D
David R.
Traveler
TravelerYolo County Fair RV Park
Nothing fancy. Looks like they are building a fence and trying to improve the place. A lot of street noise and free roamers walking through the camp sites.
Tent Camping near Lodi, CA
10 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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The tent camping options around Lodi, California span lakeside settings to regional preserves, with choices ranging from developed tent campgrounds to more primitive sites. Notable tent campgrounds include Rancho Seco Recreation Area, with waterfront tent sites, and Lake Camanche, which provides tent-specific areas with varying proximity to the shoreline. Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and Round Valley Regional Preserve also accommodate tent campers with more primitive settings.
Campsites at Rancho Seco feature level dirt and gravel pads with picnic tables and fire rings at most locations. Tent campers have access to drinking water, restrooms, and showers, though bathroom facilities receive mixed reviews for cleanliness. Several campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer months when waterfront tent sites fill quickly. Lake Camanche provides both designated tent camping areas and walk-in tent sites, with varying distance to water depending on seasonal lake levels. Most tent sites have trash receptacles nearby, though cell service is limited throughout the region.
Tent-only areas often provide more secluded experiences than mixed-use campgrounds. At Rancho Seco, tent sites situated closer to the lake offer better views and direct water access. "Sites along lake are best," noted one camper who enjoys canoeing and kayaking from their tent site. Walk-in tent sites at several regional preserves provide increased privacy compared to drive-in locations. Tent campers should prepare for wildlife encounters, particularly at Rancho Seco where raccoons are active at night. During summer, lakeside tent camping provides opportunities for swimming and fishing, with the terrain around most sites offering partial shade from oak trees. Weekend occupancy typically runs high at water-adjacent tent sites, while mid-week camping offers significantly quieter experiences.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Lodi (10)
1. Rancho Seco Recreation Area
"About 50 tent only sites, some just feet from the lake. RV sites are farther from the lake on mostly level gravel pads with picnic table, fire rings, and a trash can at each site."
"Great Lake for paddle boarding and some fishing. Rv site was nicely groomed with drainage rock. Not perfectly flat but that is fine. No shade during the day. But over all a nice park and pretty quiet."
2. Lake Camanche
"Wicked August heat, BUT there’s the lake! 5 Stars — were it not for the SLOBS who preceded us!!"
"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 Availability3. Delta Bay RV Resort
4. Morgan Territory Regional Preserve
from $15 / night
Check Availability5. Juniper Campground — Mount Diablo State Park
"We didn’t have a reservation, but got 1 upon arrival around 2pm. Our site had nearby bathrooms, showers & trash. It included picnic table, fire pit, food storage boxes, & is very spacious."
from $30 / night
Check Availability6. Deer Flat Boat In Campground
from $30 / night
Check Availability7. Cole Ranch
"They also change the hand towel in the restrooms daily for everyone to use. The campsite is well taken care of as well as the kitchen which is communal use."
"The amenities were above and beyond anything we have seen at other locations. Complimentary watercraft for the river, stocked outdoor kitchen, and hot showers with shampoo/lotion etc. "
from $60 - $90 / night
8. Round Valley Regional Preserve
from $15 / night
Check Availability9. Camp Nauvoo
from $65 - $300 / night
Check Availability10. Briones Regional Park
"A few low spots. Cleared 12' barely with minor scrapes. Good parking and turn around. Lots of opportunities for horse riders in area. Pets on leash."
from $75 - $200 / night
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Drive Time
- 15 min from Stockton, CA
- 36 min from Sacramento, CA
- 41 min from Modesto, CA
- 59 min from Vallejo, CA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Lodi, CA
22 Photos of 10 Lodi Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Lodi, CA
485 Reviews of 10 Lodi Campgrounds
- AAndrew G.
ScoutEl Dorado
First ever RV use. Has good water and power, toilets and one shower that I didn’t test. Cost $58 usd.
Laura K.ScoutCalifornia Delta's Snug Harbor
This campground needs a lot of work including docks, boat births and sites need pads and less weeds, stickers, burs.
