Camping areas around Gold River, California range from large state recreation facilities to smaller private campgrounds, all within a 30-mile radius. The foothills location creates varied camping conditions with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September. Winter camping remains popular at lower elevations where overnight temperatures rarely drop below freezing, making year-round options practical for tent and RV campers alike.
What to do
Water recreation access: Rancho Seco Recreation Area offers a small lake perfect for beginners. "Good rated... Clear and beautiful water. Awesome views," notes Sunshine M. The lake is particularly suitable for novice sailors and sailboarders according to Chuck P., who calls it a "well kept secret!"
Dog-friendly activities: Take your pets to SacWest RV Park & Campground where "a wonderful dog park" awaits according to David & Sue C. The campground provides dedicated pet areas while still offering riverside relaxation. Cheyenne O. at Beals Point Campground mentions "easy trails to take your four legged friend on and of course the beach."
Cycling opportunities: Ride the extensive trail network accessible from Cal Expo RV Park. "Great for bikers," states Wil Rider B. The bike paths connect to miles of regional trails that extend from downtown Sacramento to Folsom Lake. HandL C. confirms its "centralized location for exploring Old Sac, Cal Expo, State Capitol, the rivers and beyond."
What campers like
Quiet weekday camping: Mid-week visitors to Rancho Seco Recreation Area appreciate the peaceful atmosphere. "Very busy on the weekends but very quiet and peaceful during our one night during the week," shares Chuck P. The 12-mile distance from I-5 helps maintain this tranquility.
Site spacing and privacy: Many campers value the thoughtful layout at Peninsula Campground. R D. describes "spacious unique sunny sites" while noting the campground is "so huge there are usually sites available first come first serve." Ray B. recommends exploring site options: "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."
Clean facilities: Beals Point Campground maintains high standards for bathrooms and showers. Brian A. appreciates the "clean bathrooms and coin op showers," while Mike R. calls it "probably the quietest RV spot i have been to" with "very nice and clean bathroom clean showers." Melissa S. confirms "park is clean with lots of trees."
What you should know
Water level fluctuations: Lake access can vary dramatically by season and drought conditions. Melissa S. notes at Beals Point Campground that "the lake is very low and a half mile walk from park to get to." During spring visits, Ray B. found Peninsula Campground more appealing with "green grass, and the leaves are out on all the oak trees which makes it more beautiful."
Wildlife encounters: The natural setting means frequent animal sightings. R D. at Peninsula Campground warns "if you don't love being surrounded by wild animals, this will probably be a bit much for you. 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." At Rancho Seco, Angel S. mentions "the whole park is infested with ground beetles that would just land all over you and your food."
Reservation timing: Peak seasons require advance planning. Emmi O. at Beals Point Campground shares that "Staff was very nice and friendly and let us pick a spot. Price was very reasonable for dry spot $28." Several campgrounds offer discounts for disabled visitors, with Abigail S. noting "handicapped discounts can be obtained."
Tips for camping with families
Safety considerations: Check campground terrain before bringing small children. Angel S. at Rancho Seco warns "in our campground we found multiple fish hooks and one happen to pierce my sandal. We have a 3 year old and brought our dog so imagine how dangerous that can be."
Kid-friendly amenities: SacWest RV Park & Campground provides numerous activities for children. Tatiana I. mentions "Lots of things to do for kids: great playgrounds, swimming pool, more than 100 ducks going around!" The campground consistently receives positive reviews for family friendliness.
Shower facilities: Bring quarters for showers at most campgrounds. Emmi O. notes "the showers needs QUARTERS and we were out of coins. So remember to take quarters with you if you want to shower." At Beals Point, Abigail S. describes "The showers take quarters and have hot water most of the time. The showers are very big its actually quite peaceful and nice."
Tips from RVers
RV age restrictions: Some parks limit older vehicles. Mya C. reports that at Imperial Manor MHC And RV Park, you "have to have an rv 10 years or newer," while experiencing similar discrimination at Mark J RV Park: "Couldn't even rent a space due to how old our RV was."
Work-friendly setups: Remote workers find Sacramento Shade RV Park accommodating. Shelby F. reports "We travel for work and had to book last minute, Bruce was/is extremely nice and helpful!" For digital connectivity, Brian A. notes Beals Point offers "GREAT cell service for working remotely. 5G with 5 bars."
Site leveling challenges: Check site conditions before parking larger RVs. At Loomis RV Park, Tonya B. found "our spot was not that great for our 40ft bus due to the tree limbs and the ground was very uneven, which made it difficult to level. We would stay here again, however I would make sure it's in a spot that's level."
