Smiley C.
Scout
ScoutGlory Hole Recreation Area
Glory Hole ,on New Melones lake
Tent camped, basic site , senior discount, about 20 per night.
Best Campgrounds near Manteca, CA
The San Joaquin Valley region surrounding Manteca provides a range of camping options within a 30-mile radius. Established campgrounds include Caswell Memorial State Park along the Stanislaus River and Thousand Trails Turtle Beach situated on delta waterways. Most camping areas accommodate both tent and RV setups, with facilities ranging from basic to full-hookup sites. French Camp RV Park and Golf Course offers spacious sites with 50-amp service, while Turner Cut Resort includes cabin accommodations for those seeking alternatives to traditional camping.
Reservations are recommended for most campgrounds in the area, particularly during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. Mosquitoes can be problematic near riverfront areas, especially at Caswell Memorial State Park where several campers noted significant insect activity. Full-hookup RV sites are available at multiple locations, though amenities and site sizes vary considerably between parks. County and state park campgrounds have stricter quiet hours and pet policies compared to private RV parks. According to one camper at Caswell Memorial State Park, "There's a beach about half way between snake bend and the day beach so you can stop and picnic/play. Campsites are large and most are well shaded."
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw in the region, with several campgrounds offering direct river or delta access. Campers frequently mention opportunities for swimming, fishing, and tubing as primary attractions. The Stanislaus River at Caswell Memorial State Park receives particularly positive feedback for family recreation. Bathroom and shower facilities receive mixed reviews across all campgrounds, with cleanliness being inconsistent. Dos Reis County Park serves as a convenient overnight stop for travelers using Interstate 5, though some visitors note limited privacy between sites. Several campers mentioned road noise at certain campgrounds, particularly those near highways. French Camp RV Park earned consistently high ratings for maintenance and cleanliness, with one visitor noting it is "very clean" with "staff pleasant to work with at check in."
Best Camping Sites Near Manteca, California (142)
1. Caswell Memorial State Park Campground
14 ReviewsRipon, CA7 milesWebsite+1 (209) 599-3810$30 - $175 / night
"Near by river provides access to canoeing or kayaking. A few hiking trails plus a good size group campsite area. Online reservation available."
"Most of the sites are close to the entrance to the river. The day use are is well shaded and provides easy hicks. Will definately go again."
2. Dos Reis County Park
6 ReviewsLathrop, CA5 milesWebsite+1 (209) 953-8800$30 - $40 / night
"Not a lot to do in the surrounding area, no obvious hiking trails, for example, although some fishing seems to have been possible. A small loop of 20+ sites, all (it appeared) with full-hookups. "
"Trails to hike and bike"
3. Thousand Trails Turtle Beach
5 ReviewsLathrop, CA4 milesWebsite+1 (888) 707-1477"Stayed on large grass site next to the water. Very nice. Few amenities and staff was scarce but more than adequate. Lots of room to roam for people & pets."
"Showers and clubhouse activities are still limited, but the nearby delta offers its own attraction. Day use, tents, and every class of RV are easily accommodated."
4. French Camp RV Park and Golf Course
4 ReviewsManteca, CA6 milesWebsite+1 (209) 234-1544"Was passing thru from south California. Very clean. Staff was pleasant to work with at check in. Plenty of room to leave RV hooked up to truck."
5. French Camp Recreational Vehicle Park
3 ReviewsManteca, CA5 milesWebsite+1 (209) 234-15446. Woodward Reservoir
16 ReviewsOakdale, CA20 milesWebsite+1 (209) 847-3304"Out in Central valley is Woodward Lake. Great for a day trip if you live in the Bay area and want to get away. They have boat access to the lake."
"Woodward Reservoir is a great place to camp with or without all the amenities...They have primitive camping for the folks that like roughing it as well as people that like the home away from home experience"
7. Riverpoint Landing Marina Resort
7 ReviewsStockton, CA15 milesWebsite+1 (209) 951-4144$69 - $89 / night
"Dog friendly with a nice park just outside of the resort. Shopping and restaurants nearby."
