Best Campgrounds near Herald, CA

Campgrounds near Herald, California range from lakeside recreation areas to clothing-optional resorts with cabin rentals. The region includes several established campgrounds including Rancho Seco Recreation Area, which supports tent, RV, and cabin camping, and Lake Amador Resort offering boat-in access and glamping options. Most camping areas are located within a 30-mile radius of Herald, providing year-round access to lakes and reservoirs. Folsom Lake State Recreation Area's Beals Point Campground lies approximately 25 miles north, while Lake Camanche sits about 15 miles east, both featuring mixed-use campgrounds with varying amenities.

Access to developed campgrounds varies significantly with the seasons, particularly regarding water levels at lakes like Comanche and New Hogan Reservoir. Many campgrounds in the region maintain year-round operations, though water activities may be limited during drought conditions. Most sites require advance reservations, especially during summer months and holiday weekends. Facilities typically include drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables, with many offering electric hookups for RVs. Cellular coverage is generally available at most developed sites, though service can be spotty at more remote campgrounds. A visitor noted, "The lake has receded quite a bit that one of the docks is about 100 yards from the actual lake now (California drought). The campsite was well maintained."

Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, with Lake Amador and Rancho Seco Recreation Area earning particular praise for their accessibility and amenities. Campers report that sites along lakes tend to fill quickly during peak season. Wildlife encounters are common, particularly at Acorn Campground where deer are frequently spotted. One camper shared, "The wildlife was 'people friendly' to say the least. I had a family of deer pretty much monitoring my whole trip." Noise levels vary by location, with campgrounds closer to roads occasionally experiencing traffic sounds. For families, several camping areas offer recreational activities beyond water sports, including hiking trails and picnic areas. Most developed campgrounds maintain clean restroom facilities, though not all include showers, and those that do often require quarters for hot water.

Best Camping Sites Near Herald, California (173)

    1. Rancho Seco Recreation Area

    15 Reviews
    Herald, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 748-2318

    "The campsites are spacious and you don't feel over crowded if there is a family next to you. It's pet friendly."

    "I pitched a tent in site 43 right next to the lake. Excellent place."

    2. Lake Camanche

    18 Reviews
    Wallace, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 763-5121

    $50 / night

    "Easy access to the lake. Campground is well maintained. Bathrooms are always clean and with hot water. No shower at this site. But there’s one close by at the Riverview, walking distance."

    "I come here with my family every year around 4th of July. I would book way ahead for busy holidays like that. 
    The water level really varies on the year."

    3. Flag City RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Lodi, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 339-8300

    $95 - $990 / night

    "They have a huge fenced dog area in the drainage bowl behind the office that also has solar panels on the outskirts. We did not use the area due to the recent rain."

    "Convenient rest stop, has a small pool, is close to stores, highway, mostly facilitates larger size RVs, and generally clean and quiet."

    4. The Hirst Horse Ranch

    2 Reviews
    Herald, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (916) 712-3242

    $85 - $90 / night

    5. Laguna Del Sol - CLOTHING OPTIONAL

    3 Reviews
    Sloughhouse, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (916) 687-6550

    "Four swimming pools

    • Three social pools
    • Volleyball courts
    • Pickleball
    • Hiking/walking trails <-- our favorite.
    • Tennis And others."

    "Everything you could ask for as amenities go in a beautiful location. Don't forget your sun screen."

    6. Lake Amador Resort

    12 Reviews
    Ione, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 274-4739

    $25 - $45 / night

    "Fabulous lakeside camping.... We’ve been in March, May, July and September..... July, just too hot but we love being able to just get up and fish... The lake is stocked with Trout, Bass and Catfish."

    "Lake water level was super low at end of summer & lake is hard to access. Unless you got a boat. Saw deer & wild turkeys. This park is huge."

    7. Acorn Campground

    28 Reviews
    Valley Springs, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 772-1343

    $20 / night

    "A good clean campground, popular in central California. Reasonably priced $20 per night."

    "The lake has receded quite a but that one of the docks is about 100 yards from the actual lake now (California drought). The campsite was well maintained."

    8. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Tower Park

    11 Reviews
    Lodi, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 369-1041

    "Loved the access to rhe Delta. Only negative was it is more of A nightly party. So if you want quite. Not your place maybe in fall and winter"

    "Positives Amenities! I love how everything was themed, from the street names to the signs. Two nice playgrounds, ball courts, pool and hot tub."

    9. Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

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

    $28 - $48 / 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."

    10. SacWest RV Park & Campground

    17 Reviews
    West Sacramento Vmf, CA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (916) 371-6771

    $52 - $100 / night

    "Great little campsite with a 50s vibe right outside the city of Sacramento. The bathrooms and showers are clean the staff are friendly and helpful."

