RV camping in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region places travelers near agricultural lands at elevations between 5 to 15 feet above sea level. This low-lying area experiences hot summer temperatures that regularly exceed 90°F from June through September, with mild winters. Seasonal Delta breezes can create challenging conditions for trailer setup, particularly at waterfront locations.
What to do
Biking trails access: Cal Expo RV Park connects directly to extensive bike paths along the American River. "Great for bikers," notes one visitor, while another mentions, "There is direct access to the bike path which goes for miles and miles and connects to other trails which made our stay really great."
Water recreation: Sugar Barge RV Resort & Marina offers kayak rentals and boat launch facilities. "They have a boat trailer parking lot and a boat ramp. They rent kyacks and have a restaurant that looks right over the water," reports a camper who visited.
Fishing opportunities: Sherwood Harbor Marina & RV Park provides fishing access without requiring a license. A visitor explains, "Right on the river with a swimming beach and free fishing with no license required." The park includes tent sites backing up to the levee.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Rio Viento RV Park features larger-than-average parking spaces. One camper describes, "Very nice large sites with large grass areas pet friendly, amazing helpful and friendly staff." The brick-paved sites receive consistent praise for their size.
Dog-friendly amenities: Flag City RV Resort maintains an extensive off-leash area. "Squeaky clean and organized. Nice pool and hot tub, nice laundry facilities, AND HUGE fenced area to walk your dog OFF LEASH," shares an enthusiastic visitor who particularly valued the pet accommodation.
Wildlife viewing: Duck Island RV Park provides opportunities to observe local birds and wildlife along the Sacramento River. A resident notes, "We live here full time and love it! It can get really windy though." The park's riverside location attracts various migratory birds throughout the year.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to Delta camps can be rough and challenging. Regarding Rio Viento, one reviewer cautions, "The road to get into the park is rough but take your time, it's worth the drive." Another notes, "The road in is very bumpy, so take your time."
Connectivity limitations: Cell service and Wi-Fi vary significantly throughout the Delta region. At Rio Viento, a visitor's "only complaint is no Wi-Fi," while Flag City charges extra for streaming-quality connections: "The free WiFi is for email checking only, you want better? You pay extra."
Pet restrictions: SacWest RV Park & Campground welcomes pets, but some parks like Sherwood Harbor refuse certain dog breeds regardless of service animal status. A disappointed traveler reports, "I have a German shepherd service dog with medical paperwork to support that. They still said no and didn't care if my dog was a service dog or not."
Tips for camping with families
Duck observation: SacWest offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities. "Great family park," notes one visitor, while another mentions, "Lots of things to do for kids: great playgrounds, swimming pool, more than 100 ducks going around! Beautiful place!"
Swimming options: Several RV sites near Hood, California provide swimming facilities. At Sherwood Harbor, campers appreciate having "a swimming beach" right on the property, making it convenient for families to cool off during hot Delta summers.
Age restrictions: Some parks limit camping with young children. A frustrated visitor to Sherwood Harbor reports, "We did try to stay there, they were okay with us having one dog and two boys ages 9 and 8, but as soon as we told them we had a baby they referred us somewhere else."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Flag City RV Resort, position matters for comfort. "We stayed here in January 2024 and got a Passport America discount. The cement pad was plenty long enough for our 40' fifth wheel and unhooked F450," reports one RVer, noting site utilities are positioned at "the back quarter of the pad."
Stay duration considerations: Cal Expo works best for shorter stays. "This would be a great stop for a few days. We were there for a work week and then some. It is accessible to downtown, but it is just a parking lot with no frills," advises an experienced RVer who appreciated the convenience but not the environment.
Leveling challenges: Some rv parks near Hood have drainage or leveling issues. A visitor to Cal Expo notes, "Cal Expo RV Park is a parking lot where your rig is nose-down, not necessarily level, and your septic goes uphill to drain."
