Colusa County's Mediterranean climate creates a year-round camping destination with mild, dry summers averaging 90°F and cool winters rarely dropping below freezing. Located in California's Sacramento Valley at elevations ranging from 40-60 feet, camping areas around Colusa offer accessible sites with level terrain. Fall camping provides ideal temperatures between 65-75°F when water levels at local lakes and rivers remain suitable for recreation.
What to do
Fishing from shore: At Collins Lake Recreation Area, the lake provides excellent shoreline fishing opportunities. "Had a great site big enough for a couple of tents. Nice clean site near lake. Hubby enjoyed fishing. Kids loved canoeing out onto the lake. Amazed to watch a bald eagle grab a fish and fly away," notes Coleen C.
Kayaking down creek systems: Sycamore Ranch RV Park offers a unique water experience along Dry Creek. "I took advantage of the water and after getting shuttled up to the bridge kayaked down the Yuba and up dry creek all the way to our campsite," explains Chris &. The calm waterways accommodate beginners and experienced paddlers alike.
Wildlife observation: The waterways near glamping sites close to Colusa, California serve as natural habitats for diverse wildlife. "We were here in the off season, so there weren't many other campers. The trees are amazing and there are about 2 miles of walking trails," reports Suzanne S. about Sycamore Ranch, adding that wildlife sightings include river otters in the creek.
What campers like
Affordable glamping yurt options: Luxury camping close to Colusa provides value compared to hotels. At Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs, visitors appreciate the comfort level. "We had such a fun time at this campground. Our site was in Section A on a dry creek bed. Each day a family of deer came thru our site and were so tame they ate fruit right out of the kids' hands," shares Nicole G.
Waterfront sites: Glamping accommodations with water views rank highly among visitors. "Great campground! We stayed in spot 110 with a lakefront view," mentions Daniel S. about Collins Lake Recreation Area, highlighting the premium experience of waterside sites that many luxury camping options offer.
Amenities beyond traditional camping: The upscale glamping facilities near Colusa provide comforts traditional camping lacks. "This is our second time camping at Collins Lake, and we loved it just as much as the first! We stayed at site 60A Lake Front View, which had stunning water views and a spacious setup," says John L., recommending that visitors "bring a popup canopy for shade—it made a big difference for us!"
What you should know
Seasonal traffic patterns: Glamping sites close to Colusa experience different visitation patterns throughout the year. "Not a bad campsite, but was surrounded by RVs and people walking around. Can't bring dogs onto the beach area which was a bummer, but was too crowded anyways," mentions Steven H. about Collins Lake during peak season.
Road noise considerations: Some glamping locations have ambient noise from nearby roads. At Lake Solano County Park, "The river is beautiful, though you can hear the road when you are near the river," notes Jan P., which may affect the otherwise tranquil setting.
Reservation requirements vary: Booking policies differ among glamping facilities near Colusa. "We camped here TWICE in 2019. First time in mid April and 2nd time on the first weekend of November. Both times were AWESOME!!!" shares Ed E. about Collins Lake, adding that "They do have a nice dump station row just outside the camping sites, so it is not necessary to have RV sewage at your campsite, which saves you a few $$."
Tips for camping with families
Bring water toys: Children enjoy water activities at glamping sites around Colusa. "This is a fun spot that is not far from home, it's generally quiet, great for fishing and kayaking," notes Graeme P. about Collins Lake, making it ideal for families with water-loving children.
Look for educational opportunities: Wildlife viewing provides learning experiences for children. At The Aurora RV Park & Marina, "You can use the canoes, kayaks, or paddle boat all free of charge and they provide life jackets," according to Jeremy F., creating safe opportunities for children to explore nature.
Choose sites with play options: Glamping locations with recreational facilities keep children entertained. "This is such a beautiful piece of California. It is clean and well maintained my daughter who is 5 loved writing her hoverboard around the entire park there are lots of kids to play with," shares Bearit W. about Sycamore Ranch.
Tips from RVers
Electrical considerations: Some glamping sites near Colusa have electrical limitations. "We were just happy to get out and camping. It's definitely a place I'll put on my list to camp at again, especially when they figure out their electrical issues," explains Eric P. about Lake of the Springs, noting that "there wasn't a single day when some campsite didn't have electrical issues."
Site selection strategy: At The Parkway RV Resort & Campground, experienced RVers recommend specific sites. "Nice full hookup spots that are level. Clean bathrooms. It is quiet because far enough away from freeway," shares Steven V., highlighting the importance of site selection for comfort.
Hookup accessibility: The placement of connections matters for efficient setup. "We stopped here on our way back from Oregon. Unfortunately, we arrived late and left early so we didn't really get to enjoy the amenities. We were in site A10 which we found a little difficult to connect the sewer hose without two hoses," advises Denise G. about Parkway RV Resort.
