6 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Camping near Sacramento ranges from full-hookup RV parks to natural tent sites at state recreation areas, with options within a 30-minute drive of downtown. SacWest RV Park & Campground provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin options, while Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers more natural settings at Beals Point and Peninsula campgrounds. Most locations maintain year-round operations due to the region's mild climate, though summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, making water-adjacent sites particularly desirable during peak season.
Road access to Sacramento-area campgrounds is generally straightforward with most facilities situated near major highways and paved roads. Full hookup RV sites predominate the urban camping landscape, with many parks designed primarily for recreational vehicles rather than tent camping. As one camper noted, "Cal Expo RV Park is a parking lot where your rig is nose-down, not necessarily level, and your septic goes uphill to drain. It is quite noisy at night with traffic, sirens and other noise." Visitors should expect varying levels of privacy between sites, with some parks like Sacramento Shade RV Park featuring privacy fences between spaces while others position RVs in close proximity. Most campgrounds require reservations, particularly during events at Cal Expo or during summer months.
Mixed-use campgrounds near Sacramento typically receive higher ratings when located along waterways or offering recreational amenities. Several visitors mentioned the American River Parkway's bike trail accessibility as a significant advantage for certain campgrounds. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, Sherwood Harbor Marina & RV Park draws positive feedback for its riverside location, with one camper writing it has "tons of beautiful, shady spots overlooking or near the Sacramento river." Tent and RV sites at state recreation areas like Folsom Lake generally provide more natural surroundings than in-city options, offering swimming beaches, hiking trails, and boating access. Urban RV parks serve primarily as convenient bases for exploring the city rather than destination camping experiences, with proximity to downtown attractions balancing their typically limited natural amenities.
"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."
"It is the only RV parking in Sacramento that will allow you to stay for one night. Great campground! Hospitality and professionalism- that how you can describe this place!"
from $58 - $100 / night
"Folsom Lake is a very large lake which touches 3 counties (Sacramento, Placer & El Dorado). Beals Point is right on the border of Folsom & Granite Bay on Folsom-Auburn Rd."
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 - $48 / 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."
from $50 - $1000 / night
"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."
"Also while setting up, every person that walked by said hi and welcome! We have never experienced that much friendliness in a campground."
"Very quite camping spot very clean.coin operated showers😭 lake is very close by."
"I wanted to find a spot somewhat close by and came across this one."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 / night
GuideFriendly staff and a camp host selling firewood. Clean flush toilets and hot showers for 50 cents. A little difficult to find a level spot for a van in the dry camping area, and most spots were right on the side of the road. It would be more enjoyable if one could pull off into the dirt area for level spots out of the main drag.
ScoutIt is beautiful, clean, secure and right on the River! 50 amps are available… We would prefer to have sewer hook up as
TravelerNothing fancy. Looks like they are building a fence and trying to improve the place. A lot of street noise and free roamers walking through the camp sites.
ScoutFirst ever RV use. Has good water and power, toilets and one shower that I didn’t test. Cost $58 usd.
ScoutThis campground needs a lot of work including docks, boat births and sites need pads and less weeds, stickers, burs.
ScoutThis is a private area managed by Napa County. Gate closed.
TravelerWe stayed in mid September 26. There was only one family camping the first few days we were there and then we had the entire campground to ourselves. Location was beautiful and it was extremely quiet with exception to the wildlife. Lots of deer, geese, ducks and squirrels. Possible one bear sure to a dumpster dive with shredded garbage on our last day. We were in a 28' RV. Rv camping is a no frill experience. No hook-ups but water spigot at each site. RVs have to parallel park at the top of the hill area. They campers have the difficulty of finding a level spot because most of the tent camping is on a slope. Flush toilets are available. Spotty cell service on Verizon's visible service but we were still able to stream entertainment on our phone's hotspot. Overall, we loved it stay due to the scenery and the obvious peacefulness due to an empty campground. Our 3 night stay midweek with no hook-ups was just over $200.00 which is to me absolutely outrageous but we needed a place to stay on short notice. Aside from the cost, we had an absolutely wonderful peaceful experience watching the wildlife and beautiful scenery.
ScoutThis place is almost empty. It's gorgeous. The store on site doesn't sell alcohol or tobacco. They have everything else, not cheap but, not crazy overpriced.
TravelerThis is a fun place for you and the fam either to camp or for the day.
The tide comes in and out here as it’s a low level island and the approach to access sometimes will be under water from the tide. It is just like that, not poorly maintained, just one short section that can get 6inches deep and is not an issue for anybody.
I stayed in a tent camper fold-out. I hugged the hedge next to a teardrop. Everyone was nice and it was a relaxing stay. Can launch boat/kayak or do all the wind surfing type sports they talk about.
Sacramento camping areas span both urban-adjacent facilities and more secluded sites along waterways and reservoirs. Most campgrounds within 30 minutes of downtown offer year-round accessibility due to the Central Valley's mild winters, though summer temperatures routinely climb above 95°F between June and September. Water access becomes particularly valuable during peak season when overnight temperatures remain warm.
Bike trail access: At Cal Expo RV Park, campers can directly connect to the American River Parkway bike trail system. "Great for bikers," notes one reviewer, highlighting the extensive paved trails that connect the park to downtown Sacramento and beyond.
Lake swimming: Peninsula Campground at Folsom Lake provides summer swimming opportunities when water levels permit. "The water was beautiful & perfect for swimming," reports one camper, though they caution about "sooo much dust & so many flies" during drier months.
