166 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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
Check Availability"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."
from $33 - $58 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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."
from $33 / night
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ScoutThis location is perfect for people who are looking for the wind. Everyone is pretty respectful of one another. First come first serve $45/night. Not well maintained the road was flooded and it hadn’t rained in weeks in the area. Not well maintained. Must have self contained camper: van, rv, trailer. Tight quarters, it’s like a parking lot of vehicles camping right next to one another. There is a boat launch.
GuidePopped in and only a few campers there. A bridge away from towns. Hot showers. Squirrels galore. Ill be back.
LegendGeneral: Beals Point is one of two locations on Folsom Lake for camping. Large campground with a mix of electric and non-electric campsites plus some group sites.
Site Quality: Drives are paved and mostly level. We camped in a little “cul-de-sac” with just four sites. While these sites back up to the American River Bike Trail (aka Jedediah Smith Recreation Trail), it was overgrown, and I did not see direct access to the trail as we did the last time we were here.
Bath/Shower: Typical CA state park layout– all-gender units with toilet and sink (but no soap, towels, or dryers) and showers. Unlike other CA state parks, these take quarters instead of tokens. The units could use a little TLC, but what was most disheartening was how other campers had trashed them– toilet paper (and worse) scattered all over the insides. Obviously not the fault of the campground.
Activities/Amenities: Folsom Lake is the draw, and people were fishing, kayaking, and swimming. The 32-mile paved multi-use American River Bike Trail is easily accessible. There is a snack bar/concession stand for beach rentals, but it was not open when we were there.
Our stay here this time was over a weekend; it was completely full, and it reminded us once again that we prefer to camp during the week and shoulder seasons when campgrounds are less crowded!
LegendI invite you to take a look at the pictures. This is a simple gravel parking lot with hookups. There's nothing special about this location.
TravelerTons of signs that say no camping no parking no trespassing. There was a fence and it was locked. Definitely don’t come here
ScoutWe had been looking forward to this camping trip, but unfortunately our experience at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Lodi was very disappointing. Before our trip, I paid the Lock Fee($40) specifically to guarantee the campsite we had selected. However, when we arrived, we were assigned to a completely different site. After setting up our trailer, we went back to the office to ask about it. Instead of correcting the mistake, another employee told us that we didn’t even have a reservation and that we needed to leave the campground. We had to search through our emails, show our reservation confirmation, and even provide proof of payment from our bank before they finally found our reservation. Only then were we moved to the campsite we had originally reserved and paid extra to secure. Unfortunately, the worst part happened on our last night. We were camping with friends, and between us we had two electric bikes—one worth nearly$5,000 and another worth over$1,000. We went to bed around 2:30 a.m., and everything was still there. When we came out of our trailers around 8:30 a.m., both bikes had been stolen. We immediately called the police. The responding officer told us that just two weeks earlier, another camper had all of the sound equipment stolen from their vehicle at the same campground. What disappointed us most is that the campground doesn’t appear to have adequate security measures, such as surveillance cameras, and there was no warning at check-in that thefts had recently occurred. Had we known there was an increased risk, we would have taken additional precautions with our valuables. When families choose a campground like this, they expect a safe, relaxing environment where they can enjoy nature without worrying that expensive belongings will disappear overnight. The campground has great amenities and is a fun place for families, but our experience with the reservation issues and the lack of security left us extremely disappointed. I hope management takes these concerns seriously, improves security, and is more transparent with guests so other families don’t have the same experience we did.
ScoutOk, but you guys need to improve lots stuff. Pool was out of order, stuff were not that friendly, I would suggest if you can concrete sites, hard for in and out
ScoutClean sharp fun to be there. Lots of staff roaming around and helping. Bring your BBQ
ScoutStayed two nights and had our 8 year old grandson with us. We got what we were told was the best full hook up RV site. I can see a little bit of the lake which is very nice. There is a lot of permanent residence mobile trailer homes. Not at all what I expected. It is dirt, rocks and trees that don’t really provide shade. There were cigarette buts all over our camp site. There is a small fire pit but no bbq. For a good five hours today there was some shooting off a gun. Our dog happens to be afraid of that sound so she spent most of the day inside the trailer. When we arrived we had no picnic table and nobody would answer the phone. My husband and I ended taking one from the empty site next to us. Then this morning I called trying to get the Wi-Fi password. They gave me the wrong one, I called back, they never answered. I left a message, they never called back. My grandson and I walked down a small boat ramp to the lake. The area was full of trash and there was sludge at least a foot off the shore. From there you can see many of the small boat ramps off the backs of the permanent trailers and they were in complete disrepair. I get the feeling no one cares.
I can’t speak to any other area in this resort. Only where we are physically. My Husband did say there was a nice pond with picnic tables and shade, but the dog was not allowed to be there so that wasn’t something that we could enjoy.
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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