Tent and RV camping options near Orangevale extend beyond traditional RV parks to include lakeside spots and riverside locations within 45 minutes of town. The Sacramento region experiences hot summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F between June and September, with milder spring and fall seasons ideal for camping. Winter visitors face occasional rain with temperatures between 40-60°F, requiring appropriate gear for potential overnight lows in the 30s.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Minden offers stocked fishing areas where anglers report good success rates. "Last trip we caught 3 bass and 12 bluegills. This trip we caught a personal record size bass. Great place for fishing all day," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails Lake Minden.
Water activities: The American River provides swimming and floating options at some campgrounds. At Thousand Trails Ponderosa, campers appreciate the river access: "The River is nice with man-made trails to easily walk down to a beach area." One visitor recommends: "Bring tubes and life vests. Poles and bait."
Biking trails: Some campgrounds offer direct access to regional bike paths. Cal Expo RV Park connects to extensive trail systems as one camper notes: "Great Bike paths adjacent along the river into Downtown or up to Folsom."
Family recreation: Several campgrounds maintain playgrounds, pools, and recreational facilities. A visitor to 49er Village RV Resort shares: "The kids loved the stocked fishing ponds, and even better was the immaculate 2 swimming pools and playground! Everyone was busy having fun the whole time."
What campers like
River views: Waterfront sites provide natural scenery and cooling breezes. One camper at Sherwood Harbor Marina & RV Park appreciates: "Tons of beautiful, shady spots overlooking or near the Sacramento river. Very Breezy and well maintained park with good prices for electrical and water hookup."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained restrooms and showers rank high among camper priorities. A visitor to SacWest RV Park & Campground mentions: "Camp site is clean. You can order food and they will deliver. Wonderful ada bathroom/showers with a fold down bench."
Food delivery options: Several campgrounds allow for food delivery directly to sites. "Lots of pull through spots. Hood showers. Loved the pool. Had pizza delivered right to the spot," reports a SacWest camper.
Convenience to urban amenities: Proximity to shopping and services provides practical advantages. A Loomis RV Park visitor notes: "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."
What you should know
Seasonal temperature considerations: Summer heat impacts comfort at exposed sites. A camper at Ponderosa mentions: "One downside- it can be hot. Not a lot of tree cover for the RV sites- make sure you bring shade with you. Luckily, there's a nice cool river to swim in!"
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds restrict stays based on RV characteristics. One potential visitor to Placerville RV Resort & Campground advises: "Read the fine print! If you are expecting a full-hookup site, make sure it has septic at your site! Many of the sites are water and electric only."
Traffic flow patterns: Internal road design affects convenience at some locations. A Lake Minden visitor observes: "The park is built around a lake, and the road looping around it is one-way, enforced with a strict 5 mph speed limit. That's great if you have kids or dogs and you want a calm environment."
Noise sources: External sounds can affect specific camping areas. A reviewer notes about SacWest: "We stayed at the side close to the highway so it was a bit noisy but not too bad. The people were friendly!"
Tips for camping with families
Pool access verification: Confirm pool availability before booking summer trips. A visitor to 49er Village RV Resort recommends: "We spent most of the time in the pool, it was a hot weekend. The flies were pretty bad, but apparently this is not normal and it was just after the county fair ended."
Playground location: Choose sites near play areas to minimize walking with young children. A Lake Minden visitor shares: "There's a playground with a raised soft-chip base, multiple slides, and just the right level of challenge for a toddler. He had a blast."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Some locations offer unique wildlife interactions. "Having Canadian snow geese in our site upon waking up was a real treat," reports a camper from Sherwood Harbor Marina.
Organized activities: Select campgrounds featuring scheduled events for children. A visitor to Placerville RV Resort enjoys: "Mini train ride around park, great playground, mini golf, showed movie and a lot more awesomeness. Was not cheap but kept the kids entertained."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for proper leveling. A visitor notes about one property: "Our spot was very uneven which made it difficult to level." Experienced RVers recommend carrying extra leveling blocks.
Site selection strategy: Request specific areas to avoid potential issues. A Ponderosa visitor advises: "They have different sections that cost more… the closer you are to the river, the more it will cost. It ranges from $5 to $20 bucks more a night."
Utility placement variations: Full hookup accessibility varies between rv campgrounds near Orangevale, California. A camper observes: "The utilities are on the back quarter of the pad. We needed 15' of sewer hose. The water pressure was okay at about 40 psi."
Tree clearance issues: Some sites present overhead challenges for larger RVs. As one visitor notes: "We scratched our motorhome coming into the park" due to low-hanging branches.
