250 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping in the Loomis area encompasses established campgrounds and RV parks along the Interstate 80 corridor between Sacramento and Auburn. The region includes Folsom Lake State Recreation Area with multiple campgrounds like Peninsula and Beals Point campgrounds, offering tent and RV sites with varying amenities. Several private RV parks provide full hookups, while nearby Coloma and Auburn areas feature additional camping options along the American River, including glamping and cabin rentals.
Reservations are strongly recommended during peak summer months when Folsom Lake becomes a popular recreation destination. Most developed campgrounds in the region remain open year-round due to the mild Sierra foothills climate, though spring offers greener landscapes. Access to Peninsula Campground involves navigating narrow, twisting roads about 11 miles from the nearest town. Full hookup sites are available at several commercial campgrounds, while state recreation areas typically provide more basic amenities. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "The campground was nice and the people were fantastic. Our site was a little small and a lot of people live there, but full hook-ups."
The region's campgrounds vary considerably in terms of proximity to water, shade coverage, and quietness. Folsom Lake campgrounds receive consistently high ratings for their water access and recreational opportunities, with Peninsula Campground offering more seclusion than the busier Beals Point area. Campers report train noise as a consideration at Loomis RV Park, with one visitor noting: "There is a train track across the way but not a bother with the horn twice a day." The areas closer to Auburn and Coloma provide more river-oriented camping experiences with opportunities for paddling, fishing, and gold panning. Early spring camping at Peninsula receives particular praise from visitors for its green hillsides, wildflowers, and relative solitude compared to summer months when the lake becomes crowded with boaters and day-use visitors.
"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."
from $28 - $48 / night
Check Availability"Very quite camping spot very clean.coin operated showers😭 lake is very close by."
"I wanted to find a spot somewhat close by and came across this one."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful fall surroundings right adjacent to the South Fork of the American River. Easy walk or car ride to numerous hiking trails."
"If you ever want to experience the thrill of gold panning, and California history go here!"
"I’ve been here about 8-10 times and every time I love my stay, it’s a quiet getaway around 45 mins away from me and the sound of the river is amazing."
"Place the cash ($28 a night) in the envelope and put it in the post that’s on the parking entrance."
from $38 / night
Check Availability"WELCOME TO ASCENSION RANCH Ascension Ranch is an off-grid paradise tucked away in an oak savanna along Folsom Lake with a unique and ever growing list of features and activities."
"Super relaxing and has a lake that is at the end of the trail. Super convenient. It was cool to experience the animals that were in the pastures as well. I'd definitely come back."
from $59 - $115 / night
Check Availability"This is an older park in a location close to shopping. However, the train is near by and can be heard in the park. It comes by about twice in a 24 hr period. Office staff very nice and helpful."
"There is a little store within walking distance. Overall a very nice park!"
from $65 / night
Check Availability"Nice campground - close to river. .5 mile walk to town for shopping/eating. All sites have fire pit and picnic table. Bathrooms clean and private showers."
"It is right in the American River and next to a class 3 rapid called Trouble Maker. It was awesome watching rafters and kayakers go through it."
"It’s great for kids that want to ride bikes around the sites- but be careful of the river, it’s swift."
"Great spot if you can get in half of the camp got washed away from the rain this year though ."
"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."
from $50 - $1000 / night
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TravelerThis site does not recognize any state or federal pass the rate starts for 40 a day then they charge per person and per pet grand total for a one night stay with hookups 62$ for one RV one person one dog . 
RangerVery nice 1970 style park most spots only has water and electricity. Section X is full hook ups and close to all amenities. Lots of deers and gray squirrels playing about the park. Nice beach area with rental boats. Restrooms and laundry areas in good shape. This is a nice area to camp.
RangerWe got a full hookup 50 amp back in site next to the trout pond. Sites are level and the park is easy to navigate. Park has laundry, showers and a dump station with water fill. Walking distance to grocery and dining. Access to hike/bike trails. Although close to highway the back of the campground was pretty quiet.
RangerI didn't stay here but I went to buy a camper shell. All the management were very friendly and cheerful. They went it off their way to be helpful. As we left we saw some people passing and the place looked well kept.
GuideA freshly worked dirt lot. Like a freshly plowed field. Tractor tire tracks make walking difficult. There is no signage at all. I'm not sure I'm not on private property. May be the sketchiest road I've ever driven. I intended to stay a week. Instead, I got here at sunset, I'm leaving at first light. Somehow, it has mosquitoes.
