Tent campsites near Manteca, California offer varied camping experiences within an hour's drive. The region has elevations ranging from 200 to 2,500 feet, creating different ecosystems from riverside flats to oak-studded hills. Summer temperatures frequently reach 100°F in July and August, particularly at lower elevation sites, while spring camping typically experiences temperatures between 60-80°F.
What to do
Fishing access: Cole Ranch provides excellent river fishing opportunities with complimentary watercraft available for use. "Fishing was a success, what a bonus," notes one visitor who enjoyed the riverside campsite and "relaxing, quiet and inviting" shoreline.
Paddling options: Rancho Seco Recreation Area offers canoe and kayak rentals for exploring its lake. A camper mentioned, "Beautiful lake to canoe/kayak about. Sites along lake are best," while another noted they "have boat rentals and a fishing derby every year."
Hiking trails: Mount Diablo State Park has trail access directly from Juniper Campground to the summit. A camper described, "The hike is pretty nice to the summit from there," though they warn summer hiking can be challenging due to high temperatures that reached "104° or something" during their July visit.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Joseph D. Grant County Park maintains well-kept bathroom and shower facilities. A visitor noted, "The bathrooms were a short walk down hill. They were clean with flushing toilets," while another mentioned "bathrooms and showers were available" during their overnight stop.
Wildlife viewing: Joseph D. Grant County Park offers chances to spot native animals. One camper reported seeing "a lot of bunnies and a bobcat on the way out," while another reviewer mentioned the park has "beautiful wildlife" including woodpeckers that were "busy storing acorns."
Spacious sites: Juniper Campground provides roomy tent sites. A camper highlighted that their site "included picnic table, fire pit, food storage boxes, & is very spacious," making it comfortable for overnight stays.
What you should know
Heat considerations: Summer temperatures at many sites regularly exceed 100°F. At Juniper Campground, a camper warned it gets "Insanely hot in the summer" and advised "not going in July like we did," describing how they were "just drenching clothes in water to stay cool."
Wildlife precautions: Several campgrounds have active nocturnal wildlife. At Lake Camanche, campers should secure food properly. One visitor at Rancho Seco advised to "make sure you put your food away at night raccoons will get your food and snacks."
Water level variations: Lake levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline access. A Lake Camanche visitor noted, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Delta Bay RV Resort offers good fishing access for children. A visitor stated it has "Great fishing" and noted the "staff is friendly and food is good," making it suitable for family outings.
Off-season visits: Family camping is often more enjoyable during shoulder seasons. At Rancho Seco, a camper advised visiting in the off-season: "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."
Kid-friendly swimming: Several locations have swimming areas suitable for children. At Lake Camanche, a camper noted it was "Great for water playing kids" and added, "We don't have boat and did not rent one, but the kids had a great time with just the floaties."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Rancho Seco Recreation Area, RVers have 21 serviced sites. A visitor noted there are "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."
Winter camping benefits: Off-season camping offers more solitude and space. At Lake Camanche, RVers found "We were only one of a few handful of RVs in the RV section of the campground. I could imagine it being a loud party-scene in the summer. But in the early spring, it was full of bird songs and a gorgeous sunset."
Utility connections: Check hookup specifications before booking. One camper at Rancho Seco Recreation Area mentioned the campground has "big-rig friendly" sites with "thirty-amp hookups" available, though they don't offer fifty-amp service which larger modern RVs might require.
