15 Best Places to Camp in California in 2024

“California is the place to be. One of the largest states in America, it is full of places to visit”

California is known as a large state consisting only of densely populated cities and the headquarters of big tech companies like Google, Apple, Facebook, etc. While it’s true that the state has some of the most famous and bustling cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, it also has tons of forests and national parks.

California has 33 million acres of forests, one-third of the state’s total land area.

There are also nine parks including Death Valley National Park, the largest in California. Many of them not only offer an incredible natural experience but also contain well-preserved flora and fauna.

California also has many unique natural features, which means it’s a perfect situation for anyone who likes to go hiking and camping trails.

Whether you go with your family or friends, these are the best places to camp in California.

Table of contents

1. Yosemite National Park

 

Yosemite Valley reflected in a lake

Yosemite National Park is located on the right side of the Sierra Nevada and is one of the best places to camp in northern California. It Is Famous for Giant Sequoia Trees, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and many more.

The Park Is Home to One of the Tallest Waterfalls in North America, ranging in size from the 100-foot-tall Alder Creek Falls to the 2,425-foot-tall Yosemite Falls. And its mountains are truly eye-catching.

For activities you can do, hiking, biking, horse riding, boat rides, swimming, fishing, or rock climbing. 

 

Rock climbing – Yosemite

Among these, the most popular and favorite of many is trekking. However, since this is a risky activity, if you are a beginner at mountain climbing, you should seek the help of a guide.

For a better adventure, you can live in nature for a while or ride through some tents and RVs to make it much more enjoyable.

If you want a more romantic experience, you can camp at Summerdale in the Sierra National Forest (about 1.5 miles from the park) and sleep in the flowery meadows among the cottonwoods.

By reservation, you can access many amenities, such as electricity, drinking water, bathrooms, spaces for campfires, and food storage. 

Now, if you are looking for adventure and survival, there is nothing better than resorting to the enchanting natural spaces of the Yosemite Sanctuary. You have to make sure you bring all the necessary supplies to survive.

2. Emma Wood State Beach

 

Right next to the ocean, located in Sacramento, California, is Emma Wood State Beach, one of the top-rated beaches in the region, but also a great place to camp if you rent or have an RV. 

The sunset views are incredible, and since it’s fairly close to US Highway 101, it’s easy to get to for anyone. Of course, it does not have any services, including bathrooms, showers, electricity, or garbage cans, so it is wise to take a trailer or RV.

 

North Beach Campground

Without a doubt, it is an excellent place to practice swimming, surfing, fishing, windsurfing, or cycling. Sunsets and dusks are the critical points, and you can’t miss them. Also, if you go in company, don’t forget the marshmallows, a hot drink, and a delicious meal to have an even better time.

3. Red Rock Canyon State Park

 

Unique rock formations of Red Rock Canyon State Park

Red Rock Canyon State Park is best suited for people who want to camp in a slightly hot and semi-arid environment. It is located in the extreme south of the Sierra Nevada mountains and allows you to see unique rock formations, reddish in color, as its name suggests.

As it is a simple campsite and primitive, you should be well equipped, be sure to carry firewood, drinking water, and everything you need to get through the day. Also, don’t forget to bring a telescope, because the stargazing at this location is excellent.

4. Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada

 

Lake Tahoe mountain range

Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in the Sierra Nevada and one of our top California camping spots, as it has many places to visit in the surrounding area and a wide variety of attractions. Although this is highly preserved it does not detract from the touristic and natural appeal. 

It is located in the mountainous spine of the Sierra Nevada that surrounds its waters, occupying part of California and Nevada.

There are many camping options for tourists or visitors, and setting up a camp in front of the beach or the middle of the forest is no problem.

 

Water of this Tahoe lake is extremely clear

Campsites are common around the lake and hillsides, especially during the high season.

To start, you can camp near the lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The view there is spectacular, and the sandy beach is best for surfing. 

You can even take a walk to experience the natural beauty in a fun and healthy way.

In addition to this, in summer you can go to quite close ski resorts, or go to the open hiking trails. In nearby places of the lake, you will have easy access to showers and toilets, so the experience is more enjoyable, especially for kids.

5. Joshua Tree National Park

 

Brown leafless tree

Here we are talking about one of the best places to camp in California, which is characterized by an arid environment.

The lush, stark beauty of the Joshua Tree Nature Sanctuary is captivating and bewitching. It lends itself to those who want peace, but also to those who seek extreme adventures, a landscape that seems to be taken from the old west, delights residents and tourists.

For this reason, you cannot leave it out of this Top 10 of the best places to camp in California. Without a doubt, it is the best option for fans of the desert and open spaces wrapped in blue.

If you are going to camp, save energy for the spectacular view of the stars at night.

 

Joshua Tree National Park Milky Way

And during the day, you can appreciate the vast nature of the place. There you can go horseback riding for a while and then climb rocks. Moreover, it is a perfect place for those who enjoy observing wild fauna and flora.

 

Indian Cove Campground

If you are a passionate explorer, you can take all the resources in your car, including water and firewood to set up your campfires, as well as explore the Indian Cove Nature Trail, one of the best vegetable spots that gave the park its name.

6. Fern Basin Campground

©USDA Forest service

Just south of California, the San Bernardino National Forest is located, where you can comfortably explore, in a wooded area, the attraction of this beautiful place, where you will also find services such as bathrooms.

In addition, it is a place where it is not so easy to get lost, which makes it ideal for beginners or intermediates in the world of camping since it has paths, a fire ring, a picnic table, trails, and more.

Among the activities are mountain biking, hiking, and climbing. In addition, you can set up your tent and explore all the nature of the place. Of course, if you are going to take your RV, it is ideal, or at least to make sure you take everything you need to camp.

