Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Hood, CA has a lot to offer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Hood. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
$52 - $100 / night
"Hood showers. Loved the pool. Had pizza delivered right to the spot."
"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."
"Tons of beautiful, shady spots overlooking or near the Sacramento river. Very Breezy and well maintained park with good prices for electrical and water hookup and a dump station."
"Everything you need to “get away” is here and big city amenities a short drive away."
"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."
$50 - $1000 / night
"Great Bike paths adjacent along the river into Downtown or up to Folsom. All Full hook up sites on gravel or asphalt, daily, weekly, monthly rates."
"...then you want a good location for your home base. Cal Expo definitely has the centralized location for exploring Old Sac, Cal Expo, State Capitol, the rivers and beyond."
$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."
"Brennan Island State Park is an absolute gem nestled in the heart of the California Delta. From the moment you arrive, you're greeted by friendly staff who make you feel right at home."
"Access to the Delta with a boat ramp. Access to fishing all around you. Beyond water sports not a lot to do here but relax. Or go fly a kite."
"Very clean facilities, it’s right on the water- the California delta river. They have paddle boards you can rent and go out on the water in the morning."
"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."
$33 - $58 / 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."
TravelerThis sweet little spot is a paddle boarding and fishing dream. Primitive site where Smittle Creek flows into Lake Berryessa.
ScoutThis 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.
TravelerI came to check out the more calm waters in the canyon for my paddleboard. The site was great layout and I had a really enjoyable time out on the water. Other boaters where very respectful of the no wake zones.The campsites on the bluff of the hill can get windy so be prepared for that. Regardless, I'll be back.
GuideA 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.
GuideTo be real, if you're unhoused but well-behaved with an income, this might be a much better option than Beals Point. Peninsula is about 45 minutes to an hour from Folsom depending on traffic. You have to drive down a long windy narrow road to get here, which is the worst part, so it's best to come prepared to stay put for as long as possible once you're here. There is plenty to do since you can go swimming in the lake most months (except early Spring), and there is an 8 mile hiking trail (Darrington) that ends at the campground. Darrington is mountain bike accessible but nowhere near road bike accessible. A shorter accessible trail (Oaks Nature Trail) is entirely contained within the campground and takes you through some great examples and educational signs regarding the riparian ecosystem. Wildlife is off the chain here. As others have said, if you don't love being surrounded by wild animals, this will probably be a bit much for you. Bears have been seen on occasion, cougars, Bobcats, and coyotes all stop by from time to time, and there are so many skunks it can get annoying. One night I was woken up by a deer walking right into my tent which scared the crap out of us both. On the flip side I've seen some of the most beautiful emerald and sapphire colored lizards. They breed here in late spring. It's kind of hilarious to watch the males do push-ups then chase the females down like 80 times in a row. Some of the females fight back and make it a lizard wrestling match. Owls, eagles, salmon, beavers... if it lives in this area, there's a good chance you'll see it here. The boat noise can be annoying on busy days but is not so bad from the higher up sites, which tend to have more amenities due to being further from the lake. The camp hosts here are some of the best I've encountered. Since this campground is so huge there are usually sites available first come first serve, if you come in late at night you can self register at the kiosk. Others are correct that there isn't much shade and the sites aren't very flat. I got around the latter problem by folding a sleeping bag under one side of my sleeping pad to keep that side elevated. Overall one of the best places to Camp near Folsom lake.
GuideThis place is nice. RV location is basically a gravel parking area pretty close to one another. Sites are level with minimal need for blocks. Staff are friendly. Native garden is very nice. Hiking is nice too especially in winter when everything is green. It’s like a fairy wonderland on the Manzanita trail. Cell phone coverage is good. Have both Verizon and Att with at least 2-3 bars. 10-12 Mbps down 4-5 Mbps up. Wild turkey, deer, wood peckers regularly seen!
TravelerClean, very well maintained but significant road noise
RangerStayed here for a long weekend with friends in Napa Valley.
Location itself is GREAT. 5 mins from everything in town. Had good cell service and park was clean. Was quiet busy during the day as it is also a day use park with lots of activities.
Sites were cramped in tight. $65/night for water and electricity. They have a dog run area that is nice and large! Bath houses were also nice. Good hot showers.
Knocking it down a star for the tight sites and the check in staff were rude almost every time I talked to her. Also lots of little bitty rules of being picky. Overall would stay here again.
ScoutThousand Trails Lake Minden
Tiny Park, Giant Heart
We spent three weeks at Lake Minden and, to be honest, judged it too quickly. It’s one of the smaller Thousand Trails parks, and when we first rolled in, we weren’t sure it was going to be our kind of place. That changed fast.
Right off the bat, we were greeted warmly at the gate- no awkward waiting or guessing, just a “Hey there, welcome!” kind of vibe. Our assigned spot had a bad electric hookup, but moving one space over solved that and actually gave us a better view. So, win-win.
The park, like many Thousand Trails locations, is clearly from a different era. The facilities, the grounds, even the layout- it all shows its age in the same way most of these long-standing parks do. But here’s the difference: it’s obvious they take care of what they have. You can feel the pride in the upkeep, and honestly, I’d take a clean, cared-for 50-year-old park over a neglected new one any day.
The community here is what made the trip. The staff pour real effort into the activities- they’re on time, thoughtful, and welcoming. Friday potlucks were the soul of the park. We forgot our plates and silverware more than once (parent brain), and Barbara, the activities director, always had us covered without missing a beat. That kind of care doesn’t go unnoticed.
