The best private sites RV parks near Sacramento, California

Calling all campers to California’s capital for water, wilderness, and redwood trees. Historically known for California’s gold rush, Sacramento is now filled with a beautiful blend of cityscapes and nature nooks. With San Francisco sitting southwest and Sierra Nevada to the east, the city provides a central location for day trips and weekend camping excursions to lush landscapes like Eldorado National Forest. Or head to the coast of Point Reyes National Seashore to explore cliffs, sand dunes, and tidepools. Then, venture out to Samuel P. Taylor State Park where trails weave through native redwood trees. Choose from campsites on beautiful beaches or under a canopy of trees—the opportunities are endless in Sacramento.

99% (95) • 7 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Sacramento

1. Cosumnes River Ranch

99%

(1896)

31mi from Sacramento · 27 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

We are a family owned/operated ranch, located along the Cosumnes River, one of the last un-dammed rivers in California. As one of the last rivers flowing from the west slope of the Sierra without a major dam, the Cosumnes is a vital example of a healthy watershed. Our goal is to offer a unique outdoor experience for anyone looking for a place to spend time in the great outdoors. Whether you're looking for a single campsite, or a place for a larger gathering, we're excited to have you visit! Take your pick of activities available on site: swimming , gold panning, fishing, camp fires, wildlife watching, floating, hiking, and mountain biking to name a few. There are 3 miles of river to explore. *Please note: We don't allow wood campfires during the summer months (generally the last week of May through September)*

2. Magical Forbes Island Large Groups!

100%

(6)

36mi from Sacramento · 13 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Book our floating Forbes Island for your OffBeat, Off-Grid Experience! This private, historic event venue accommodates 2 to 125 people with a few special on-board bedrooms, and plenty of camping at adjoining Willow Grove Ranch. *This property appeals to the adventurous - guests must pay attention to transportation instructions and prepare to be off-grid during their stay.* *DISCLAIMER* Forbes Island is a ferry and boat-accessible destination! To drive, you must catch the Car Ferry in Oakley to transport you to the Island. A Midday Car-Ferry Boat or Pre-Booked Passenger Boat is Required! - Please Call Before Booking - *This property has unique logistics. Please send a message to call and iron out all your details, before booking!* --- The Forbes Island off-grid event venue and campground are at Bradford Island in the Sacramento River Delta. The floating barge is moored next to our private ranch, utilized for tent and RV camping for larger groups. We limit rentals to single groups for ultimate privacy in a natural setting. You and your guests enjoy the remote Sacramento River Delta wetlands while being only a short drive from the Bay Area. Guests have direct access to water sports and private docks. *Note: Forbes Island requires passage via the Bradford Island car ferry (see schedule below), a personal watercraft, or a captained passenger ferry boat that must be booked in advance. Boat dock space is included. History: Forbes Thor Kiddoo came to San Francisco in 1959 after a stint in the Coast Guard. A carpenter and engineer, he developed a business constructing houseboats in Sausalito. Then, inspired by Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo and the movie version of “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea”, Forbes Kiddoo built himself an underwater home, complete with portholes for watching the fish swim past, a diving hatch and a grand bedroom suite fit for a captain of his private world. In the ’90s, Forbes added a 40-foot lighthouse and a white picket fence. Today, a small group of committed friends has preserved and kept Forbes Island afloat for community events, opening it for all to experience and enjoy. Your rental helps us to maintain this totally unique, fabulous find into the future. FAQ Are day campers included in the total guest count, or does it only apply to overnight guests? All campers, whether they are staying overnight or not, must be included in the reservation. Can additional guests be added after the initial booking? Yes, you can modify your trip to add more guests through the Hipcamp app, but you cannot exceed the maximum capacity. --- Forbes Island is a historic architectural folly built on a floating barge, with indoor spaces above and below its deck. The venue is adjacent to private land available to add-on to your booking, for camping and RV parking. Guests may sleep in any of the following places on the property: 1. Top Deck: Open-Air Camping 2. Top Deck Tiki Room: Indoor room, no furnishings 3. Below Deck Bedroom 1: Full Bed with attached bathroom 4. Below Deck Bedroom 2: Queen Bed 5. Below Deck "Living Room" and Bar: Indoor room, no furnishings 6. Adjacent field available for tent and RV camping. *Note: the barge has two functional bathrooms with toilet and sink that uses non-potable water, no showers onboard. Provided Aboard: Refrigerator Grill on Deck Electrical Power Starlink Wifi BYO: Drinking Water Provisions Musical Instruments Sunscreen --- BRADFORD ISLAND FERRY: https://bradfordisland.com/wp-... Round-Trip (car) Ferry Ticket $15.50: Purchase ferry tickets at this Oakley Valero Station https://goo.gl/maps/FHpr8VUvj8... Ferry Schedule: MONDAY – FRIDAY RUNS: 9 am to 5 pm (RUNS ON THE HOUR EXCEPT AT 12 NOON) SATURDAY RUNS: 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am & 12 NOON SUNDAY RUNS: 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm Be sure to be there at least 5 minutes early because Delta Time has its own way of doing things! *NOTE: if you miss the last ferry of the day, you are staying for another night!

