Best Campgrounds near Vernalis, CA

Campgrounds near Vernalis, California range from developed facilities to lakeside recreation areas across the Central Valley region. Caswell Memorial State Park Campground along the Stanislaus River provides tent and RV sites with amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms. Several miles north, Thousand Trails Turtle Beach offers full-hookup RV sites along with tent camping options. The area features a mix of state parks, county recreation areas, and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius, with most concentrated around water features including reservoirs, lakes, and rivers.

Road conditions throughout the region remain accessible year-round, though summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, particularly during holiday weekends and summer months. "This is a primitive campground, no showers only vault toilets and restroom near visitor center (2 min walk from campground) both decently clean. Water for washing dishes is available," noted one camper about a nearby state park. Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds, with better coverage at sites closer to Interstate 5 and Highway 99 corridors. Many campgrounds in the area implement fire restrictions during the dry summer and fall months due to wildfire concerns.

The Central Valley camping experience centers around water recreation, with several campgrounds providing direct lake or river access. Woodward Reservoir receives positive reviews for its waterfront camping and warm swimming conditions. Campers frequently mention wildlife viewing opportunities, with one visitor reporting, "We saw deer and turkeys roaming the campground." Sites at Del Valle Campground east of Livermore offer more elevation and cooler temperatures than valley-floor locations. Proximity to urban areas makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations for Bay Area residents seeking quick nature escapes, though midweek visits typically offer more solitude and site availability. Most developed campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities including restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings, with varying levels of hookups for RV campers.

Best Camping Sites Near Vernalis, California (139)

    1. Caswell Memorial State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Ripon, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 599-3810

    $30 - $175 / night

    "Near by river provides access to canoeing or kayaking. A few hiking trails plus a good size group campsite area. Online reservation available."

    "Most of the sites are close to the entrance to the river. The day use are is well shaded and provides easy hicks. Will definately go again."

    2. Thousand Trails Turtle Beach

    5 Reviews
    Lathrop, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Stayed on large grass site next to the water. Very nice. Few amenities and staff was scarce but more than adequate. Lots of room to roam for people & pets."

    "Showers and clubhouse activities are still limited, but the nearby delta offers its own attraction. Day use, tents, and every class of RV are easily accommodated."

    3. Del Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District

    23 Reviews
    Livermore, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $15 - $200 / night

    "After time spent here at this oasis in the middle of Eastbay, California, you’ll very much feel like part of this place with its endless trails, fantastically well-kept camping grounds and the warm hospitality"

    "Campsite amenities were great, easy access to water and bathrooms. Bathrooms were spotless the whole weekend, even though it was a holiday weekend and every site was booked."

    4. Kit Fox RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Patterson, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 892-2638

    "I stayed here for one night in a 22’ RV at one of the back-in sites for the shorter term stays on a drive from Death Valley back towards the San Francisco Bay area."

    "I received a military discount,

    The park is next to a good sized interchange with food, fuel and etc available."

    6. Dos Reis County Park

    4 Reviews
    Lathrop, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 953-8800

    "Not a lot to do in the surrounding area, no obvious hiking trails, for example, although some fishing seems to have been possible. A small loop of 20+ sites, all (it appeared) with full-hookups. "

    7. French Camp RV Park and Golf Course

    4 Reviews
    Manteca, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 234-1544

    "Was passing thru from south California. Very clean. Staff was pleasant to work with at check in. Plenty of room to leave RV hooked up to truck."

    9. Carnegie State Vehicle Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Tracy, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (925) 447-9027

    $10 / night

    "The day use and camping areas at this park are in a long row, next to the road that brings you through this valley. They are beautifully kept, very clean and functional."

    "Great affordable spot close to Bay Area. I wouldn’t claim this campground to be the most serene area but it had showers, toilets, water, bbqs and fire pits with shaded cooking areas which was great."

    10. Woodward Reservoir

    16 Reviews
    Oakdale, CA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 847-3304

    "Out in Central valley is Woodward Lake. Great for a day trip if you live in the Bay area and want to get away. They have boat access to the lake."

    "Woodward Reservoir is a great place to camp with or without all the amenities...They have primitive camping for the folks that like roughing it as well as people that like the home away from home experience"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 139 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Vernalis, CA

530 Reviews of 139 Vernalis Campgrounds


  • Laura The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Glory Hole Recreation Area

    Pretty and quiet

    Easy to find, there was no one but my spot was labelled with the tags. Facilities are clean but the shower was cold, at best lukewarm. The lake's water was too low for a swim though :( sad

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Lovely site, really close to San Francisco!

