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Developed campgrounds near Carmichael, California are primarily concentrated in the nearby Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, which includes both Beals Point and Peninsula campgrounds. The Sacramento region offers several established campgrounds with varied accommodation types, from tent sites to RV hookups, with options including SacWest RV Park & Campground and Cal Expo RV Park within 15 miles of Carmichael. Most campgrounds in this area are suitable for both tent and RV camping, though many RV parks have restrictions on older vehicles. Campers looking for camping near Carmichael can find numerous options throughout the region, with most sites providing convenient access to both urban amenities and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Camping availability in the Sacramento area remains consistent year-round due to the region's mild climate, with most established campgrounds open throughout all seasons. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer months and weekends when visitation increases. While tent camping is technically allowed at some RV parks, several reviews indicate these facilities primarily cater to RVs with full hookups. Roads are generally paved with good access, making most sites accessible without specialized vehicles. Campgrounds in the region typically offer amenities like drinking water, toilets, and trash service, though amenity quality varies between locations. One camper noted about Sacramento Shade RV Park: "Great place to camp! While setting up, every person that walked by said hi and welcome! We have never experienced that much friendliness in a campground."
Mixed-use campgrounds in the area provide varying experiences depending on their proximity to urban environments. Sites closer to downtown Sacramento offer convenience for city exploration but often come with urban noise. As one reviewer mentioned about Cal Expo RV Park: "It is accessible to downtown, but it is just a parking lot with no frills." Folsom Lake State Recreation Area campgrounds provide more traditional outdoor experiences with lake access and natural surroundings. Several visitors note the benefit of bike path access from Cal Expo RV Park, with one stating it has "great bike paths adjacent along the river into Downtown or up to Folsom." For those seeking unique accommodations, a clothing-optional resort with cabins exists in Wilton, approximately 20 miles southeast of Carmichael, receiving positive reviews for its amenities and privacy.
"As with most of California everything is dry. The lake is very low and a half mile walk from park to get to. The sites are surrounded by dry tall grass and spaced out nicely."
"As full timers- we thought we hit the jackpot for the area in order to be near the towns we wanted to explore and also have service for good wifi."
from $33 - $58 / night
Check Availability"Very quite camping spot very clean.coin operated showers😭 lake is very close by."
"I wanted to find a spot somewhat close by and came across this one."
from $33 / night
Check Availability"Great little campsite with a 50s vibe right outside the city of Sacramento. The bathrooms and showers are clean the staff are friendly and helpful."
"We stayed at the side close to the highway so it was a bit noisy but not too bad. The people were friendly! It was a bit too pricey though."
from $58 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Great Bike paths adjacent along the river into Downtown or up to Folsom. All Full hook up sites on gravel or asphalt, daily, weekly, monthly rates."
"then you want a good location for your home base. Cal Expo definitely has the centralized location for exploring Old Sac, Cal Expo, State Capitol, the rivers and beyond."
from $50 - $1000 / night
Check Availability"Also while setting up, every person that walked by said hi and welcome! We have never experienced that much friendliness in a campground."
"Tons of beautiful, shady spots overlooking or near the Sacramento river. Very Breezy and well maintained park with good prices for electrical and water hookup and a dump station."
"Everything you need to “get away” is here and big city amenities a short drive away."
"This is an older park in a location close to shopping. However, the train is near by and can be heard in the park. It comes by about twice in a 24 hr period. Office staff very nice and helpful."
"There is a little store within walking distance. Overall a very nice park!"
from $65 / night
Check Availability"Four swimming pools
- Three social pools
- Volleyball courts
- Pickleball
- Hiking/walking trails <-- our favorite.
- Tennis And others."
"Everything you could ask for as amenities go in a beautiful location. Don't forget your sun screen."
TravelerWe got a pretty secluded site at Cabana 12 but the rest of the sites are kinda stacked on top of each other or out in the open right next to each other. If you want some more privacy then do C12. Being near the lake was great and having a camp store and bathrooms. Showers cost 50¢ for 5 min which isn’t bad but since the campsite is so expensive it would have been nice for them to be free.
