Campgrounds near El Dorado Hills, California range from developed state recreation areas to private resorts along waterways. Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers two campgrounds—Beals Point and Peninsula—with tent and RV sites within 10 miles of El Dorado Hills. Several private campgrounds including Coloma Resort and American River Resort provide cabin options and glamping accommodations along the American River. Most locations feature mixed-use campgrounds that accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some offering full hookups for recreational vehicles and others maintaining more rustic settings for tent campers.
Road conditions and campground accessibility vary significantly by season, with many sites requiring advance reservations, particularly during summer months. Water levels at Folsom Lake and other nearby reservoirs fluctuate throughout the year, affecting shoreline camping and water recreation opportunities. A camper noted, "The lake has receded quite a bit that one of the docks is about 100 yards from the actual lake now due to California drought." Temperatures in the region can reach over 90 degrees in summer months, making water access a priority for many visitors. Cell phone coverage is generally available at campgrounds closer to towns like Folsom and Coloma, but becomes less reliable in more remote locations. Most established campgrounds provide basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, with some offering shower facilities for an additional fee.
Campers consistently rate waterfront locations highest among area campgrounds. The American River corridor provides popular access points for swimming, fishing, and gold panning activities. According to one visitor, "Beautiful campground and Lake. Fishing there was wonderful lakeside and great hikes." Sites at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offer direct access to the American River Bikeway, a paved multi-use trail popular for cycling and walking. Wildlife sightings, including deer, are common at several campgrounds, with one reviewer mentioning that deer were "people friendly" and frequently visited their campsite. Noise levels vary significantly between locations, with campgrounds closer to highways experiencing more traffic sounds, while those in more remote settings like Giant Gap provide a more secluded experience. Most campgrounds in the area implement fire restrictions during dry summer months, though established fire rings are typically available at developed sites.
$28 - $48 / 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."
$28 / night
"Very quite camping spot very clean.coin operated showers😭 lake is very close by."
"Folsom lake is a great place to take the boat, beals point has a snack bar, life guards and equipment rentals, there are plenty of places you can drive or boat to get away from the crowds if you prefer"
"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!"
"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."
$75 - $107 / night
"I like the place pros would be doing just water and electric hook up so your away from the croud,clean and quiet, great wifi, cons next to freeway, expensive,no firepit but have a communal fire pit,but"
"Mini train ride around park, great playground, mini golf, showed movie and a lot more awesomeness. Was not cheap but kept the kids entertained. Will be going back."
"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 ."
$49 - $245 / night
"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."
$65 / night
"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!"
$38 / night
"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."
GuideThis is quintessential California no frills forest camping under trees that are so tall they muffle all sound, where the dirt is so infused with pine needles that it smells like incense. Although this is a horse camp, anyone can camp here. It is primitive, but if you have your own toilet you'll be ok. Otherwise, you can use the old pit toilets provided. Because this is a horse camp, the sites are spacious. Kick back and enjoy.
ScoutBeautiful. Not crowded. All the RVs are on one shaded hillside. Nice to park in the trees. Electric, water, sewage hook up all easy access. Each site comes with fire ring and picnic table, all also in the shade.
ScoutRight behind Sand Flat Campground up the road. We were in March 26 and had a fabulous time!! Right in the forest close to the highway
TravelerNear the highway and a few houses but still far enough from them that it’s pretty easy to get to and quiet.
TravelerWe stayed here for a few nights after struggling to find a spot that was open this early in the season. Long story short, veryyyy long drive down and up a goat track paved road which is basically a steep single track without guardrails (just to get to Iowa Hill), the campsites were surrounded by dumped trash and old tires, there’s also a heap of a totalled car at the front covered in bullet holes. My husband went for a run with our dog - they both came back covered in teeny ticks. The road was covered in downed pine trees also, so we couldn’t really get further in than around the first little bend from the pull off.
As a very seasoned camper and traveller of the whole country, I would say just find another spot - even if you have to drive for a few more hours. This spot is probably just for the locals.
ScoutBummed I got here and the road is closed. They close the road to the site seasonally from December 15- April 15. Road to was paved.
ScoutThe staff is friendly, flexible, and easy to communicate with. They placed me right next to the water with privacy on both sides. It's secure, and so peaceful. Highly recommend.
ScoutMy family and I had a great time. First time going and we went paddle boarding and swam a little bit. Very fun and family friendly. Purchased some very tasty ice cream as well. Staff was very nice and professional.
TravelerRancho Seco is great, it’s nostalgic I used to go there as a kid. Now I have a trailer. Quiet at night super clean sites and well maintained.
