126 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Modesto, California ranges from shaded riverside tent sites to RV parks with full hookups, with options spread across state parks, county parks, and private facilities in the surrounding Central Valley. Caswell Memorial State Park Campground provides shaded sites along the Stanislaus River, while Woodward Reservoir offers water-based recreation with electric and water hookups. Other options include Modesto Reservoir for RV camping with full hookups and McConnell State Recreation Area for more primitive camping experiences. The area features a mix of state parks, county parks, and private RV parks, with most sites concentrated around the region's rivers and reservoirs.
Road conditions are generally good throughout the area, with most campgrounds accessible via paved roads. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F from June through September, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. "This campground is terrific. It can be crowded on the weekends, but the weekdays are wonderful," noted one visitor about Caswell Memorial State Park. Most campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when water recreation is popular. Facilities vary widely, with state and county parks typically offering basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms, while private RV parks provide hookups and additional services. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region except in some river canyons.
Campers report high satisfaction with riverside sites, particularly at Caswell Memorial State Park where the Stanislaus River provides opportunities for swimming and floating. A review mentioned, "The park has a creek that runs from the campground to the public beach down below. You can take your floating stuff up to the camp area and literally float downstream in 45 minutes or so." Shade is an important consideration during hot summer months, with oak trees providing cover at several campgrounds. Wildlife viewing is limited compared to mountain destinations, though riverside areas offer bird watching opportunities. Mosquitoes can be problematic near water, especially in early summer. Private RV parks like Kit Fox RV Park serve as convenient overnight stops for travelers heading to Yosemite or other Sierra Nevada destinations, while county reservoir campgrounds attract boaters and fishing enthusiasts during warm months.
"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."
from $30 - $175 / night
Check Availability"Reminds me a lot of the Modesto reservoir. I enjoy this location because it has stores nearby. I always need to take extra blankets and fire wood. It tends to get chilly and windy occasionally."
"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."
"I stayed here for one night in a 22’ RV at one of the back-in sites for the shorter term stays on a drive from Death Valley back towards the San Francisco Bay area."
"I received a military discount, The park is next to a good sized interchange with food, fuel and etc available."
"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
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Love coming here anytime of the year.Not to far out from Modesto Or Riverbank. There is an archery range here which I still need to check it out."
"We starter visiting Modesto Resivor in the sixties. My father would hail all of our gear out to one of the many islands, and let the kids and dogs run free."
from $40 - $60 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
Check Availability"over night & day sites, hot showers and indoor restrooms surrounded by beautiful nature."
from $30 - $150 / night
Check Availability
GuideVery warm weekend (as to be expected in July) bathrooms and showers were satisfactory. It’s a public campsite with lots of families and most are there for the lake. Sites were large enough but No hookups for RV. We just stayed at night and spent the days with family in the area. Met our needs.
GuideCalled on 7/14/26, they said "we won't cancel any reservation due to arriving late or next day"
ScoutWe had been looking forward to this camping trip, but unfortunately our experience at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Lodi was very disappointing. Before our trip, I paid the Lock Fee($40) specifically to guarantee the campsite we had selected. However, when we arrived, we were assigned to a completely different site. After setting up our trailer, we went back to the office to ask about it. Instead of correcting the mistake, another employee told us that we didn’t even have a reservation and that we needed to leave the campground. We had to search through our emails, show our reservation confirmation, and even provide proof of payment from our bank before they finally found our reservation. Only then were we moved to the campsite we had originally reserved and paid extra to secure. Unfortunately, the worst part happened on our last night. We were camping with friends, and between us we had two electric bikes—one worth nearly$5,000 and another worth over$1,000. We went to bed around 2:30 a.m., and everything was still there. When we came out of our trailers around 8:30 a.m., both bikes had been stolen. We immediately called the police. The responding officer told us that just two weeks earlier, another camper had all of the sound equipment stolen from their vehicle at the same campground. What disappointed us most is that the campground doesn’t appear to have adequate security measures, such as surveillance cameras, and there was no warning at check-in that thefts had recently occurred. Had we known there was an increased risk, we would have taken additional precautions with our valuables. When families choose a campground like this, they expect a safe, relaxing environment where they can enjoy nature without worrying that expensive belongings will disappear overnight. The campground has great amenities and is a fun place for families, but our experience with the reservation issues and the lack of security left us extremely disappointed. I hope management takes these concerns seriously, improves security, and is more transparent with guests so other families don’t have the same experience we did.
ScoutOk, but you guys need to improve lots stuff. Pool was out of order, stuff were not that friendly, I would suggest if you can concrete sites, hard for in and out
GuideWe stayed for two nights and it was amazing. If you keep going you will get to a spot with 360° views. Make sure you drive slowly on the way in past the houses because of all the dust. The only downside is that someone decided to smash glass all over the campfire, so my dog had to have his boots on the whole time.