ScoutThis place is awesome. Super clean, spaces are big and neighbors are not too close. The facilities are super clean and modern. We enjoyed the pool, spa and shower facilities. There’s a shuttle that shows up about every 40 minutes to the casino. The office staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the different spaces and location of the afternoon sun.
ScoutThis park is completely understaffed, and the staff they do have are short and rude when talked to. Leaches in the water, goose poop all on beach area along with trash and dirty diapers. Management is never to be seen and the store they have is never open. Restrooms had poop on walls, birds in the bathroom, toilet paper everywhere. They constantly have water problems. They have an abundance of wasps also.
GuideAll grass with plenty of shade tress. A lot of spaces to choose from, they have a camp host who patrols the area. Gates are locked at night so some what secure. There is a dump station that you can use if you rent a space. Very nice !
TravelerThe campsite is set along one side of the middle fork of the Cosumnes River and is quite lovely. It is a popular campground on weekends so reservations are recommended. There are outhouses and fresh water available. Cell service is very spotty (we have Verizon) but drive up the road a half mile and you'll get a signal. There are places to fish and swim in the river, with several day use areas in the campground.
GuideWe enjoyed our stay here while visiting Napa. Extended our stay. Peacocks on the property and rogue goats. Boat launch was not operable on our side of the park.
TravelerWe did two nights and left in the morning on the third day. The ranger drove by briefly both days but didn't stop to give us any feedback. We followed the coordinates using GPS out to this site just fine without losing signal. But once there, definitely no cell signal. We didn't see any posts labeled"8N54" or"8N55". We did see posts for Motorized Trailhead 13E33.
Overall this was a good little spot for first time dispersed campers like us. We did some light hiking and there was plenty opportunity for star gazing. Oddly enough there was rave music playing all night into the early morning hours. Unexpected, but distant enough that one of us was able to sleep through it ok, but not the best or most peaceful sleep. We're not really sure if it was coming from a nearby campsite or private property but, oh well. At times throughout the day time the rave music would come on briefly.
Also, this site is really well suited for folks who love dirt motor biking, driving ATVs and that sort of thing. We don't have anything like that but we chose this site because it was easy to get to and not too far from home and civilization. There were several folks riding around both days from about 9 am to 4 pm. We recommend using a copy of the MVUM Map for El Dorado NF Placerville area to see all of the trails and road types. During the peaceful quiet moments, we heard several woodpeckers, crickets, loud deer mooing. And there was even a small heard of cows that came into the campsite a little bit. For about 45 minutes we heard them clinking around with their cowbells on. But it was at night so it was pitch black and the bells were a bit distracting along with the music. One of them even decided to smudge our truck(see photo).
Also, be prepared to shake out your shoes and clothes often as this site featured dirt floor that was particularly dusty. Any time the riders would go by, a big cloud of dust would flow our way. Plenty of tree cover for shade. We didn't use the fire pit because of fire restrictions right now, but we got a fire permit anyway before heading out there. Instead we used a mini stove with butane canister. Definitely plan to pack everything out and clean up your trash. There were a few straggler pieces of debris clearly left behind by less mindful folks, but overall the site was clean in that sense. We were here in late July and it wasn't too hot or cold. We got a mix of warm and cool breezes that were really nice!
ScoutShowers are clean, lots of play area, for kids.boating
ScoutNeeded a place to camp after driving 12 hours from Washington . Wanted to stay as close to Yosemite . This place did the trick . No one was there . Quiet and serene . Lots of scorched trees . But all in all was great . There is also cell service ! 7-23-26
Carmichael camping sites offer visitors access to both developed campgrounds and RV parks within the greater Sacramento area. The region sits in California's Central Valley at an elevation around 100 feet, experiencing hot, dry summers and mild winters with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. Water levels at nearby Folsom Lake fluctuate significantly throughout the year, affecting beach access and swimming conditions at associated campgrounds.