GuideI think if you go further down the road there is a free spot to sleep but we ended up going to the paid campground by mistake. We rolled in at 2am and when we woke up a very nice lady had us pay. Rightfully so, Nice campsite but $36 a night.
TravelerWe stayed in mid September 26. There was only one family camping the first few days we were there and then we had the entire campground to ourselves. Location was beautiful and it was extremely quiet with exception to the wildlife. Lots of deer, geese, ducks and squirrels. Possible one bear sure to a dumpster dive with shredded garbage on our last day. We were in a 28' RV. Rv camping is a no frill experience. No hook-ups but water spigot at each site. RVs have to parallel park at the top of the hill area. They campers have the difficulty of finding a level spot because most of the tent camping is on a slope. Flush toilets are available. Spotty cell service on Verizon's visible service but we were still able to stream entertainment on our phone's hotspot. Overall, we loved it stay due to the scenery and the obvious peacefulness due to an empty campground. Our 3 night stay midweek with no hook-ups was just over $200.00 which is to me absolutely outrageous but we needed a place to stay on short notice. Aside from the cost, we had an absolutely wonderful peaceful experience watching the wildlife and beautiful scenery.
ScoutTakes a good hour plus to get from 80 to the French Meadows area. Very windy drive, road a bit rough, watch out for rocks. Campground is very quiet. Great hiking trails and gets nice and dark at night. Seems to be a good camp for fishermen. No hooks up, but a dump station up the road. Site size is typically much smaller that stated. May be tough for longer campers and trucks. Rangers are very relax. Will be back.
TravelerI hit this place in perfect weather after Labor Day and it was just amazing the views of the water and limited number of sites. My favorite place to camp in the Kera
Camping near Loomis offers diverse options from riverside locations to oak-studded foothill settings at elevations ranging from 400 to 1,500 feet. The Sierra foothills provide a transitional climate zone with hot summers reaching 90-100°F and mild winters rarely dropping below freezing. Seasonal water levels significantly impact camping experiences, with Folsom Lake fluctuating up to 100 vertical feet between winter high water and summer drawdown.
River rafting access: American River Resort sits directly adjacent to a Class III rapid known as Trouble Maker. "This park is located very close to Sutter's Mill where gold was discovered. It also has a white water rafting business on site," notes one camper who appreciated the convenient river access.
Gold panning exploration: Coloma Resort offers historical gold panning opportunities just minutes from Sutter's Mill. "If you ever want to experience the thrill of gold panning, and California history go here! You will not strike it rich, but with a couple hours of effort you can get a nice little bottle of gold flakes to take home with you," shares one visitor.
Trail biking network: Access extensive bike trails from several campgrounds. At Cal Expo RV Park, campers value the direct trail connections: "Great Bike paths adjacent along the river into Downtown or up to Folsom. All Full hook up sites on gravel or asphalt," reports one reviewer who used the campground as a cycling base camp.
Wildlife viewing: Spring visits to Peninsula Campground offer opportunities to spot wild turkeys, deer, and numerous bird species. "Peninsula campground on Folsom Lake is in the rolling hills and oak trees, remote from the more popular side of the lake. In the early spring it is quite, especially here, with green grass and wild turkeys," notes one nature enthusiast.
Uncrowded spring camping: Peninsula Campground receives high praise for off-peak visits. "We visited this camp ground last year for a pre-spring getaway and really liked it. Tried it again this week, and it was great again. About 3 weeks later in March than last year so there were a few more people. The grass is green, and the leaves are out on all the oak trees which makes it more beautiful," shares one return visitor.
Secluded tent areas: While many Loomis area campgrounds focus on RVs, some offer prime tent camping. "Some of my favorite campsites. Awesome in spring where the flowers and grass are POPPING. A lot of awesome trails and little environmental signs to walk around and learn about the area," writes an enthusiast about Peninsula Campground.
Swimming access: Beals Point Campground provides beach swimming with safety features. "The lake itself is beautiful! If not camping overnight i love to get a day pass and just hang out on the beach! Its a great family friendly area. I suggest staying on the main beach with the provided lifejacket area if with children," advises one regular visitor.
Ranch animal interactions: Ascension Ranch offers an unusual camping experience with farm animal encounters. "This was my first time going and I got to say, I enjoyed it! Super relaxing and has a lake that is at the end of the trail. Super convenient. It was cool to experience the animals that were in the pastures as well," reports a first-time visitor.
