Please let us know if this location is open.
Basalt Campground
San Luis Reservoir SRA
Write a Review Gustine, CA 209-826-1197 Official WebsiteGPS: 37.029, -121.0645
Overview of Basalt Campground
LOCATION CLOSED: California State Parks announced the extended temporary closure of the Basalt Campground and Day Use Area at San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area due to a Safety of Dams Project. The closure is expected to begin as early as February 2022 and may last 10 years.
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by carl2591 on 12/9/2023
Longest RV Reported: 30 feet (Travel Trailer)
Reported by carl2591 on 12/9/2023
Number of Sites 79
Reservations yes
Elevation 590 ft / 179 m
Max Length 30 ft
Tent Camping Yes
Unlock pro campendium features
Q&A - Ask the Community about Basalt Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. (209) 826-1197
Campendium users haven't asked any questions about Basalt Campground
Reviews of Basalt Campground 9 people have reviewed this location.
“Location has been closed down till 2033.. ”
Reviewed 12/9/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 0 |
RV Length: | 30' (Travel Trailer) |
location has been close by state due to construction.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Perfect Weekend Getaway”
Reviewed 9/23/2021
Nightly rate: | $38 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 3 |
Site Number: | 58 |
After the fires in Northern California prevented us from camping in El Dorado County, we made a quick decision to go south a bit to San Luis Reservoir. Basalt Campground was practically empty for the entire weekend we were there. The campsites are spaced apart generously and the sites are huge. Each site has running water to wash dishe... more
After the fires in Northern California prevented us from camping in El Dorado County, we made a quick decision to go south a bit to San Luis Reservoir. Basalt Campground was practically empty for the entire weekend we were there. The campsites are spaced apart generously and the sites are huge. Each site has running water to wash dishes and/or hands and feet. The restrooms were very clean and well stocked and the showers were great. I would definitely return here for another getaway!
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Some issues, but overall, a good place”
Reviewed 9/12/2021
Nightly rate: | $35 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 49 |
First, the cons. When I checked in, the ranger at the booth was a bit snippy. I had a reservation and showed it to her on my phone. Apparently my card had not been charged. There were plenty of sites still available, so I told her I would take any of them for two nights. She asked if I had a preference--shade, level, what? I said sin... more
First, the cons. When I checked in, the ranger at the booth was a bit snippy. I had a reservation and showed it to her on my phone. Apparently my card had not been charged. There were plenty of sites still available, so I told her I would take any of them for two nights. She asked if I had a preference--shade, level, what? I said since I was solar powered, I'd like sun and as level as possible. She looked at her list and found a site. I went to it and it was so off level I didn't have enough blocks to make my van level enough to run the propane fridge. It was under trees, and although lovely, would not have allowed me to charge my solar unit. So I went back (the park was nearly empty) and politely apologized and asked if there was any way possible to switch to another site. I explained that the site was not level and was shaded. She got a little snippy and defensive telling me she can only go by the notes on her list. I told her I was not blaming her. I had checked out other sites and found several that were sunny and more level (notthing in this park is level. Most not even close) and asked if it wouldn't be too much trouble, could I please switch. She made the switch and seemed to be a little calmer.
The campground is sort of nice. The most level and sunny spot was by the bathroom. I made that mistake before and won't make it again. Constant people "taking the shortcut" through my campsite to the bathroom. It was a Saturday night and there were several larger groups. They were talking loudly and laughing...nothing outrageous, but you know how sound travels in nature. They did all quiet down by 10:00.
I originally booked this because I thought it was by the reservoir. It is not. Not visible. Not within walking distance. So if you want to be by water, this is not the place. As I said above, nothing is level. Bring lots of leveling blocks. The sites are asphalt and most are EXTREMELY narrow. They could use some upkeep. (Maybe instead of paying thousands of dollars for a bogus recall election, CA could spend some money on their parks? Just a suggestion.) The park is a bit run down, but the trees and bushes are lovely, and it felt very safe and comfortable.
Oh. And they didn't give me my senior discount. My bad for not asking if there were any discounts available. Their bad because I'm clearly not 21 and the ranger seemed to be very impatient/annoyed. I don't think she likes her job.
Scott would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Easy In from Highway and Out of the Wind”
Reviewed 5/20/2021
Nightly rate: | $30 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 20 |
RV Length: | 20' (Travel Trailer) |
It’s open! We are only one of three campsites occupied. There is a camp host. We rolled in and asked for a site. Maybe just opening after COVID shut-down? Nice stop over for the night. 2 bars of ATT and peaceful. Bathrooms in great shape. Showers are $.50 for 2 minutes or $1.25 for 5 minutes. We scouted out nearby Madeira Campground fi... more
It’s open! We are only one of three campsites occupied. There is a camp host. We rolled in and asked for a site. Maybe just opening after COVID shut-down? Nice stop over for the night. 2 bars of ATT and peaceful. Bathrooms in great shape. Showers are $.50 for 2 minutes or $1.25 for 5 minutes. We scouted out nearby Madeira Campground first which is $20 to dry camp but chose here because it’s nicer. Our site had views of the distant water and rolling hills. Quite peaceful.
Amy G would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Early March ”
Reviewed 3/2/2021
Nightly rate: | $30 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 19 |
Great campground to come to off-season before it gets too hot and too buggy. Campground was not crowded, spacious, beautiful surroundings and many elk. Flush toilets and pay showers.
