Peninsula Campground at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area sits in the rolling Sierra foothills at approximately 400 feet elevation. The campground's location on the less-developed northern shores of Folsom Lake provides a more secluded experience compared to other areas of the recreation area. Early spring camping offers green hills and wildflowers while summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F.
What to do
Hiking the peninsula trails: Folsom Lake offers an 8-mile hiking trail perfect for day excursions. "[Peninsula campground] has a lot of awesome trails and little environmental signs to walk around and learn about the area. Highly recommend!" notes Christian N. from Peninsula Campground.
Water activities on the American River: The American River provides opportunities for kayaking, rafting, and swimming. A visitor at American River Resort mentions, "It is right in the American River and next to a class 3 rapid called Trouble Maker. It was awesome watching rafters and kayakers go through it."
Farm animal interactions: Unique to glamping in Roseville, California area is the chance to interact with ranch animals. One guest at Ascension Ranch shares, "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."
Gold panning and historical sites: The region's gold rush history offers educational experiences for visitors. A camper at Coloma Resort comments, "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."
What campers like
Off-season solitude: Spring and fall visits offer quieter camping experiences with fewer crowds. "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," reports Ray B. at Peninsula Campground.
Family-friendly amenities: Many luxury glamping sites near Roseville provide family-oriented facilities. "Mini train ride around park, great playground, mini golf, showed movie and a lot more awesomeness. Was not cheap but kept the kids entertained," shares Dan from Placerville RV Resort.
Riverside locations: Camping along water features ranks high in camper satisfaction. Francisco N. notes about Peninsula Campground, "Excellent camping area, depending on time of year camp site may be within a few yards from the water. We bring our kayaks and paddle all day there are plenty of miles of lakeside to explore."
Covered tent sites: At some locations, tent campers appreciate protection from the elements. "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," shares Karen T. about Coloma Resort.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping locations require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Peninsula Campground advises, "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."
Site spacing varies significantly: Campground density differs between locations. At American River Resort, a camper notes, "Nearly all of the tent sites are tiny and crowded very closely together with no privacy breaks at all between them. To make it even more claustrophobic, many of the near-river sites are terraced into the hillside."
Cost considerations: Glamping options near Roseville typically cost more than standard camping. At SacWest RV Park & Campground, a visitor observes, "A bit pricey for a tent site - 45.00 and 5.00 for the dog but it's California."
Seasonal conditions: The region's climate varies dramatically by season. "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," reports a Peninsula Campground visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities for hot days: When temperatures climb, swimming pools provide relief. At SacWest, a camper shares, "Lots of things to do for kids: great playgrounds, swimming pool, more than 100 ducks going around! Beautiful place!"
Historical learning opportunities: The area offers educational experiences for children. "You can also learn some history about the discovery of gold and check out Sutter Mill!" mentions a visitor to Coloma Resort.
Weekend noise levels: Family campers should plan for busier, noisier weekends at popular sites. A camper at Cal Expo RV Park notes, "I found the campground to be very quiet during our stay and well maintained. Basically just a parking lot no frills."
Choose tent sites strategically: For tent campers with children, site selection makes a difference. "We picked a site away from everyone else at the other end of the campground with a stunning view over the lake. Highly recommended for a spring visit," advises Ray B. at Peninsula Campground.
Tips from RVers
Utility hookup variations: RV sites offer different levels of service. A Cal Expo visitor reports, "Sites have full hookups if you want them. The shower house has a $20 deposit for a key. This is refunded on return of the key."
Size restrictions at older campgrounds: Many glamping sites near Roseville have limitations for larger vehicles. David C. at American River Resort cautions, "I would be very cautious about coming here with a larger RV. Ours is 30' bumper to bumper. I think 32 would be ok."
Power reliability concerns: Electrical service can vary between locations. An American River Resort camper notes, "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."
