Camping options near Hughson, California offer access to the Sierra Nevada foothills and Central Valley waterways within a one to two-hour drive. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F between June and September, with milder spring and fall conditions making shoulder seasons more comfortable for tent campers. Most RV parks and campgrounds in this region maintain year-round operations due to the mild winter climate.
What to do
Swimming and tubing: McCabe Flat Campground provides riverside recreation along the Merced River. "The water was cold, high and fast but I managed to catch a 12" rainbow almost right away, just feet from the campsite," reports one visitor who enjoyed fishing success during their stay. When water levels moderate later in summer, the river becomes suitable for tubing.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina offers lake access for anglers. "We spent one night right in front of the water, amazing view for the sunset. We went swimming in the lake: what a pleasure," notes a camper who appreciated the waterfront location. The lake provides both shore fishing and boat launch facilities.
Golfing access: The Lakes RV & Golf Resort connects directly to a golf course. "You can walk through a gate to the golf course and a nice little restaurant," mentions a recent visitor. This setup allows campers to easily incorporate a round of golf into their camping trip without additional transportation.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Lake Tulloch campground offers opportunities to observe local wildlife. "Deer and cats get into everything!" warns one camper, while another notes, "Deer are fearless & majestic, several 'packs' walked through our campsite all throughout Sunday night when everyone else was gone. They walked up to us to smell our campfire & our food."
Petting zoo amenities: Yosemite Pines RV Resort includes unique animal encounters. "The Llamas were an absolute plus as well," writes one visitor who stayed in a yurt. Another camper adds, "With a pool, petting zoo, a corral where they have a fire and s'mores followed by a movie, this is a great place to camp with the kids."
Swimming pools: Multiple RV parks offer pool facilities to combat summer heat. A visitor to The Lakes RV & Golf Resort shares, "The pool is gorgeous. The sites are meticulously maintained." Similarly, a camper at Yosemite Pines noted their "pool, petting zoo, a corral where they have a fire and s'mores followed by a movie."
What you should know
Mixed bathroom conditions: Bathroom maintenance varies significantly between campgrounds. At Yosemite Pines RV Resort, "There was a high volume of campers and it seemed they struggled a bit to keep up with the bathrooms but place more blame on people's poor manners in cleaning up after themselves," reports one camper. At Lake Tulloch, a visitor warns, "Only complaint is the porta-potties... by the end of Sunday there was no more toilet paper, high-piled waste."
Distance to attractions: RV sites near Hughson require planning for day trips to major attractions. One camper at Yosemite Pines advises, "If you plan to go into Yosemite NP, it's a long drive so plan accordingly." Another notes it's "about 1 1/2 hrs from Yosemite."
Limited activities at some parks: Not all campgrounds offer recreational amenities. A camper at The Lakes RV & Golf Resort observed there was "nothing to do... unless you golf or fish," indicating guests should plan their own activities.
Tips for camping with families
Seasonal timing: Summer heat impacts comfort levels at campgrounds throughout the region. A family who stayed at Lake Tulloch noted, "Campground was very nice and relaxing... wish it had more things to do." Planning trips for spring or fall can provide more comfortable temperatures for outdoor activities.
Tent site locations: Flag City RV Resort provides organized camping areas, but tent locations deserve special consideration. As one visitor to Yosemite Pines warns, "The tent sites were right on top of each other and there was nowhere to park. You had to climb a steep hill to get to them with your car and again to the actual spot."
Entertainment options: Family-friendly campgrounds include kid-focused amenities. A visitor to Yosemite Pines shares, "The kids had fun playing at the playground, jet skiing, and making sand castles at the beach," while another appreciates "a corral where they have a fire and s'mores followed by a movie."
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement: Kit Fox RV Park provides accessible RV sites for travelers. "I stayed here for one night in a 22' RV at one of the back-in sites for the shorter term stays... Spot comes with WiFi code, but there's plenty of cell service too," reports one camper. The park earns praise for clean facilities and ease of access.
Site surface quality: RV site materials vary across campgrounds. At Flag City RV Resort, one RVer notes, "Nice lava rock and clean concrete sidewalks and roads," though they felt it was "a bit over priced." Another traveler states, "The cement pad was plenty long enough for our 40' fifth wheel and unhooked F450."
Site size considerations: Santa Nella RV Park offers convenient overnight spots for RVers traveling through the area. "Large, level sites. Very good rates for a quick stop," reports a traveler. Another notes, "Mostly a parking lot style RV park with flat pads and full hook ups," making it suitable for larger rigs passing through.
