Best Tent Camping near Rio Vista, CA

State parks and regional preserves within an hour's drive of Rio Vista, California offer diverse tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Rancho Seco Recreation Area, located 12 miles from I-5 in Herald, provides approximately 50 tent-only sites, some positioned just feet from the lake. Delta Bay RV Resort, closer to Rio Vista, also accommodates tent campers. For those seeking more secluded backcountry tent camping experiences, Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and Round Valley Regional Preserve offer walk-in tent sites with views of Mount Diablo and surrounding landscapes.

Tent campsites throughout the region vary significantly in terrain and amenities. At Rancho Seco, tent sites feature level ground with picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby trash receptacles. According to reviews, the grounds are "very attractive and well maintained" with staff described as friendly and accommodating. Most primitive tent camping areas require campers to bring their own water, particularly during summer months when water sources may be unreliable. Fire restrictions are common during dry seasons, especially at Lake Berryessa's Steele Canyon campground where fire bans are often in effect. Vault toilets or porta-potties are standard at most locations, with shower facilities available at select developed campgrounds.

In early spring, tent campers at Lake Camanche enjoy quieter conditions with fewer visitors. One camper noted that during mid-week visits in the off-season, the campground was "full of bird songs and a gorgeous sunset" instead of the summer crowds. Tent sites at Rancho Seco receive particular praise for lakeside locations, with a visitor reporting that site 43 right next to the lake was "excellent." Summer heat can be intense at many locations, with shade availability varying by site. Walk-in tent sites at regional preserves like Las Trampas offer more seclusion but require hikers to carry all gear from parking areas, typically 150-200 yards from the actual tent camping areas.

Best Tent Sites Near Rio Vista, California (22)

    1. Delta Bay RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Rio Vista, CA
    6 miles
    +1 (916) 777-5588

    2. Rancho Seco Recreation Area

    15 Reviews
    Herald, CA
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 748-2318

    "About 50 tent only sites, some just feet from the lake. RV sites are farther from the lake on mostly level gravel pads with picnic table, fire rings, and a trash can at each site."

    "I pitched a tent in site 43 right next to the lake. Excellent place."

    3. Juniper Campground — Mount Diablo State Park

    2 Reviews
    Diablo, CA
    24 miles

    $30 / night

    "We didn’t have a reservation, but got 1 upon arrival around 2pm. Our site had nearby bathrooms, showers & trash. It included picnic table, fire pit, food storage boxes, & is very spacious."

    4. Morgan Territory Regional Preserve

    1 Review
    Brentwood, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    5. Lake Camanche

    18 Reviews
    Wallace, CA
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 763-5121

    $50 / night

    "Wicked August heat, BUT there’s the lake! 5 Stars — were it not for the SLOBS who preceded us!!"

    "I come here with my family every year around 4th of July. I would book way ahead for busy holidays like that. 
    The water level really varies on the year."

    6. Briones Regional Park

    1 Review
    Pleasant Hill, CA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $75 - $200 / night

    "A few low spots. Cleared 12' barely with minor scrapes. Good parking and turn around. Lots of opportunities for horse riders in area. Pets on leash."

    7. Steele Canyon (formerly Lupine Shores)

    6 Reviews
    Yountville, CA
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 966-9192

    $5 - $55 / night

    "It got really cold at night (32 degrees), but my fault for not checking the weather. Beautiful views. Nice landscape. Spacious sites. There was no one else in the cluster of 6 spots that I stayed at."

    "Our favorite spot to take the kids to the lake. If your looking for something calm this is the spot at Lake Berryessa."

    8. Round Valley Regional Preserve

    Be the first to review!
    Brentwood, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $75 / night

    9. Tilden Regional Park

    4 Reviews
    Kensington, CA
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $75 - $120 / night

    "Tilden Park is perfect for anyone whose interested in wildlife and hiking in perfect climates. Tilden offers a lake in the middle to swim in and fish. The campsites have lots of fire pits."

    "Tilden is great for anyone looking for a close park right outside of the Berkeley/San Fran area. It is a rather large park area that overlooks Berkeley."

