Finding new dog-friendly campgrounds near Sacramento is always high on our list.
At the beginning of the year, I had a goal to start camping more with our dog, but I was feeling a bit discouraged with a lack of knowledge and the seeming unavailability of any campgrounds that would allow dogs.
After researching, I found the Recreation.gov website super helpful in sorting out and finding available campsite reservations available in the area that also allow dogs.
Now, it’s a snap to make a dog-friendly camping reservation whenever we have a free weekend.
Many campgrounds within three hours from Sacramento allow dogs and a wide range of surrounding landscapes: lakeside, on the ocean, by the river, or in a beautiful valley.
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1. Acorn Campground at New Hogan Lake
1 hour from Sacramento
Acorn Campground lies on the shore of New Hogan Lake and offers over 100 campsites spread throughout a hilly landscape.
This campground can get very hot in the summer, with some sites offering little to no shade, so be sure to bring a canopy if you aren’t confident your reserved site will have shade.
2. Alpine Meadow/Martis Creek Lake Campground in Truckee
2 hours and 20 minutes from Sacramento
In a quiet meadow south of the town of Truckee and Truckee airport is the Alpine Meadow Campground (also known as Martis Creek Lake Campground).
Twenty-four campsites are available in a large loop, and bear boxes, picnic tables, fire pits, bathrooms, and lantern hooks are provided.
Near the campground is Martis Creek Lake, where you can catch and release trout (barbless lures) from the shore or in a kayak.
3. Boyington Mill Campground on the Little Truckee River
2 hours and 20 minutes from Sacramento
Boyington Mill Campground is a little group of campgrounds located on Stampede Meadows Road, a short distance north of Boca Reservoir.
The Little Truckee River runs right by the campground, with many sites offering riverfront access.
We enjoy this campground (specifically site 008) for its easy access to many hiking and OHV trails, fishing on the Little Truckee River, and rustic amenities.
4. Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay
2 hours from Sacramento
Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay was the first place we camped in 2022.
This campground offers RV spots in addition to tent-only “Miwok” campsites in a cluster on the beach next to a central parking lot.
5. Lakeside Campground at Prosser Creek Reservoir
2 hours and 20 minutes from Sacramento
Lakeside Campground is one of three campgrounds in the Prosser Recreation Area by Prosser Creek Reservoir.
The campground now has bear boxes available, and you can easily access the lake with a short walk from the campsites.
While we were camping at Lakeside Campground, we hiked many miles and visited the Donner Camp Historic Interpretive Trail to learn more about pioneer history and information about original settlers.
There was no water available for campers when visiting in early September.
6. Lost Claim Campground Near Yosemite National Park
2 hours and 20 minutes from Sacramento
Lost Claim Campground in Buck Meadows was our base camp for three days while visiting Yosemite National Park.
The campground is only twenty minutes from the Big Oak Flat Road Park Entrance and then another forty minutes to the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and valley floor.
While we were at Yosemite, there was plenty of dog-friendly hiking available, as you can walk your dog anywhere there is pavement or wooden boardwalk trails. We walked over seven miles from a hike to Mirror Lake to loops around the valley floor from the Visitor Center to El Capitan.
A hidden gem only a few minutes from Lost Claim Campground is the Rainbow Pool Day Use Area. You pay $8 as a day-use fee, park, and walk down to a spectacular, deep, blue pool with a waterfall pouring into the abyss. You sit anywhere you’d like surrounding the pool and swim and sunbathe with fellow revelers.
7. Hampshire Rocks Campground on the South Yuba River
1 hour and 50 minutes from Sacramento
Hampshire Rocks Campground was randomly booked this summer and I completely enjoyed my stay.
The largest drawback reported regarding the campground is the loud noise from nearby Interstate 80. The sound is indeed loud, but for us it’s welcomed, as we enjoy camping somewhere with white noise for to distract our yappy puppy. After a short bit, we became used to the freeway sound and it didn’t negatively affect our trip.
At Hampshire Rocks Campground, it’s a delight to spend time fishing or swimming in the South Yuba River.
8. North Fork Campground on the American River
1 hour and 30 minutes from Sacramento
North Fork Campground right on the North Fork of the American River might be right at the top of our list of favorite places to camp.
Down a dirt road a few miles from the Emigrant Gap exit, the North Fork Campground gives you a reprieve from city life, an escape into the forest, and dog friendly to boot.
A short walk from the campground is an additional swimming pool and waterfall that’s popular and well-loved by campers.
9. Peninsula Campground at Folsom Lake
1 hour and 10 minutes from Sacramento
Peninsula Campground is located on the northeast shores of Folsom Lake.
We visited the campground when it was scorching on a June weekend, but we made the best of our trip by cooling off in the nearby lake waters. A revisit is needed in the Fall to experience the campground in more comfortable weather conditions.
Otherwise, there’s a wide variety of sites at Peninsula Campground, from sites right along the lake, to hilltop sites with excellent, wide-sweeping views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
What dog-friendly campground near Sacramento is next?
All in all, I’ve found that National Parks tend to be less dog friendly than National Forests in California.
Many of the campsites we end up staying at are located in National Forests and maintained by the Forest Service, American Land and Leisure, or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
At first unfamiliar, I’m delighted to now see how many dog-friendly campgrounds are near Sacramento.
We packed up the car many times this year to go camping with our pooch, and I’m excited for the many more times we’ll hopefully be able to pack up and head out into the great outdoors.
