't leave anything smelly in your car incase a bear tries to break in," warns a McCabe Flat camper.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina provides water recreation for children. "The kids had fun playing at the playground, jet skiing, and making sand castles at the beach," shares a family camper.
Budget-friendly lodging: Some campgrounds offer alternative accommodations. "We stayed in a Yurt and it was absolutely amazing. We ended up coming in really late but they left our key for us. The Llamas were an absolute plus as well. The price for the yurt was like $100 a night and when we split that up, it was nothing!" explains a Yosemite Pines visitor.
Pack extra supplies: Facilities can run low on necessities. "By the end of Sunday there was no more toilet paper, high-piled waste, & when I called to try to inform them to restock the toilet paper no one answered. I brought my own toilet paper so that wasn't the worst situation but definitely bring some just in case!" advises a Lake Tulloch camper.
Tips from RVers
Road considerations: Access to some RV parks Campo Seco requires careful navigation. "The campground has nice views, but wow, what a scary drive up a curvy mountainous road to get to it. Most of the campground is clay dirt, so it's quite dusty and the RV spots are not paved," cautions an RVer who stayed at Angels Camp Campground and RV.
Site selection: Choose your site based on your needs. "East side of CG seems to accommodate more for families with kids while west side is better for RVs. Most RV sites have full hookups and are pull throughs," explains a visitor to Angels Camp.
Size limitations: Consider your vehicle dimensions when selecting a campground. "I came with my 16' Airstream in tow, and it fit perfectly. I would not recommend anything larger. The narrow road winds along the steep canyon wall with occasional pull-outs to allow oncoming cars to pass," advises a camper at Jackson Rancheria RV Park.