    On visiting San Francisco we were looking for a site that wasn’t a car park. This really met the mark! Beautiful place with great sites. Nice picnic tables & fire pits! Was very quiet

  • T
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Nice location and activities, but a bit cramped

    I just needed/wanted a short getaway without driving hours from home. Since I'm used to this place for mountain biking, I figured I'd try camping here for a couple nights. 

    I did a recon ride previously on my mountain bike, so knew which spots I'd prefer and booked site 35 for a Thursday and Friday night. 

    Arrived at about 5PM and found my spot. The ranger booth was closed, but I didn't feel the need to chat with them anyway. The place was largely unoccupied at this point. Maybe a dozen or so spots appeared taken. 

    The weather, though hot in the Bay Area at this point, was quite nice. The breeze and shade of the park made for a very comfortable setting. I believe it was 88 in Castro Valley, but felt about 78 at the campground. I don't have AC for the van, but didn't feel I needed any. 

    I got setup and then headed out for a short ride, followed by a warm shower, cold beer and dinner. It was quiet that evening and I slept well. 

    I worked through the morning Friday, though the Starlink suffered some interruptions due to the tree cover. Early afternoon more people started to show up, as I expected. I went for a long ride and when I returned the place was much more occupied and people were setting up tents, starting their bbq's, etc. Though a bit close to the neighbors, none of them were obnoxious. 

    My advice would be to know the spot you're selecting and know that in the summer months the grass isn't green :) 

    I'd score the individual aspects as follows (1-5):

    Bathrooms: 4

    Location: 5

    Activities: 5

    Privacy: 3

    Cleanliness: 4

  • A
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Uvas Canyon County Park

    A ton of wasps near 25

    Second time at the campground. Love this campground still but im pretty sure there is a wasp next near 25. We were here about 2 weeks ago at a different site and didnt have any wasp issues. It probably didnt help that it looked like previous people left trash and food on the floor. We will be coming back soon to a different site. Campground is gorgeous. Bathrooms are super clean.

  • James C.
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Thousand Trails Turtle Beach

    Still a 4-star park worth the trip

    This may not be the park it once was, but it's still far better than most in the area. Showers and clubhouse activities are still limited, but the nearby delta offers its own attraction. Day use, tents, and every class of RV are easily accommodated. No shopping or supplies nearby, but anything you may want or need is within 5 miles. It is very relaxing and one of the first sites I try to book if I'm in the area. Hands down better than the county parks.

  • A
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Mount Madonna County Park

    Super nice and clean

    Very nice and clean. Only complaint is the lay out of the campsite area i was in. They were very close together. And the water spout was difficult to get on. Other than that it was beautiful.

  • Erika V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Medeiros Primitive Campsites — San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area

    Down by the river

    Last minute overnighter on a Friday night in July. First come first serve camping. We stayed right next to the river, which was nice. Open area with nice spots with a table, shade and a fire ring. Very windy, but tolerable. Overall a chill place though cars kept driving through into the evening, though it settled down around 11pm. Slept well! Great spot if passing through.

  • A
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Uvas Canyon County Park

    Uvas

    Super clean and maintained. Especially the bathrooms and showers. The sites are spaced out nicely and there is a water faucet and trash bins plus recycle every couple of sites. On the trails theres quite a bit of poison oak so keep dogs close. Not every site is able to car camp due to rocks blocking off the parking area but every campsite is pretty nice.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park

    Usable, but narrow

    Positiv: 50 $, full hooked, warm showers Negativ: Our slot 170 was very narrow, other spots had more space. You could not see that on the onlinemap. No bench or table belonged to the spot. My neighbour had a slide-out. There was only one meter to my van. I found two showers, the free one had a damaged, sliced curtain, so everybody could have seen my body while taking a shower. There was no separation and all my clothes on the bench got wet. The shower for handicapped persons didn't have any curtain at all.


Guide to Vernalis

Camping sites near Vernalis, California provide diverse outdoor experiences across San Joaquin County's varied terrain. The region sits at approximately 30 feet above sea level in the Central Valley, with camping options along river corridors and near reservoirs. Summer temperatures regularly reach triple digits, while winter lows can drop into the 30s with occasional valley fog affecting visibility.