Hiking trails access: Folsom Lake State Recreation Area provides extensive trail systems for hikers of all levels. At Peninsula Campground, campers can access the 8-mile Darrington Trail directly from the campground. "A shorter accessible trail (Oaks Nature Trail) is entirely contained within the campground and takes you through some great examples and educational signs regarding the riparian ecosystem," notes one Peninsula Campground visitor.
Cycling options: Several campgrounds offer direct bike path access. From Cal Expo RV Park, visitors can ride along riverside paths. According to a camper, the park has "great bike paths adjacent along the river into Downtown or up to Folsom." The American River Parkway connects multiple recreation areas and offers paved trails suitable for road bikes.
Water recreation: When lake levels permit, swimming and boating are popular at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. As one visitor to Beals Point notes, "The lake itself is beautiful! If not camping overnight i love to get a day pass and just hang out on the beach!" The same reviewer warns, "I suggest staying on the main beach with the provided lifejacket area if with children as the other rock areas near the beach suddenly can drop off underwater very deep."
Riverside environments: Camping sites near the Sacramento River provide unique water access. At Sherwood Harbor Marina & RV Park, one camper appreciated the "tons of beautiful, shady spots overlooking or near the Sacramento river. Very Breezy and well maintained park with good prices for electrical and water hookup and a dump station." Another visitor described it as an "undiscovered gem" with "beautiful spaces to park your RV with a view of the river and small local marina."
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight shower quality as important. At SacWest RV Park, visitors appreciate the "wonderful ada bathroom/showers with a fold down bench." At Beals Point Campground, a reviewer noted, "The showers take quarters and have hot water most of the time. The showers are very big its actually quite peaceful and nice. The shower rooms have very high ceilings with thicker glass windows way up high as well. Almost like a spa experience if you ask me."
Wildlife viewing: Peninsula Campground offers exceptional wildlife encounters. "Wildlife is off the chain here," writes one camper. "Bears have been seen on occasion, cougars, Bobcats, and coyotes all stop by from time to time, and there are so many skunks it can get annoying." The same reviewer describes seeing "some of the most beautiful emerald and sapphire colored lizards" during breeding season.
Seasonal variations: The Sacramento area experiences extreme heat in summer months. A Beals Point visitor warns, "The Sacramento area gets very hot in the summer, and this campground provides some but not a ton of shade." Water levels at Folsom Lake fluctuate dramatically. One camper observed, "The lake is very low and a half mile walk from park to get to. The sites are surrounded by dry tall grass."
Frequently Asked Questions
How far are the major campgrounds from Carmichael?
Lake Camanche is approximately 60 miles east of Carmichael (about 1.5 hours drive), offering well-maintained grounds with lake access and clean facilities. Acorn Campground at New Hogan Reservoir is about 65 miles southeast (around 1 hour 20 minutes), providing reasonably priced sites suitable for tents and smaller trailers. For those willing to travel a bit farther, Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground is about 70 miles east (1.5 hours) and offers a shaded, smaller campground adjacent to a fascinating historical park.
Where are the best campgrounds in Carmichael, California?
While Carmichael itself doesn't have campgrounds within town limits, several excellent options are nearby. Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers spacious sites with nice tree coverage, clean facilities, and lake access, though water levels can vary seasonally. American River Resort provides riverside camping with fire pits and picnic tables at each site, plus it's within walking distance to town for supplies. Both campgrounds feature clean bathrooms and are family-friendly, making them popular choices for Carmichael residents looking for local outdoor getaways.
What are the closest car camping options to Carmichael?
The closest convenient car camping option to Carmichael is Mineral Bar Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area, about 35 miles northeast (45-minute drive). Despite its beauty and river access, weekends can get busy, so midweek visits are recommended for a quieter experience. For RV enthusiasts, Cal Expo RV Park in neighboring Sacramento provides easy urban car camping just 15 minutes from Carmichael. Both locations offer drive-up access to campsites, making them ideal for car campers who want to park directly at their site without hauling gear long distances.
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