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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."
"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."
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
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TravelerOnly one designated site from what I saw, but more cars could fit! A rocky and bumpy drive up, but my 2WD rav-4 did just fine. Did see some bears on the way! Had two bars with t-mobile
TravelerThis is a fun place for you and the fam either to camp or for the day.
The tide comes in and out here as it’s a low level island and the approach to access sometimes will be under water from the tide. It is just like that, not poorly maintained, just one short section that can get 6inches deep and is not an issue for anybody.
I stayed in a tent camper fold-out. I hugged the hedge next to a teardrop. Everyone was nice and it was a relaxing stay. Can launch boat/kayak or do all the wind surfing type sports they talk about.
ScoutThis is a cute and quiet park. They help you park because it's small park with tight roads but the spaces are big enough. They have propane, a small shop, and clean laundry. Its a beautiful environment with lots of birds and wildlife, and big trees for shade. Pads are dirt and gravel. They charge a reasonable rate for monthly stays and have mail service available.
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.
ScoutThis place is awesome. Super clean, spaces are big and neighbors are not too close. The facilities are super clean and modern. We enjoyed the pool, spa and shower facilities. There’s a shuttle that shows up about every 40 minutes to the casino. The office staff was very friendly and knowledgeable about the different spaces and location of the afternoon sun.
ScoutWe stayed 2 nigths, 10$ per night. The staff was very kind. The place has showers and bathrooms clean enough for being it the middle of towns. Each space has a fire ring and a table. There's a little bit of noise in the morning and afternoon because of the cars that avoid the highway and pass nearby. It's first come first served. Overall, it's a very safe and good place to camp
TravelerWe timed our visit in the middle of the week after school had started so we were alone which made this an incredible spot. Great spot if you have a big group. We only we to the large open spot at the top with what looks like two actual sites. It’s right in the OHV area so we could see how it could get really busy and noisy.
ScoutThis park is completely understaffed, and the staff they do have are short and rude when talked to. Leaches in the water, goose poop all on beach area along with trash and dirty diapers. Management is never to be seen and the store they have is never open. Restrooms had poop on walls, birds in the bathroom, toilet paper everywhere. They constantly have water problems. They have an abundance of wasps also.
TravelerThe campsite is set along one side of the middle fork of the Cosumnes River and is quite lovely. It is a popular campground on weekends so reservations are recommended. There are outhouses and fresh water available. Cell service is very spotty (we have Verizon) but drive up the road a half mile and you'll get a signal. There are places to fish and swim in the river, with several day use areas in the campground.
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.
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