The best camping in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, CA

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79% (34)

Have fun on water–and on land–at this massive Sacramento-area park.  

The best camping in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, CA

Public campgrounds here are often sold out.
79% (34)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Folsom Lake State Recreation Area adventure.

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Top-rated campgrounds

Finnon Lake Recreation Area

95%
(2328)
23mi from Folsom Lake State Recreation Area · 39 sites · Tents, RVs · Placerville, CA
ALL RV VEHICLES AND VEHICLES WITH TRAILERS MUST TAKE ROCK CREEK RD. (Even if your GPS says to use Mosquito Road). These vehicles will not fit and cannot cross the single-lane suspension Mosquito Bridge. These vehicles and trailers will be forced to turn around or back up to take Rock Creek Road. Smoke on the Water diner is open weekends, 530-622-1060. Hours are limited. Use caution - twisty, narrow country road If it's your first time, you might want to check out the route beforehand. From Sacramento on Hwy 50: At the second stop light, Spring St./Hwy 49, turn left, heading north about 1 block to the stop sign. Turn left, staying on Hwy 49, approximately 1 mile. Turn right on Hwy 193. Travel approximately 3.1 miles to Rock Creek Road. Turn onto Rock Creek Road and travel 8.9 miles to Finnon Lake/Diner on the Left. The campground is behind the Diner. The DINER "Smoke on the Water" is open only Saturday and Sunday. Traveling West on 50 from Tahoe: make a right on HWY 49 traveling north. Follow the above instructions. Welcome to Finnon Lake Recreation Area! Our lovely lake to discover. The night skies above Finnon Lake will reveal stars unseen in California. Enjoy searching for bullfrogs, and watch the flock of Canadian Geese fly in right at sunset as the horizon blends into the watercolor sky. This private lake supports the fire protection efforts of the Mosquito Fire Protection District and the firefighters of this community. Community volunteers manage the lake for the residents and the Fire Station. The primary funding source for the Finnon Lake Restoration is the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, which was signed into law in 2004 with a mission to support “efforts that improve the environmental, economic and social well-being of the Sierra Nevada Region, its communities and the residents of California,” according to its Website. Finnon Lake is also home to a popular 18-hole disc golf course and Mosquito’s only restaurant, Smoke on the Water Diner, which is open on weekends only 530-622-1060. During your stay, you can enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, paddling, hiking, or biking. Sites are from post to post. Our property is located in Placerville, California.
Pets
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from 
$40
 / night

The Foxes Family Farm

97%
(647)
24mi from Folsom Lake State Recreation Area · 13 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Wilton, CA
Welcome to The Foxes Family Farm! Our property is situated on 5 beautiful acres and we offer private campsites that provide the ultimate in seclusion and relaxation. We have multiple tent/RV sites that come complete with one site with 50 amp and 3 with 30 amp power, water, and septic facilities, ensuring a comfortable stay for you and your motorhome. We also have a cabin available that sleeps 4 people and comes with A/C and a private bathroom. We also have 4 tent sites with potable well water, bathroom and for $3 shower with towel. No need to worry about laundry during your stay, as we have a washer and dryer available onsite. Additionally, we've , equipped with all the amenities you'd need for a refreshing and comfortable stay. We understand that your furry friends are part of the family, so we happily welcome pets to our property. Let them explore and enjoy the great outdoors alongside you. As the sun sets and the night sky blankets the surroundings, you'll have the opportunity to gather around a crackling campfire. Enjoy the warmth, roast marshmallows, and create lasting memories. Please note that campfires are allowed unless there's a fire ban in effect, ensuring everyone's safety. Located just a 35-minute drive from Sacramento, our property offers the perfect blend of tranquility and accessibility. Explore the city's vibrant attractions, then return to our peaceful retreat to unwind and rejuvenate.
Pets
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from 
$50
 / night

Walden Ranch

99%
(919)
44mi from Folsom Lake State Recreation Area · 2 sites · Tents · Linden, CA
Walden Ranch began with the purchase of a neighboring 20 acres. Couple that with the inspiration of Thoreau's lines and life at the real Walden Pond, the ranch has grown to nearly 300 acres and the small ranch pond has grown to a 5-acre lake with a 3-acre forest and home. Scouts, family and church groups use the site for gatherings. Available are canoes, bonfire, and exploring the ranch's 300-head cattle, llamas, poultry and wildlife. Fires always allowed at fire ring. You are welcome to bring your own wood. Pitch your tent in a forest setting alongside a lake on a working cattle ranch. Watch wildlife or hike to smaller lakes on the ranch. Other animals include dogs, llamas, geese, chickens, and horses. The ranch is within a 20 minute drive to either Stockton or Lodi, CA and is surrounded by vineyards, orchards and pastures. Outdoor flush toilets, sink, tables and fire ring available. Forested area is set amidst grazing lands. This "Walden" even has willow trees slipped from a tree near Thoreau's cabin near Walden Pond, MA. Owner looks forward to sharing this peaceful, special spot!
Pets
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from 
$30
 / night