Kylee R.
RangerCaswell Memorial State Park Campground
Caswell Memorial State Park
Lots of sites with privacy! Bathrooms are clean and they have coin operated showers. Dumpsters and water in various spots. Right on the river, a small beach access. Saw some cats. Bear box, picnic table, and fire pit at each spot.
- TTwindaddy
GuideDel Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District
East Bay Parks - IYKYK
Like most/all east bay parks, this is well appointed for the masses. It’s also surrounded by rolling hills and close to suburbia. For many, these are positives. As an east bay resident they are for me as well. Del Valle is a bit more removed than many east bay parks. From my location in Fremont, it’s a one hour drive. A pleasant drive for the most part. I camp to get away for a bit and almost always to mountain bike. As such, I seek parks that have trails. Del Valle has a map of many trails. They also appear on many of the mapping services used by mountain bikers. Review those and digest them if this is also your intention - these are east bay parka style trails. In other words, mostly steep and loose fire roads, with many “social trails” sprinkled between. If you are compelled to stay legit/legal trails, bring an ebike. Now on to the camping. I picked a spot as far removed from any booked spot on the map. I triple checked this up until the day before I arrived. I want solitude! When I arrived Thursday afternoon, I was surprised to see the sites just 3 spaces away, on both sides, occupied. This is a fairly compact area. And while I’m sure they’re lovely folks, this isn’t what I expected on a Thursday. Saturday? Sure. Anyway… be aware that these reservation services aren’t completely reliable in that regard. The bathrooms and showers are amazing! Clean, smell good, cared for. Noteworthy is the hot showers in the camp grounds are free and your one push of the button provides water for two minutes I'd guess. Very nice! The space, 135 for me, is okay. A couple trees for shade, a nice table and fire pit. It’s now dark and the noise is minimal - mostly from the group campsite just down the hill. I’ll update this with more details in the coming days since it’s a 4 day visit.
Update 1: it’s my first morning here. Using starlink as there is no cell signal to be found. What I noticed last night was that this park is directly below the flight path to the local airports. Every couple minutes last night, a plane would fly overhead. According to flight aware, they’re at about 10,000 feet. If this will ruin your getaway, you’ve been warned.
Update 2: On Friday night, the majority of the spots were filled. Many large groups of people with varying degrees of consideration, but to their credit almost all (except the barking German Shepard) were quiet by 10PM. It was a bit more crowded come Saturday morning. Some friends came to visit for a mountain bike ride, and we set off at about noon. I had been complimentary of the facilities and bragged that I'd be taking a nice shower after our ride. Unfortunately, upon our return, there was no hot water and no lighting in the showers. And, sadly, someone decided to remove the tags and hangers from their TJ Maxx haul and leave them all over the floor of two of the showers.
Verdict: I'd only come back here in the springtime when it's likely to be green and have some water in the arroyo and only during the week. The density and composition of the people here was akin to being at Costco on a Saturday, and I only did that once.
- AAlice H.Scout
Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Easy Access Camping
Easy 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.
Rosa M.ScoutCarnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area
Stayed 2 nigths, it was perfect
We 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
Brook L.ScoutRancho Seco Recreation Area
Rancho Stinko
This 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.
- PPaula S.Guide
Lake Solano County Park
Friendly staff, nice sites
We enjoyed our stay here while visiting Napa. Extended our stay. Peacocks on the property and rogue goats. Boat launch was not operable on our side of the park.
Guide to Lodi
Tent camping near Lodi, California provides access to diverse waterways with fishing opportunities during all seasons. The region's terrain ranges from flat grasslands to oak-studded hills with elevations between 100-1,000 feet. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F while winter brings cooler conditions with occasional rain.
What to do
Fishing year-round: At Lake Camanche, both shoreline and boat fishing options are available. "We camped twice at this campground on the South Shore. The lake has a North Shore Campground as well. We were the only ones camping on Christmas Weekend and we had a few neighbors when we went again in mid January. Fishing is awesome!" reports one winter camper.