Wildlife viewing: SacWest RV Park & Campground features a surprising amount of wildlife for an urban-adjacent park. "Serene and full of fowls," comments one visitor. Another mentions "more than 100 ducks going around" throughout the property, creating unexpected wildlife viewing opportunities.
Fishing access: At Sacramento-area marinas, fishing requires no additional permits in certain designated areas. "Free fishing with no license required," notes one visitor at Sherwood Harbor, making it convenient for casual anglers.
Spacious waterfront sites: Sherwood Harbor Marina & RV Park receives high marks for its riverside location. "Tons of beautiful, shady spots overlooking or near the Sacramento river," writes one camper. The park also features "a swimming beach and free fishing with no license required" according to recent visitors.
Clean facilities: Beals Point Campground maintains exceptional bathroom facilities. One camper describes the showers as "very big, its actually quite peaceful and nice. The shower rooms have very high ceilings with thicker glass windows way up high as well. Almost like a spa experience."
Family amenities: Families appreciate the recreational options at Sacramento Shade RV Park. The community atmosphere stands out to visitors, with one noting, "While setting up, every person that walked by said hi and welcome! We have never experienced that much friendliness in a campground."
Privacy features: Unlike many urban RV parks, Sacramento Shade offers site separation. "Each one has a privacy fence and small concrete pad," reports one camper, providing more seclusion than typical parking-lot style parks.
Site selection timing: For Peninsula Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, arrive early for site selection. "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," recommends one visitor.
Seasonal considerations: Spring visits to Folsom Lake offer distinct advantages over summer. "We visited this camp ground last year for a pre-spring getaway and really liked it. The grass is green, and the leaves are out on all the oak trees which makes it more beautiful," notes a March visitor.
Shower logistics: Multiple Sacramento-area state parks require quarters for showers. At Beals Point, "showers needs QUARTERS and we were out of coins. So remember to take quarters with you if you want to shower," advises one camper.
RV age restrictions: Some Sacramento RV parks enforce appearance standards. At Mark J RV Park, a potential guest reports they "Couldn't even rent a space due to how old our RV was and had to keep looking." Similar policies exist at other parks that require photo approval before booking.
Pool access for summer relief: When temperatures climb, Beals Point Campground offers swimming areas with safety features. "Fun friendly environment, easy trails to take your four legged friend on and of course the beach," notes one visitor. Some areas provide "the provided lifejacket area" making it more suitable for younger children.
Playground availability: SacWest RV Park provides dedicated play areas. "Lots of things to do for kids: great playgrounds, swimming pool," reports one family, making it suitable for multiple-day stays with children.
Weather protection: Spring camping offers more comfortable temperatures and greener surroundings. "In early spring it is quite, especially here, with green grass and wild turkeys," notes a Peninsula Campground visitor, contrasting with summer when "the lake is very busy and the hills are brown with dried grass."
Accessibility considerations: The Peninsula Campground access road requires careful driving. "Eleven twisty, narrow, miles back to the city of Cool, where you can buy the essentials," cautions one camper, suggesting families bring all necessary supplies.
Site leveling challenges: Some Sacramento RV parks require additional equipment for leveling. At Cal Expo, sites are "nose-down, not necessarily level," according to visitors.
Weekday advantages: For more space and privacy, schedule non-weekend visits. Peninsula Campground "weekends get crowded during peak season but if you visit mid-week you will have the place almost to yourself," shares one RV camper.
Internet connectivity: Remote work is possible from certain Sacramento campgrounds. "GREAT cell service for working remotely. 5G with 5 bars," reports a Beals Point camper, making it viable for digital nomads needing reliable connections.
Utility positioning: Some parks have unusual hookup configurations. Prepare with extra-length connections, particularly for sewer hookups which may be positioned uphill from parking spots at certain facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find free camping near Sacramento?
Free camping options near Sacramento are limited but available if you're willing to drive about 1-2 hours from the city. The Tahoe National Forest offers free dispersed camping along forest service roads, particularly in areas near Greenhorn Campground at Rollins Lake, which itself is a paid campground but indicates the general region where free dispersed camping is permitted. BLM land east of Sacramento also provides free camping opportunities with a 14-day stay limit. For those heading toward the Sierra Nevada mountains, Ghost Mountain RV Campground area has nearby public lands with free camping spots. Always check local regulations, as fire restrictions are common, especially during summer months.
What are the best dispersed camping areas near Sacramento?
The best dispersed camping areas near Sacramento can be found within an hour or two drive from the city. Lake Clementine Boat In — Auburn State Recreation Area offers camping along the American River about an hour from Sacramento, with sites that feel more dispersed despite being in a designated area. For true dispersed camping, head to the El Dorado National Forest east of Sacramento, where you'll find numerous forest service roads with pull-offs for legal dispersed camping. Near Brannan Island State Recreation Area, you can find some dispersed camping opportunities in the Delta region. Remember that dispersed camping requires proper waste management and adherence to fire regulations, especially during dry seasons.
What are the top-rated campgrounds in the Sacramento area?
Sly Park Recreation Area consistently receives excellent reviews for its well-maintained facilities, dense forest setting, and numerous recreational activities including a 9.5-mile lake loop trail with a waterfall. The campground offers opportunities for kayaking, fishing, swimming, and horseback riding. Another highly-rated option is Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, which features both tent and RV sites with plenty of trails and fishing opportunities. For RV travelers, SacWest RV Park & Campground stands out with its 50s vibe, clean facilities, friendly staff, and family-friendly amenities including playgrounds and a swimming pool.
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