Camp 🏕 Gold Dust Vineyard

97%
(355)
29mi from Folsom Lake State Recreation Area · 6 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Somerset, CA
A six acre organic vineyard & natural winery on 21 acres awaits you at Gold Dust Vineyard. A working natural winery and cidery, come enjoy a glass, relax in the breezes at 2’700 feet. Decomposed granite soils and high elevation make for sweeping views and even better natural wine and cider! We welcome guests year round! Surrounded by nature, there is so much to do! Up in the Foothills, we experience all four seasons! Come relax☮️ March - May 🌸Don’t miss the wildflowers & babbling brooks, steams & rivers June - September 🏞Swimming in the Consumnes River or paddle boarding at Jenkinson Lake September - December 🍂🍁Fall foliage, wine harvest, apple picking and alpaca petting December - March ❄️⛷Snowy hikes, mushroom hunting and quick trips to South Lake Tahoe We accept reservations for wine and cider tastings and typically host guests between the hours of 11 am and 5 pm. Occasionally, during very hot and busy holiday weekends, we will host an evening tasting. We have running water on the side of the winery building. Please note, we are a mom and pop shop with just two of us and our young son running the show. We live on site in a tiny house and use the tasting area as our 'back yard' during off hours. We ask that guests please respect our area and off hours requests. We do not permit live fires or generators.
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from 
$32
 / night

Rollins Lake Retreats, A/C & WIFI

96%
(110)
32mi from Folsom Lake State Recreation Area · 3 sites · Lodging · Colfax, CA
Our property is lakeside at Rollins Lake In Colfax. We live on over 30 private, beautiful acres with footpath access to Rollins Lake. (3 minute walk from the dome or house, and 10-15 minutes from the cabin) where most summer days here are spent swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing ect., down at the water. Please note the Cabin is set on a seasonal CANNABIS garden. All three sites are vacation spots with AC and WIFI, not just simple accommodations, but experiences. The remarkable property is very hilly with pines and oaks. You can follow our driveway to the bottom and access the beginning of The Bear River which has a nice hiking trail alongside it or drive 8 minutes to the nearest boat ramp and 10 minutes to the town of Colfax where you will find gas, groceries, and restaurants. We have a beautiful spot where you will not see any neighbors so it is peaceful and private with gorgeous 360-degree views. It is also very safe! Bask in nature, quiet, and privacy! In summer there is a 3-night minimum for the cabin and dome. Occasionally a two day midweek will pop up on the schedule last minute. To see correct pricing, enter your dates as they can fluctuate with holidays, weekends. Prices are decreased midweek. We have 3 accommodations on the property -A GUEST SUITE (lakeside), up to 5 people. -A CABIN (15 min walk or 3 min drive/5 min walk, up to 4 people. -A GLAMPING DOME with an additional teepee tent site (lakeside)! Up to 6 people. We have fishing boat, kayaks, and paddle boards for rent. If you want an epic stay in the forest, private and away from others, this is your place. Also close to Grass Valley (15min), Nevada City (20 min), Colfax (less than 10).
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from 
$113
 / night

Kimball Farm

95%
(259)
37mi from Folsom Lake State Recreation Area · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Woodland, CA
Welcome to Kimball Farm! We have cultivated our family farm to be a sanctuary - a place for people to feel the love of the earth, and what it has to offer us. Spectacular skies surround the farm, with roaming chickens, crowing roosters and vegetables, medicinal herbs, and fruits growing - a living model of what is beautiful AND possible in life. The cozy has a vibe of its own, and sits beside a sweet, peaceful pond, outdoor sitting area, and fire pit. There is plenty of room for additional tents and RV's. The convenience of accessible electricity, running toilets, hot water shower, gas grill and an additional covered sitting area make your camping adventure that much more comfortable. Super convenient to get here! We're less than 20 miles from the Sacramento Airport, and just a few minutes off of Interstate 5. Yet you'd never know it once you get to the farm and feel the peace and quiet. We're looking forward to seeing you soon! Additional note....Life on the farm is calm, peaceful and easy... operating with the natural rhythm of the sun cycle. What few clocks we do have, are stuck on twenty minutes past four. We are also family and kid friendly. Please private message us with any questions you may have, or if you would like additional information. We are also home wine makers. If you would like a tour of the cellar along with tasting please let me know. Please know that This is still camping and you will be subject to the elements of Mother Nature. Hot, cold, rain, wind, dirt, dust, mud and different animal sounds during the night. When you are here you may see frogs, toads, lizards, snakes (none poisonous) ants, turtles, squirrels, etc.. Those of you who have experienced camping before know that these are all normal things when out in nature but for those of you who have no camping experience I ask you to come with an open mind and a positive attitude towards a new experience. If you think you may have problems with any of these things PLEASE DON'T COME!!! We also have a dog named Sara that loves people. Most campers that come are very happy to have her around. She is polite and good with children. Some of you may not like dogs, if that is the case this will not be a fun experience for you. Please note that as of spring 2021 we no longer have as many animals. Because of the drought feed prices are too high.
Pets
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from 
$70
 / night

