Peninsula Campground at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers camping within the rolling hills and oak-filled terrain just 20 miles from Rocklin, California. The campground sits 450 feet above sea level on the less-developed side of Folsom Lake, providing access to 75 miles of shoreline. Water levels fluctuate seasonally with higher levels in spring and lower levels during late summer and fall, exposing rocky shores and sandy beaches.
What to do
Seasonal wildlife viewing: Peninsula Campground transforms with the seasons, offering different wildlife viewing opportunities. "Another mid-week quick adventure two weeks before spring. Weather in the Sierra foothills in early March is perfect for a couple day getaway from the colder temperatures and snow in the higher elevations where we live. Peninsula campground on Folsom Lake is in the rolling hills and oak trees, remote from the more popular side of the lake. In the summer months the lake is very busy and the hills are brown with dried grass. But in the early spring it is quite, especially here, with green grass and wild turkeys," notes one Peninsula Campground visitor.
Spring wildflower exploration: Trails around the lake showcase California native plants during spring blooms. "Some of my favorite campsites. Awesome in spring where the flowers and grass are POPPING. A lot of awesome trails and little environmental signs to walk around and learn about the area. Highly recommend!" shares another Peninsula Campground visitor.
Water recreation: Multiple access points for watercraft and swimming areas exist around Folsom Lake. "We visited this camp ground last year for a pre-spring getaway and really liked it. Tried it again this week, and it was great again. About 3 weeks later in March than last year so there were a few more people. The grass is green, and the leaves are out on all the oak trees which makes it more beautiful. Everyone else was on the loop near the shore. We picked a site away from everyone else at the other end of the campground with a stunning view over the lake," reports a camper from Peninsula Campground.
What campers like
Mid-week camping privacy: Several campgrounds near Rocklin offer significantly less crowded experiences during weekdays. "With only us and two other folks in the entire campground we enjoyed privacy and seclusion. Good bike riding too," notes a Peninsula Campground visitor about their spring stay.
Riverfront camping experiences: Camping directly beside the American River provides both recreation and relaxation options. "This place was amazing. It was our first trip in our new RV and it couldn't of been more beautiful. There were super cute cabins available as well as tent sites. We came in the beginning of March and it was fairly empty so that made it really nice as well. River was stunning and it was neat to walk across the bridge and check out the old historic mining town," reports a Coloma Resort visitor.
Farm animal interactions: Unique agricultural experiences complement the traditional water-based activities. "First timer at the ranch! This was my first time going and I got to say, I enjoyed it! Super relaxing and has a lake that is at the end of the trail. Super convenient. It was cool to experience the animals that were in the pastures as well. I'd definitely come back," shares an Ascension Ranch visitor.
What you should know
Campsite selection matters: Campground layouts vary significantly with some offering more privacy than others. "The grounds are very well kept and the staff is available but keep their distance. Thanks to Lisa for the mattress pump and a shout out to groundskeeper Genoa who recently retired and shared great knowledge about the area. Try not to forget anything because it is eleven twisty, narrow, miles back to the city of Cool, where you can buy the essentials. The weekends get crowded during peak season but if you visit mid-week you will have the place almost to yourself. Reserve a site online but when you get there tell the attendant that you would like to see what sites are available. Take a tour as the online pics do no justice, and with almost 100 sites, you will find the perfect site that will suit your specifics," advises a Peninsula Campground visitor.
Dust conditions: Summer camping near Folsom Lake can be dusty when water levels drop. "We camped by the lake... there was sooo much dust & so many flies. The water was beautiful & perfect for swimming," reports one Peninsula Campground visitor.
Shower facilities vary: Different campgrounds offer widely varying shower amenities, from token-operated to private facilities. "This is a nice retreat. The spaces are a bit small but clean. The bathrooms are spotless and they offer a lot of amenities for families. We are two single adults and to no fault of their own there was a lot of children running around, riding bikes and it seemed like everyone had a dog. But at 10:00pm it did get very quiet," notes a Coloma Resort camper.
Tips for camping with families
Educational gold panning: Historical sites provide hands-on learning about California's gold rush history. "If you ever want to experience the thrill of gold panning, and California history go here! You will not strike it rich, but with a couple hours of effort you can get a nice little bottle of gold flakes to take home with you. Campground 'resort' caters to the cabin and RV crowd. Very pleasant, with a cool old bridge to cross the river. If it's hot outside, you need to be in the river!" advises a Coloma Resort visitor.
Multi-generation activities: Several campgrounds near Rocklin offer amenities for all ages. "Mini train ride around park, great playground, mini golf, showed movie and a lot more awesomeness. Was not cheap but kept the kids entertained. Will be going back," shares a Placerville RV Resort visitor.
Site shade considerations: For summer camping with children, site selection with adequate shade prevents overheating. "The sun shade provided in the tent sites came in handy when we had a short moment of rain. It was also much appreciated during the sunny weather. Beautiful view of the river but it was certainly crowded. Group sites we were near played loud music. Quiet hours weren't enforced as people played music or loudly chatted until 1am the first night we were there. However, there's after hours staff you can contact if you have any concerns," notes a visitor at American River Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some RV sites near Rocklin require significant leveling equipment. "Very nice location on the river. This park is located very close to Sutter's Mill where good was discovered. It also has a white water rafting business on site. The terrain is steep with mostly smaller sites. Water pressure is excellent. Our site had 30 amp only and I doubt any of them have 50 amp. The power is not good. I had to bypass the surge suppressor because it kept cutting out due to low voltage. Voltage was generally 104-105," advises an American River Resort visitor.
Off-season discounts: Winter and early spring RV camping offers better rates. "Had a standard Hookup-RV-Spot. Was very uneven, couldn't get the RV level. If you don't have the premium hookup spots, you got to pay 20$ 'Service Fee' for dumping. Idk why because you end up doing it all by yourself as usual anyway. Feels like a bit of a rip off to be honest. The rest is nice, quiet (except for the geese) and clean," reports a visitor from Auburn Gold Country RV Park.
Site spacing: Several RV sites are close together, requiring careful navigation. "It is a gravel lot next to the fair grounds, kinda expensive for what you get," notes a Cal Expo RV Park visitor who stayed near Sacramento.
