Ascension Ranch offers equestrian camping on the shores of Folsom Lake, just 6 miles from Rescue, California. The property features eight reservable sites in an oak savanna setting at approximately 900 feet elevation. Weather conditions typically include hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September, while winter brings cooler temperatures and occasional rainfall. The area experiences minimal snowfall but can have overnight temperatures near freezing during December and January.
What to Do
Lakeside fishing and swimming: Folsom Lake State Recreation Area's Beals Point Campground provides direct water access for recreational activities. "Folsom lake is a beautiful location, great bike and hiking trails. Clean and safe area. Great place to bring the family," notes Cassidy Y.
Trail exploration: The extensive network of trails around Sly Park Recreation Area accommodates hikers of all skill levels. One camper shares, "Plenty of trails to choose from. There is also a lovely, short hike to a waterfall! It's just a 1 mile walk along the lakeshore from the Hazel Creek day use parking area."
Gold panning: The American River near Ruck-A-Chucky Campground offers prospecting opportunities. "If you're lucky and know how to read the river, gold panning is a must!" recommends Jason A.
What Campers Like
Secluded campsites: Many horse campgrounds near Rescue, California provide private spaces away from crowded recreation areas. At Dru Barner Campground, a reviewer shares, "This has been my favorite spot after traveling all across US. I wanted to hide in the forest. Nothing but trees and the wind blowing through them."
Access to water: The proximity to lakes makes swimming a popular summer activity. One camper at Beals Point notes, "The lake itself is beautiful! If not camping overnight I love to get a day pass and just hang out on the beach! It's a great family friendly area."
Wildlife viewing: The natural settings around Rescue provide opportunities to observe local fauna. A visitor to Sly Park observed, "We saw a tarantula near the tee box. I woke up with 4 deer casually strolling through our campsite, a huge group of turkeys were cruising around the whole weekend."
What You Should Know
Fire regulations: Campfire restrictions vary seasonally and by location. At Sly Park, a camper advises, "The Sacramento area gets very hot in the summer, and this campground provides some but not a ton of shade. They also follow fire season safety and you should plan for that."
Cell service variability: Connectivity differs significantly between campgrounds. A visitor to Loon Lake notes, "There's no cell service in the area, and finding the campground can be a little challenging. We drove past it the first time."
Insect activity: Be prepared for seasonal insects. A Loon Lake camper warns, "The lake and surroundings are absolutely gorgeous, but we had cut our camping trip short due to meat bees. There were TONS of them! They were all over our campsite, the campground, and the waterfront."
Tips for Camping with Families
Choose shaded sites: During hot summer months, tree cover becomes essential. A visitor to Sly Park Recreation Area recommends, "Hilltop sites are better for smaller campers. I have an 18' trailer and sites 126-128 are really nice. They are set into the mountains with trees behind you."
Pack quarters for showers: Some campgrounds require coins for facilities. A Beals Point camper advises, "The showers take quarters and have hot water most of the time. The shower rooms have very high ceilings with thicker glass windows way up high as well. Almost like a spa experience if you ask me."
Consider off-peak timing: For a less crowded experience at equestrian campgrounds near Rescue, avoid peak seasons. A camp host at Sly Park suggests, "It does get very busy on weekends, so if you would rather not deal with the 'Weekend Warrior' type of campers, book your stay for mid-week (Mon-Thurs) and probably avoid camping in July altogether."
Tips from RVers
Prepare for uneven terrain: Some horse-friendly campgrounds have challenging access roads. At Ruck-A-Chucky, a camper notes, "The trek down to the campsite was slightly difficult and we decided to utilize the four wheel drive as we navigated to and from."
Check water availability: Not all sites provide hookups year-round. At Lake Amador Resort, one visitor observed, "Spots are a little tight for my 37' 5th wheel but it worked out pretty good. Back end of my trailer hung over a big hill. You sit above the full timer rv spots & mostly look at trees."
Bring extra supplies: Remote locations mean limited access to stores. A camper at Loon Lake advises, "Bring extra ice and supplies–the nearest market was too far to justify a trip (40+ mins one way)."