"This is a unique rv park right on the Stockton deep water channel where you can sit next to your rv and watch huge oceangoing ships come into port. We loved it."
9. Camptown Tracy CA
1 ReviewTracy, CA9 miles"The location is close to the freeway and passes by for 7 years. Often it has a foul odor due to farmers, waste facility plants or Warehouses ."
10. Flag City RV Resort
11 ReviewsLodi, CA24 milesWebsite+1 (209) 339-8300$95 - $990 / night
"They have a huge fenced dog area in the drainage bowl behind the office that also has solar panels on the outskirts. We did not use the area due to the recent rain."
"Convenient rest stop, has a small pool, is close to stores, highway, mostly facilitates larger size RVs, and generally clean and quiet."
Recent Camping Photos near Manteca, CA
105 Photos of 142 Manteca Campgrounds
The Dyrt
Thousand Trails Turtle Beach
Ian F.
Caswell Memorial State Park Campground
Mary K.
Woodward Reservoir
Larry W.
Sugar Barge RV Resort & Marina
Eric A.
Cole Ranch
Craig & Linda L.
Delta Shores Resort and Marina
Jocelyn W.
Del Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District
Eddie N.
Modesto Reservoir
Roxanne D.
Lake Camanche
Rubén D.
Willow Campground — Brannan Island State Recreation Area
MarinMaverick
Brannan Island State Recreation Area
Yvette M.
Lake Tulloch RV Campground and Marina
Recent Reviews near Manteca, CA
483 Reviews of 142 Manteca Campgrounds
Vince N.
GuideUSBR Gloryhole Rec Area Big Oak Campground
Good spots, lousy neighbors
Staying here April 17-20 and it’s quite a good spot. Reservations are required but usually aren’t hard to get. $22 per night with a $8 reservation fee. Potable water available and bathrooms with a couple of them having showers. Weather is great with the lowest only getting to 48 degrees at night. Right by New Melones allowing for ease of water activities and taking a stroll around the park. Towns are 20-30 minute drive away so supplies and in-town activities also not hard to come by.
Only gripe is large groups nearby were noisy way past quiet hours. Besides that, great place to be.
- A
Allen R.
TravelerAlameda County Fairgrounds campground
Alameda County Fairgrounds campground
The least expensive sites are very close to neighboring campers. Although drive through site and premium site have more space as price for site increases. We'll kept and convenient to Bay Area. Very nice and helpful staff.
Kimberly L.GuideDos Reis County Park
So much lost potential
The campground is in a good location, nice view, spacious sites at a fair price. Unfortunately, this campground could be an easy 5 stars if the camp hosts were more invested but I'm sure they are living there for free and not having to do much at all except drive around on their golf cart every couple of days. If they were invested in their responsibilities as a camphost, they wouldn't take up three spots for their extra vehicles because they'd be full. They also don't walk the park or the grassy areas(trash throughout), no clean up of sites or fire pits(dog waste bags and plastic trash bags in fire pit and broken glass at site), and they don't unlock the showers at the posted times(you get 2 hrs in the morning and 2 hrs in the evening to use showers if they're not locked up), nor do they clean the bathroom which was pretty gross the whole week I was there. The sign says to let the camp host know if the showers are locked during scheduled use times but good luck getting past their GS who lets you know not to bother them. On top of those issues, the feral cats will urinate/spray on anything left outside your rig. This park could easily get full and stay that way if issues were addressed but it's obvious that someone knows someone. If you get my drift. It's disappointing and I won't be back.
Delaney N.TravelerCaswell Memorial State Park Campground
Great getaway!
I love how many sites here are private. It really gives the sense that you are out alone in nature, while being only 15 minutes away from the city. The restrooms are in good conditions, I haven’t tested the showers. But I’ve always enjoyed my trips here
A negative though- people do tend to dump their cats here, so depending on the time of year cats may be heavy. In January there were lots, this last time in March I only saw one or two!