GuideWe arrived with no reservations and had many spots to choose from. The spots aren’t super private but you usually have your own space. There’s a market and lots of hikes super close by. The showers were coin operated, with coins you had to buy from the ranger station (1 coin = 2 mins). The showers and bathrooms were not clean at all. For as many rangers and workers we saw, we were severely disappointed by how gross the bathrooms were. Stars would probably be higher if it wasn’t for that.
ScoutStayed two nights and had our 8 year old grandson with us. We got what we were told was the best full hook up RV site. I can see a little bit of the lake which is very nice. There is a lot of permanent residence mobile trailer homes. Not at all what I expected. It is dirt, rocks and trees that don’t really provide shade. There were cigarette buts all over our camp site. There is a small fire pit but no bbq. For a good five hours today there was some shooting off a gun. Our dog happens to be afraid of that sound so she spent most of the day inside the trailer. When we arrived we had no picnic table and nobody would answer the phone. My husband and I ended taking one from the empty site next to us. Then this morning I called trying to get the Wi-Fi password. They gave me the wrong one, I called back, they never answered. I left a message, they never called back. My grandson and I walked down a small boat ramp to the lake. The area was full of trash and there was sludge at least a foot off the shore. From there you can see many of the small boat ramps off the backs of the permanent trailers and they were in complete disrepair. I get the feeling no one cares.
I can’t speak to any other area in this resort. Only where we are physically. My Husband did say there was a nice pond with picnic tables and shade, but the dog was not allowed to be there so that wasn’t something that we could enjoy.
ScoutPerfect spot with river access gor fishing. Friendliest people ive met so far. They actually like my bloodhounds ❤️ that right there says alot. Clean pool clean bathrooms and showers. Only bad thing is showers close at 8pm
ScoutWebsite says Luxurious sites, spacious sites. Our site was extremely narrow, sat on a hillside, unlevel, difficult to hook/unhook a 5th wheel because of the downhill. We booked a site for a 30 foot 5th wheel. After my negative review, they posted that LARGE trailers and 5th wheels might have issues??? 30 foot is not large. Our lawn chairs were literally 6 feet from our neighbors sewer hook up and our picnic table sat at about a 30 degree slope. They also said the staff tried to resolve my issues, which never happened. They have a lot of amenities, laundry, pool, etc. But the sites we saw were pretty much like ours. Make your own decisions, form your own opinions, but we'll never go back, nor will we recommend it to anyone.
Camping near Modesto, California centers around the region's reservoirs and rivers, with sites primarily concentrated in the western foothills of Stanislaus County. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 100-500 feet, allowing for moderate year-round accessibility. Winter temperatures dip into the 30s-40s at night, while many campgrounds implement fire restrictions during the dry season from May to October.
River floating: Caswell Memorial State Park offers a unique floating experience on the Stanislaus River. "The park has a creek that runs from the campground to the public beach down below. You can take your floating stuff up to the camp area and literally float downstream in 45 minutes or so," notes camper Jason G. The river depth varies seasonally but provides refreshing recreation during hot summer days.
Fishing: Modesto Reservoir provides shoreline fishing access directly from campsites. "Great fishing from campground spots as well as boating and other water sports," reports Russell L. The reservoir maintains consistent water levels for fishing throughout spring and fall, though catches vary seasonally.
Hiking: McConnell State Recreation Area features riverside trails through riparian habitats. "Nice tent camping. The Merced river runs along the east side of the Park. I think there are beaches but can't confirm it," notes Rich A. Most trails are under 2 miles and suitable for beginners, with minimal elevation change and partial shade.
Riverside campsites: Caswell Memorial State Park Campground receives praise for its waterfront locations. "Amazing site, got a spot right by river with easy access, plenty of room for 4 tents and the campground hosts went out of their way to help if it was needed," writes Jason G. Sites along the river typically fill first, especially during summer weekends.
Clean facilities: Cole Ranch maintains well-kept amenities. "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. The extra touches made you feel at home," explains Joyce L.
Proximity to water activities: Woodward Reservoir provides immediate water access. "Woodward is our family go to place to camp in the summer heat. Lots of campsites with room for tents or RVs. Fire pits and picnic tables at each site. Plenty of bathrooms, some with showers," shares Bonnie S. The reservoir allows body-water contact from approximately mid-April through September.
Seasonal considerations: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F from June through August, making spring and fall preferable for comfort. "Woodward is our family go to place to camp in the summer heat," notes Bonnie S. at Woodward Reservoir, while Eddie N. advises: "Always see people fishing off shore but I haven't had any luck there. Very peaceful area except for waking up to geese near the campsite."
