Rancho Seco Recreational Area

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Beach Store
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Beach Store
14960 Twin Cities Road, Herald, CA 95638
14400 Twin Cities Road Herald California 95638 US
(209) 975-5092(209) 975-5092

 

THE 2024 FISHING DERBY WILL BE APRIL 6 – APRIL 7

 

** BOAT RENTALS ARE AVAILABLE! **

** CHECK IN TIME IS NOW 2PM & CHECK OUT TIME IS 11AM FOR OVERNIGHT CAMPING. THERE IS NO EARLY CHECK IN.**

Please call 1-800-416-6992 or CLICK HERE, to make reservations. At least a 3-day notice is required to make a reservation. Cancellations and rescheduling must be made at least 3 days prior to your reservations date. 

 

Rancho Seco Recreational Area is a 400-acre park overflowing with recreational opportunities including camping, boating, fishing, swimming and wildlife viewing. The 160-acre lake is fed by the Folsom South Canal and is a great year-round day or overnight getaway located in California’s Central Valley, just 25 miles from downtown Sacramento.

Note to our Patrons: In order to deliver recreational experience that meet our customers’ expectations, SMUD has made significant infrastructure improvements to the park over the past several years and these have increased annual maintenance and operating costs.  Those improvements were necessary to keep the park safe, clean and accessible to all.  Infrastructure improvements include new shade structures, restrooms, shower facilities, laundry facilities and more.  Thank you for your continued support as a patron of Rancho Seco Recreational Area.

 

Park Hours

April 1 – October 31:  7:00 am – 6:00 pm

November 1 – March 31:  7:00 am – 3:30 p.m.

Beach Store Hours:
Thursday – Monday: 7:00am to 3:00pm
Tuesday & Wednesday: Closed
Friday & Saturday: 8:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am to 3:00pm

Entry Fees
ENTRY FEES Daily Senior/ Disabled
Car/Day Use $12 $12
Car Top Launch/Kayak $15 $15
Boat Launch/Trailer $15 $15
Buses (10 people +) $40 $40
Motorcycle $12 $12
Dog $3 $3
Annual Pass $100 $75
Annual Pass Boat/Trailer $125 $90
Annual Pass Car Top Launch/Kayak $125 $90
Group Picnic Area (2B & 2C) (reserved) $90 $90
Picnic Pavilions (reserved) $30 $30
Fishing Fee $5 $5
CAMPING RATES Regular Senior/Disabled
Tent Campsite – Mar 1 to Oct 31 $30 $25
Tent Campsite – Nov 1 to Feb 28 $20 $20
RV Campsite – Mar 1 to Oct 31 $40 $35
RV Campsite – Nov 1 to Feb 28 $30 $30
Group Campsite (1 & 2) (does not include vehicle fees) $250 $250
Dump Station $12 $12
RV Campsites for 7 nights (Mar to Oct) $240 $240
Extra Vehicle Fee $12 $12
Dog (per dog/per stay) $3 $3
Kayak (per stay) $3 $3
Boat Launch (per boat/per stay) $3 $3
There is a $8 NON-REFUNDABLE reservation fee for all reservations made. For first-come first-serve we only accept credit or debit cards, no cash or checks. 

*All prices are subject to change without notice.

14 Day Stay Limit on all sites

Boating & Rentals

You may launch an electric motor boat, rowboat or sailboat from the two ramps located at each end of the dam. Ramp hours coincide with facility hours. Kayaks, Row Boats, Stand Up Paddleboards, Electric powered fishing boats are available on a seasonal basis. Windsurfers are also welcome on the lake. Gas motors are not permitted on the lake.

RENTAL EQUIPMENT

Boat Rentals are ONLY available Saturday, Sunday and Holidays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

All rental boats must be returned and checked in 1 hour prior to closing the park. All prices are subject to change without notice. A valid driver license is required for rentals.

Type 1st Hour Add’l Hour Deposit
Kayak, Single $12 $10 $34
Kayak, Double/Canoes $15 $13 $42
Paddle board $12 $10 $42
Pedal boats $20 $10 $55

 

Type 1st Hour Add’l Hour All Day Deposit
Rowboat (N/A) $15 $10 $68 $52

 

 

 

Park Information

Rancho Seco Recreational Area is a 400-acre park overflowing with recreational opportunities including camping, boating, fishing, swimming and wildlife viewing. The 160-acre lake is fed by the Folsom South Canal and is a great year-round day or overnight getaway located in California’s Central Valley, just 25 miles from downtown Sacramento.

The area was acquired by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District in 1992 and has developed into a scenic recreational area and wildlife refuge. Locals and visitors enjoy the land, wildlife and water activities offered throughout this facility. Developing recreational opportunities for nearby cities and preserving the land is a central focus at Rancho Seco.

Reservable Dry Camp Sites
Reservable RV Sites
Reservable Group Sites
Fishing Information

This freshwater lake is a habitat for bass, bluegill, red ear sunfish, crappie. Rainbow trout are stocked in the lake November through March. Fishing licenses are required and can be purchased at the store NOT at the office. Fishing piers allow access for those with disabilities. The annual trout derby is held in the spring and is always a popular event. Night fishing is not permitted for either day use users or campers. All bass fish are catch and release only. All other fish you may take in accordance with state fishing regulations.

Services

CAMPING
Accommodations are available for RVs and tent campers year-round.

  • Site Amenities: barbecues and fire pits, picnic tables, drinking water.
    • Electrical Outlets at RV sites only
  • Dump Station: located within the park.
  • Campsites: 21 RV sites and 32 tent sites

Only 8 people per site, that is including children.

If you have reservations, there is NO entrance after 10 p.m. 

For first-come first-serve we only accept credit or debit cards, no cash or checks. 

Rancho Seco Brochure and Park Map

Lake & Campground Rules

Make A Reservation

Additional Information

SWIMMING & PICNICKING

The lake is open to the public year-round. There is a designated swimming beach located at the south-eastern side of the lake near the group picnic areas. Group picnic sites can be reserved for 50 or more people; smaller covered picnic pavilions may also be reserved for groups fewer than 50 people.

HIKING AND WILDLIFE VIEWING

You can view many birds which retreat to the park for winter: ducks, geese, hawks, swans, white egrets, bald eagles, blue and gray heron and migratory birds make their home in the area. The Howard Ranch Trail is open to the public for exploration and enjoyment. Admission is included in the Rancho Seco park fee.

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Boating & Rentals

You may launch an electric motor boat, rowboat or sailboat from the two ramps located at each end of the dam. Ramp hours coincide with facility hours. Kayaks, Row Boats, Stand Up Paddleboards, Electric powered fishing boats are available on a seasonal basis. Windsurfers are also welcome on the lake. Gas motors are not permitted on the lake.

RENTAL EQUIPMENT

Boat Rentals are ONLY available Saturday, Sunday and Holidays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

All rental boats must be returned and checked in 1 hour prior to closing the park. All prices are subject to change without notice. A valid driver license is required for rentals.

Type 1st Hour Add’l Hour Deposit
Kayak, Single $12 $10 $34
Kayak, Double/Canoes $15 $13 $42
Paddle board $12 $10 $42
Pedal boats $20 $10 $55

 

Type 1st Hour Add’l Hour All Day Deposit
Rowboat (N/A) $15 $10 $68 $52