247 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Granite Bay ranges from developed RV hookups and tent sites to cabin options, with most campgrounds situated within 10-15 miles inside the state recreation area along Folsom Lake. Located within Sacramento County, the area features campgrounds including Beals Point and Peninsula Campground, offering tent sites, RV hookups, and some cabin options within 10-15 miles of Granite Bay proper. The landscape transitions from oak-studded foothills to waterfront locations along Folsom Lake, with most campsites situated within the state recreation area and a few private resorts offering additional amenities.
Reservations are required for most established campgrounds in the region, especially during peak summer season when water levels at Folsom Lake attract visitors. "We camped by the lake... there was sooo much dust & so many flies. The water was beautiful & perfect for swimming," noted one camper about Peninsula Campground during summer months. Weather varies significantly by season, with hot, dry summers reaching 90-100°F and mild winters with occasional rainfall. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though spring offers green hillsides and wildflowers before summer heat sets in. Beals Point and Peninsula campgrounds provide toilets and showers (coin-operated), while most sites include fire rings and picnic tables. Cell service is generally available throughout the area due to proximity to urban centers.
The region's developed campgrounds receive varied reviews based on seasonal conditions. Several campers mentioned Folsom Lake as a highlight for water recreation, with multiple access points for boating, swimming, and kayaking. Peninsula Campground offers more seclusion with "nice campsites, in the middle of nature," while Beals Point provides easier access but can experience more crowding. "We visited this campground last year for a pre-spring getaway and really liked it. The grass is green, and the leaves are out on all the oak trees which makes it more beautiful," wrote one visitor about Peninsula Campground in spring. Campgrounds in the area typically feature paved or graveled roads suitable for most vehicles, though the Peninsula Campground requires driving several miles on narrower roads to reach the more remote location on the lake's north side.
"Folsom Lake is a very large lake which touches 3 counties (Sacramento, Placer & El Dorado). Beals Point is right on the border of Folsom & Granite Bay on Folsom-Auburn Rd."
"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."
from $28 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Very quite camping spot very clean.coin operated showers😭 lake is very close by."
"I wanted to find a spot somewhat close by and came across this one."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"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!"
"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."
from $59 - $115 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $65 / night
Check Availability"Nice campground - close to river. .5 mile walk to town for shopping/eating. All sites have fire pit and picnic table. Bathrooms clean and private showers."
"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."
"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."
from $38 / night
Check Availability"It’s great for kids that want to ride bikes around the sites- but be careful of the river, it’s swift."
"Great spot if you can get in half of the camp got washed away from the rain this year though ."
"5 minutes to stores and restaurants, with swimming, fishing, boating, biking trails, ADA sites available. Large well separated campsites among scattered pines and oaks providing nice shade."
from $99 - $150 / night
Check Availability
GuideI think if you go further down the road there is a free spot to sleep but we ended up going to the paid campground by mistake. We rolled in at 2am and when we woke up a very nice lady had us pay. Rightfully so, Nice campsite but $36 a night.
TravelerWe stayed in mid September 26. There was only one family camping the first few days we were there and then we had the entire campground to ourselves. Location was beautiful and it was extremely quiet with exception to the wildlife. Lots of deer, geese, ducks and squirrels. Possible one bear sure to a dumpster dive with shredded garbage on our last day. We were in a 28' RV. Rv camping is a no frill experience. No hook-ups but water spigot at each site. RVs have to parallel park at the top of the hill area. They campers have the difficulty of finding a level spot because most of the tent camping is on a slope. Flush toilets are available. Spotty cell service on Verizon's visible service but we were still able to stream entertainment on our phone's hotspot. Overall, we loved it stay due to the scenery and the obvious peacefulness due to an empty campground. Our 3 night stay midweek with no hook-ups was just over $200.00 which is to me absolutely outrageous but we needed a place to stay on short notice. Aside from the cost, we had an absolutely wonderful peaceful experience watching the wildlife and beautiful scenery.
ScoutTakes a good hour plus to get from 80 to the French Meadows area. Very windy drive, road a bit rough, watch out for rocks. Campground is very quiet. Great hiking trails and gets nice and dark at night. Seems to be a good camp for fishermen. No hooks up, but a dump station up the road. Site size is typically much smaller that stated. May be tough for longer campers and trucks. Rangers are very relax. Will be back.
TravelerI hit this place in perfect weather after Labor Day and it was just amazing the views of the water and limited number of sites. My favorite place to camp in the Kera
ScoutThis place is almost empty. It's gorgeous. The store on site doesn't sell alcohol or tobacco. They have everything else, not cheap but, not crazy overpriced.
TravelerAll sites are First Come First Serve. Arrived on a Thursday with only 1 other camper at the grounds. By Saturday morning it was full and loud. All sites are close enough to the lake, that your priority should just be what ever fits your set up. Traveling in a 25ft Class C felt like I didn't belong and space was tight. Almost no sky for solar or starlink, and AT&T service gave me a single bar.
I'd return if I had a small towable or in a tent. Overall very scenic and peaceful during the week days.
As of August 2026 price was $10 a night.
ScoutEasy to find campsite, we arrived after hours on a Monday so drove around to find a spot and then paid using the collection box and envelopes, we couldn't get the QR code to work. Phone reception here is good. There is a constant hum of traffic but it is not loud and it is quiet around camp. Toilets and showers are clean and well stocked with toilet paper. We didn't stay long but saw some wildlife, coyote and squirrels mostly. A little bit of rubbish around from campers but overall very tidy. The sites are flat pull-in or reverse-in style, there are also some campsites marked with wheel chair access.