Sage

92%
(13)
38mi from Folsom Lake State Recreation Area · 11 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Bear Valley, CA
Sage (named for our beloved 15 year old lab who passed) is a conveniently located property right on Highway 88 in Pioneer, California. Warm and inviting, Sage is a relaxing, modern spot for people heading up to Kirkwood for skiing or for nature, lakes, and fishing. Our place offers a fully operational commercial style communal outdoor kitchen, a small stage, huge redwood, slab dining table, and 14 acres of camping area. It also offers a beautiful 8 foot stock tank hot tub with the freshest clean snowpack water. So clean that it shares an aquifer with Crystal Geyser bottled water. These are all communal spaces. Please keep this in mind when booking, and be prepared to meet some great folks. Be kind to one another and enjoy the experience. We have several stay options to choose from, including a loft and group rates.
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from 
$75
 / night

TerraSol~ "Earth Under the Sun"

99%
(355)
41mi from Folsom Lake State Recreation Area · 3 sites · Lodging · Nevada City, CA
I’ve had the pleasure to be the “caretaker” of this special land once inhabited by the Maidu Indians for the past 43 years. This is SPECIAL ground here and I’m sure you will feel the MAGIC!!! This 40 acres sits on the Yuba River Ridgetop. At the "Platform of Pleasure" you will enjoy 100,000+ acre views of protected land looking North to the High Sierra, minutes away from downtown Nevada City and 15 miles from Yuba River Trailheads. Firewood bundles are $1 per stick per stick, (when campfires 🔥 are allowed). There is a $15.00 dog fee per dog/per stay. You can add the dog fee to your booking or pay cash when you arrive. On our property like anywhere in the woods there are mosquitos, so you should bring bug spray. We offer a tent platform, as well as a canvas tent listing. Guests love staying here: "From the moment we arrived Chris was nothing but amazing. He helped us get settled in and even recommended some beautiful spots to hike/sight see. They are both so generous! The campsite beautiful and they did a very nice job supplying us with any materials we may need. Definitely coming back during the summer!"
Pets
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from 
$80
 / night

Other options near Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

The best camping in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, CA guide

Overview

About

A short jaunt from Sacramento, this massive recreation area encompasses nearly 20,000 acres. While the lake is the star attraction, offering ample opportunities for fishing, non-motorized boating and water sports, and swimming, there's also plenty to do on land. The park has around 95 miles of trails for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding, and is directly connected to Sacramento via the 32-mile Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail (American River Bike Trail). It’s a very popular spot for RV and tent camping, and visitors with self-contained boats are welcome to camp in mooring areas.

Notable campgrounds

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. You can reserve campsites using the online ReserveCalifornia system, or by calling California State Parks.
  2. Campsites are released for booking at 8 am Pacific Time, six months in advance. Summer camping is very popular here, so you'll want to reserve well in advance, preferably as soon as you know your dates.
  3.  If you are unable to secure a campsite at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, consider heading to Auburn State Recreation Area (about a 40-minute drive north) or into the Eldorado National Forest, due west of the lake, where you’ll find a mix of public campgrounds and Hipcamps.

When to go

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area and its campgrounds are open throughout the year, but it’s at its busiest between April and September, when temperatures are at their hottest.  Weekdays outside of the summer vacation season, which runs from mid-June through August, are your best bet for avoiding crowds. Late fall and winter bring with them cool temperatures that are less than ideal for camping.

Know before you go

  • Fuel, groceries, and supplies are available in Granite Bay, on the western shores of the lake.
  • There are lots of rattlesnakes in the area, but fear not: they will only attack if provoked. Just make sure to give them plenty of distance.
  • There's lots of poison oak in the park, so be careful not to touch plants you aren't familiar with, especially those with three leaves.
  • Dogs are allowed at the park, provided they remain leashed, and they must remain in tents or vehicles at night.
  • There are four ADA-accessible tent sites and two RV sites at Beals Point Campground and one accessible site at Peninsula Campground.

Nearby attractions

Your North Fork of the American River camping trip will be one for the books. Nestled within the Sierra Nevada mountains, the pristine river and surrounding wilderness offer endless outdoor activities. Rafting, fishing, or simply relaxing by the riverside will fill your days with joy.

79%
34 ratings · 13 reviews

Top cities near Folsom Lake State Recreation Area