San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area RV & Campground Guide
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At the San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area, you can enjoy a wonderful nature experience. The San Luis Reservoir from which this park takes its name is a man-made lake connected to the San Luis Creek near Los Banos and Merced, making it a popular spot for campers who love the water. Covering almost 13,000 acres, the recreation area has tons of room for you to stretch your legs and soak in the great outdoors.
Temperatures year-round tend to stay fairly warm, peaking in the low 70s and rarely getting below 40 degrees at the coldest. Because of this, it's rarely a bad time to visit the park, especially if you want to take advantage of the four campsites or great boat launch that the park has to offer.
Spring 47-67 F
Summer 55-70 F
Fall 50-71 F
Winter 41-62 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area
If you're planning to visit the San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area, there are few better ways to experience the wonder and majesty of this park than in an RV rental. Comforting, convenient, economical, and just plain fun, an RV has all the comforts of home without taking away from the great outdoors.
San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area Campgrounds
The San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area has a total of four campgrounds you can stay at while you're on your trip, all of which start at around $40 per vehicle per night with electrical hookups included. The park is a pet-friendly environment, too, meaning you can take the whole family with you while you're out enjoying nature. There are restrooms and showers on the premises plus a dump station to take care of your waste tank. Each campground also has various amenities like fire pits and picnic tables to enjoy while you're there. While there is no Wi-Fi connection for the park, there is decent cell reception.
Santa Nella RV Park
Santa Nella RV Park is a great place to stay while you're on vacation thanks to its many comfortable amenities on offer for less than $40 per vehicle per night. Full hookups are available at the large concrete pads, all of which are designed to allow you to pull through when it's time to leave. Showers, laundry, and restroom facilities are available to all campers as is free Wi-Fi. Propane refills and RV parts and repairs are also available on site. Some spaces even have access to 25 channels of cable TV to watch. You can bring your dogs with you.
Casa De Fruta RV Resort
The Casa De Fruta RV Resort is located on the grounds of a gorgeous fruit orchard with 300 spots available to rent. Not only can you camp here, but you can take advantage of the many delicious treats and souvenirs the Casa De Fruta storefront has to offer. Spaces start at $45 per vehicle with full hookups offered. Restrooms are on-site as are various community areas where you can mingle with other campers or those staying at the Casa De Inn on the same premises. Wi-Fi is free. Pets are welcomed for a small additional fee.
What to Do at
San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area
Inside San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area
You have no shortage of fun things to do when you visit the San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area, chief among them being the San Luis Reservoir itself. You can boat, fish, swim, and more in this man-made lake as well as the adjacent San Luis Creek. There's also plenty of land to hike in the Recreation Area in addition to picnic areas and other communal spaces you can visit to have fun with the other campers.
How to Get to
San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area
You can get to the San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area fairly easily. Los Banos is one the largest cities near the park, meaning it's a good place to start your journey. To drive there, get on to Highway 152 and travel west for about 7 miles. After that, take a left onto Basalt Road before taking another left onto Gonzaga Road. From there, it's a straight shot to the visitors' center.
By Car
Entering San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area
The easiest way to enter the San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area is by the Gonzaga Road visitors' center where you can then drive to any of the four campsites you may be renting. Park hours vary by season though the park always opens at 6 a.m. From November to February, the park closes at 6 p.m. From April to September, it closes at 10 p.m. In October and March, closing time is 7 p.m. Additionally, all boats must come to shore by sunset regardless of whether you're a camper or a day-use visitor.
San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area Per vehicle : $0.0
1-8 People
A trip to the San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area is a fantastic way to spend your vacation days. We here at RVshare love the great outdoors and couldn't recommend a place like this enough. If you decide to go, how about letting us get in on some of the fun? Just tag us in your vacation pictures on social media or send them to [email protected]. We might use them in one of our upcoming blogs to let everyone else know how much fun you're having.
Frequently Asked Questions About San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area
The best time of year to visit San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area is late spring. You will miss the winter rain and avoid the summer heat. The hillsides will be turning bright green, and you may see colorful swathes of wildflowers.
San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area is home to wild boars, gray foxes, and black-tailed deer. There are also 100s of species of birds, including ravens, black phoebes, and red-tailed hawks. Anglers may see bass, perch, and shad.
San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area has two open RV campgrounds. There are 53 spots at San Luis Creek. They have water and power, and some can accommodate 30-foot RVs. Medeiros Campground is a primitive campground, but potable water is available.
You do not need to make reservations at the San Luis Creek Campground, but it’s recommended if you want to park by the shore. It costs $40 per night. At Mederios, camping is first come, first served for $20 nightly.
Pets are only allowed in the campgrounds. Dogs must be leashed, and the leash cannot exceed six feet. Service animals are permitted in public spaces and on the trails. Be sure to have your licenses and proof of vaccinations.