Camping Overview and Policy

Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks

Address: Recreation Services Division, 10361 Rockingham Dr. Ste 100, Sacramento CA 95827
Email: parkevents@saccounty.net
Fax: (916) 875-6632.

River Bend Park, Gibson Ranch Regional Park and Hogback Island offer overnight camping for youth groups, organized church groups, and similar charitable/non-profit groups. With their own distinct environments, beautiful scenery, and close proximity to Sacramento these facilities have provided unique overnight camping opportunities for various groups year after year. Take a moment to consider our Parks!

Reservations

  1. Camping is by permit only and minimal fees apply. When making reservations, please allow a minimum of two weeks for processing permit requests. Your date is not guaranteed until you are issued a permit.
  2. Reservations MUST be made prior to any camping event. To begin the reservation process, please complete a Camping Application. For additional information, contact Sacramento County Regional Parks by email at picnics@saccounty.net or by phone at 916-875-6336. For written inquiries, contact the Department of Regional Parks, Recreation Services at 10361 Rockingham Dr. Ste 100, Sacramento, CA 95827
  3. Camp reservations are taken year-round, pending availability. Reservations for each upcoming year begin on the 1st of November.
  4. Prior to making a reservation please be ready to provide County Recreation Services with your preferred date for the event, and number of people that will occupy the campsite for the event.

Conditions

  1. Camping fees are $3.00 per camper, per night ($30.00 minimum), and are due 2 weeks before groups may hold their event.
  2. A parent or guardian must accompany youths under 18 years of age. Youth groups (under 18 years of age) must be accompanied by at least 1 adult for every 10 youths.
  3. Camping is allowed 7 days a week, with the exception of holidays. Stays are limited to 7 nights.
  4. Campfires are permitted only with permission from Regional Parks and only within certain areas of the park. To acquire a fire permit at River Bend Park or Gibson Ranch, contact Sacramento Metro Fire District by visiting their website at https://www.metrofire.ca.gov/ or calling 916-942-3300. To acquire a fire permit at Hogback Island, contact River Delta Fire District by visiting their website at https://riverdeltafire.com/ or calling 916-777-8701.
  5. Please send County Recreation Services a copy of your approved fire permit.
  6. All groups must have General Liability insurance on file in our office in the amount of $1,000,000 with Sacramento County named as Other Insured.
  7. A site map for your campout and a tentative schedule of activities must be included with your completed application. 

Fees

Fees are reviewed and revised annually by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. Fee changes become effective prior to your use of the facility. New fees will apply if scheduled use is 30 or more days after effective date of the new fee schedule.

There is a $53.00 fee for a returned check.

Checking In/Out

  1. You may check into your campsite any time after 2 pm on your reservation start date.
  2. When you arrive, present your permit, along with a form of identification to Park Rangers on duty or call (916) 875-PARK.
  3. Camping groups are required to respect the parks, its patrons, and other guidelines set forth by the County of Sacramento Department of Regional Parks and its associates. A complete list of rules and restrictions will be provided to the designated contact person for the event.
  4. Check out by 11 am on your departure date.
  5. Campers are asked to clean up after themselves and leave their designated camping area as they found it or better.

Updated September 2020