Best Campgrounds near Patterson, CA

Patterson is situated in California's San Joaquin Valley with several established campgrounds and recreational areas within driving distance. Frank Raines Regional Park offers both tent and RV camping just 14 miles west of Patterson, while Kit Fox RV Park provides full hookup sites closer to town. The camping landscape includes options ranging from basic tent sites to full-service RV parks, with several state recreation areas like Caswell Memorial State Park and George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area providing access to water recreation. Most developed campgrounds in the region feature picnic tables, fire rings, and toilet facilities, though hookup availability varies considerably between locations.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in the Patterson area, with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F in the valley floor locations. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though seasonal mosquito activity can be intense near waterways. Reservations are recommended at popular sites, especially during spring and summer weekends when facilities fill quickly. Many campgrounds provide water access to rivers like the Stanislaus and Tuolumne, which offer opportunities for fishing, swimming, and wildlife viewing. Access roads to most developed sites are paved and suitable for passenger vehicles, though some more remote areas may require higher clearance. A visitor to George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area noted, "I have never camped somewhere where there were so many mosquitoes! The river is low which makes it good for kids."

The Stanislaus River corridor provides popular developed camping areas, with Caswell Memorial State Park receiving positive reviews for its family-friendly atmosphere and water recreation. One camper shared, "We love this campground and come here at least 2-3 times per year. It's great for kids, they do movies and nature demonstrations on the weekends. The river is usually very pleasant for tube floating." Privacy between campsites varies significantly across the region's campgrounds, with some offering well-separated, shaded sites while others feature more open layouts. Noise levels can be a consideration, as some campgrounds like Merced River Resort have reported highway and train noise. Most developed campgrounds in the Patterson region provide basic amenities including toilets and drinking water, with RV-oriented facilities offering additional services like electric hookups and dump stations.

Best Camping Sites Near Patterson, California (104)

    1. Kit Fox RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Patterson, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 892-2638

    "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."

    2. Caswell Memorial State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Ripon, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +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."

    3. George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area Group Camp

    2 Reviews
    Stevinson, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 632-1852

    $150 / night

    4. Del Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District

    23 Reviews
    Livermore, CA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $15 - $200 / night

    "After time spent here at this oasis in the middle of Eastbay, California, you’ll very much feel like part of this place with its endless trails, fantastically well-kept camping grounds and the warm hospitality"

    "Campsite amenities were great, easy access to water and bathrooms. Bathrooms were spotless the whole weekend, even though it was a holiday weekend and every site was booked."

    5. Frank Raines Regional Park

    1 Review
    Patterson, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 525-6750

    7. Merced River Resort

    6 Reviews
    Stevinson, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 634-6056

    8. Woodward Reservoir

    16 Reviews
    Oakdale, CA
    30 miles
    Website
    +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"

    9. Thousand Trails Turtle Beach

    5 Reviews
    Lathrop, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +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."

    10. McConnell State Recreation Area Campground

    6 Reviews
    Atwater, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 394-7755

    $30 - $200 / night

    "over night & day sites, hot showers and indoor restrooms surrounded by beautiful nature."

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Recent Reviews near Patterson, CA

388 Reviews of 104 Patterson Campgrounds


  • Laura The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Glory Hole Recreation Area

    Pretty and quiet

    Easy to find, there was no one but my spot was labelled with the tags. Facilities are clean but the shower was cold, at best lukewarm. The lake's water was too low for a swim though :( sad

  • A
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Uvas Canyon County Park

    A ton of wasps near 25

    Second time at the campground. Love this campground still but im pretty sure there is a wasp next near 25. We were here about 2 weeks ago at a different site and didnt have any wasp issues. It probably didnt help that it looked like previous people left trash and food on the floor. We will be coming back soon to a different site. Campground is gorgeous. Bathrooms are super clean.

  • James C.
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Thousand Trails Turtle Beach

    Still a 4-star park worth the trip

    This may not be the park it once was, but it's still far better than most in the area. 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. No shopping or supplies nearby, but anything you may want or need is within 5 miles. It is very relaxing and one of the first sites I try to book if I'm in the area. Hands down better than the county parks.

  • A
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Mount Madonna County Park

    Super nice and clean

    Very nice and clean. Only complaint is the lay out of the campsite area i was in. They were very close together. And the water spout was difficult to get on. Other than that it was beautiful.

  • Erika V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Medeiros Primitive Campsites — San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area

    Down by the river

    Last minute overnighter on a Friday night in July. First come first serve camping. We stayed right next to the river, which was nice. Open area with nice spots with a table, shade and a fire ring. Very windy, but tolerable. Overall a chill place though cars kept driving through into the evening, though it settled down around 11pm. Slept well! Great spot if passing through.

  • A
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Uvas Canyon County Park

    Uvas

    Super clean and maintained. Especially the bathrooms and showers. The sites are spaced out nicely and there is a water faucet and trash bins plus recycle every couple of sites. On the trails theres quite a bit of poison oak so keep dogs close. Not every site is able to car camp due to rocks blocking off the parking area but every campsite is pretty nice.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park

    Usable, but narrow

    Positiv: 50 $, full hooked, warm showers Negativ: Our slot 170 was very narrow, other spots had more space. You could not see that on the onlinemap. No bench or table belonged to the spot. My neighbour had a slide-out. There was only one meter to my van. I found two showers, the free one had a damaged, sliced curtain, so everybody could have seen my body while taking a shower. There was no separation and all my clothes on the bench got wet. The shower for handicapped persons didn't have any curtain at all.

  • K
    Jul. 27, 2025

    McClure Point Recreation Area

    site space is large

    The campground is very large. It takes 20 minutes to drive from the entrance to the site. The nearest store is half an hour away by car, so you need to be well prepared before entering. The site space is large, there is a distance between sites, and the privacy is very good.