    10. Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park

    9 Reviews
    Tiburon, CA
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 435-5390

    $30 / night

    "Angel Island is a unique backpacking experience, one I'd gladly do again."

    "Angel Island is a California State Park, but it's surprising how many visitors do not know of the 10 campsites scattered around the island!"

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Tent Camping Reviews near Rio Vista, CA

513 Reviews of 22 Rio Vista Campgrounds


  • Rommel C.
    Oct. 31, 2022

    Live Oak Campground — Mount Diablo State Park Campground

    juniper campground - site 15 - end of october

    great campsite! be careful driving up the windy road and watch for the many cyclists. going up/down with you. 

    driving in was very easy; parking is right next to the site. the campsite itself was beautiful - panoramic views of the east bay area. i could recognize walnut creek, lafayette, danville and san ramon through the binoculars. site was clean, but the ground itself was very rocky. irritating that there wasn't really any level spots to set up the tent, so sleeping on a slant was a real treat (sarcasm). weather was very mild during the day; not too hot, nor too cold. nights were bearable in the high 50s, and by late night (cuz i kept waking up because of slanted sleeping), but felt like low 40s and slightly windy. make sure you bring thermals and a warm sleeping bag. sleeping pad is a definite must on the sharp rocks; be careful when stepping around in the tent with just socks on. 

    drought meant that flushing toilets were all locked.. as were the showers.. but from what i heard the "chemical toilets" (aka porta-potties) were an adequate substitute. water access had been shut off as well, so make sure you bring plenty of your own for washing and drinking. 

    critters - we didn't encounter any during our stay. no racoons, bears, mice, rats.. nada. just a ton of pincher bugs everywhere. not even many flies! we had those spinning fly deterrent things, though. maybe those really DO work? 

    ALSO because of the drought - NO WOOD FIRES ALLOWED. total/complete bummer to camp without a campfire. gas stoves and lanterns were permitted, though.

  • S
    Nov. 12, 2020

    Live Oak Campground — Mount Diablo State Park Campground

    Juniper Campground: hiked in

    We hiked up to Juniper campground from the Clayton side. The sites in the teens have less overhead shade but more privacy than those of higher numbers. The sites closest to the driving road/entrance/overlook will have the potential to be downwind of the bathroom, unfortunately.

    The campground is a dry campground - as in no alcohol.

    That said, we loved our site #15, and enjoyed the privacy it provided, plus the views (if you stand on the table or are tall). We didn't encounter critters. We had some trouble staking down on the rocky dirt. 

    This is a good campground to explore the rest of the summit areas, plus Rock City.

  • Larry W.
    Aug. 28, 2020

    Sugar Barge RV Resort & Marina

    Quiet, NO other tenters!

    We (party of 4) were there primarily because we rented a boat from their Marina. That went well! This is an RV campground & full-complement resort on Bethel Island, San Joaquin River Delta. Many RVers appear to be long-term or full-time residents.

    The tent-area was a clearing, fully backed up to the levee, with some shade and a water spigot. Appears to be only 4 “sites,” which are defined by picnic tables, GENEROUSLY spaced, no fire rings AND the Delta is h.o.t.! It’s also on the far edge of the property, so car traffic was MINIMUM — and NO generators were heard, even though the RV section is huge!!!

    The rest rooms were in the Marina building, a short walk. We would DEFINITELY return for boating and tenting!!!

  • Rosina A.
    Jun. 1, 2022

    Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

    Folsom Lake Penninsula

    Beautiful sunsets. No showers. Bathrooms are clean. Some sites are rather small and have little flat ground. Pics on website are tough to see when booking. Lake to most sites is a drive, but there are a few campsites on the lake. Many sites are on hill, you walk up the hill or down a hill with stairs. Lake has day use area, but also a dock area for camping folks. Lots of mosquitoes. They have a fire are to cook, no fire ring, have a bear box and picnic table. Some sites have plenty of shade while others are just plain sun so be prepared.