Easter weekend took it to another level. My toddler had the time of his life painting eggs and coloring puzzles, and my wife - who’d never painted an egg before - might’ve had more fun than he did. The Easter egg hunt was packed with families and even staff with their kids. Prizes for the winners, candy in the eggs for the rest of us- my toddler’s too young for the sweets, so I had no choice but to help. That’s what dads are for, right?
There’s an ice cream social every Saturday, and it’s as delightful as it sounds. Tons of toppings, lots of conversation, and just a genuinely happy way to spend a weekend afternoon. We missed candy bar bingo this time, but it's already on the list for our return trip.
Special thanks to Gwen, the park manager, who couldn’t have been more welcoming. The assistant manager warmed up by the end of our stay, which made us feel even more like part of the community.
Facilities were surprisingly polished. The showers were spotless, stocked, and looked freshly upgraded with woodgrain tile and real stall doors. Toilets and sinks were just as clean, and even when I accidentally left my shampoo in the shower, I found it days later placed neatly on the side counter. That’s rare. Housekeeping here clearly cares.
The lodge is small- more like a retrofitted mobile trailer - but full of charm. It’s where most activities are held, and there's a cozy back room with a pool table, board games, a decent little DVD collection, and a small library. My toddler played Connect 4 like a champion (even though he mostly used it as a coin-drop game), and, tried valiantly to reach the pool balls.
Now, the lake. It’s... functional. Let’s be honest, it’s a man-made basin with some concrete leftovers that litter the sides that look like the Ghost of Swimming Pools Past. Not the prettiest, but they do stock it with fish and the docks looked newly redone- one rebuilt while we were there, looked really nice when they finished. I didn’t bring my gear, but next time, I’m sneaking out for some dad-time with a rod and reel.
There’s no pool at this park, but the grassy areas made up for it. Annual sites had a huge open field behind them where my son ran wild playing ball and chase. Minden must’ve mowed the day we arrived because the smell of cut grass hit us like nostalgia. They kept it mowed weekly, and my kid was hypnotized by the riding mower going up and down the stretch. In fact there's enough gassy area I thought a great spring/summertime regular event would be water days- think slip'n slides and mist sprinklers set up for the kids. That would be fun... and a cool relief in those hotter days.
There’s a playground with a raised soft-chip base, multiple slides, and just the right level of challenge for a toddler. He had a blast. Even the dog park, while nothing fancy (just a weed-sprouting rectangle), gave our Silky terriers a space to run a few laps. I may or may not have snuck them into the field after hours for some frisbee time. Nobody tell.
Connectivity was solid- I had full AT&T service for calls, texts, and data the entire time. It was a quiet park, minus one domestic dispute from a neighboring site that cleared up fast (and they moved out the next day). Otherwise, peaceful and calm.
Now, let’s talk about traffic flow- because this one got me. The park is built around a lake, and the road looping around it is one-way, enforced with a strict 5 mph speed limit. That’s great if you have kids or dogs and you want a calm environment. Not so great when you realize halfway to the store that you forgot your wallet. What should’ve been a quick grab turned into a 10-minute drive out, a 10-minute drive back in, and then… yep, 10 minutes out again. I’ve taken shorter road trips just to get ice cream. Lesson learned.
---
Stay Summary & Scores
Restroom & Shower Facilities: ★★★★★
Exceptionally clean, stocked, and well-maintained. Modern-feeling shower stalls with privacy and woodgrain tile. Toilets and sinks equally spotless.
Lodge Amenities & Common Spaces: ★★★★☆
Compact but full of charm. Activities room, pool table, games, small library. Retrofitted mobile unit, but used thoughtfully and consistently.
Overall Cleanliness & Maintenance: ★★★★★
Top-tier. Grass is cut regularly, restrooms shine, playground looks freshly maintained, and even left-behind items are handled with care.
Recreational Activities & Family Engagement: ★★★★★
Thoughtfully organized events (especially Easter), ice cream socials, egg painting, RC airplane shows, dog races, and a family-friendly vibe across the board.
Staff Hospitality & Park Culture: ★★★★★
Gwen leads with warmth. Barbara is the MVP of activities. Assistant manager needed some time to warm up, but did. Felt truly welcomed.
Lake & Waterfront Quality: ★★☆☆☆
Man-made and a little tired. Some concrete remnants along the edge. Not great for swimming, but fish-stocked and dock area recently improved.
Pet-Friendliness: ★★★☆☆
Dog park was weedy and basic, but functional. Open spaces nearby helped. Waste bins were present and clean.
Site Utility Functionality: ★★★★☆ First electric hookup was faulty, but the second was fine. Rest of the site utilities performed without issue. Easy to park and level.
Traffic Flow & Accessibility: ★★★☆☆
Strict 5 mph limit is great for safety (especially with kids) but makes trips around the loop feel like slow motion. One-way loop adds time - especially painful if you forget your wallet and turn your day into a 30-minute regret.
General Atmosphere & Community Vibe: ★★★★★ Welcoming, peaceful, and filled with community spirit. The kind of place where strangers become friends over potluck and board games.
Camping near Hood, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to relax by the water or explore nature, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Hood, California, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hood, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hood, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 155 campgrounds and RV parks near Hood, CA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Hood, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hood, CA is SacWest RV Park & Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 17 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hood, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Hood, CA.
Keep Exploring