What to do

Water recreation on the Stanislaus River: At Caswell Memorial State Park Campground, visitors can float downstream from the campground to the day-use beach. "The park has a creek that runs from the camp ground to the public beach down below. You can take your floating stuff up to the camp area and literally float down stream in 45 minutes or so," explains one visitor who found a perfect swimming hole along the route.

Boating and fishing opportunities: Multiple reservoir sites offer various water activities beyond swimming. "Great boating and swimming. Be aware that usually late September to Mid April, there is no body to water contact," notes a camper about Woodward Reservoir, making it essential to check seasonal regulations before planning water activities.

Hiking and wildlife viewing: The hills around Del Valle Campground provide challenging but rewarding trails with diverse wildlife sightings. "The hills are pretty intense, but they're beautiful! The lake is also very picturesque," remarks one visitor. Morning wildlife viewing yields results as noted by another camper: "I saw deer and turkeys roaming the campground."

What campers like

Shaded campsites during hot weather: Caswell Memorial State Park offers protection from the intense summer heat. "As I was camping in the summer and it was supposed to be 100s I wanted to make sure I had a shadey spot. I was able to find quite a few spots that had shade and were set off the road a bit to have some privacy," explains one visitor who appreciated the temperature relief.

Clean, well-maintained facilities: Despite being in remote locations, many campgrounds maintain good standards. "I'm not sure wether or not they had upgrades done recently, but the bathrooms were astounding. Very modern and especially clean," reports one Caswell visitor. Another camper at French Camp RV Park noted, "Very clean. Staff was pleasant to work with at check in. Plenty of room to leave RV hooked up to truck."

Affordable camping options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the reasonable rates at certain locations. Carnegie State Vehicle Recreation Area offers surprising value: "A really pleasant surprise, especially in Northern California, was its cost: a mere $10 per night/vehicle. Two vehicles can share a campsite."

What you should know

Seasonal restrictions affect water access: Water activities may be limited during certain months. At Woodward Reservoir, "there is no body to water contact" from approximately late September through mid-April, requiring campers to adjust their expectations and plans accordingly.

Weekend crowding vs. midweek solitude: Proximity to urban areas means weekend crowds. "It can get crowded over the weekends," notes one Del Valle camper. Another adds, "Both our kids family have Kayaks so that makes getting on the water great," highlighting the importance of bringing your own equipment during busy periods.

Pest considerations: Turtle Beach RV Resort and other waterfront locations can have seasonal insect issues. "TONS of mosquitos, be prepared! When we drove in midday, we were swarmed with mosquitos. Considering there's a river and lots of weeds/bushes/trees, this isn't surprising," warns one visitor about water-adjacent camping areas.

Tips for camping with families

Lazy river floating activities: Families particularly enjoy the gentle water recreation at Caswell Memorial State Park. "Family friendly. Most of the sites are shaded and all are a short walk to the swim beach. A 45 minute lazy river meanders through the park and lets out at the day use beach. Bring your bug spray and a good tube!" advises one experienced camper.

Evening campground entertainment: Some locations offer organized activities. "We love this campground and come here at least 2-3x per year. It's great for the kids, they do movies and nature demonstrations on the weekends for kids," shares a regular visitor to Caswell Memorial State Park.

Kid-friendly water conditions: Woodward Reservoir provides ideal swimming conditions for children. "Shallow and warm water great for swimming and water sports," notes one visitor, while another adds, "Woodward is our family go to place to camp in the summer heat... Water feels good when it's 100+ degrees outside."

Tips from RVers

Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete services for self-contained camping. "Wonderful rv spot, the staff are welcoming and very helpful. The grounds are kept up, every site has a fire ring with picnic tables. The bathrooms are decent and dump Station is clean," reports one visitor to Turtle Beach.

Site selection considerations: At Dos Reis County Park, site layout requires planning. "This campground will not work for people wanting a one night stay because there are no pull through sites and each campsite would require disconnecting the trailer or tow car to fit in the site," warns one RVer about the logistics of overnight stays.

Big rig accommodation varies: Not all camping areas can handle larger vehicles. French Camp RV Park receives positive reviews for accommodating larger setups: "Clean flat site. Pool and launderette good... Good hookup," notes one traveler, while several other campgrounds specifically mention limitations for larger rigs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Vernalis, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Vernalis, CA is Caswell Memorial State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 12 reviews.

What parks are near Vernalis, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Vernalis, CA that allow camping, notably New Hogan Lake and New Melones Lake.