    Water is nice temperature and super clean! Nice to kayak, paddle, boat (they have boat ramps), fish, swim. Beach areas are rocks with weeds, but pretty.

  • Cococounty L.
    Apr. 25, 2020

    Briones Regional Park

    A nice spot!

    A few low spots. Cleared 12' barely with minor scrapes. Good parking and turn around. Lots of opportunities for horse riders in area. Pets on leash.

  • B
    Jun. 3, 2025

    Juniper Campground — Mount Diablo State Park

    Beautiful sunset!

    Had a great 1 night stay at Juniper! We didn’t have a reservation, but got 1 upon arrival around 2pm. Our site had nearby bathrooms, showers & trash. It included picnic table, fire pit, food storage boxes, & is very spacious.

    The weather in May was really nice imo. Not too cold at night with layers, & starts warming up quick in the morning. Bugs weren’t too bad. Heard coyotes howling night and day which was neat. No raccoons. Saw some lizards.

    Just a heads up the drive is windy, I got carsick on the way down. Will be returning & hopefully trying some hikes next time!

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 9, 2022

    Acorn Campground

    Peaceful stay on a weekday in May!

    General: 132-site Corps of Engineers campground on New Hogan Lake. No hookups. 

    Site Quality: Varies. Most are back-in, but some are pull-through. Most sites are generous in size, providing some privacy. More than a few are not level (do not pick Site 107 if you need anything close to level!). We had reserved Site 80 but ended up taking Site 100. Pads are all paved but narrow; large RVs might be challenged navigating these driveways. A picnic table, lantern hook, fire ring, and grill complete the site. 

    Bathhouse: They really could use some TLC. No soap or towels and not all the showers were functional. I chose not to try the functional one as it had seen better days!

    Activities: We saw several boats on the lake and there is fishing. Not sure about other activities as we just enjoyed relaxing at our campsite by the lake! 

    We were there on a Thursday in early May, and it was fairly quiet. No ranger or other camp host that we saw. However, on the weekends and in the summer, it looks like it would be a much different story (but we prefer the off-season!). Yes, the bathrooms may have been janky, but who are we to complain when it costs just$10 (with the Golden Access Pass). Beware of goose poop– it is everywhere! And while you definitely won’t hear road-noise, you will hear honking geese!

  • DEREK B.
    Jul. 31, 2015

    Live Oak Campground — Mount Diablo State Park Campground

    Mt. Diablo State Park

    Getting there: Super easy, look for the tallest mountain in the area, drive towards it, boom you're there. It was expensive to enter the park... I think around $10 per vehicle, someone correct me if i'm wrong.

    Campsites: The campsites are a decent size and fairly spaced out. All the campsites provide a old broken down picnic table, a bear box, a grill, and a fire pit. There are shared restrooms with plumbing to use.

    The Park: Awesome. Big. Crowded. No dogs allowed.

    What to do: Hike Diablo there are TONS of trails. Go rock climbing or bouldering in Rock City. Drive, hike to the top and check out the observation deck.

    *will add my pics later.

  • Brittany R.
    Jun. 12, 2023

    Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park

    Stunning views

    There's no better place to get views of the Bay! Angel Island is a unique backpacking experience, one I'd gladly do again. It's worth knowing that Sunrise is completely exposed, and the Bay is notoriously cold, windy, and foggy; you'll want to bring enough stakes to guy out your tent as there isn't any wind protection from trees or boulders (which also means an unobstructed view, so there's some give/take here).We were prepared for the exposed conditions, but were surprised to find that the water spigot at Sunrise was not working when we arrived, and this was not mentioned anywhere during the reservation process, or mentioned by the ranger when we checked in. They did have a large container of water for each campsite, and since we only stayed one night it wasn't a huge deal, but we had no idea we were going to need to ration our water, which is an unpleasant surprise.

    I've seen some complaints about the foghorn all night- it wasn't too loud from Sunrise, but I'd bring earplugs just in case.