Calling all campers to California’s capital for water, wilderness, and redwood trees. Historically known for California’s gold rush, Sacramento is now filled with a beautiful blend of cityscapes and nature nooks. With San Francisco sitting southwest and Sierra Nevada to the east, the city provides a central location for day trips and weekend camping excursions to lush landscapes like Eldorado National Forest. Or head to the coast of Point Reyes National Seashore to explore cliffs, sand dunes, and tidepools. Then, venture out to Samuel P. Taylor State Park where trails weave through native redwood trees. Choose from campsites on beautiful beaches or under a canopy of trees—the opportunities are endless in Sacramento.

99% (95) • 7 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Sacramento

1. Cosumnes River Ranch

99%

(1896)

31mi from Sacramento · 27 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

We are a family owned/operated ranch, located along the Cosumnes River, one of the last un-dammed rivers in California. As one of the last rivers flowing from the west slope of the Sierra without a major dam, the Cosumnes is a vital example of a healthy watershed. Our goal is to offer a unique outdoor experience for anyone looking for a place to spend time in the great outdoors. Whether you're looking for a single campsite, or a place for a larger gathering, we're excited to have you visit! Take your pick of activities available on site: swimming , gold panning, fishing, camp fires, wildlife watching, floating, hiking, and mountain biking to name a few. There are 3 miles of river to explore. *Please note: We don't allow wood campfires during the summer months (generally the last week of May through September)*

2. Magical Forbes Island Large Groups!

100%

(6)

36mi from Sacramento · 13 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Book our floating Forbes Island for your OffBeat, Off-Grid Experience! This private, historic event venue accommodates 2 to 125 people with a few special on-board bedrooms, and plenty of camping at adjoining Willow Grove Ranch. *This property appeals to the adventurous - guests must pay attention to transportation instructions and prepare to be off-grid during their stay.* *DISCLAIMER* Forbes Island is a ferry and boat-accessible destination! To drive, you must catch the Car Ferry in Oakley to transport you to the Island. A Midday Car-Ferry Boat or Pre-Booked Passenger Boat is Required! - Please Call Before Booking - *This property has unique logistics. Please send a message to call and iron out all your details, before booking!* --- The Forbes Island off-grid event venue and campground are at Bradford Island in the Sacramento River Delta. The floating barge is moored next to our private ranch, utilized for tent and RV camping for larger groups. We limit rentals to single groups for ultimate privacy in a natural setting. You and your guests enjoy the remote Sacramento River Delta wetlands while being only a short drive from the Bay Area. Guests have direct access to water sports and private docks. *Note: Forbes Island requires passage via the Bradford Island car ferry (see schedule below), a personal watercraft, or a captained passenger ferry boat that must be booked in advance. Boat dock space is included. History: Forbes Thor Kiddoo came to San Francisco in 1959 after a stint in the Coast Guard. A carpenter and engineer, he developed a business constructing houseboats in Sausalito. Then, inspired by Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo and the movie version of “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea”, Forbes Kiddoo built himself an underwater home, complete with portholes for watching the fish swim past, a diving hatch and a grand bedroom suite fit for a captain of his private world. In the ’90s, Forbes added a 40-foot lighthouse and a white picket fence. Today, a small group of committed friends has preserved and kept Forbes Island afloat for community events, opening it for all to experience and enjoy. Your rental helps us to maintain this totally unique, fabulous find into the future. FAQ Are day campers included in the total guest count, or does it only apply to overnight guests? All campers, whether they are staying overnight or not, must be included in the reservation. Can additional guests be added after the initial booking? Yes, you can modify your trip to add more guests through the Hipcamp app, but you cannot exceed the maximum capacity. --- Forbes Island is a historic architectural folly built on a floating barge, with indoor spaces above and below its deck. The venue is adjacent to private land available to add-on to your booking, for camping and RV parking. Guests may sleep in any of the following places on the property: 1. Top Deck: Open-Air Camping 2. Top Deck Tiki Room: Indoor room, no furnishings 3. Below Deck Bedroom 1: Full Bed with attached bathroom 4. Below Deck Bedroom 2: Queen Bed 5. Below Deck "Living Room" and Bar: Indoor room, no furnishings 6. Adjacent field available for tent and RV camping. *Note: the barge has two functional bathrooms with toilet and sink that uses non-potable water, no showers onboard. Provided Aboard: Refrigerator Grill on Deck Electrical Power Starlink Wifi BYO: Drinking Water Provisions Musical Instruments Sunscreen --- BRADFORD ISLAND FERRY: https://bradfordisland.com/wp-... Round-Trip (car) Ferry Ticket $15.50: Purchase ferry tickets at this Oakley Valero Station https://goo.gl/maps/FHpr8VUvj8... Ferry Schedule: MONDAY – FRIDAY RUNS: 9 am to 5 pm (RUNS ON THE HOUR EXCEPT AT 12 NOON) SATURDAY RUNS: 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am & 12 NOON SUNDAY RUNS: 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm Be sure to be there at least 5 minutes early because Delta Time has its own way of doing things! *NOTE: if you miss the last ferry of the day, you are staying for another night!