Mosquitoes: McConnell State Recreation Area Campground and other riverfront locations experience seasonal mosquito activity. "TONS of mosquitos, be prepared! When we drove in midday, we were swarmed with mosquitoes. Considering there's a river and lots of weeds/bushes/trees, this isn't surprising," warns Sandra S. about riverside camping. Insects are most active May through July, especially in early mornings and evenings.
Noise levels: Weekend camping brings increased activity. "Unfortunately it was a mess Fri-Sun mid-June with loud Norteño music being blasted from multiple campsites and the day/group area in particular. Very loud and non-stop," reports Joel A. about McConnell State Recreation Area. Weekday camping typically offers quieter conditions across all area campgrounds.
Water activities: Tuolumne River Ranch offers riverside recreation. "This was our hidden little gets-a-way for my hubby and I to just get some R&R away from the hustle, bustle, and grind of daily life and work," shares New D. The gentle current allows for supervised water play during summer months when water levels are lower.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds provide nature programs. "We love this campground and come here at least 2-3x per year. It's great for the kids, they do movies and nature demonstrations on the weekends for kids," explains Jason G. about Caswell Memorial State Park.
Shade importance: When camping near Modesto CA during summer, prioritize shaded sites. "As I was camping in the summer and it was supposed to be 100s I wanted to make sure I had a shadey spot. I was able to find quite a few spots that had shade and were set off the road a bit to have some privacy," advises Barbara B. about Caswell Memorial State Park.
Overnight stops: Kit Fox RV Park serves travelers en route to Sierra destinations. "Great experience! Made reservation on the phone, pulled in around 9:00pm and was able to hook-up the utilities, eat supper, and hit the hay," reports Dennis about this convenient stopover location. The park provides pull-through sites with full hookups approximately 15 minutes from I-5.
Hookup options: Most reservoir campgrounds offer partial hookups. "Located just outside of oakdale, very similar to that of Modesto reservoir as it is managed by the same people. Shallow and warm water great for swimming and water sports. Has paved looped campgrounds and has all necessary hook ups for rv/motorhome camping," explains Russell L. about Woodward Reservoir.
Reservation planning: Summer weekends require advance bookings at most campgrounds near Modesto CA. "This lake is a great place to camp. They have many camping spots but if you want hook ups and waterfront you have to make reservations on T-Island or Hackleberry Flats. Otherwise it is first come first serve for the other areas of the lake," advises Mary K. about Woodward Reservoir.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Modesto, California?
The Modesto area offers excellent camping options, with Modesto Reservoir standing out for its year-round accessibility and proximity to the city. This popular destination features rustic tent camping near the water-skiing course, offering quiet nights and dark skies. Another top choice is Woodward Reservoir, located just outside Oakdale with paved loop campgrounds and full hookups for RVs. Both reservoirs provide warm water ideal for swimming and water sports. Other notable options include Caswell Memorial State Park near Ripon, McConnell State Recreation Area near Ballico, and Tuolumne River Ranch, all offering varying amenities and natural settings within a short drive of Modesto.
Are there any free camping options near Modesto, CA?
Free camping options near Modesto are limited, but budget-friendly alternatives exist. Acorn Campground at New Hogan Reservoir offers reasonably priced sites at $20 per night, with discounts for Golden Age Pass holders ($10 per night). COE New Hogan Lake Coyote Point Campground provides affordable lakeside camping with beautiful surroundings. For those seeking the most economical options, consider dispersed camping in nearby Stanislaus National Forest (approximately 1.5 hours east), where free camping is permitted in designated areas. Always check current regulations and fire restrictions before planning dispersed camping trips, especially during California's dry seasons.
What types of camping accommodations are available in Modesto for tent campers?
Tent campers near Modesto have diverse options to match different camping styles. Modesto Reservoir provides rustic tent camping along the shoreline, particularly popular near the water-skiing course, offering peaceful nights under dark skies. For those seeking a more developed experience, Tuttletown Recreation Area offers designated tent sites with basic amenities. Caswell Memorial State Park provides shaded tent sites along the Stanislaus River, while McConnell State Recreation Area features walk-in tent camping options. Most tent campgrounds in the region provide picnic tables, fire rings, and access to vault or flush toilets. Tent campers should be prepared for hot summer temperatures by bringing shade structures and extra water.
What family-friendly camping facilities are available in Modesto?
Families camping near Modesto have several excellent options with kid-friendly amenities. Lake Camanche is particularly family-oriented with well-maintained campgrounds, clean bathrooms with hot water, and easy lake access. The South Shore area offers an alcohol-free section at Oaks Campground, creating a more family-appropriate environment. Del Valle Campground in the East Bay Regional Park District features endless trails and fantastically maintained camping grounds, making it an excellent choice for families. Other family-friendly options include McConnell State Recreation Area with riverside sites and Caswell Memorial State Park with nature trails suitable for children of all ages.
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