Water recreation: Water-based activities are popular during summer months when temperatures rise. "The water isn't freezing, it's usually pretty warm. The lake isn't huge, but makes for great boating," notes a Lake Camanche visitor who camps there regularly.
Hiking trail access: Morgan Territory Regional Preserve offers backcountry camping with hiking opportunities. A camper describes it as feeling "very off grid" while noting "camp experience was smooth and the sun was shining."
Paddling opportunities: Many campgrounds offer canoe and kayak access to waterways. At Cole Ranch, campers appreciate complimentary watercraft: "One afternoon we took out one of the facilities canoes on the river and relaxed on the water all afternoon. Fishing was a success, what a bonus."
What campers like
Quiet weekday visits: Mid-week camping typically offers more peaceful experiences. At Lake Camanche, a visitor noted, "We were there Tues-Thurs, only 3-4 other parties in the WHOLE place. It totally fills up on weekends, so our experience could be mitigated by crowds, partying!"
Sunset views: Lakefront camping provides exceptional evening views. "STUNNING, ever-changing sunsets — pics don't do justice!" reports a Lake Camanche camper. Similarly, at Juniper Campground, a visitor specifically mentioned the "Beautiful sunset!" as a highlight of their stay.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean campgrounds receive positive feedback. At Rancho Seco Recreation Area, a camper noted it's "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."
Campground hospitality: Personal attention from staff enhances the camping experience. "Barry and his wife were amazing hosts! They made sure that we had everything we needed!" reports a Cole Ranch visitor who appreciated the staff's thoughtfulness.
What you should know
Hot summer conditions: Temperature management is critical during peak season. A Juniper Campground visitor warns, "Insanely hot in the summer, I would recommend not going in July like we did. It was 104° or something and I was just drenching my clothes in water to stay cool."
Wildlife encounters: Various wildlife may visit campsites after dark. "Nice quiet campground good fishing lake to fish just make sure you put your food away at night raccoons will get your food and snacks," advises one Rancho Seco camper.
Seasonal lake levels: Water access can vary throughout the year. "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," explains a Lake Camanche visitor.
Facility limitations: Bathroom quality varies between campgrounds. A Juniper Campground camper advises: "don't use the stinky toilet at the top there's way better ones around the bottom area" and recommends "BRING SHOWER SHOES AND SOAP UR GOING TO WANT IT."
Tips for camping with families
Waterfront site selection: Choose sites with easy water access for children. At Rancho Seco, "It 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."
Kid-friendly swimming areas: Camp Nauvoo offers multiple recreational options for families. One visitor describes it as "beautiful, clean, and kid friendly. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The hospitality was excellent."
Safety precautions: Be aware of potential hazards at campgrounds. One camper at Rancho Seco cautions: "In our campground we found multiple fish hooks and one happen to pierce my sandal. We have a 3 year old and brought our dog so imagine how dangerous that can be."
Equipment recommendations: Bring items to enhance comfort during extreme weather. For summer visits to Lake Camanche, a visitor recommends a "cart/wagon" for transporting gear to the water and "a shade pop-up AT water's edge" for sun protection.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: RV site dimensions vary significantly between campgrounds. At Rancho Seco, "21 water and electric sites with a dump station on the way out. Some pull through sites... RV sites are farther from the lake on mostly level gravel pads with picnic table, fire rings, and a trash can at each site."
Off-season advantages: Consider camping outside peak summer months. "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," notes a Rancho Seco RVer.
Weather considerations: Be prepared for changing conditions. "The weather in May was really nice imo. Not too cold at night with layers, & starts warming up quick in the morning," reports a Juniper Campground visitor, while also noting "the drive is windy, I got carsick on the way down."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Lodi, CA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lodi, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lodi, CA is Rancho Seco Recreation Area with a 4.2-star rating from 17 reviews.
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Lodi, CA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Lodi, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Lodi, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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