Camping options near El Dorado Hills, California range from rustic tent sites to modern RV facilities within a 25-mile radius. The area sits at elevations between 500-1,500 feet in the Sierra foothills, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 95°F between June and September, while winter brings occasional freezing temperatures and seasonal access restrictions.
River recreation access: Peninsula Campground at Folsom Lake provides direct water access when lake levels permit. "In the summer months the lake is very busy and the hills are brown with dried grass. But in the early spring it is quite, especially here, with green grass and wild turkeys," notes camper Ray B.
Gold panning opportunities: Coloma Resort offers historic gold panning experiences. "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," reports Jill F.
Mountain biking networks: Trails connect from several campgrounds to wider regional trail systems. "Lots of great trails to weave through the campground on a mountain bike," explains Kate A. regarding the Ponderosa RV Resort area.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campsites report frequent deer, turkey, and bird sightings. "We picked a site away from everyone else at the other end of the campground with a stunning view over the lake," shares a camper at Peninsula Campground who enjoyed watching wild turkeys and other wildlife during their stay.
River access points: Camp Lotus positions campers directly on the American River with rafting opportunities. "It's on the river. Friendly and helpful hosts...This is one of our favorite campgrounds. There are showers, clean restrooms," confirms Kevin L.
Covered tent sites: Some campgrounds provide shade structures over tent sites. "The sun shade provided in the tent sites came in handy when we had a short moment of rain. It was also much appreciated during the sunny weather," mentions Karen T. about American River Resort.
Seasonal water levels: Lake and river conditions fluctuate significantly throughout the year. "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 Melissa S. about Beals Point Campground in summer.
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds require advance planning, especially for summer dates. "We would stay here again, however I would make sure it's in a spot that's level," advises Tonya B. about Loomis RV Park, noting how quickly optimal sites are booked.
Fire restrictions: Seasonal bans often apply during summer months. "They do seem to keep the toilets stocked with soap and TP and paper towels, and there are lots of garbage cans that do get emptied when needed," reports a camper, though also noting that fire restrictions were in place during their visit.
Campground amenities: Look for sites with playground equipment and child-friendly facilities. "Great playground, mini golf, showed movie and a lot more awesomeness. Was not cheap but kept the kids entertained," shares Dan about Placerville RV Resort.
Swimming safety: American River currents can be swift in certain areas. "The river was crystal clear and beautiful," reports Lee D., while other campers note the importance of life jackets and supervision when visiting river access points with children.
Ranch experiences: Unique camping options include ranch settings with animal interactions. "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," shares Ashlynn L. about her family's stay at Ascension Ranch.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. "Our site had 30 amp only and I doubt any of them have 50 amp. The power is not good. I had to bypass the surge suppressor because it kept cutting out due to low voltage," warns David C. at American River Resort.
Shower facilities: Availability and cost vary significantly between campgrounds. "Coin operated shower very nice and clean bathroom clean showers," notes Mike R. about Beals Point, while several campgrounds require quarters for hot showers.
Access road limitations: Some campgrounds have restrictions on RV length or trailer access. "The access road is about six miles of curvy, hilly, and narrow (sometimes only one lane) pavement. There is a sign prohibiting trailers; our 18-foot camper van did fine but anything much larger would definitely be challenged," cautions a camper about roads to more remote sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there RV rental options available in El Dorado Hills?
While there aren't RV rental companies directly in El Dorado Hills, nearby options serve the area. Placerville RV Resort & Campground is a convenient base for RVers visiting El Dorado Hills, with full hook-up sites and big-rig-friendly facilities. For those bringing their own RV, Acorn Campground offers reasonably priced sites ($20 per night, with Golden Age passes accepted for reduced rates) and accommodates various RV sizes, though it's primarily geared toward smaller trailers. For RV rentals, check nearby Sacramento rental companies that offer delivery services to area campgrounds.
What private campgrounds can I find near El Dorado Hills?
American River Resort is a standout private campground near El Dorado Hills with riverfront access, private showers, and clean facilities. Each site includes a fire pit and picnic table, and it's just a half-mile walk to town for shopping and dining. Another private option is Thousand Trails Ponderosa near Lotus, which offers drive-in sites with full hookups, water, toilets, and is big-rig-friendly. These private campgrounds typically provide more amenities than public sites, though they come with higher nightly rates.
What are the best camping spots in El Dorado Hills for families?
Families camping near El Dorado Hills will find Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area particularly appealing with its clean facilities, easy access to lake beach swimming areas, and proximity to stores while still feeling removed from the city. Another excellent family option is Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground, a well-shaded campground with just 23 sites, perfect for a weekend getaway about 3 hours from the Bay Area. The adjacent state historical park offers educational opportunities with open meadows and interpretive displays.
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