Best Campgrounds near Lincoln, CA

Lincoln's camping scene includes several good spots within a short drive from town. Bighorn Campground gives campers a quiet place to stay with clean facilities that work well for weekend trips. Not far away, Acorn Campground has larger sites with trees that block the sun, which helps during hot California days. Campers looking for something more basic might prefer Ice House Campground, where hiking trails start right near the camping area. Folsom Lake sits close enough for day trips, and many campers head there to fish or take boats out on the water. Most camping areas around Lincoln have drinking water and bathrooms you can count on. You'll find fire rings and picnic tables at many sites too, which saves you from bringing extra gear. The roads to these campgrounds are mostly good, though you should check conditions if you're camping during rainy periods when some access roads get muddy. Weather around Lincoln works for camping most of the year, with spring and fall having the best temperatures. Summer gets hot, so bring hats and sunscreen if you camp then. Winter camping works too, but nights get cold so pack warm sleeping bags. Since Sacramento isn't far away, you can easily run for supplies if you forget something. The Lincoln area has camping that fits different styles, from basic to more comfortable setups. Just remember to bring what you need and clean up when you leave to keep these places nice.

Best Camping Sites Near Lincoln, California (223)

    1. Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

    32 Reviews
    Granite Bay, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (916) 791-1531

    $33 - $58 / night

    "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."

    2. Peninsula Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

    15 Reviews
    Granite Bay, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (916) 988-0215

    $33 / night

    "Very quite camping spot very clean.coin operated showers😭 lake is very close by."

    "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"

    3. Thousand Trails Lake Minden

    10 Reviews
    Nicolaus, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "If you are okay with that they have a lot of sites right next to the water. The sites away from the water are quieter."

    "Thousand Trails Lake Minden

    Tiny Park, Giant Heart

    We spent three weeks at Lake Minden and, to be honest, judged it too quickly."

    4. Lake Clementine Boat In — Auburn State Recreation Area

    7 Reviews
    Cool, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 885-4527

    $38 / night

    "I’ve been here about 8-10 times and every time I love my stay, it’s a quiet getaway around 45 mins away from me and the sound of the river is amazing."

    "Place the cash ($28 a night) in the envelope and put it in the post that’s on the parking entrance."

    5. Auburn Gold Country RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Auburn, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 885-0990

    6. Loomis RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Roseville, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (916) 652-6737

    $65 / night

    "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!"

    7. Coloma Resort

    15 Reviews
    Coloma, CA
    22 miles
    Website

    "Beautiful fall surroundings right adjacent to the South Fork of the American River. Easy walk or car ride to numerous hiking trails."

    "If you ever want to experience the thrill of gold panning, and California history go here!"

    8. Camp Far West North Shore

    3 Reviews
    Beale Air Force Base, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 633-0803

    "We visited Camp Far West for one night on a quick trip looking for somewhere remote, nearby, and slightly warmer during the winter months.  It was green and beautiful. "

    9. Ascension Ranch

    2 Reviews
    Granite Bay, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (916) 439-0002

    $49 - $245 / night

    " WELCOME TO ASCENSION RANCH Ascension Ranch is an off-grid paradise tucked away in an oak savanna along Folsom Lake with a unique and ever growing list of features and activities."

    "Super relaxing and has a lake that is at the end of the trail. Super convenient. It was cool to experience the animals that were in the pastures as well. I'd definitely come back."

    10. Cal Expo RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Sacramento, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (916) 263-3187

    $50 - $1000 / night

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Lincoln, CA

633 Reviews of 223 Lincoln Campgrounds


  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Lake Solano County Park

    Great campsite, loud road

    I loved staying here for one night and wish I could’ve been there for longer. The bathrooms are accessible, I had a beautiful spot by the water, my neighbors were friendly, the staff were welcoming. The only catch was that the road parallel to the lake is super loud and for me bothersome at night. I did not get good sleep because of this, i recommend bringing ear plugs if you are sensitive to noise and sleeping outside (i was in a tent). I don’t know how noisy it is for other spots farther away, but I would guess the sound still travels but is not as bad as having a spot along the water. Normal site are $30 per night, sites along the water are $40.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    South Yuba Campground

    nice wooded campground

    No cell signal here - speed test is from starlink. Note google & garmin routing from Nevada City takes a bridge with a 4 Ton weight restriction.

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Mormon Emigrant Trail Dispersed Pull Off

    Good spot for a night or two but nothing here

    Easy to get to and easy to park at although not a great spot for tents. Unfortunately there was a massive fire here and there is nothing to look at but burned out trees.

  • M
    Aug. 28, 2025

    North Fork Campground

    Nice quiet campground and river

    I stopped by here to check out the campground and found it to be very nice quiet and clean. There is a nice river running along the side with a waterfall and a few nice deep swimming holes. I got the only FCFS site and it was nice.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    White Cloud

    Beautiful but LOUD

    Awesome spots to camp, it’s just insanely close to the 20 so you’ll hear non-stop traffic.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Scotts Flat Lake

    Pricey but nice

    Paid $68 for a tent site with no hookups. Showers take quarters too. Price is a bit steep IMO but the site was nice, a quick walk to the lake to cool off.

  • John L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Collins Lake Recreation Area

    Family Friendly Campgrounds

    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 🤩👌🏽. The site gets a lot of sun in the morning and afternoon, so bring a popup canopy for shade—it made a big difference for us! Overall, the campground is clean, peaceful, and perfect for a relaxing getaway. Highly recommend!

