California State Fair: Top Tips for Camping and Outdoor Fun

Nothing screams summer time like a good old-fashioned state fair! With the season in full swing, head to the heart of the state for family fun, great food, and rides! The California State Fair takes place July 11-27 this year. Snag your tickets, book a campsite, and get ready to have fun.

Unfortunately, there is no tent camping available on the actual fairgrounds. But don’t lose hope! There are lots of beautiful sites surrounded by nature in the Sacramento area. Pitch your festival tent, set up camp, and drive into the fair. It’s the perfect weekend setup. When you’re not riding rollercoasters or eating corndogs, you can kick back at camp. Catch some quiet, quality time with friends and family, and watch the stars as you drift off to sleep. Camping near the state fair is a great way to recharge while getting the most out of the fair experience.

State Fair Camping Tips

Summer camping in Sacramento is no doubt hot and dry, but lots of fun. Come prepared! Pack your essentials, extra solutions for hydration and shade, and yummy meals to cook. Bring your friends for added fun and convenience.

Camping Setup: Essentials, Tent Accessories, and Airflow

For the perfect camping setup, you’ll need your ten essentials, a tent you love, and a few extra things for fun! Set up your festival tent with some extra weatherproofing and technical features. Sacramento in the summer is super hot. A tent footprint is cooling, and a rainfly offers extra shade, too! Opt for a tent with vents and mesh windows for constant airflow. Bring a fan, cooler, and camp chairs. Set these up outside the door of your tent for a relaxing place to lounge in the fresh air. Create as many opportunities for shade as possible on this trip.

The Ten Essentials may feel like a lot if you’re only planning on spending most of your time at the fair. But should you extend your camping trip beyond the dates of the fair, these will come in handy! It’s always a good idea to be extra prepared when camping in nature.

Bring Your Friends: Group Camping for Fun and Convenience

Everything’s better with camping friends! Get your best pals together for an unforgettable summer trip to the fair. Combine your shared love for camping with fair festivities and good times. Overall, camping with friends is more affordable, too. If you decide to all share a campsite, split groceries, and help bring supplies. Have everyone pitch in to help, and these bulk costs will go down a lot. Camping with friends for the state fair is a recipe for lifelong memories.

Cook at Camp: Nourishing Meals Between Fair Snacks!

Fair food– as much as we love it– can be pretty expensive and greasy! Try prioritizing cooking breakfasts and dinners at your campsite! Bring a tent stove or a camp stove that you love. Plan some affordable, yummy meals, and cook these right at camp. Better yet, have the whole friend group plan a meal and pitch in on groceries! Save money, and fuel up on nutritious meals so you can spend the day exploring and snacking on all the fair goodies!

Sun Protection and Hydration: Beat the Sacramento Heat

Things are heating up in Sacramento, and the desert climate heat is no joke! This area is known to get up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit on average with no rain. And getting into the triple digits isn’t out of the question! Staying cool and hydrated is absolutely essential to your health and well-being, especially if you’re walking around the fair all day. You will be exerting lots of energy and sweating. So it’s important to replenish with good hydration. 

Electrolytes will be your best friend on this trip! Adding these allows for deeper hydration, beyond simply quenching your thirst. Bring lots of fruits to snack on, and insulated water bottles to keep cool. UV protection is just as crucial. We recommend you wear a wide-brimmed hat, lather up the SPF, and set up a sunshade tarp. At camp, adjust this tarp as needed to block the sun throughout the day.

Where to Camp

RV campers are in luck! Camp at the Cal Expo RV Park. It is conveniently located right outside the fairgrounds, putting you right in the heart of the fun. The park is close to eateries, river access, shopping, and more. This is a great opportunity to use the RV, if that’s how you prefer to camp. There are also numerous RV parks around the city of Sacramento, so you won’t be commuting far to get to the fair.

There are no tent camping options at the actual fairgrounds or in the city of Sacramento. However, there are options nearby and in the surrounding areas. The good news about this is you won’t have to deal with noisy neighbors and lots of people coming and going all day. 

Folsom is just a half-hour drive to Sacramento, and is a quiet area with beautiful natural landscapes. Here you can choose from various campgrounds with water access, shade, and amenities. There are three areas at the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area to camp: Black Miners Bar, Beals Point, and Peninsula campgrounds. Reserve your spots now for a beautiful lakeside camping trip!

Pitching your tent out in Folsom will really give your weekend a balance. Don’t stress about loud noises from the fair or being right in the heart of the city. Make your campsite the ultimate escape, and rest up for days of fun at the fair! Check out sites like HipCamp to seek out other options for camping on this trip.

Outdoor Activities at California State Fair

As you plan your trip this summer to the state fair, there are lots of activities and events to be aware of! Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, music lover, or animal enthusiast, there’s something for everyone!

For the Animal Enthusiasts

For all things furry friends, enjoy plenty of opportunities to see animals at the fair! A farm animal petting zoo is perfect for younger kids and families. Other animals like llamas, goats, guinea pigs, horses, pigs, and more will be on display. 

Music Lovers

The fair will feature a sponsored concert series this year, including some well-known artists and beloved cover bands. On the Sky River Casino Stage, see some of your favorites. Ludacris, Bret Michaels, Air Supply, and more will be bringing the vibes you love all weekend. These shows are included with your ticket!

Thrill-Seekers

Of course, it wouldn’t be a classic state fair without some incredible rides! While the 2025 rides have not been released yet, there are fan favorites sure to return this year. The Giant Wheel Ferris wheel is always a big hit for catching a panoramic view of the grounds. White Water– a brief, water–splash log ride is perfect for those sweltering afternoons. Turbo, a spinning ride you’ll want to do on an empty stomach, is sure to leave you dizzy and perfectly thrilled!

These are just a handful of fair festivities to look forward to this season. Check out the official California State Fair website for details. You won’t want to miss out on any of the vibrant, musical, and exciting attractions this summer.

See You There!

This summer, don’t miss a chance to get in on classic family fun at the California State Fair. Head to Folsom for a beautiful, memorable camping trip. And spend your days soaking up this awesome tradition in the heart of Sacramento.

Tent camping at the fairgrounds isn’t available. But you will find a wealth of options within a reasonable distance. Just a half-hour drive to Folsom, and you will find oasis-like campgrounds right by the water. Let this be your shady, quiet escape from the hectic afternoons at the fair. 

Set up your festival tent with your friends. Prepare for the weather and weekend with plenty of shade, food, water, and UV protection. Split the costs of groceries and gear, and you will be all set for an affordable, relaxing camping trip.

Drive into the city and enjoy all the classic summertime fun, food, and rides at the fair. There is something for everyone here at the amazing Cal Expo fairgrounds. From an unbeatable concert series, to all the greasy fair foods, and tons of cute farm animals to see! Get your thrills on stomach-churning rides, or take it easy on the Ferris wheel.

Camping for the California State Fair is the perfect way to enjoy everything this summer tradition has to offer. Find the ultimate balance of scenic camping and family fair fun. Hope to see you there!

Happy camping!