Glamping options near Stockton, California can be found along the Sacramento River Delta and surrounding lakes. The terrain consists primarily of wetlands, waterways, and low-lying islands at elevations between 0-50 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F from June through September, while winter brings mild days averaging 55-65°F and occasional fog along waterways.
What to do
Frisbee golf access: Lake Amador Resort provides multiple disc golf courses for visitors. According to one camper, "As disc golfers, of course we love camping here, having 3 courses to choose from. But there is something for everyone in the family here, there is amazing fishing, boating and swimming."
Boat rental and watercraft: Ko-Ket Resort on the California Delta River offers paddle board rentals. "They have paddle boards you can rent and go out on the water in the morning. They have cute little cottages people can rent too. Very peaceful and fun atmosphere," notes one visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Campers at Brannan Island State Recreation Area regularly spot numerous wildlife species. One camper reports, "The wildlife was RIGHT THERE! We saw a tarantula near the tee box on 2. I woke up with 4 deer casually strolling through our campsite, a huge group of turkeys were cruising around the whole weekend."
What campers like
Live entertainment: Ko-Ket Resort features weekend performances. "They had live music on the Saturday we were there. Highly recommend!" says a recent visitor who enjoyed the entertainment options beyond typical camping activities.
Water recreation: The Sugar Barge RV Resort & Marina offers direct water access with boat launch facilities. A camper notes, "Sugar barge is right on the delta. They have a boat trailer parking lot and a boat ramp. They rent kyacks and have a restaurant that looks right over the water."
Family-friendly waterparks: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Tower Park includes extensive water features. A recent visitor described, "Rv campsite and water park was clean and very nice. Water park is open 11 to 7 but Lazy river closes at 5 not sure why."
What you should know
Variable water levels: Lake levels fluctuate significantly based on season and drought conditions. A visitor to Lake Amador Resort explained, "The water levels drastically change due to it being a privately owned lake. The employees that work there are always really sweet and helpful."
Booking windows: Many sites require advance planning, particularly for holiday periods. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, one guest advises, "We've been camping here for 10 years now. Always 4+ campsites for 4-5 days around July 4th weekend (reserve at least 6 months out)."
Temperature considerations: Summer heat can be intense in the Central Valley. A Brannan Island camper warns, "This place is noisy, hot and windy (seriously, it's like being in a super hot wind tunnel), and full of grasses like foxtails (that are quite dangerous for dogs, especially when they're dry!)"
Tips for camping with families
Supervised water activities: Acorn Campground provides designated swimming areas. "This is a large campground with sites generally well spaced apart, you don't feel right on top of your neighbors. Even without a boat or any lake toys we had a lot of fun hanging on the shore and letting the dogs swim, and even took a dip ourselves."
Entertainment options: Many campgrounds offer structured activities for children. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, "We go with several families with kids 5-13 and they all have a blast. The price per night is very expensive but there are a lot of amenities. Nice playground, basketball court, volleyball, bouncy pillow, outdoor movies, pool, lazy river, water park, bumper boats, laser tag."
Child-friendly sites: Some locations specifically cater to families with young children. At Lake Amador Resort, a visitor notes, "Amador is a laid back camping spot that never disappoints. Great for families. Not a party destination but you can still have a great time! They have a water hole with a fun slide, which is all kept nice and clean with tables you can sit at."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Brannan Island State Recreation Area offers various site types. "Nice park. Very quiet in late Nov. Bathrooms were closed. Couldn't Find any trails. Good for one night," reports one RVer about off-season camping.
Hookup availability: Many sites offer full RV services. At Sugar Barge RV Resort, "The office helped accommodate us for an extended stay during a busy time. Some sites are pretty close together. We have a nice site right now, but decided to park the truck at a nearby on-site lot due to the size of this space."
Seasonal differences: Crowds vary dramatically by season. According to a visitor at Lake Amador, "We've been in March, May, July and September... July, just too hot but we love being able to just get up and fish... The lake is stocked with Trout, Bass and Catfish. Tackle Box Cafe is really good, weekends only."