ScoutThe campground was clean and quiet
Scout5 stars for the campground itself. I've been camping at Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park since 1984, when I was just 20 years old. I have loved every camping trip since(at least 30 plus times)! The campsites are great, the grounds, and trails are well-maintained, and safe. I love that the general store is easy to get to and has ice and extras that we may have forgotten to bring. However, we have noticed over past few years that the restrooms in the campground have become increasingly filthy. I get that people walk in with dirt all over their shoes, so of course the floors will be dirty, but it's unacceptable to allow the toilets to be so gross! I will leave out the unpleasant details! I asked a young park ranger how often the restrooms are cleaned and he said every day. Apparently they source out the cleaning. It's obvious that all they do is sweep the floors, empty the trash and provide more TP. The sinks, and floors look like they haven't been scrubbed in a long time, and I noticed the toilets looked as bad the day we got there to the day they left. I remember in the 80's and 90's seeing rangers doing a very thorough cleaning each morning. We would walk in and could smell the cleaning chemicals, and the floor would be wet from mopping. Also, the showers are dirty too. They removed the benches in the individual shower stalls so there's no place to put your clean clothes. Do better Lodgepole!
Camping spots near Granite Bay, California center around Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, where water levels fluctuate significantly by season, dropping 30-50 feet in late summer. The area transitions between oak-studded foothills and waterfront locations, with campsites often requiring reservations 6 months in advance during peak season from May through September.
Float the American River: At Coloma Resort, you can experience rafting right from the campground. "There were super cute cabins available as well as tent sites. We are going back in august and can't wait. Looking forward to rafting in the river!" a camper noted. The resort offers a rafting business on-site, making it convenient for water adventures.
Mountain biking: Several campgrounds have trails suitable for mountain biking. "There's a lot of great hiking trails, Folsom lake is a beautiful place to bring the boat," one visitor mentioned about Peninsula Campground. The campground connects to trails around the lake that are especially pleasant in spring when wildflowers bloom.
Gold panning: The area's rich Gold Rush history makes it a perfect spot to try panning. "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," shared a visitor to Coloma Resort. This activity connects to the nearby Sutter's Mill historic site.
Seasonal beauty: Spring transforms the landscape at Peninsula Campground. "In the early spring it is quite, especially here, with green grass and wild turkeys. With only us and two other folks in the entire campground we enjoyed privacy and seclusion," a camper observed. Early March through May offers more solitude before the summer crowds arrive.
Swimming spots: During hot months, access to water becomes crucial. At American River Resort, campers enjoy a prime riverside location. "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," one visitor shared. The resort provides easy access points to the water.
Cleanliness: Beals Point Campground maintains well-kept facilities. "The campground is kept very clean. There is some privacy between campsites," noted a camper. Another mentioned, "Nice services; clean bathrooms and coin op showers. Very green early in the season, lake extremely low, warm evenings already."
Lake levels vary dramatically: Water levels at Folsom Lake drop significantly by late summer. "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," one camper at Beals Point Campground observed. Spring visitors typically find higher water levels and greener surroundings.
Quarters needed for showers: Most campgrounds in the area require coins for shower facilities. "The showers needs QUARTERS and we were out of coins. So remember to take quarters with you if you want to shower," advised a camper at American River Resort. Plan ahead and bring plenty of quarters if you want hot showers.
Heat and exposure: The Sacramento region gets extremely hot in summer. "The Sacramento area gets very hot in the summer, and this campground provides some but not a ton of shade," explained a Beals Point visitor. Temperatures regularly reach 95-105°F from July through September, so bring shade structures and plenty of water.
Pool options: Ascension Ranch offers unique family-friendly features. "This was my first time going and I got to say, I enjoyed it! 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," shared a visitor. The ranch provides animal encounters that children particularly enjoy.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "Mini train ride around park, great playground, mini golf, showed movie and a lot more awesomeness. Was not cheap but kept the kids entertained," reported a visitor to Placerville RV Resort. These amenities provide entertainment when not at the lake.
Beach safety: Water access points vary in safety levels. At Beals Point, a camper recommended, "I suggest staying on the main beach with the provided lifejacket area if with children as the other rock areas near the beach suddenly can drop off underwater very deep." Always check water conditions before allowing children to swim.
Site levelness concerns: Many RV sites in the area present leveling challenges. At Loomis RV Park, one RVer noted, "Although our stay was great, 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." Request specific information about site dimensions and levelness when booking.
Cell service reliability: Remote work capability varies by campground. "GREAT cell service for working remotely. 5G with 5 bars," reported a Beals Point camper, making it suitable for digital nomads. Most campgrounds near Granite Bay offer reasonable connectivity due to proximity to urban areas.
RV size limitations: Several campgrounds have restrictions. At American River Resort, "The terrain is steep with mostly smaller sites... I would be very cautious about coming here with a larger RV. Ours is 30' bumper to bumper. I think 32 would be ok." Always confirm maximum RV length before booking at campgrounds in this hilly region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Granite Bay, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Granite Bay, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 247 campgrounds and RV parks near Granite Bay, CA and 11 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Granite Bay, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Granite Bay, CA is Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area with a 4.2-star rating from 34 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Granite Bay, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near Granite Bay, CA.
What parks are near Granite Bay, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Granite Bay, CA that allow camping, notably New Hogan Lake and Eldorado National Forest.
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