English would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“A great stop along Interstate 5 in central California”
Reviewed 11/7/2020
Nightly rate: | $30 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 37 |
RV Length: | 25' (Class A) |
This is the second time we used a Basalt site as an overnight stop while traveling north from SoCal. This time is was the kicking off location for several planned sites, mostly California parks, from Santa Cruz north to Salt Point. Basalt Campground is easily accessed from I5. At least during our two visits, there were sites ava... more
This is the second time we used a Basalt site as an overnight stop while traveling north from SoCal. This time is was the kicking off location for several planned sites, mostly California parks, from Santa Cruz north to Salt Point.
Basalt Campground is easily accessed from I5. At least during our two visits, there were sites available for dropping in at the last minute. No hookups but we typically don't look for them.
Bill & Victoria would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“A surprisingly nice place to stay, we will be back”
Reviewed 10/22/2019
Nightly rate: | $30 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 13 |
RV Length: | 19' (Class B) |
Basalt State Park & campground is a nice spot to spend the night if you’re passing through California on Interstate 5 near Highway 152 (Pacheco Pass) ~ or, if you’re into birding, 150 different species of birds are around this park and the nearby San Luis Reservoir. Some of the campsites have reservoir views. There were only 3 other ca... more
Basalt State Park & campground is a nice spot to spend the night if you’re passing through California on Interstate 5 near Highway 152 (Pacheco Pass) ~ or, if you’re into birding, 150 different species of birds are around this park and the nearby San Luis Reservoir. Some of the campsites have reservoir views. There were only 3 other campers in the campground while we were there. I don’t know that I would go there in the summer because of the Central Valley heat, but when we were there in October it was lovely. The ranger at the gate was friendly and helpful. We had a nice secluded spot near the bathrooms. We will definitely be going there again~
Ygnacia would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Good layover campground near I-5”
Reviewed 4/22/2018
Nightly rate: | $30 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 26(?) |
Nestled in a nicely wooded hollow about 15 min. drive from Santa Nella, CA, Basalt campground is part of the San Luis Reservoir Recreation Area. It offers showers & flush toilets, picnic table, and level asphalt pad for your camper/RV. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars because the bathrooms were locked, apparently due to plumbing issues. Had ... more
Nestled in a nicely wooded hollow about 15 min. drive from Santa Nella, CA, Basalt campground is part of the San Luis Reservoir Recreation Area. It offers showers & flush toilets, picnic table, and level asphalt pad for your camper/RV. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars because the bathrooms were locked, apparently due to plumbing issues. Had to use weathered porta pottys instead. It’s location off the I-5, south of Los Banos, makes it a good choice for a quiet place to layover.
Escape Pod would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Basalt Campground: A tranquil and beautiful place”
Reviewed 1/15/2018
Nightly rate: | $30 |
---|---|
Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 28 |
We camped here over a holiday weekend this January. It’s off season and the area is often foggy this time of year. Check-in is at 2 and we arrived about 4 pm. The reservation was not site-specific and we were able to choose which site we wanted, especially since we were there with only one other camper. The rangers and camp host were f... more
We camped here over a holiday weekend this January. It’s off season and the area is often foggy this time of year. Check-in is at 2 and we arrived about 4 pm. The reservation was not site-specific and we were able to choose which site we wanted, especially since we were there with only one other camper. The rangers and camp host were friendly and welcoming. We picked a site that had lovely view of grassy hills and some of the water. The sites were very clean, with paved back-in spots, most of which were level. It also had picnic table and food storage box. Some spots had more shade trees than others; with the fog, we opted for less shade. This would be a great place for birders. Heard owls, saw hawks, white pelicans, egrets, and others I don’t know the names of. The second night, some rowdy coyotes ran through the camp while we slept; otherwise very peaceful. We took a walk on nearby trail the second day there. A few people were fishing on the reservoir. It’s also a popular boating spot and there are lots of activities for folks.
There weren’t any hookups, which was fine since we were in a roof tent on a truck. Water was easily accessed with nearby spigots around campground. Restrooms were clean yet lacked soap dispensers, and most were locked, understandable with off season. Our only complaint was the shower facility. Coin operated, it didn’t appear to work. We put in 50 cents for minimum time, just to test out and nothing happened. Maybe we needed to put in full amount first? The camp host and rangers told us the shower was available, so not sure what happened. Perhaps instructions for us newbies would be nice, my only reason for 4 stars. We didn’t notify the camp host and maybe we should have. However, all said, this is very quiet and lovely place to camp and we would definitely stay here again. The second night saw three more campers arriving but it was still very peaceful. It may get busier and noisier on peak weekends, later in year. Note that summer temps can spike at upper 90s plus, so be prepared for that. Also, great cell service.
Lunaru would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Basalt Closed 2/22 for 10 years - probably can be taken off.”
noted 5/11/2022
From Website: Temporary Closure Notice: Dam Safety Project to Temporarily Close Basalt Campground and Day Use Area at San Luis Reservoir SRA: California State Parks announced the extended temporary closure of the Basalt Campground and Day Use Area at San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area due to a Safety of Dams Project. The closure is expected to begin as early as February 2022 and may last 10 years. Reservation holders will be contacted directly by State Parks’ reservation system -- ReserveCalifornia.com. Alternative campgrounds and day use locations will remain open in the park complex during the temporary closure.
Be the first to add a video for Basalt Campground!
Have you written a blog post about Basalt Campground?
Contact us to update this listing.
Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- dump station
- restrooms: flush
- showers
- water available
Nearby
Casa de Fruta RV Orchard Resort
Secluded back-in spaces vs in the main pull-through area. The hookups are on the wrong side
- ssbxfire
Please select a reason for flagging this item: