Camping at Brannan Island State Park, CA – Review

This State Park is located in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta just 3 miles south of Rio Vista on Highway 160. Advance reservations if made from their website ReserveAmerica runs through October 2008. By phone, reservations can be made up to several months in advance. For weekend stays, reserving a spot two months in advance is advised. Thursdays-Sundays are generally fully booked making walk-in an outside chance. There is a $7.50 non-refundable reservation fee. Family campsites are priced at $20 per night through August and drops to $15 per night from September. Electrical hookups are not available on these sites (Cottonwood) but there are about ten other sites (Olympic) with electrical hookups available for $28 per night. There are also four group day use sites available at $40 per day. The day use area is also available for $5 per vehicle.

The campground is located by the side of a 3-mile slough, off the 3-mile bridge located on the way from Antioch to Rio Vista on Highway 160. The summer temperature in the area varies between 65 and 85, but wind is a powerful force especially in the night. It can be so ferocious that it pays to pitch tent at places with more protection.

Fishing and river access (slough) are the main recreational options for campers. Families will also enjoy recreational hiking in the area. For real fishing enthusiasts, the better option is the Franks Tract, five miles southeast of Brannan Island, accessible only by boat. The marsh area located in a flooded island provides an exceptionally productive fishing option.

The facility is well maintained although it was mentioned that the total staff count in the campsite reduced from about forty to five due to California budget cuts. This has affected the quality of many of the services such as programs at the campfire center. Even so, it was an enjoyable weekend stay for us at this site.