The California Delta is a complex of some 1,000 miles of waterways stretching from Sacramento in the north to Stockton in the south. A popular destination for boating and fishing, it’s lined with dozens of RV parks and campgrounds. Because the Delta is so big, a good strategy for choosing a campground is to first decide on a region and then hone in on a facility that best meets your needs.
Focus your campground search on the area around Rio Vista and Isleton if you’re headed for the northern Delta. It’s got a number of camping options and a star recreational attraction nearby: the Brannan Island State Recreation Area. The recreation area has picnic areas, a windsurfing cove, a swimming beach manned by a lifeguard during the summer season. It’s also got a boat launch and a visitor center highlighting the cultural and natural history of the Delta.
With all of these facilities on hand, Brannan Island State Recreation Area’s 140-site campground for tents, trailers and RVs is a great option for campers, especially families. The only catch is that the campground has a 36-foot limit for RVs and trailers.
Owners of 40-foot RVs should head for the KOA Brannan Island campground, with 120 full-hookup sites, Internet access, a clubhouse with big-screen TV, swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts. If you’re RV or trailer is even bigger than 40 feet, drive a few miles south to the Rio Viento RV Park, whose website says is “designed to accommodate today's large RV's with multiple slide-outs.” The downside for boaters is that Rio Viento does not have its own launch.
Head to the town of Bethel Island for the best camping selection in the southwest Delta area. For good mixed use tent/trailer/RV camping, try the Beacon Harbor or Bethel Harbor marinas. Both have medium-sized (about 30 sites) campgrounds that are mostly grassy with some shade. Campsites come with barbecues, picnic tables and full RV hookups.
For full-blown RV camping, check out the Sugar Barge RV Park, home to 114 sites with full hookups and Wi-Fi. If you don't have an RV, they'll rent you one. Sugar Barge has a recreation room, swimming pool and horseshoe pits.
Reserve a spot at the Stockton-Delta KOA if you’re a camper who likes lots of amenities. It’s got tent sites, cabins and RV sites with full hookups and a 70-foot maximum. It’s also got Wi-Fi, a hot tub and a seasonal swimming pool, not to mention an outdoor cinema, boat rentals and a wakeboarding camp. When you get hungry, order up a pizza or calzone from the campground’s restaurant, Rosa’s, and they’ll deliver it to your site.
Tent campers looking for something a little more low-key in the southern Delta have an option at Stockton’s Tiki Lagun Resort and Marina, which has two all-grass areas dedicated to tent campers. It’s also got an RV Park with 30 electric-only sites and 10 full hook-up sites. For a similar option, check out the River Point Landing RV Resort, which has hookups with 30- or 50-amp service, as well as shower and laundry facilities.
