Camping spots near West Sacramento VMF, California range from riverfront sites to state recreation areas within driving distance. Summer temperatures in this Central Valley location regularly exceed 90°F from June through September, with mild winters that rarely drop below freezing. The Sacramento River corridor provides fishing opportunities at several campgrounds, though water levels can fluctuate significantly throughout the year depending on drought conditions and seasonal rainfall.
What to do
Water activities along the Sacramento River: At Sherwood Harbor Marina & RV Park, campers can enjoy swimming and fishing without a license. One visitor noted, "Outstanding location, right on the river with a swimming beach and free fishing with no license required."
Bike trail access: The American River Bike Trail runs near several Sacramento area campgrounds. At Cal Expo RV Park, campers appreciate this amenity. A reviewer mentioned, "Great for bikers," while another explained, "There is direct access to the bike path which goes for miles and miles and connects to other trails which made our stay really great."
Wildlife observation: Watch for Canadian snow geese and other birds along the Sacramento River. A camper at Sherwood Harbor Marina shared, "Having Canadian snow geese in our site upon waking up was a real treat."
What campers like
Convenient location: Beals Point Campground offers proximity to urban amenities while providing a natural setting. As one reviewer explained, "Really nice camp hosts and attendants. Nice services; clean bathrooms and coin op showers. Very green early in the season, lake extremely low, warm evenings already. GREAT cell service for working remotely. 5G with 5 bars."
Family-friendly amenities: SacWest RV Park & Campground provides numerous attractions for children. A camper praised, "Hospitality and professionalism - that's how you can describe this place! Lots of things to do for kids: great playgrounds, swimming pool, more than 100 ducks going around!"
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds in the area maintain high cleanliness standards. A visitor to Sacramento Shade RV Park noted the friendly atmosphere: "While setting up, every person that walked by said hi and welcome! We have never experienced that much friendliness in a campground."
What you should know
Noise considerations: Proximity to highways and truck stops can create noise issues at some locations. A camper at SacWest mentioned, "Not so good, but not too bad. Yes, we did end up by the Maverick Truck Stop side of the park, but the noise was not too bad."
Seasonal allergies: Be prepared for potential allergy issues, especially during spring. One camper at SacWest warned, "A little side information: if you are allergic to pollen, especially trees you should be careful at the moment. The campsites are directly located under mulberry trees. They triggered severe hay fever symptoms in me."
Price variations: Camping costs vary significantly across the area. A visitor to Yolo County Fair RV noted, "$35 per night. $15 for dump. They even have $200 RV rentals." Meanwhile, SacWest reviewers mentioned prices around $100 for a standard site.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with pools during hot summer months. A camper at SacWest RV Park described it as "Great family park," and another mentioned "Pool, game room, wifi, SHOWERS!" as amenities that enhance the family camping experience.
Wildlife interaction opportunities: Many kids enjoy watching the local wildlife. One reviewer mentioned the "more than 100 ducks going around" at SacWest, creating an entertaining environment for children.
Campground restrictions: Some locations have specific policies regarding children. A potential camper at Sherwood Harbor Marina & RV Park shared, "We did try to stay there, they were okay with us having one dog and two boys ages 9 and 8, but as soon as we told them we had a baby they referred us somewhere else."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At SacWest RV Park, the location of your site impacts noise levels. A reviewer advised, "Expensive and can be noisy if on the west side near the truck stop."
Hookup options: Some campgrounds offer partial hookups at lower rates. One camper at SacWest noted, "We got a PW (power/water) site that was $20 cheaper a night than full hookup. Only stayed two nights while traveling through and there is an RV dump there, so easy enough."
Age restrictions: Some RV parks have policies about older vehicles. A reviewer trying to stay at Mark J RV Park reported, "Couldn't even rent a space due to how old our RV was and had to keep looking," while another noted Cal Expo RV Park doesn't allow buses "unless they have the RVCIA sticker."