    "We stayed at the side close to the highway so it was a bit noisy but not too bad. The people were friendly! It was a bit too pricey though."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 173 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Herald, CA

580 Reviews of 173 Herald Campgrounds


  • Raymond M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Top of Arnold - FR 5N56 Dispersed

    This place is real camping

    This campground was the best campground that I’ve been to in a long time take note that this is real camping so there is no bathrooms. There is no running water. There is no showers not for the week but for the real man not recommended for women in small kids, but absolutely amazing and beautiful place. Be sure to obtain a fire permit from Cal fire and check fire restrictions in the area have a bucket full of water and a shovel next to your fire at all times again this place was amazing

  • Laura The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Glory Hole Recreation Area

    Pretty and quiet

    Easy to find, there was no one but my spot was labelled with the tags. Facilities are clean but the shower was cold, at best lukewarm. The lake's water was too low for a swim though :( sad

  • Shir S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    El Dorado

    Great place before lake tahoe

    We drove from redwood to Lake Tahoe and wanted a place to stay since it got late Good place Online booking and entrance if after hours and affordable price opposed to other sites in the area

  • J
    Sep. 17, 2025

    American River Resort

    Perfect match

    During our stay (mid of September) the place was empty and we had the most relaxed time we could have. RV site close to the river and some deers also crossing our ways on the campground

  • 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.

  • James C.
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Thousand Trails Turtle Beach

    Still a 4-star park worth the trip

    This may not be the park it once was, but it's still far better than most in the area. Showers and clubhouse activities are still limited, but the nearby delta offers its own attraction. Day use, tents, and every class of RV are easily accommodated. No shopping or supplies nearby, but anything you may want or need is within 5 miles. It is very relaxing and one of the first sites I try to book if I'm in the area. Hands down better than the county parks.

  • leann B.
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Mighty Farms

    Unexpected

    The owners here are wonderful and the sites are great unfortunately I didn’t get too to stay due to an issue I had with my truck I highly recommend this little piece of heaven

  • Ryan D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Glory Hole Recreation Area

    Overall, great spot

    It's a great spot, we were there in mid-June for 1 night. Toilets work, didn't try out showers. Site we had was nice and large, we were able to fit 2-2 person tents and a 3 person tent quite easily. Enough room for 2 cars on the pad as well, nice and level as well. Everything had already dried out by the time we were there, be aware of ticks and rattlesnakes. No comment on potable water, as I always bring my own since you never know!

  • P
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Dos Reis County Park

    Great Option for an Overnight Stop

    A half-mile off of I-5, far enough to dampen the interstate roar, and separated by a dike from the San Joaquin River.  Not a lot to do in the surrounding area, no obvious hiking trails, for example, although some fishing seems to have been possible. A small loop of 20+ sites, all (it appeared) with full-hookups.  We had a back-in site with no trouble for a 17' trailer. Small oddities (a site or two with what looked like permanent residents, showers with limited hours in the morning and evening, unclear signage on how and where to register), but a classic municipal/county park campground, that was a quiet and welcome alternative to commercial camps.


Guide to Herald

Cabin camping options near Herald, California include several rustic to modern accommodations across the region's recreation areas. Most cabins are found within established campgrounds and provide alternatives to tent and RV camping during the area's hot summer months when temperatures routinely exceed 90°F. Herald sits at approximately 180 feet elevation in Sacramento County, where the landscape transitions from valley floor to rolling foothills. Cabins are typically available year-round, though advance reservations are essential during peak seasons.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Camanche Lake offers excellent year-round fishing access. "We were the only ones camping on Christmas Weekend and we had a few neighbors when we went again in mid January. There are several campsites in the South Shore location. We stayed in the Riverview site where there is no alcohol permitted. We liked the site because we can launch our kayaks from our campground down to the lake. Fishing is awesome!" shares a visitor to Lake Camanche.

Water activities: At Rancho Seco Recreation Area, visitors can enjoy paddling on the lake. "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. 12 miles from I-5 out in the country. Very quiet," notes a camper. The recreation area offers boat rentals for those without their own equipment.

Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds feature disc golf courses for outdoor recreation beyond water sports. "As disc golfers, of course we love camping here, having 3 courses to choose from. But there is something for everyone in the family here, there is amazing fishing, boating and swimming," mentions a visitor to Lake Amador Resort.

What campers like

Off-season tranquility: Many campers prefer visiting outside summer months. "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. But in the early spring, it was full of bird songs and a gorgeous sunset," a reviewer comments about Lake Camanche.