LMTravelerModesto Reservoir
Great scenery, but easily ruined by inconsiderate campers
We recently camped at Vivian Cove and had a mixed experience.
The positives:
The natural setting is beautiful — right by the water with lots of ducks, and the campsite layout is quite nice. The stone seating areas are a great feature, and overall the location itself is very enjoyable. It feels more secluded compared to the main campground areas.Important notes about facilities:
Be aware that facilities here are very basic. While the site may be listed as having amenities, in reality:- There was no visible water access at the campsite
- No sinks or designated areas for washing dishes
- The restrooms are vault toilets (pit-style, no running water)
This may be expected for some campers, but it can be very different from what people assume if they see “restrooms” or “hookups” mentioned.
The main issue:
Our experience was heavily affected by a few groups who did not follow campground etiquette.- When we arrived shortly after check-in time (~4:15 PM), our reserved site was already occupied by another group
- Some visitors appeared to be using campsites without proper reservations
- A small number of groups were extremely disruptive at night — loud music, generators, and shouting well past quiet hours
While many campers were respectful and quiet, it only took one or two inconsiderate groups to significantly impact the experience.
Enforcement:
There does appear to be enforcement — staff/patrol came through in the morning and disruptive groups were eventually asked to leave. However, quiet hours were not effectively enforced overnight.Tips for future visitors:
- Bring earplugs
- Bring your own water and be prepared for no washing facilities
- Expect a more primitive camping setup
Overall:
The location is great, but the experience depends heavily on neighboring campers and expectations regarding facilit- DDawn C.Guide
Pardee Reservoir Recreation Area
Beautiful in Spring
Beautiful. 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.
- JJ B.Traveler
Glory Hole Recreation Area
Great time of year
Just got back from a weekend jaunt to Glory Hole. Marina and some boat ramps still not open for the season, but the hills were bright green—verdant comes to mind. And the male turkeys were everywhere, calling early in the morning. Not enough toilets for the number of campers (males—1 toilet to ~25 campers—you better be good at holding it!)
norcalcudafishScoutOrwood Resort Inc.
Working hard to make it better
Was once a dump of a campground. They are working on it as we speak. They have a site right in front of the boat launch that comes with dock access to fish! Most sites are water and electricity only.
Guide to Manteca
Camping spots near Manteca, California offer direct access to river and delta waterways within the San Joaquin Valley. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F from June through September, making water activities particularly popular. Mosquito repellent is essential for camping from April through October when insect activity peaks near water sources.
What to do
Tube floating on the Stanislaus River: At Caswell Memorial State Park, visitors can enjoy a relaxing 45-minute float down the river. "You can take your floating stuff up to the camp area and literally float down stream in 45 minutes or so," notes Julie P., who adds that "there is a place where we usually stop to swim about 2/3 down the slope which is deep and perfect."
Watch oceangoing ships: Riverpoint Landing Marina Resort offers a unique opportunity to see large vessels. "This is a unique rv park right on the Stockton deep water channel where you can sit next to your rv and watch huge oceangoing ships come into port," reports one camper who "loved it."
Kayaking on delta waterways: Bring your own kayak to explore the water at several campgrounds. One visitor at Woodward Reservoir mentioned that "Both our kids family have Kayaks so that makes getting on the water great," making it perfect for paddling enthusiasts.
What campers like
Shaded campsites: Many campers appreciate the natural coverage at Caswell Memorial State Park. "There are a lot of families with small children. The sites are clean and well maintained. A small river is nearby," explains xi C., who gave the park five stars.
Quiet weekday camping: Several campgrounds are significantly less crowded during the week. "This campground is terrific. It can be crowded on the weekends, but the week days are wonderful," reports Julie P. about Caswell Memorial State Park.
Large, accommodating sites: French Camp RV Park and Golf Course receives praise for its spacious layout. One visitor noted it's "Quiet, clean and great dog parks!" and mentioned that "It is very well-maintained, nicely landscaped, and they have some great dog parks."
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary widely: While some campgrounds maintain excellent facilities, others receive mixed reviews. At Caswell Memorial State Park, one visitor was pleasantly surprised: "The bathrooms were astounding. Very modern and especially clean."