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

K

Kristal

September 2025

20 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

Right by the river with plenty of room. Beautiful property!

S

Seth

September 2025

24 ft Class C

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

We camped at site #4, a shady site on a small rise at Sawyers Bar. It’s a little above the Cosumnes River, but a short walk from a common area swimming hole with small beach. The swimming hole is delightful in mid-September.

J

Jared

September 2025

25 ft travel trailer

With kids

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

Our family had an amazing late summer experience - hiking, swimming and enjoying this beautiful ranch in Amador County along the Consumnes River. The hosts were very friendly and helpful. For swimming, Tom recommended the Swimming Hole at Sawyer’s Bar, which was perfect for our six year old - a nice sandy beach with little to no current in the shallows. The campsite was spacious and clean with lots of shade and plenty of space between other sites, which made the site feel very private. We visited with a travel trailer and thought the dirt road to the campsites was well maintained when we visited. We cannot wait to visit again!

Campsite 6. Not super close to the river in June but spacious and short walk to water.

E

Ethan

September 2025

16 ft car

With kids

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

Organized a group of 4 families all with kids under 6 to camp for Labor Day weekend. Everyone had a blast splashing around in the river during the heat of the day. Definitely would consider going back another time!

T

Tyler

August 2025

26 ft travel trailer

With pets

2 nights at Cosumnes River Ranch

We had an amazing stay at this campsite! The cold river was perfect for a refreshing float on warm days. Our spot was private with plenty of room to spread out and relax. The host was incredibly friendly and welcoming. The area was free to explore, and nights were wonderfully quiet.

D

Deverie

August 2025

22 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

What a magical place! Hiking, Fishing & Swimming while enjoying all the dragonflies & butterflies. Took some fabulous pictures that I must print!! Peaceful, Private & Clean. Tom shared some history of the property & even some very cool pictures of his own. Loved the gated entry & all the friendly deer that hopped along side our RV as we found our perfect site near the river. It was just perfect. Thank you for sharing this hidden gem.

S

Steven

August 2025

16 ft car

With kids

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

We stayed at site 4 sawyers bar. Overall amazing experience. Cleanest Porto potties I have ever seen, lots of space between sites. Rachel was super easy to communicate with and Tom was great. The swimming hole was perfect for kids. Nice big sandy beach about 2 min walk from site and crystal clear water.

H

Holli

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

Great location, great weather and great times with family! We really enjoyed site 6, plenty of shade, flat ground and access to the river. Host Tom stopped by daily to check in and made sure we felt welcome. Can’t wait to stay again!

L

Lyn

July 2025

14 ft pop-up camper

With pets

1 night at Cosumnes River Ranch

Just a heads up that it’s a 25-30 minute drive once you enter the gate. But I will say it’s well worth it. The swimming hole is magnificent! Comfortable temps on the water and finding a little slice of heaven in the middle of nowhere. It was a great last stop on our 2-week road trip! Would definitely come back and stay for a few days!

K

Kathy

July 2025

20 ft campervan

With pets

1 night at Cosumnes River Ranch

We loved the beauty of the Ranch and remoteness. The directions were clear and rules were reasonable. The River & geese were lovely. The dirt road to get to campsites seemed long & dusty, but only 3 miles. Pricey for no hook ups.

A

Andres

July 2025

16 ft car

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

The place is beautiful!! Site number 5 was great, quiet, in front of the river. We swum the all day!! We want to go back.

