Folsom Lake Recreation Area serves as the central camping hub near El Dorado Hills, situated at elevations ranging from 466 to 835 feet in California's Sierra foothills. The region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F from June through September, while spring brings green hills and wildflower displays. Water levels at Folsom Lake fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline camping options.
What to do
**Whitewater rafting tours: near Coloma Resort, where adventure outfitters operate Class III rapids excursions. "This place was amazing. It was our first trip in our new RV and it couldn't of been more beautiful. River was stunning and it was neat to walk across the bridge and check out the old historic mining town," notes one visitor.
**Spring wildflower hiking: best experienced at Peninsula Campground from March through May. "Beautiful secluded peninsula. Awesome in spring where the flowers and grass are POPPING. A lot of awesome trails and little environmental signs to walk around and learn about the area," shared a camper.
**Gold panning activities: available at historic sites within a 15-minute drive of most campgrounds. "If you ever want to experience the thrill of gold panning, and California history go here! You will not strike it rich, but with a couple hours of effort you can get a nice little bottle of gold flakes to take home with you," notes a visitor about Coloma Resort.
What campers like
**Midweek seclusion: particularly valuable during spring and fall. "Another mid-week quick adventure two weeks before spring. Weather in the Sierra foothills in early March is perfect for a couple day getaway from the colder temperatures and snow in the higher elevations where we live," reports one Peninsula Campground visitor.
**Farm animal interactions: unique to Ascension Ranch, where guests encounter various livestock. "Some of things you'll come across at Ascension Ranch include baby farm animals, sheep, goats, cattle, horses, more horses, ranch dogs, puppies, chickens, equestrian activities, secluded campsites, amazing views, access to endless trails around and of course, good company," explains a visitor.
**Water-based recreation: during summer months at American River Resort. "Campground was clean and well taken care of. It is right in the American River and next to a class 3 rapid called Trouble Maker. It was awesome watching rafters and kayakers go through it," notes a camper.
What you should know
**Campsite reservation strategy: some locations require booking well ahead, particularly for summer weekends. "The grounds are very well kept and the staff is available but keep their distance. Try not to forget anything because it is eleven twisty, narrow, miles back to the city of Cool, where you can buy the essentials. The weekends get crowded during peak season but if you visit mid-week you will have the place almost to yourself," advises a Peninsula Campground visitor.
**Seasonal conditions: summer brings crowds and dust to some locations. "We camped by the lake... there was sooo much dust & so many flies. The water was beautiful & perfect for swimming," notes one Peninsula Campground reviewer about summer conditions.
**Tent site crowding: some riverfront camping areas have minimal spacing between sites. "Nearly all of the tent sites are tiny and crowded very closely together with no privacy breaks at all between them. To make it even more claustrophobic, many of the near-river sites are terraced into the hillside so you stand at the bottom and look up into a wall of tents stacked 3 high on top of each other," explains an American River Resort visitor.
Tips for camping with families
**Kid-friendly glamping options: available at Placerville RV Resort & Campground with various entertainment. "Mini train ride around park, great playground, mini golf, showed movie and a lot more awesomeness. Was not cheap but kept the kids entertained. Will be going back," shares one visitor about glamping in El Dorado Hills, California.
**Youth-oriented water activities: suitable for various ages depending on season. "Folsom lake is a great place to take the boat, beals point has a snack bar, life guards and equipment rentals, there are plenty of places you can drive or boat to get away from the crowds if you prefer," notes a camper.
**Family-focused accommodations: at Camp Nauvoo, where designated areas cater to different groups. "The owners of this campground have made it there mission that you have a wonderful experience if you are a newbie or seasoned camper. Great sites for families and romantic sites for couples. Hiking, swimming, fishing and places for quiet time," explains a visitor.
Tips from RVers
**Site selection considerations: important when booking luxury glamping in El Dorado Hills. "We visited this camp ground last year for a pre-spring getaway and really liked it. Tried it again this week, and it was great again. Everyone else was on the loop near the shore. We picked a site away from everyone else at the other end of the campground with a stunning view over the lake," advises a Peninsula Campground RVer.
**Utility hookup variations: differ across locations, requiring advance planning. "I had to bypass the surge suppressor because it kept cutting out due to low voltage. Voltage was generally 104-105. I would be very cautious about coming here with a larger RV. Ours is 30' bumper to bumper. I think 32 would be ok," cautions an American River Resort visitor.
**Off-season advantages: provide better experiences for many RVers. "Very quite camping spot very clean. Coin operated showers lake is very close by," reports a Peninsula Campground visitor, while another notes, "In the summer months the lake is very busy and the hills are brown with dried grass. But in the early spring it is quite, especially here, with green grass and wild turkeys."