Wildlife encounters: Acorn Campground offers regular wildlife sightings. "The campground is great if you have a boat or jetski, as you can moor your boat close to your site. There are working bathrooms and showers, not the height of luxury, but fairly clean, and you might find a cute little frog sharing your shower with you!" reports one camper.

Accessible waterfront sites: Many campers appreciate the ability to camp near water. "We've been camping here for 10 years now. Always 4+ campsites for 4-5 days around July 4th weekend (reserve at least 6 months out) to start our year off. And at least once a month thru Sept/Oct. Water is really nice!! Showers and laundry areas are cleaned daily," notes a Lake Camanche visitor.

What you should know

Seasonal water levels: Drought conditions significantly impact lake access at many campgrounds. "When the lake is down (like now) it's a bit of a haul to the water — cart/wagon recommended, as well as a shade pop-up AT water's edge," advises an Acorn Campground visitor.

Limited shade coverage: Beals Point Campground at Folsom Lake has minimal shade protection. "The Sacramento area gets very hot in the summer, and this campground provides some but not a ton of shade. The campground is kept very clean. There is some privacy between campsites," notes a camper.

Quarter-operated showers: Many campgrounds require quarters for shower use. "Coin operated shower very nice and clean bathroom clean showers," reports a visitor at Beals Point, while another advises: "The showers take quarters and have hot water most of the time. The showers are very big its actually quite peaceful and nice."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly water features: Some campgrounds offer specially designed water areas for children. "Amador is a laid back camping spot that never disappoints. Great for families. Not a party destination but you can still have a great time! They have a water hole with a fun slide, which is all kept nice and clean with tables you can sit at," shares a Lake Amador Resort visitor.

Family-oriented activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park provides extensive programmed entertainment for children. "We go with several families with kids 5-13 and they all have a blast. The price per night is very expensive but there are a lot of amenities. Nice playground, basketball court, volleyball, bouncy pillow, outdoor movies, pool, lazy river, water park, bumper boats, laser tag, boat rentals on the delta," explains a frequent visitor.

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playground equipment for children. "The Hirst Horse Ranch has free showers there and the campground are awesome and you can camp right on the water. They have boat rentals and a fishing derby every year too. It just great and has a beach and they lake is nice size," notes a camper.

Tips from RVers

Full hookup availability: Not all campgrounds offer complete RV services. "Nice, peaceful well maintained campground that is within 30 minutes of our home for our first outing with our new travel trailer. Well kept secret! Very busy on the weekends but very quiet and peaceful during our one night during the week," shares an RV camper at Rancho Seco Recreation Area.

Pull-through access: Some sites accommodate larger rigs without difficult maneuvering. "We were only here one night but it was easy in and out from the Interstate. Clean park with not a lot of people but it may have been the season. We enjoyed the pull through site. Easy to navigate," reports a visitor to SacWest RV Park.

Campsite spacing: RV sites vary significantly in privacy levels. "It's an easy to navigate park with many sites on the water. But beware of the bees!" warns a Lake Camanche visitor, while another notes that sites can be "reasonably isolated from 'neighbors,' some not."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Herald, CA located and how do I get there?

Herald is a small rural community located in Sacramento County, California, approximately 30 minutes southeast of Sacramento and 45 minutes north of Stockton. The easiest way to reach Herald is by car via Highway 99 to the Galt/Wilton exit, then east on Twin Cities Road (Highway 104). Nearby landmarks include Rancho Seco Recreation Area, which offers camping about 10 minutes from Herald. The area serves as a convenient base for exploring the Sierra Nevada foothills to the east and California's Central Valley.

What camping options are available in and around Herald, CA?

Herald offers several nearby camping options within a 30-minute drive. Lake Camanche provides family-friendly lakeside camping with well-maintained facilities, clean bathrooms, and easy lake access. The lake level varies seasonally, sometimes right up to campsites and other times requiring a short walk. Acorn Campground at New Hogan Reservoir offers reasonably priced sites ($20/night, $10 with Golden Age passes) that accommodate both tents and RVs, with each camping section having restrooms within walking distance. For those seeking alternatives, the region also includes private RV parks and state-managed recreation areas.

What are the best outdoor activities and attractions near Herald, CA?

The Herald area offers diverse outdoor recreation opportunities. Water activities dominate at Woodward Reservoir, which features warm, shallow waters perfect for swimming and water sports. For history enthusiasts, Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground combines camping with cultural exploration, located about 3 hours from the Bay Area with beautiful open spaces and historical significance. The American River provides opportunities for rafting and fishing, while hiking trails abound in the nearby foothills. Folsom Lake offers beaches and boating opportunities, and the wine country of Amador and El Dorado counties is within easy driving distance for wine tasting adventures.