The delta and foothills surrounding Tracy offer diverse camping options within 45 miles, with temperatures ranging from 90°F in summer to 40°F in winter. While glamping resorts provide upscale accommodations, traditional campgrounds in the area offer more rustic alternatives with varying levels of amenities and access to recreational activities on both water and land.
What to do
Water activities at delta parks: Brannan Island State Recreation Area provides direct access to the Sacramento River with boat launching facilities. "It has a big boat launch for easy launching," notes Ed S., though some facilities have maintenance issues as "they closed their boat berths because they were rotting." The park serves as an excellent gateway to delta exploration.
Fishing year-round: Winter camping at Lake Camanche offers excellent fishing opportunities when crowds thin out. "We camped twice at this campground on the South Shore. The lake has a North Shore Campground as well. We were the only ones camping on Christmas Weekend," shares one visitor, adding that "Fishing is awesome!" The lake maintains good bass fishing throughout the year.
Hiking the waterfall trails: The eastern Santa Cruz Mountains offer hiking with waterfall views at Uvas Canyon County Park. A camper recommends "doing at least the waterfall loop, if not taking a whole day and exploring all the trails." Though swimming isn't permitted in the streams, the trails provide scenic outdoor recreation close to Tracy.
What campers like
Proximity to home: Delta Shores Resort and Marina appeals to local campers seeking quick getaways. "We decided to go here because it was so close to home," mentions susan R. This convenience factor makes it popular for weekend trips from Tracy and surrounding communities without extensive travel time.
Weekday tranquility: Visiting campgrounds during weekdays provides a completely different experience. At Acorn Campground, one visitor notes, "during the week in the shoulder season, we pretty much had the place to ourselves." Similarly, a camper at Uvas Canyon mentions it's best "for a week day get away where you can enjoy more quiet surroundings and its nature sounds."
Seasonal activities: Campgrounds offer different experiences throughout the year. A visitor to Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park mentions abundant wildlife viewing opportunities: "We saw lots of wildlife - deer, wild pigs, turkeys, frogs just to name a few." The changing seasons affect both wildlife activity and water recreation options.
What you should know
Weather considerations: The delta region experiences significant wind, particularly in summer months. A camper at Brannan Island describes it as "hot and windy (seriously, it's like being in a super hot wind tunnel)," while another at Delta Shores notes, "The wind was crazy! We weren't able to put our awning out."
Water level fluctuations: Reservoir levels vary dramatically by season and year. At Acorn Campground, "The lake level varies wildly throughout the year, sites that are right on the lake can end up being hundreds of feet from the lake if the water level is low. Early summer is the best time to go for high lake levels."
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty connectivity. At Sugar Barge RV Resort & Marina, one camper notes "Wifi and cell reception is really poor, even when you're right outside the office." Similarly, a visitor to Uvas Canyon mentions "no cell service (at least for ATT) when you are there," though Verizon coverage is reported as better.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Beyond the glamping resorts, traditional campgrounds offer family-friendly features. At Sanborn County Park, "The Sanborn park has multiple picnic areas, and plenty of space for folks/kids to play around. There are also some trails for short and longer hikes."
Consider traffic patterns: Campground safety requires extra vigilance with children. One camper at Brannan Island advises to be mindful of "lots of traffic on the main road bc of all of the boating traffic," while a visitor to Lake Camanche warns about foxtails, noting they are "quite dangerous for dogs, especially when they're dry!"
Time your visit strategically: School breaks increase crowding at most campgrounds. A visitor to Uvas Canyon notes, "Very family friendly so expect it to be crowded on weekends and a level of noise and foot traffic by your site as well." Weekday visits provide more space and quiet for families needing a peaceful experience.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: RV sites vary significantly in quality and size. At Sugar Barge RV Resort, a camper advises: "Check for updates with them if they get a new cell tower nearby. Waterfront Restaurant on the levy right across the way on the backside of the property." They further note that "Site 70 was good size for us, suite 109 a little tight but in the shade and pretty view out the back!"
Water connections need attention: Water hookup placement can present challenges. One RVer at Sugar Barge warns, "the water spigot is really close to the ground and really close to the sewer drain. Scrub with bleach before booking up your water and you'll be fine."
Camp host assistance varies: Availability and helpfulness of staff differs by location. At Delta Shores, campers found "everyone was very friendly and helpful" despite maintenance issues, while at Brannan Island, a visitor reported "Host was not to be found. Site was nice and big and along River."