Guide to Rio Vista

Tent camping near Rio Vista offers options from lakefront sites to backcountry preserves across varying terrain. Summer temperatures regularly reach 90-100°F in this region, with cooler conditions in spring and fall. Most campgrounds within 35 miles of Rio Vista experience significant wind patterns, particularly sites situated along the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta waterways.

What to do

Fishing at multiple access points: Delta Bay RV Resort provides shoreline fishing opportunities with easy water access. "Spent the night at my usual fishing spot and had a great time. Staff is friendly and food is good," notes one regular visitor at Delta Bay RV Resort.

Kayaking on calm waters: Lake Berryessa's protected coves offer paddling opportunities away from speedboat traffic. "I 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," reports a visitor at Steele Canyon.

Hiking with Bay Area views: Several regional preserves offer walking trails with views of Mount Diablo. "Feels very off grid. Camp experience was smooth and the sun was shining," mentions a camper at Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, which features backcountry trails for day hiking from campsites.

What campers like

Lakefront tent sites: Some of the best tent camping near Rio Vista includes sites directly adjacent to water. "This is a small but lovely place. I pitched a tent in site 43 right next to the lake. Excellent place," reports a tent camper at Rancho Seco Recreation Area, where approximately 50 tent sites are available.

Off-season tranquility: Weekday camping during spring and fall provides more solitude at popular locations. "It's an easy to navigate park with many sites on the water. But beware of the bees!" warns a camper at Lake Camanche, where seasonal visitor patterns significantly affect the camping experience.

Free hot showers: Several developed campgrounds offer shower facilities included with site fees. According to one camper at Mount Diablo State Park, "Lots of free water and there's free showers too which is awesome, but don't use the stinky toilet at the top there's way better ones around the bottom area."

What you should know

Summer heat preparation: Temperatures frequently exceed 95°F during peak summer months. "Insanely hot in the summer, I would recommend not going in July like we did. It was 104° or something and I was just drenching my clothes in water to stay cool," reports a camper at Juniper Campground.

Fire restrictions: Many campgrounds implement seasonal fire bans during dry periods. At Steele Canyon, "It's dry camping at this time (no fires, no water, no hookups, etc.). Fire scars all around the lake...looks like this entire area got hit a few years ago," notes a July visitor.

Wildlife encounters: Prepare for nocturnal visitors at several locations. At Rancho Seco Recreation Area, campers advise to "make sure you put your food away at night raccoons will get your food and snacks." Many sites provide food lockers, but campers report some may be damaged.

Tips for camping with families

Children's activities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated youth programming. "If you have a boat and other watercrafts there is lots to do. The place could use some more bathrooms and water stations, but it was well kept considering how many people are using the facilities," mentions a Lake Camanche visitor with children.

Beach access considerations: Water entry points vary significantly between locations. "They have a dog park for the dogs to roam free off the leash, which also has access to water/beach area for the dogs only," notes one camper at Rancho Seco, highlighting pet-friendly water access areas separate from human swimming zones.

Tiny house rentals: Alternative accommodation options exist for families not wanting to tent camp. "They have a lot of cute tiny houses in this campground. You can bring your own tiny house, or rent one for the weekend. There is an open house once or twice a year you can come and visit all the tiny houses in the community," explains a visitor at Delta Bay Marina Resort.

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategies: RVers recommend seeking specific site numbers based on location preferences. "Look in the 50's & 80's for the more secluded campsites. Can get windy, and it's dry camping at this time," advises an RVer staying at Steele Canyon.

Water conservation: Many campgrounds have limited or no water hookups. "No one answers the phones at the gate. If you need a ranger after 10p GOOD LUCK! We decided to find an app to explore our options," reports a Lake Camanche RVer who camps there regularly throughout summer.

Weather preparation: Wind patterns affect RV camping comfort significantly. "The campsites on the bluff of the hill can get windy so be prepared for that," warns a Steele Canyon visitor, suggesting proper tie-downs and awning precautions during windy seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rio Vista, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rio Vista, CA is Delta Bay RV Resort with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Rio Vista, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 22 tent camping locations near Rio Vista, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.