Newbie looking for easy and interesting campgrounds within 2 hours of Sacramento

Discussion in 'Destinations and RV Parks' started by JillH, Aug 8, 2016.

  1. JillH

    JillH
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    We are brand new to towing and now own a 21 ft fiberglass trailer. We want to start with a couple of easy weekend trips and are looking for suggestions. The ideal campground for us would include:
    - relatively easy access to the campground and the site. We are ok with towing in the mountains (Hwy 50 & 80) but not yet ok with very narrow winding roads. Backing up is still a big challenge!
    - good hiking nearby
    - scenic campsites with some separation from our neighbors - we do not care for the parking lot look.
    - prefer hookups but we are equipped for no hookups

    Please let me know if you have any ideas. We're planning this for September so it hopefully won't be too hot or too busy. So far we have been to Sly Park (fellow traveler backed in for us) and Winters. Both were good experiences :)
     
  2. BankShot

    BankShot
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    After reading your post and what you are looking for in a campground/RV park I think I can highly recommend a park that will suit your needs to a "T". It's called Clio River's Edge RV Park and is located just less than an hour north of Truckee, a few miles south of Graeagle and right off Hwy 89.
    Really nice area and the park itself offers all the amenities along with a really nice and helpful staff. Lots of trees for shade, a great dog area, and a river that runs right next to it for a soothing dip or relaxing a while with your fishing pole. Hiking trails all around also. Right out in nature and super quiet at night. Check them out on their website, it's listed under Graeagle, CA We've stayed there and will definitely go back again. By the way in case you haven't driven up Hwy 89 north out of Truckee the road is good and you should have no trouble towing a 21 footer. You make a right turn off Hwy 89 into the park and you will traverse a short one way bridge over the river but we handled it just fine in our Class A. Hope this is of help to you, I think you will really like this place. If you liked Sly Park and Winters, you will absolutely love this place................

    Safe travels, BankShot.............(aka Terry)
     
  3. BankShot

    BankShot
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    A "PS" to my above post............... This RV Park has pull thru spaces that are easy in & out. Also you did mention "within 2 hours of Sac". This is a little over that time frame but not by much and certainly worth checking out their website, etc. Also Sept should be a wonderful time to visit that area..........

    BankShot............(aka Terry)
     
  4. JillH

    JillH
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    Thank you Terry. I checked this out and it looks like a great option. We love that area and haven't been in years. And distance-wise this is definitely doable. Now we can't wait to go back! Thank you very much!
     
  5. BankShot

    BankShot
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    We are heading out ourselves in Sept. and will be tossing out our anchor at park we've never stayed at before up in Oregon. It's called Emigrant Lake "The Point" campground and is just a few miles south of Ashland and off of I-5 a couple of miles. We lucked out and got a campsite right down on the lake itself and will be looking forward to watching the sun rise and set over the lake each day. I'll do a review of this place after we get back. Really nice area up there, one that you folks might like to visit once you get a few more miles out on the road and are ready to tackle some longer trips and all. If by chance you do give Clio's River's Edge a try make sure to do a review and let us know how you liked it.................

    Regards, BankShot...........(aka Terry)
     
  6. Maltaman

    Maltaman
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    Congrats Jill! Have a blast with the new trailer.
    Our go to place without hookups is Stampede Reservoir near Truckee. Even when the lake is low, the scenery and venue makes it a nice campground.The CG is called Logger. Spacious sites.

    For hookups we like either Jackson Rancheria or Feather Falls. Jackson has a very nice pool and spa. There is a lot to see and do in the Jackson area.
     
  7. Maltaman

    Maltaman
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    Agree with Bankshot. Clio's is very nice as well.
     
  8. Luvtheroad

    Luvtheroad
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    I highly recommend Santee Lakes Recreation Area in Santee. Loaded with amenities, reasonably-priced for California, and near to shopping. Best of all, it's only a couple of miles to the Santee station of the trolley to San Diego (rapid transit - takes about 50 minutes to get there). $5 per day for seniors (2014) and you can get on and off all day and transfer free to the other routes. You can reach about all the tourist spots on the Trolley.
     
  9. LarryH

    LarryH
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    49er Village RV Resort - Plymouth, CA is a very popular local campground. Visit Amador Wineries.

    Angels Camp RV Resort . Good gold country basecamp to enjoy and visit Murphys, Calaveras Big Trees, Columbia, Sonora and Jamestown (trains).

    Safe Travels!

    P.S. Join Good Sam Club for camping discounts.
     
  10. kenandcec

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    Jill. Try the Sacramento state fair RV park. It's close to I-5 and near Arden Fair Mall. It's has full hook ups and you go everywhere from there. It's probably the best place to go. We lived in Sac for over 20 yrs and stayed there ourselves. Haven't been back in over 10 yrs now. Say hi to Sac for us and safe travels and have loads of fun your RV n
     
  11. David in SoCal

    David in SoCal
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    Jill: We recently visited Canyon Creek Resort just blow Lake Berryessa, not too far West of Sacto. It's a time share/members only park, but you can go there for free on a 'check it out/watch the video/sales pitch vacation', and even get some free future days in return. We recommend camping in 'C' block. Very scenic area; clean park; friendly/helpful staff. Some spots can be a wee bit challenging to back into for newbies like us, and some sewer hook-ups are elevated from pad. We camped with a 21' toy hauler & 3/4 ton crew cab truck. We will go back! While there, we were also told about the other parks mentioned in the other replies, and we're planning on visiting those as well. Good luck, safe travels, and welcome to a wonderful community!
     
  12. JillH

    JillH
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    I've been out of touch for a while and didn't see all this great input, thank you everyone! In the end we had to cancel our September plans and we decided to book instead in Nevada City for December. This way we'll get to see the Victorian Christmas which we've never done. This is a new campground right in town that sounds like it has something for everyone. We'll report back with a review afterwards. In the meantime if we're lucky enough to get another opportunity to go out, we'll try some of these other suggestions.

    http://inntowncampground.com/
     
  13. duane36_1999

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    On Hwy 50 going toward Placerville there is a nice KOA. KOAs are usually nice and clean easy parking. Also in the Placerville (Apple Hill) area there is lots to do this time of year especially on holiday weekends like Columbus Day coming up. The wineris are open as well as the apple orchards
     
  14. JillH

    JillH
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    Just to follow up. We finally were able to make this trip last weekend, and ended up at the InnTown Campground in Nevada City. Loved it and submitted a review. We look forward to trying some of the other places mentioned above soon.
     
  15. TomandKat

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    We visited the Folsom Lake campground that posted they were full, I drove around the campsites and counted 10 empty sites. People are booking and not showing up at the State and County sites. It may be a gamble but for those willing who knows a great site may be available.
     
  16. Fultime

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    Shingle Springs KOA and 49'er in Plymouth
     

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