182 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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."
"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."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $95 - $990 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"We had a couple of trees behind us to filter some of the sunlight. It was hot but cooled down nicely during the evening. We had some debris from previous campers but the campsite was pretty clean."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $85 - $90 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $33 - $58 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $58 - $100 / night
Check Availability
GuideVery warm weekend (as to be expected in July) bathrooms and showers were satisfactory. It’s a public campsite with lots of families and most are there for the lake. Sites were large enough but No hookups for RV. We just stayed at night and spent the days with family in the area. Met our needs.
LegendGeneral: Beals Point is one of two locations on Folsom Lake for camping. Large campground with a mix of electric and non-electric campsites plus some group sites.
Site Quality: Drives are paved and mostly level. We camped in a little “cul-de-sac” with just four sites. While these sites back up to the American River Bike Trail (aka Jedediah Smith Recreation Trail), it was overgrown, and I did not see direct access to the trail as we did the last time we were here.
Bath/Shower: Typical CA state park layout– all-gender units with toilet and sink (but no soap, towels, or dryers) and showers. Unlike other CA state parks, these take quarters instead of tokens. The units could use a little TLC, but what was most disheartening was how other campers had trashed them– toilet paper (and worse) scattered all over the insides. Obviously not the fault of the campground.
Activities/Amenities: Folsom Lake is the draw, and people were fishing, kayaking, and swimming. The 32-mile paved multi-use American River Bike Trail is easily accessible. There is a snack bar/concession stand for beach rentals, but it was not open when we were there.
Our stay here this time was over a weekend; it was completely full, and it reminded us once again that we prefer to camp during the week and shoulder seasons when campgrounds are less crowded!
RangerI invite you to take a look at the pictures. This is a simple gravel parking lot with hookups. There's nothing special about this location.
ScoutWe had been looking forward to this camping trip, but unfortunately our experience at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Lodi was very disappointing. Before our trip, I paid the Lock Fee($40) specifically to guarantee the campsite we had selected. However, when we arrived, we were assigned to a completely different site. After setting up our trailer, we went back to the office to ask about it. Instead of correcting the mistake, another employee told us that we didn’t even have a reservation and that we needed to leave the campground. We had to search through our emails, show our reservation confirmation, and even provide proof of payment from our bank before they finally found our reservation. Only then were we moved to the campsite we had originally reserved and paid extra to secure. Unfortunately, the worst part happened on our last night. We were camping with friends, and between us we had two electric bikes—one worth nearly$5,000 and another worth over$1,000. We went to bed around 2:30 a.m., and everything was still there. When we came out of our trailers around 8:30 a.m., both bikes had been stolen. We immediately called the police. The responding officer told us that just two weeks earlier, another camper had all of the sound equipment stolen from their vehicle at the same campground. What disappointed us most is that the campground doesn’t appear to have adequate security measures, such as surveillance cameras, and there was no warning at check-in that thefts had recently occurred. Had we known there was an increased risk, we would have taken additional precautions with our valuables. When families choose a campground like this, they expect a safe, relaxing environment where they can enjoy nature without worrying that expensive belongings will disappear overnight. The campground has great amenities and is a fun place for families, but our experience with the reservation issues and the lack of security left us extremely disappointed. I hope management takes these concerns seriously, improves security, and is more transparent with guests so other families don’t have the same experience we did.
ScoutOk, but you guys need to improve lots stuff. Pool was out of order, stuff were not that friendly, I would suggest if you can concrete sites, hard for in and out
GuideWe arrived with no reservations and had many spots to choose from. The spots aren’t super private but you usually have your own space. There’s a market and lots of hikes super close by. The showers were coin operated, with coins you had to buy from the ranger station (1 coin = 2 mins). The showers and bathrooms were not clean at all. For as many rangers and workers we saw, we were severely disappointed by how gross the bathrooms were. Stars would probably be higher if it wasn’t for that.
ScoutStayed two nights and had our 8 year old grandson with us. We got what we were told was the best full hook up RV site. I can see a little bit of the lake which is very nice. There is a lot of permanent residence mobile trailer homes. Not at all what I expected. It is dirt, rocks and trees that don’t really provide shade. There were cigarette buts all over our camp site. There is a small fire pit but no bbq. For a good five hours today there was some shooting off a gun. Our dog happens to be afraid of that sound so she spent most of the day inside the trailer. When we arrived we had no picnic table and nobody would answer the phone. My husband and I ended taking one from the empty site next to us. Then this morning I called trying to get the Wi-Fi password. They gave me the wrong one, I called back, they never answered. I left a message, they never called back. My grandson and I walked down a small boat ramp to the lake. The area was full of trash and there was sludge at least a foot off the shore. From there you can see many of the small boat ramps off the backs of the permanent trailers and they were in complete disrepair. I get the feeling no one cares.
I can’t speak to any other area in this resort. Only where we are physically. My Husband did say there was a nice pond with picnic tables and shade, but the dog was not allowed to be there so that wasn’t something that we could enjoy.
ScoutThe area was quiet during my stay. Site is adjacent to the road, with a rock fire ring . The road up had some rough areas, but my outback had no real issues. I recommend hugh clearance, 4x4 to get here.
TravelerOur family loved it here. Great staff. The poo was clean and heated. They had volleyball, karaoke, clean bathrooms and open showers.
There is even a cute pond to fish out of.
Theirs an old town that has two stores open. One is ice cream and the other is breakfast and lunch.
Everything is affordable.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
Keep Exploring
