Searching for the best camping near Rio Linda, CA? Rio Linda is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Rio Linda. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
$33 - $58 / night
"As with most of California everything is dry. The lake is very low and a half mile walk from park to get to. The sites are surrounded by dry tall grass and spaced out nicely."
"As full timers- we thought we hit the jackpot for the area in order to be near the towns we wanted to explore and also have service for good wifi."
$52 - $100 / night
"Great little campsite with a 50s vibe right outside the city of Sacramento. The bathrooms and showers are clean the staff are friendly and helpful."
"We stayed at the side close to the highway so it was a bit noisy but not too bad. The people were friendly! It was a bit too pricey though."
$50 - $1000 / night
"Great Bike paths adjacent along the river into Downtown or up to Folsom. All Full hook up sites on gravel or asphalt, daily, weekly, monthly rates."
"...then you want a good location for your home base. Cal Expo definitely has the centralized location for exploring Old Sac, Cal Expo, State Capitol, the rivers and beyond."
"Also while setting up, every person that walked by said hi and welcome! We have never experienced that much friendliness in a campground."
$33 / night
"Very quite camping spot very clean.coin operated showers😭 lake is very close by."
"Folsom lake is a great place to take the boat, beals point has a snack bar, life guards and equipment rentals, there are plenty of places you can drive or boat to get away from the crowds if you prefer"
"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 and a dump station."
"Everything you need to “get away” is here and big city amenities a short drive away."
"If you are okay with that they have a lot of sites right next to the water. The sites away from the water are quieter."
"Thousand Trails Lake Minden
Tiny Park, Giant Heart
We spent three weeks at Lake Minden and, to be honest, judged it too quickly."
$65 / night
"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. Office staff very nice and helpful."
"There is a little store within walking distance. Overall a very nice park!"
TravelerThis sweet little spot is a paddle boarding and fishing dream. Primitive site where Smittle Creek flows into Lake Berryessa.
GuidePaid $68 for a tent site with no hookups. Showers take quarters too. Price is a bit steep IMO but the site was nice, a quick walk to the lake to cool off.
GuideThis is our second time camping at Collins Lake, and we loved it just as much as the first! We stayed at site 60A Lake Front View, which had stunning water views and a spacious setup 🤩👌🏽. The site gets a lot of sun in the morning and afternoon, so bring a popup canopy for shade—it made a big difference for us! Overall, the campground is clean, peaceful, and perfect for a relaxing getaway. Highly recommend!
TravelerWe live just up the road (Nevada City) yet we ignored this campground for years thinking it was full of trailer trash. But years ago Yuba County did a great job of cleaning this place up and putting in hookups and paving the campground and adding irrigation systems that keep the grass green all year long.
My favorite thing about this campground is the birds! I use the Merlin app to identify the birds here and so far this place holds my record of around 18 birds not including the more silent ones we saw. There are turtles and otters in the creek to check out as well.
The camp host (Jan The Man) is the best camp host ever!
Weekdays are the best when there are few people but on weekends it does fill up. We did camp one time and some folks were having a karaoke party late into the night (somehow I suspect they will never be back). Usually everyone's respectful and its a great place to be.
GuideGreat campground! Our first stay at Collins Lake was fantastic. The lake views were beautiful, the campsites were clean and spacious, and the staff was friendly. Plenty of activities for the family, like fishing and hiking. We’ll definitely be back!
ScoutI stayed at Dutch Flat RV for a year (Aug 24-Jul 25). it is a nice campground with some beautiful hikes starting at the campground.
Good mix of vacation and working residents. Everyone pretty much stays to themselves but are quite friendly.
The management and owners are super friendly and helpful.
I know the owners are in the process of improving many aspects of the site.
TravelerI came to check out the more calm waters in the canyon for my paddleboard. The site was great layout and I had a really enjoyable time out on the water. Other boaters where very respectful of the no wake zones.The campsites on the bluff of the hill can get windy so be prepared for that. Regardless, I'll be back.