Site spacing varies dramatically: Campgrounds differ greatly in how closely sites are positioned. At American River Resort, one camper cautions: "Nearly all of the tent sites are tiny and crowded very closely together with no privacy breaks at all between them. To make it even more claustrophobic, many of the near-river sites are terraced into the hillside."
Water fluctuations impact access: Lake levels change significantly throughout the year at Folsom Lake campgrounds. "Nice campground. 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," notes one Beals Point visitor during a low water period.
Reservation timing critical: The best spots at Auburn State Recreation Area require advanced planning during peak season. "First come first serve campsites, i went for a solo camp trip and loved it. I came in on a Thursday afternoon and snagged campsite #5. (Useful tip, BRING A PEN AND EXACT CASH)," advises one camper who secured a prime spot.
Access road challenges: Peninsula Campground's remote location requires navigating challenging roads. "Try not to forget anything because it is eleven twisty, narrow, miles back to the city of Cool, where you can buy the essentials," warns one camper about the isolation.
Lifejacket stations: Beals Point Campground offers dedicated swim areas with safety equipment. "Folsom lake is a beautiful location, great bike and hiking trails. Clean and safe area. Great place to bring the family," notes one visitor who appreciated the family-friendly setting.
Activity facilities: Coloma Resort provides extensive recreation options for children. "We spent the weekend for my wife's birthday. It rained most of Friday and into Saturday but we had a great time. Pool, playground, basketball and soccer - will definitely be back with the kids soon," shares a camper who found plenty for children to do even during inclement weather.
Busy weekend environment: Some campgrounds become extremely active on weekends. At Coloma Resort, a camper observes: "There's a lot of people, kids, bikes, and dogs. It's highly stimulating environment but everyone was very friendly." Another adds that "quiet hours weren't enforced as people played music or loudly chatted until 1am the first night."
Environmental education: Peninsula Campground features interpretive signage for young learners. One visitor recommends it specifically because there are "a lot of awesome trails and little environmental signs to walk around and learn about the area."
Site leveling challenges: Auburn Gold Country RV Park presents some difficulties for larger rigs. "Had a standard Hookup-RV-Spot. Was very uneven, couldn't get the RV level," notes one RVer who struggled with the terrain.
Power quality concerns: Some campgrounds experience voltage issues during peak season. At American River Resort, a camper reports: "The power is not good. I had to bypass the surge suppressor because it kept cutting out due to low voltage. Voltage was generally 104-105."
Length restrictions: Size limits apply at several area campgrounds. One camper at American River Resort advises: "I would be very cautious about coming here with a larger RV. Ours is 30' bumper to bumper. I think 32 would be ok."
Train noise consideration: Loomis RV Park has occasional train disturbances. "Lots of trees for shade and a nice swimming pool to cool yourself. The sites are a nice size. However, the train is near by and can be heard in the park. It comes by about twice in a 24 hr period."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available within 30 minutes of Loomis?
Several excellent camping options are available within a 30-minute drive from Loomis. Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers clean facilities, tree-shaded sites, and easy access to the lake's beach and swimming areas. It's well-maintained with sites nicely spaced apart, though the lake water level can vary seasonally. Mineral Bar Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area is another option featuring beautiful riverside settings, though it can get busy on weekends. Both campgrounds are convenient to nearby stores and services while still providing a feeling of getting away from the city.
Are there any RV parks in Loomis, California?
Yes, RV enthusiasts have several options near Loomis. Loomis RV Park provides convenient accommodations directly in town with full hookups and is suitable for big rigs. For those willing to drive just a bit further, American River Resort offers RV sites with fire pits and picnic tables at each site, plus it's close to the river and within walking distance to town for shopping and dining. Clean bathrooms and private showers add to the comfort, though rates can be somewhat higher than public campgrounds, typical for California private RV parks.
What are the best family-friendly campgrounds near Loomis?
Families camping near Loomis have several excellent options. Lake Camanche is particularly family-friendly with well-maintained grounds, clean bathrooms with hot water, and easy access to the lake for swimming and water activities. The South Shore area is especially recommended for families, and the Oaks Campground section is alcohol-free. Acorn Campground is another great option for families, featuring reasonable prices ($20/night, with discounts available for pass holders), clean facilities, and convenient restrooms within short walking distance of all sites. It's suitable for tents and small trailers, with some sites available for larger RVs.
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