The Discovery Bay area connects to over a dozen primitive and established campgrounds within 40 miles. Most sites occupy terrain between 700-1,500 feet elevation, offering diverse camping conditions from exposed ridgelines to shaded lakeshores. Summer temperatures regularly reach 90-100°F during daytime hours, with significant cooling at night, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Hiking and wildlife watching: At Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, primitive backcountry campsites provide an excellent base for exploring the surrounding wilderness. One camper noted the preserve "feels very off grid" with smooth camping experiences even during sunny weather. The preserve contains numerous trails with varying difficulty levels.
Fishing opportunities: Delta Bay RV Resort offers excellent fishing access according to visitors. "Spent the night at my usual fishing spot and had a great time. Staff is friendly and food is good," reports one regular camper. The resort provides shoreline fishing areas without requiring a boat.
Water recreation: Paddling opportunities abound at several area lakes. At Rancho Seco Recreation Area, visitors appreciate the calm waters ideal for beginners. One camper mentioned: "This is a small but lovely place. I pitched a tent in site 43 right next to the lake. Excellent place." Canoes and kayaks can be rented hourly at reasonable rates.
Stargazing: The higher elevation sites at Las Trampas Regional Wilderness provide excellent night sky viewing opportunities away from city lights. Most campsites require short hikes from parking areas, providing natural buffer zones from light pollution and road noise.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Lake Camanche campers appreciate the generous campsite dimensions. "Large sites, picnic table, and substantial fire ring with primitive grill. Ample water stations, only porta-potties," noted one visitor who stayed mid-week. Sites closest to the water are typically most popular.
Wildlife encounters: Local campgrounds offer frequent wildlife sightings beyond what might be expected so close to urban areas. At Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, one camper reported seeing "deer, cattle, raccoons and many other four-legged vermin running around the area" during their stay.
Seasonal variations: Spring camping provides particularly good experiences at several locations. At Lake Camanche, a camper mentioned: "In the early spring, it was full of bird songs and a gorgeous sunset." Weekday camping generally offers significantly more privacy than weekends.
Tiny house options: Delta Bay RV Resort offers unusual accommodation alternatives. "They have a lot of cute tiny houses in this campground. You can bring your own tiny house, or rent one for the weekend," explains one visitor. Open house events allow potential campers to tour these alternative accommodations.
What you should know
Temperature extremes: Summer heat can make camping challenging in the region. At Juniper Campground, one camper warned: "Insanely hot in the summer, I would recommend not going in July like we did. It was 104° or something and I was just drenching my clothes in water to stay cool."
Water level variations: Lake Camanche experiences significant seasonal water level changes affecting beach access. "When the lake is down it's a bit of a haul to the water — cart/wagon recommended, as well as a shade pop-up AT water's edge," advised one visitor. Low water can also expose hazards like glass and garbage on beaches.
Wildlife precautions: Food storage concerns exist throughout the region. At Juniper Campground, a visitor cautioned: "They have food lockers, not bear lockers, and ours was broken one time so have a solid backup plan, the raccoons are very intelligent and they come out at night." At Rancho Seco, another camper similarly warned: "Make sure you put your food away at night raccoons will get your food and snacks."
Campsite selection: Shade availability varies dramatically between sites, with significant temperature differences. At Lake Camanche, a visitor noted: "Some sites have plenty of shade, some none, which would be killer in the heat!" Research specific site locations before booking.
Tips for camping with families
Water accessibility: For the best tent camping near Discovery Bay with kids, consider shoreline proximity. At Rancho Seco Recreation Area, approximately 50 tent-only sites are available, with a camper noting some are positioned "just feet from the lake." Another visitor emphasized the family-friendly nature: "Enjoyed camping here several times as a family and with a group. Beautiful lake to canoe/kayak about. Sites along lake are best."
Safety considerations: When camping with children, check sites carefully upon arrival. At Rancho Seco, one camper reported finding "multiple fish hooks" at their campsite, noting the potential danger for small children and pets. Sites near popular fishing areas may require extra inspection.
Activity options: Multiple recreation opportunities within walking distance make certain sites more family-friendly. At Rancho Seco, a regular visitor explains: "You can fish, hike, or swim here. The campsites are spacious and you don't feel overcrowded if there is a family next to you. It's pet friendly."
Bathroom facilities: For families with young children, sites with proper bathrooms rather than vault toilets are often preferred. Juniper Campground offers shower facilities, though one visitor recommends: "Bring shower shoes and soap, you're going to want it" and suggests avoiding "the stinky toilet at the top" in favor of "way better ones around the bottom area."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, RV sites require careful navigation. One visitor noted: "A few low spots. Cleared 12' barely with minor scrapes. Good parking and turn around." Research clearance requirements before arrival.
Weekday advantages: For less crowded camping experiences, mid-week stays offer significant advantages. A Lake Camanche visitor reported: "We stayed at the lake for one night, mid-week, off season. We were only one of a few handful of RVs in the RV section of the campground. I could imagine it being a loud party-scene in the summer."
Seasonal considerations: The best tent camping near Discovery Bay varies significantly by season. At Rancho Seco Recreation Area, an RVer shared: "This is a wonderful spot to stay for a few days in the off season. We stayed in February. Summers would be very hot and I imagine the area would be packed with day use folks."
Utility connections: Not all sites labeled as having hookups provide full services. At Rancho Seco, a camper specified: "21 water and electric sites with a dump station on the way out. Some pull through sites." Verify exact hookup types when booking.