GuideFirst of all, this campground is so beautiful, and has so much potential to be a great place to stay. Or, if you love chaos, public intoxication, public displays of domestic violence, riffraff, and grumpy rangers, then maybe it already is a great place to stay. The last night I stayed here happened to be the last night that I was unhoused before I moved to Yosemite for a seasonal job, and I had the creepiest experience of all time. But first let me explain the campground. It's divided into two main parts. The six sites near the river stay open year round. These are the worst sites. They're tiny, stacked on top of each other, are right next to the highway, and offer zero shade. In my opinion, this whole area would be better off turned into two group sites. The better section of the campground are the back twelve sites which are only open from April to October. Snagging one of these creekside sites during the off season would be ideal. All of the campsites are within 100 yards of the North Fork American River. One of my favorite hiking trails of all time, Stevens Trail in Colfax, is just a few miles away. This is a moderately difficult hike 4 miles down to the river and then back up with fantastic views, waterfalls, and wildflowers. There is also a waterfall across the street from the Mineral Bar campground behind the boat launch. Bears are common in this area and I've personally seen a few crossing the road on my way to and from the campground. There are bear lockers provided for food and scented items. There are four vault toilets which are power washed daily. There is only space for one car per site but there is extra parking across the road. There are lots of hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and off road vehicle sites nearby. Your overnight camping fee includes day use at any CA state park the next day. The downside to camping here is that the clientele are some of the wildest riffraff of all time. This has been one of the quietest but also the noisest place I've ever camped. Last time I was here I kept hearing a pipe clinking right outside my tent at 3am. I was the only one there besides a huge family 5 sites away. I heard someone walk away, back a car up next to my site, walk back to my site, and start smoking again. It freaked me out so much I ended up blinding him with my flashlight while bolting to my car. I slept at a friend's house in Folsom and came back for my things the next day. So there are some weirdos around here for sure but the environment is very pretty.
GuideTo be real, if you're unhoused but well-behaved with an income, this might be a much better option than Beals Point. Peninsula is about 45 minutes to an hour from Folsom depending on traffic. You have to drive down a long windy narrow road to get here, which is the worst part, so it's best to come prepared to stay put for as long as possible once you're here. There is plenty to do since you can go swimming in the lake most months (except early Spring), and there is an 8 mile hiking trail (Darrington) that ends at the campground. Darrington is mountain bike accessible but nowhere near road bike accessible. A shorter accessible trail (Oaks Nature Trail) is entirely contained within the campground and takes you through some great examples and educational signs regarding the riparian ecosystem. Wildlife is off the chain here. As others have said, if you don't love being surrounded by wild animals, this will probably be a bit much for you. Bears have been seen on occasion, cougars, Bobcats, and coyotes all stop by from time to time, and there are so many skunks it can get annoying. One night I was woken up by a deer walking right into my tent which scared the crap out of us both. On the flip side I've seen some of the most beautiful emerald and sapphire colored lizards. They breed here in late spring. It's kind of hilarious to watch the males do push-ups then chase the females down like 80 times in a row. Some of the females fight back and make it a lizard wrestling match. Owls, eagles, salmon, beavers... if it lives in this area, there's a good chance you'll see it here. The boat noise can be annoying on busy days but is not so bad from the higher up sites, which tend to have more amenities due to being further from the lake. The camp hosts here are some of the best I've encountered. Since this campground is so huge there are usually sites available first come first serve, if you come in late at night you can self register at the kiosk. Others are correct that there isn't much shade and the sites aren't very flat. I got around the latter problem by folding a sleeping bag under one side of my sleeping pad to keep that side elevated. Overall one of the best places to Camp near Folsom lake.
Camping near Rio Linda, California, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.
Camping near Rio Linda, California, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation. With these tips and insights, you're all set for a great outdoor experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available near Rio Linda?
The Rio Linda area has diverse camping options for every preference. Acorn Campground at New Hogan Reservoir is excellent for boaters and lakeside camping enthusiasts, with large sites that accommodate various setups at reasonable rates ($20 per night, with discounts for pass holders). For those seeking a more urban camping experience, Cal Expo RV Park offers convenient access to Sacramento amenities. Mineral Bar Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area provides a scenic riverside setting in a beautiful natural environment, though it can get busy during peak times.
Where can I find camping near Rio Linda?
Several excellent camping options surround Rio Linda within a short drive. Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers nicely spaced sites with plenty of trees, though the proximity to the lake varies with water levels. For those willing to drive a bit farther, American River Resort provides riverside camping with fire pits and picnic tables at each site, plus it's just a half-mile walk to town for shopping and dining. Both locations are family-friendly with clean facilities and make great weekend getaways from the Rio Linda area.
What amenities are available at Rio Linda camping areas?
Campgrounds near Rio Linda offer various amenities to enhance your camping experience. Lake Camanche provides well-maintained grounds with clean bathrooms, hot water, and easy lake access. The South Shore area is particularly family-friendly, and while some sites don't have showers, facilities are available within walking distance. Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground offers a more intimate experience with just 23 well-shaded sites, perfect for a peaceful getaway. Most campgrounds in the area provide picnic tables, fire rings, and access to toilets, with many offering water hookups and shower facilities.
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