Campgrounds near Modesto, California offer varied accommodations within driving distance of the Central Valley city. Located in San Joaquin County at approximately 90 feet elevation, Modesto experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters. Many campgrounds in the region remain open year-round with seasonal water restrictions affecting certain outdoor activities.
What to Do
Golf during your stay: French Camp RV Park includes an on-site golf course where campers can play a round without leaving the property. According to one visitor at Flag City RV Resort, "Comfortable and easy in and out facility. Restroom and showers are well kept... Otherwise a nice stay with wineries, breweries, golf and other outdoor activities near by."
Explore local wineries: Several RV sites near Modesto, California are situated near wine country attractions. The area offers wine tasting opportunities within short driving distance. "The campground has a small convenience store that sells ice and propane plus wine," notes a visitor to Flag City RV Resort, adding "We wished we'd spent a few more days to explore the area, especially the wineries."
Visit historical sites: Columbia State Historic Park provides a preserved Gold Rush-era mining town near camping options. A visitor to 49er RV Ranch commented, "Very Nice small authentic mining style campground. Suitable for RV and hook-ups," while another mentioned "Free gold-panning lessons on the site" and "Nearby attractions include Columbia state park, which is a preserved miners town."
What Campers Like
Waterfront camping options: The delta region provides several waterfront camping locations for visitors seeking water recreation. A camper at Sugar Barge RV Resort & Marina noted, "Sugar barge is right on the delta. They have a boat trailer parking lot and a boat ramp. They rent kyacks and have a restaurant that looks right over the water." Another visitor mentioned, "We were there primarily because we rented a boat from their Marina. That went well!"
Peaceful county park settings: Less developed camping options provide quieter alternatives to commercial RV parks. A camper at Joseph D. Grant County Park shared, "We had a great site and there was no one on either side of us. The bathrooms were a short walk down hill. They were clean with flushing toilets. The camp ground was quiet and it was mostly couples or small family groups."
On-site entertainment: Some RV sites near Modesto provide activities directly on property. A visitor to Casa de Fruta RV Orchard Resort shared, "Nice Older Park, Large, lots of things going on in the area between the Restaurant, Fruit Stand, Gas Station and the RV Park." Another camper added, "Perfect place to stop! Lots to see & do with the Casa de Fruta fruit stand, Wine & Deli stand, Burrito & Taco stand... Peacocks running around add a whole new dimension."
What You Should Know
Limited wifi at some locations: Despite claims of internet access, connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Flag City RV Resort, a camper reported, "The free WiFi is for email checking only, you want better? You pay extra." At Sugar Barge, another visitor noted, "Wifi and cell reception is really poor, even when you're right outside the office. Check for updates with them if they get a new cell tower nearby."
Water hookup placement: Some campgrounds have unusual utility configurations that require advance planning. A camper at Sugar Barge warned, "My only complaint, the water spigot is really close to the ground and really close to the sewer drain. Scrub with bleach before booking up your water and you'll be fine."
Wildlife encounters: Several camping areas near Modesto offer wildlife viewing opportunities. At Joseph D. Grant County Park, a visitor mentioned, "Nice stay, saw a lot of bunnies and a bobcat on the way out." Another camper noted the area's woodpeckers "were busy storing acorns."
Tips for Camping with Families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specific features for children. At Yosemite Pines RV Resort, a visitor shared, "With a pool, petting zoo, a corral where they have a fire and s'mores followed by a movie, this is a great place to camp with the kids." Another camper added, "The asphalt Campground was great for the kids biking."
Consider alternative accommodations: Beyond traditional camping, some properties offer cabins, yurts and other options. A visitor to Yosemite Pines noted, "We stayed in a Yurt and it was absolutely amazing. We ended up coming in really late but they left our key for us. They were super accommodating. The Llamas were an absolute plus as well."
Check facility cleanliness: Family camping requires reliable bathroom facilities. A camper at Casa de Fruta mentioned the property was "Perfect place to stop" while others noted the "staff was very friendly" with "lots of land to explore!"
Tips from RVers
Budget accordingly for overnight stays: RV site costs vary considerably throughout the region. One RVer at Flag City Resort observed, "We paid $58 for the night, a clean concrete patch, small trees with little or no shade but full hookups," while another noted they "got a Passport America discount" during their January stay.
Check site spacing: RV parks offer varying levels of privacy between campsites. At Sugar Barge, a camper mentioned, "The rv spots are very close together." Similarly, a visitor to Flag City noted their concrete pad "was plenty long enough for our 40' fifth wheel and unhooked F450."
Verify hookup types: RV sites near Modesto offer different hookup configurations. While many provide 50-amp service, actual availability may differ. At Kit Fox RV Park, a visitor noted, "I stayed here for one night in a 22' RV at one of the back-in sites for the shorter term stays," while another mentioned "the sites level, The Park staff are helpful."