  • B. Douglas J.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Sycamore Ranch RV Park

    One of our favorite campgrounds

    We live just up the road (Nevada City) yet we ignored this campground for years thinking it was full of trailer trash. But years ago Yuba County did a great job of cleaning this place up and putting in hookups and paving the campground and adding irrigation systems that keep the grass green all year long.

    My favorite thing about this campground is the birds! I use the Merlin app to identify the birds here and so far this place holds my record of around 18 birds not including the more silent ones we saw. There are turtles and otters in the creek to check out as well. 

    The camp host (Jan The Man) is the best camp host ever!

    Weekdays are the best when there are few people but on weekends it does fill up. We did camp one time and some folks were having a karaoke party late into the night (somehow I suspect they will never be back). Usually everyone's respectful and its a great place to be.

  • John L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Collins Lake Recreation Area

    Collins Lake was awesome!

    Great campground! Our first stay at Collins Lake was fantastic. The lake views were beautiful, the campsites were clean and spacious, and the staff was friendly. Plenty of activities for the family, like fishing and hiking. We’ll definitely be back!


Guide to Lincoln

Camping near Lincoln, California, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful campgrounds nearby, you can enjoy nature while making lasting memories with family and friends.

What to do:

  • Water activities: Folsom Lake is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and fishing. One camper mentioned, "The access to the lake is fantastic, and the kids had a blast swimming!" at Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area.
  • Hiking and biking: The American River Bikeway offers scenic trails for walking and biking. A visitor shared, "The paved bikeway was great for walking and running," while staying at Acorn Campground.
  • Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds are surrounded by nature, making it easy to spot local wildlife. One camper noted, "I saw Bald Eagles and chipmunks while enjoying my time at Ice House Campground," highlighting the area's natural beauty.

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review from Collins Lake Recreation Area stated, "The facilities are clean, and the staff is friendly."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites that provide privacy. A visitor at Lake Camanche mentioned, "The RV sites are well spaced, so you don’t feel crowded."
  • Family-friendly atmosphere: Campgrounds like Coloma Resort are great for families, with activities for kids. One parent said, "The playground and pool were perfect for my kids."

What you should know:

  • Bear country: Some campgrounds, like Ice House Campground, have bears in the area. A camper warned, "We had a bear visit our site at night, so be cautious."
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have full hookups or markets nearby. A review of Acorn Campground mentioned, "There are no showers, and the bathrooms could be cleaner."
  • Crowded on weekends: Popular spots can fill up quickly during weekends. A visitor at Peninsula Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area noted, "It gets crowded during peak season, so try to visit mid-week."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan for activities: Bring bikes and water toys to keep kids entertained. One camper at Collins Lake Recreation Area suggested, "Don’t forget the bikes; the ride to the dam is nice."
  • Pack snacks and drinks: Having food on hand can save trips to the store. A parent at Rancho Seco Recreation Area mentioned, "The store has essentials, but it’s better to bring your own snacks."
  • Choose a family-friendly campground: Look for places with playgrounds and swimming areas. A review of Coloma Resort highlighted, "The pool and playground were a hit with my kids."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site before booking. A camper at SacWest RV Park & Campground noted, "The pull-through sites are fairly level, which made parking easy."
  • Bring your own firewood: Some campgrounds don’t provide firewood. A visitor at Lake Camanche mentioned, "It’s best to bring your own firewood, as it can be hard to find."
  • Stay connected: Check for cell service if you need to stay in touch. A review of SacWest RV Park & Campground stated, "Good Verizon coverage made it easy to stay connected."

Camping in Lincoln, CA, and the surrounding areas offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation, there's something for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping options are available near rivers or lakes around Lincoln, CA?

The Lincoln area is surrounded by fantastic waterfront camping options. Lake Camanche offers family-friendly camping with direct lake access, well-maintained grounds, and clean bathrooms with hot water. Water levels vary seasonally, sometimes right up to the campsites and other times requiring a short walk. Cal-Ida provides peaceful riverside camping with the soothing sounds of flowing water and ample space for recreation. For boat-in camping, consider Lake Clementine Boat In — Auburn State Recreation Area for a unique experience. Giant Gap also offers lake views with large campsites and bear boxes, though it can get noisy during holiday periods.

Are there any private campgrounds with amenities in Lincoln?

Around Lincoln, you'll find several private campgrounds with excellent amenities. American River Resort offers convenient river access, private showers, clean bathrooms, and each site includes a fire pit and picnic table. It's also within walking distance to town for shopping and dining. Coloma Resort is another excellent option situated adjacent to the South Fork of the American River with restrooms and shower facilities. For those looking for full RV accommodations, Auburn Gold Country RV Park provides water hookups and is big-rig friendly with modern facilities. Most private campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during peak season.

Where are the best camping sites near Lincoln, CA?

Lincoln, CA offers several excellent camping options within a short drive. Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is a popular choice with clean facilities, easy access to the lake beach swim area, and convenient proximity to stores. The sites are nicely spaced with plenty of trees for shade. Another great option is Mineral Bar Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area, which offers beautiful scenery along the river. For those willing to drive a bit farther, Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground provides well-shaded sites in a small, peaceful setting with just 23 campsites, making it perfect for a weekend getaway.