Lake Amador Resort is the primary option near Herald, California for campers, positioned about 20 miles east of the community in Ione. The area sits at lower elevations around 500-800 feet in the Sierra foothills with hot, dry summers that regularly exceed 90°F and mild winters. Water levels at nearby reservoirs fluctuate significantly throughout the year, which affects accessibility for water recreation and shoreline camping opportunities.
What to do
Fishing at various times of year: Lake Amador Resort offers year-round fishing opportunities with stocked fish. "The lake is stocked with Trout, Bass and Catfish. Tackle Box Cafe is really good, weekends only, and the staff is kind and helpful," notes Debbie R. about Lake Amador.
Water activities with rentals: Families can enjoy various water activities including kayaking at nearby reservoirs when water levels permit. "Jenkinson late is beautiful to kayak or paddleboard on and you can also rent for $20/hr + $10/hr after that," reports Bea I. about Sly Park Recreation Area.
Disc golf courses: Some campgrounds offer disc golf as an alternative recreation option. At Lake Amador Resort, one camper explains, "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."
Wildlife observation: The foothills area offers opportunities to view local wildlife. "The wildlife is RIGHT THERE! We saw a tarantula near the tee box on 2. I woke up with 4 deer casually strolling through our campsite, a huge group of turkeys were cruising around the whole weekend."
What campers like
Child-friendly water features: Multiple campgrounds offer shallow water areas designed for children. "They have a water hole with a fun slide, which is all kept nice and clean with tables you can sit at. I would recommend a pop up tent for shade if you go to the water hole," recommends a visitor at Lake Amador Resort.
Lakeside camping spots: Sites directly on the water are highly valued but require planning. "We stayed in the dry camping area which was right on the lake. We noted that the sites were very close together with no privacy, but that was ok since there were few people there," explains a camper at Lake Amador Resort.
Quieter off-peak camping: Weekday and off-season visits offer a more peaceful experience. "We enjoyed our first visit and will definitely come back! The park is a mix of old RV's that folks have long term stays and open spots for visitors," shares Dennis W. about his spring visit to Lake Amador Resort.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear foothill skies provide excellent stargazing conditions. "Had a great time here. We had a spot a 20ft from the lake. It was a meteor shower night and it was amazing. I would recommend this place during the cooler months."
What you should know
Gate closure times: Some campgrounds restrict entry after certain hours. "Note that there's a gate that closes so that you can't enter - we just barely made it by the 9pm Friday closing time (I think this time varies by day of the week)," warns a camper at Lake Amador Resort.
Water level changes: Reservoir levels vary greatly by season. "Privately owned campground. The water levels drastically change due to it being a privately owned lake. The employees that work there are always really sweet and helpful," explains Kimmee P. about Lake Amador.
Heat preparation: Summer temperatures can be extreme in the foothills. "The view at campsite 57 is gorgeous! However, be prepared for the heat. It can reach up to 110F in summer. It is toasting even with shade," notes a visitor at Glory Hole Recreation Area.
Limited equestrian facilities: True horse campgrounds near Herald are extremely limited. None of the nearby camping options offer dedicated equestrian facilities like corrals or designated horse camping areas.
Tips for camping with families
Waterfall hiking trails: Several campgrounds offer family-friendly waterfall hikes. "There is also a lovely, short hike to a waterfall! It's just a 1 mile walk along the lakeshore from the Hazel Creek day use parking area," describes Michell C. about Sly Park Recreation Area.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "They have a man made pond is nice for the kids. It has a slide they can use. Rv areas are clean. Tent camping is okay!" shares a visitor about Lake Amador Resort.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy seeing local wildlife. "We saw deer & wild turkeys. This park is huge. Can drive around & find a good spot to access the lake & go swimming."
Plan for extreme temperatures: Summer heat can be challenging for families. "It was hot but cooled down nicely during the evening. We had some debris from previous campers but the campsite was pretty clean."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: RVers with larger vehicles should research site dimensions. "The full hookup rv spots are gravel & very dusty. Whole park is actually. Spots are a little tight for my 37' 5th wheel but it worked out pretty good. Back end of my trailer hung over a big hill," explains Kelly G. about Monument RV Park.
Sewer hookup considerations: RVers should note that some campgrounds have unusual sewer setups. "Clean and quiet. This was our first time here. It was quiet and the sites were clean. There is no shower and only a couple outhouses so it's definitely only if you want to use your camper/rv bathroom. The hookups worked good but the sewer hookup is elevated so you will probably want sewer hose supports to lift your hose."
Dump station availability: Many campgrounds offer dump stations even without full hookups. "The showers worked well and didn't require coins, and there was a dump station up front by the fish cleaning station."
RV park membership options: Some private RV parks operate on membership models. "It is our home Campground with our CRA Colorado River Adventures membership. About 1.5hr from Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe."