Temperature fluctuations: Prepare for significant day-to-night temperature changes. "Doesn't matter how hot it may be during the day, night is always chilly," warns one camper about Caswell Memorial conditions.
Seasonal restrictions: Some camping areas have limited availability. At Woodward Reservoir, "Be aware that usually late September to Mid April, there is no body to water contact," and during certain periods the "campground is only open to Stanislas County residents."
Mosquito preparation: Insect activity can be intense near water. One camper at Caswell Memorial State Park noted: "TONS of mosquitos, be prepared! When we drove in midday, we were swarmed with mosquitos."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Thousand Trails Turtle Beach offers access to delta waters. One reviewer described it as having "Big roomy & picturesque" sites with "very nice" conditions, noting there were "Lots of room to roam for people & pets."
Movie nights and activities: Some campgrounds offer organized events for children. A visitor mentioned Caswell Memorial State Park "do movies and nature demonstrations on the weekends for kids."
Beach access points: Several water-adjacent campgrounds have designated swimming areas. "A 45 minute lazy river meanders through the park and lets out at the day use beach," explains one camper about Caswell Memorial State Park.
Off-peak visits: For a more peaceful experience with children, consider weekday camping. As one visitor noted about Woodward Reservoir, "it is a great time to go during the week when children are in school."
Tips from RVers
One-night stopover considerations: Dos Reis County Park works well for quick stops but has limitations. "This campground will not work for people wanting a one night stay because there are no pull through sites and each campsite would require disconnecting the trailer or tow car to fit in the site," advises Jeff M.
Full hookup availability: Multiple RV parks offer complete services. At French Camp RV Park, one reviewer appreciated the "Good place for an overnight stay" with "Good hookup."
Site selection for privacy: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options than others. At Dos Reis, "We felt we didn't have enough privacy" since they were "very close to surrounding sites."
Check utility specifications: Advertised amenities may not match reality. One RVer at Turtle Beach noted that while "this application says it's 50 amp with septic," they found "No septic and only 30 amp service."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Manteca, CA?
Where are the best campgrounds in Manteca, CA?
The Manteca area offers several excellent camping options within a short drive. Caswell Memorial State Park Campground near Ripon provides a peaceful setting with water access and clean facilities. For those seeking a family-friendly environment, Lake Camanche is highly recommended for its well-maintained grounds, clean bathrooms with hot water, and easy lake access. The water level varies seasonally, but it remains a popular destination, especially during summer holidays (book well in advance for peak times). Both locations offer a range of amenities and provide a great base for exploring the Central Valley region while being conveniently located near Manteca.
Are there RV parks and camping facilities near Manteca?
Are there RV parks and camping facilities near Manteca?
Manteca and its surrounding areas offer several RV-friendly options. French Camp RV Park and Golf Course provides full hookups and the added bonus of golfing amenities just minutes from Manteca. For those willing to drive a bit further, Acorn Campground is reasonably priced at $20 per night (with discounts for Golden Age passes) and accommodates various RV sizes, though it's primarily designed for smaller trailers. The campground is clean, well-maintained, and sites are conveniently located near restrooms and water sources. Additionally, Thousand Trails Turtle Beach near Manteca offers big-rig-friendly sites with full amenities for RV travelers.
Can I find camping near rivers or lakes around Manteca?
Can I find camping near rivers or lakes around Manteca?
The Manteca area is surrounded by excellent water-adjacent camping options. Woodward Reservoir just outside Oakdale features shallow, warm water perfect for swimming and water sports, with paved loop campgrounds offering full RV hookups. The reservoir includes boat docks and picnic tables near the water. For a different experience, COE New Hogan Lake Coyote Point Campground offers gorgeous lakeside camping with excellent kayak fishing opportunities. The campground boasts abundant wildlife including dragonflies, butterflies, and bees, with sites that allow easy access to launch kayaks. Dos Reis County Park near Lathrop is another option with both drive-in and boat-in access.
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