7. Big Bear

©Mine Bayaz – Flickr

If you want to rest under the protection of the mountain, Big Bear is probably one of the most popular and beautiful places in the area. Not only does it have running water, firewood for sale, toilets, and showers, but you can also enjoy excellent hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, and fishing.

Of course, you’ll be quite far from the cities there, so you’ll need to make sure you stock up on enough food to last a day or more.

The best thing about this place is its sunrises and sunsets, where you will surely love to take a camera for memories. If you are in a clearing in the forest, you can see amazing stars at night. Sometimes they seem very close.

8. Sequoia National Preserve

 

The parker group of trees

The National Sequoia Reserve has become known outside of California thanks to its peculiar giant sequoias, home to the General Sherman tree, estimated to be the largest and possibly the most colossal plant organism in the world.

Located south of the Sierra Nevada, this region offers a variety of popular campsites as well as trails for a variety of outdoor activities.

For lovers of sun and sand, California offers a long coastline of more than 110 km bathed in crystal clear waters in San Diego Beach.

In this space, numerous camps are facing the sea, ideal for setting up a tent and enjoying various activities under its warm climate. Among the options to visit can be mentioned:

• • Pacific Beach.

• • Mission Beach.

• • Ocean beach.

• • Carlsbad State Beach etc.

9. Big Sur

 

A Magical landscape of Big sur

You will love to visit a beach and camp where you will see the stunning mountains of Santa Lucia and the stunning beaches of the great Pacific Ocean.

Its views invite you to leave the store and soak up the rising sun rays on the sea.

You can see the California condors, opt for a walk, or surf its waves. A highlight of it is the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Sanctuary, undoubtedly one of the region’s favorites surrounded by eroded granite cliffs and its 80-foot waterfall that plunges dizzyingly into the sea.

10. Shasta Cascade

 

A treasure trove of natural beauty awaits you in the Shasta Cascade region.

Throughout the Shasta Cascade region, there is much to enjoy, if you like to go to this paradisiacal place, you will be impressed with its many lakes, rivers, and mountains. It lends itself to several outdoor adventures; you can even get gold in its streams.

The experience is accompanied by the fifth-highest mountain in California, such as Mount Shasta, which gave rise to its name. A scenic postcard landscape, whoever goes once repeats for sure, so you should not leave it out of your travel plan.

11. Napa Valley

 

California’s Napa Valley is home to grape vines that grow on a hillside.

Napa Valley is for lovers of fine wines, and since they’re set on either side, it’s possible to stay in their other camp within their budget.

There also you can see Bothe-Napa in addition to Napa Valley for regular travelers to California. It is recognized as a wine mecca, accessible to the pocket of any camper, in addition to enjoying the most famous American wine region.

Napa Valley provides opportunities for nature lovers to go hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and bird watching, not to mention, its historic sites and wineries.

12. San Onofre Bluffs Campground

 

San Onofre Bluffs Campground is a large campground on the coast of Southern California. It has 175 locations bordering the Pacific Ocean. Primarily reserved for campers and RVs, these campgrounds have easy access to the waves at San Onofre Surf Beach from land:

San Onofre County beaches are home to some of the best surfing in Southern California. In addition, popular camping activities include sunbathing, swimming, and fishing on San Onofre County Beach.

San Onofre State Beach is also home to an indoor campground that caters exclusively to tents. The San Mateo Campground has more than 140 additional sites available and a 1.5-mile nature trail that connects campers to the iconic Trestles Beach. Both camps have access to running water and coin-operated showers.

13. Serrano Campground

©USDA Forest service

It is one of the best places to camp in southern California, especially for lake camping. More than 100 campsites house tents and RVs at Camping Serrano, which is adjacent to the Lighthouse Trailer Resort and Marina.

Mountain biking and hiking are just as popular as fishing and water sports at Camping Serrano. And with trails like the Puma Crest Trail nearby.

Thirty-mile drive west of Serrano Campground and accessible via the Edge of the World Scenic Byway, Dogwood Campground is another popular overnight spot in the San Bernardino National Forest. Seasonally available during the summer and off-season, the 87 sites at Dogwood Campground cater primarily to tenting.

The neighboring and friendly community of Lake Arrowhead can be reached from Camp Dogwood with a five-minute drive.

14. Green Valley Campground

 

Breathtaking skies

Less than an hour west of San Diego, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park offers respite from the hot summer temperatures of Southern California. Within the Peninsular Range at elevations exceeding 4,000 feet, this elevated landscape supports lush oak and coniferous forest segmented by meandering streams.

A popular family-friendly campground, the park’s Green Valley Campground has more than 80 sites near the Sweetwater River and its many swimming holes. Hiking opportunities like the Pine Ridge Trail extend directly from the campground, and all overnight users have access to running water and coin-operated showers.

 

Parked RVs

©Green valley campground.us

The Parks Campamento Paso Picacho is another popular place to pitch a tent or park an RV, and the Paso Picacho group campground accommodates 40 campers. Both camps often feature incredible night skies perfect for viewing the Milky Way.

15. Redwood national park

 

Redwood National Park and State Parks are home to some of the world’s tallest & oldest trees.

©Tourism and landscapes – Flickr

To end this Top 15 best places to camp in California, a dream space could not be left out, home to the tallest trees on the planet, located in northern California.

The Redwood Nature Sanctuary is known as a must-see destination on any vacation itinerary that aims to spend the night outdoors.

©Liya Ktsn – Flickr

A fascinating experience that offers the energy of the imposing redwood trees and the mist coming from the ocean, without a doubt an ideal landscape to explore its various trails and coast.