N

Nate

July 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

Great access to a super secluded beach and swimming hole, extremely friendly camp hosts, great fishing, blackberries galore! Would definitely go back!

E

Elise

July 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

We absolutely loved camping on Rachael’s land. The land itself was so beautiful and it really felt so serene. I really appreciated how kind and helpful the hosts are. Will definitely be coming back!!!

Rhea

July 2025

16 ft travel trailer

With pets

3 nights at Cosumnes River Ranch

The ranch is a true and proper large ranch. So large, you barely know there are other people around! We saw a bobcat, crane, crawfish and lots of bunnies! The land is extremely large, feels like in hundred of acres. Our site 7 had 2 options to setup camp. One area with gravel closer to the river and the other above higher closer to the portapotty. Be aware that the terrain once you enter the gates will be rough and extremely dusty. We’ve camped at many places and this is the dustiest of them all so be prepared for that. The 3 mile drive toward the site had many dips and uneven areas that can be a challenge for sedans. Our AWD SUV was totally fine with it. But all that is totally worth it! I would do it again for sure! The river had some tiny leeches but not harmful, it seemed clean! The river was not extremely cold, just right. This is ran professionally. One of the host, Tom came by daily to check on us and is super duper nice! This place is indeed a gem. Highly recommended but be prepared for that dusty road, it’ll be all worth it!

A

Adolph

July 2025

20 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

Beautiful ranch, and very peaceful and quiet. And the river is great cool off when it gets warm in the valley of the ranch.

K

Karla

July 2025

20 ft travel trailer

2 nights at Cosumnes River Ranch

The most enjoyable getaway of them all! The best host you could ever want to meet - Tom! Rachael’s place is beautiful, clean, safe, and worth your time!

T

Tim

June 2025

22 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

The site was really nice walking distance to a river. It was quite and peaceful a really nice stay. We have a 22 ft travel trailer and it was a little rough getting in there the road is really bumpy up and down hills but was a nice trip

Rachel

June 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

Really enjoyed this spot. The location is gorgeous and felt private amongst the other sites. The river is definitely the highlight—clear, refreshing, and great to hang out by and in. Directions were straightforward, no issues finding it. Would definitely stay again.

J

Jenn

June 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

Absolutely loved this campsite! Loved hanging out on the water all day and being able to explore the grounds with my hubby and son. The portable potty was super clean and only shared with one other site. We met one of the hosts, Tom, who was super friendly and gave us a map to explore more. We will definitely be back!

D

Dulce

June 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

We had another great visit. The river was beautiful as always, we played in the water for hours, and saw more interesting insects like antlions and gelastocorids.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best private sites RV parks near Sacramento guide

Where to go

Eldorado National Forest

Escape to Eldorado National Forest to explore lakes, canyons, mountains, and trees. Set about 60 miles east of Sacramento in Sierra Nevada, the forest also hosts over 50 developed campgrounds throughout its diverse landscapes. Then, bike, boat, or rock climb along the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe. Eldorado campers can explore natural attractions with ease from campsites, glampsites, cabin rentals, and more. With forty campgrounds to choose from, Eldorado National Forest offers lakeside camping with boat launches, full hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, and potable water.

Point Reyes National Seashore

Head to the coast at Point Reyes National Seashore featuring dozens of beaches and Pacific Ocean views. Nestled north of San Francisco, the shoreline stretches for 80 miles. Campers can explore its diverse coastal features including cliffs, sand dunes, and tidepools. The Point Reyes Lighthouse is a must for history lovers and boat watchers too. Then, spend the night—the seashore offers boat-in and hike-in backcountry camping on-site. Cabin rentals, tent sites, and RV parks with full hookups are also nearby.

Samuel P. Taylor State Park

Slip away to Samuel P. Taylor State Park—just seven minutes inland from Point Reyes. Tree-covered trails weave through the area full of towering redwoods and old growth. Highly sought after campsites and cabin rentals in the park offer a cozy stay near the shoreline. Campers can also expect hot showers, potable water, and fire rings, though there aren’t any sites with RV hookups. After setting up camp, hike or bike the Cross Marin Trail, which leads explorers along Lagunitas Creek, the old North Pacific Coast Railroad, and into Golden Gate Recreation Area.

When to go

Sacramento’s mediterranean climate creates suitable camping conditions year-round. The coastal breeze brings warm summers and mild winters. Summers see average highs above 90°F—sunscreen and hydration are a must. Temperatures begin to cool down from November to March with temperatures dropping to the mid 50s or low 60s during the day and 40°F overnight. Campers can enjoy the quieter times of the changing seasons with springtime blooms and fall foliage as well.