  • K
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Del Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District

    bathrooms very clean

    The sites in the campground are very close to each other, so there is not much privacy and space. The neighbors nearby were very noisy during the two days I was there, but the bathrooms and toilets are very clean.


Guide to Patterson

Camping sites near Patterson, California offer access to several water recreation areas within a short drive. The San Joaquin Valley location sits at approximately 100 feet elevation with summer temperatures regularly reaching triple digits, especially from June through September. Winter camping provides milder conditions with daytime temperatures in the 50-60°F range and cooler nights that can drop below 40°F.

What to do

**Fishing opportunities: Turtle Beach provides access to delta waters where you can fish without venturing far from your campsite. "Very nice. Few amenities and staff was scarce but more than adequate. Lots of room to roam for people & pets," notes one camper.

**Kayaking and tubing: Caswell Memorial State Park Campground offers a lazy river ideal for floating. A visitor explains, "The park has a creek that runs from the camp ground to the public beach down below. You can take your floating stuff up to the camp area and literally float down stream in 45 minutes or so."

**Wildlife viewing: Watch for local fauna at McConnell State Recreation Area Campground along the Merced River. "Over night & day sites, hot showers and indoor restrooms surrounded by beautiful nature," according to one review. The park has 21 tent sites with river access, though swimming may be prohibited when water levels are high.

What campers like

**Shaded campsites: Caswell Memorial State Park Campground receives praise for its tree cover. A visitor notes, "Campsites are large and most are well shaded. Bathrooms and showers are available even during COVID." The shade becomes especially valuable during hot San Joaquin Valley summers.

**Modern facilities: Some campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. One camper at Caswell Memorial State Park noted, "The bathrooms were astounding. Very modern and especially clean. Very beautiful and quiet park with the calmest river and soothing sounds of the birds around you."

**Lake recreation: Woodward Reservoir offers waterfront camping with warm water swimming. "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," reports one visitor.

What you should know

**Seasonal closures: Check campground status before visiting. George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area experiences periodic flooding. A visitor in June 2023 reported, "Main gate is locked. No entry, despite what it says on the park website about day use area being open. 100% boarded up at the moment."

**Insect preparation: Bring insect repellent, especially for riverside camping. Mosquitoes can be prevalent near water sources, particularly in spring and early summer as temperatures rise.

**Weekend crowding: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during peak season. A Del Valle Campground visitor observed, "Close to the Bay Area and probably one of the better options. It can get crowded over the weekends."

**Water recreation restrictions: Water contact may be prohibited during certain months. At Woodward Reservoir, "Be aware that usually late September to Mid April, there is no body to water contact."

Tips for camping with families

**River recreation options: Del Valle Campground provides multiple activities for children. "Del Valle is one of the most beautiful lakes in the east bay. The water is perfect temperature. Great hikes, paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming and beginner windsurfing."

**Noise considerations: Some campgrounds become lively on weekends. One McConnell State Recreation Area camper noted, "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."

**Swimming options: Look for designated swimming areas with natural beaches. At Caswell Memorial State Park, "There is a place where we usually stop to swim about 2/3 down the slope which is deep and perfect."

**Wildlife viewing opportunities: Schedule early morning wildlife watching. At Del Valle, one camper observed, "There was quite a bit of wildlife roaming through the park mainly in the early morning. I saw deer and turkeys roaming the campground."

Tips from RVers

**Overnight stopover option: Kit Fox RV Park serves as a convenient transit point. One visitor mentioned, "We used Kit Fox as a stop over on our voyage from Oregon to Arizona. We stayed one night. The park is CLEAN, Quiet, the sites level, The Park staff are helpful. I received a military discount."

**Highway noise considerations: Some RV parks experience traffic noise. At Merced River Resort, one camper warned, "Loud with highway noise, factory next door and train goes through many times a night."

**Hook-up availability varies: Full hookups aren't universal. A Thousand Trails Turtle Beach visitor noted, "This application says it's 50 amp with septic. No septic and only 30 amp service. Clean place- just seems to be portapots."

**Off-season advantages: Consider visiting outside summer months. Many campgrounds remain open year-round with fewer crowds and cooler temperatures in spring and fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping sites near Patterson, CA?

Patterson, CA offers several camping options within a reasonable driving distance. Frank Raines Regional Park is one of the closest options to Patterson, providing drive-in access with water and toilet facilities. For RV travelers, Kit Fox RV Park offers convenient amenities including full hookups, water, and restrooms in a location that's easily accessible from Patterson. Both parks serve as great bases for exploring the Central Valley region while providing essential camping facilities.

Are there free or paid campgrounds available near Patterson, CA?

Near Patterson, you'll primarily find paid campgrounds with varying fee structures. Medeiros Primitive Campsites — San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area offers affordable camping at approximately $20 per night with plenty of availability, even on weekends. For RV campers, Woodward Reservoir provides paved loop campgrounds with full hookups for RVs and motorhomes at reasonable rates. While free dispersed camping is limited in the immediate Patterson area, these paid options provide good value with essential amenities like boat docks, tables, and maintained facilities.

What lakes are available for recreation near Patterson, CA?

The Patterson area offers several lake recreation options within driving distance. Del Valle Campground is centered around a beautiful lake just about 15 minutes from Livermore, offering swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities with wildlife viewing as a bonus. San Luis Reservoir provides extensive water recreation possibilities with its sizeable lake. Woodward Reservoir near Oakdale is another excellent option featuring shallow, warm water that's perfect for swimming and various water sports, with convenient facilities for day use and overnight stays.