When it comes to natural appeal, availability, and environmental diversity, California may take the cake as the ultimate adventure destination. You’ll discover a few of the most rugged mountains on the continent, beautiful beaches, old-growth redwood forests, limitless dune, impossibly tall granite walls, and a lot more.
You can just experience so much on a day trip to among California’s lots of amazing destinations. To truly take it all in, spend a night spent next to the campfire. We have actually selected 25 of the best areas across the state to think about for your next outdoor camping trip. Whether you wish to awaken with a view of giant redwoods, the Pacific Ocean, or the Golden Gate Bridge, we’ve got you covered.
Photo: Jake Young Stay over night free of charge by the Upper McCloud River and enjoy sufficient expedition of Shasta-Trinity National Forest. If you’re looking for some peace and solitude, this is a fantastic spot as it draws in less traffic.
Image: Emily Schrick Just 45 minutes south of Yosemite Valley, Wawona is the perfect place for a more peaceful camping outing. This spot uses amenities including fire pits, food lockers, and picnic tables. Invest some solitude by the Merced River, quickly available from a lot of campgrounds. There’s also superb treking opportunities in the area and in the surrounding Yosemite Valley!
Picture: Sarah Eichstedt Check out this camping area located around 45 minutes from San Francisco. Escape city life and reboot in nature at this first-come first-serve area. Take pleasure in easy access to Steep Ravine Path and Matt Davis Trail.
Photo: Masa Kato This tent-only campsite is nestled into a canopy of redwood trees! The giants offer shade that keeps campers cool even in summertime. Delight in parking spots, campfire rings, picnic tables, and tidy restroom facilities with personal showers. The site is pet-friendly and near to neighboring walkings if you want to venture out.
Photo: George Miller For an outdoor camping experience by the water, check out this picturesque cliffside campground. There’s nothing quite like taking in the charm of Huge Sur with access to trailheads and a path straight down to the water. The site provides wooden tables and fire pits, best for events with friends and family. Take a quick drive to the Esalen Institute for an extraordinary experience at their hot springs.
Picture: Josh Currie In the small town of Gaviota, simply 30 miles north of Santa Barbara, is this picturesque beachside outdoor camping area. For a sensible charge ($35-$45), you’ll get running water, restrooms, picnic tables, a fire pit, access to great hiking routes, an overhead railroad, and stunning cliffside views. Keep in mind that it does get rather windy during the night, so be gotten ready for the aspects and bring the suitable equipment to keep your camping tent firmly in place.
Photo: Mike O’Hara Enjoy unbelievable scenery for free for approximately 14 days in this mountain and desert fan’s paradise. You’ll be surrounded by views of Mt. Whitney and a few of the highest peaks in the Sierra Nevada Range. This is likewise an outstanding area for night photography, so make certain to bring your electronic camera!
Image: Josiah Roe If you’re searching for a remote coastline camping experience that makes sure to guarantee peace and solitude, this is the area for you. Black Sands Beach is situated along the southern part of the popular Lost Coast Trail and its rugged natural beauty does not dissatisfy. Be sure to examine the weather and tide charts if preparing to stay over night as some portions of the trail are blockaded at high tide.
Image: Josh Currie This is a first-come first-serve state park camping area right by the beach. Aside from easy access to the water, there are lots of hiking tracks around the park to select from. Stay overnight in a large open grassy field with a beautiful mountainous background.
Image: Jake Young Just off of Highway 88, this distinct camping area features sensational granite swimming pools and slides of differing sizes and depths. See as the water glides down the granite rocks, creating small waterfalls. This is a fantastic area for a group of pals to check out the natural pools.
Image: Gregg Boydston When camping on this fantastic expanse of BLM land, make certain to follow rules regarding setting up camp an appropriate distance from the water. This spot lies in the Mammoth Lakes area and also includes a Hot Creek geological website. Bring a swimwear to wade in the warm waters (read indications to prevent scalding hot water temperatures)! Those interested in fishing ought to absolutely bring a rod as the location is known for trout.
Photo: Juan Moreno This beach outdoor camping experience boasts lovely bluffs, enchanting sundowns, fantastic night photography, and some close-by hiking tracks. The website lies at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and has a charge of $35.00 per night. Keep in mind that it’s first-come first-serve.
Picture: Jake Young This campground is located on the northern most inlet of Lake Almanor and is thought about more remote than the other surrounding campsites. Take pleasure in easy access to terrific fishing chances and serene landscapes. Note that this area is first-come first-serve.
Image: Greg Balkin Simply a short drive from Mammoth Lakes, this camping area functions hot springs and extraordinary views of the Eastern Sierras. Taking in the springs and taking in the surrounding surface is an extraordinary experience. If planning to stay overnight, please make sure you are on BLM land and practice responsible Leave No Trace principles.
Image: Gregg Boydston Enjoy this lesser recognized lakeside camping spot with a lovely mountain backdrop. Bring a kayak or stand up paddleboard to explore the lake. Bring a waterproof electronic camera case to take spectacular sunset and daybreak pictures from your watercraft!
Photo: Jennifer Franklin Check out this picturesque lakefront campsite featuring a personal beach and close-by hiking and boulder climbing up chances. The lake also includes an abundance of rainbow trout– best for avid anglers or those who want to give fishing a try!
Image: Nathan Chan For a real Joshua Tree outdoor camping experience, invest the night under a magnificently dark stellar sky. Aside from outdoor camping, Joshua Tree National forest is known for popular rock climbing, excellent stones, and its general breathtaking landscape.
Photo: Cameron Gardner Located in the Mojave Desert, Death Valley provides an unique opportunity to camp in the desert amongst rolling hills. This camping site uses access to stunning large open spaces and is only about an hour drive from Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, a fun place to sand browse or simply jump around. Come prepared with proper shoes as the sand can get quite hot during the day.
Photo: Matt Purciel Return to nature and retreat to this beautiful forest camping site to spend a night or more surrounded by excellent sequoias, pines, and dogwoods. Let the fresh air renew you and allow yourself to be lulled by the soothing noises of the neighboring creek.
Image: Nathaniel Polta Simply across the road from the well-known Spooner’s Cove lies a spectacular location to camp out by the beach. The views are gorgeous and the low light contamination makes for great night photography. There are a number of nearby picturesque routes to check out for some quite breathtaking treking experiences.
Image: Kathleen Buenviaje For an island getaway, take a 50 minute boat trip off the coast of Southern California to reach this stunning camping area. Here you’ll see sensational ocean views and access to lots of hiking trails. Water activities consist of snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and stand up paddle boarding. Keep in mind that there is a general store and dining establishment if you want to treat yourself rather of roughing it for a night or more.
Photo: Jamie Fleck Simply a quick walk from Point Mugu Beach, this camping site features rocky cliffs, beautiful ocean views, and great fishing chances. This area lies far enough away from Malibu to seem like you have actually found your own more private piece of paradise.
Picture: George Miller This is a stunning beachside camping spot in Huge Sur with easy ocean access and outstanding cliffside views. The park gets its name from the lime kilns, high furnaces once used to draw out lime from limestone to create mortar and concrete.
Image: Brian Heifferon This camping experience is close to the city, but will seem like an unique retreat. Go to the beach and take in spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge. To get to Angel Island, you’ll need to ride a ferryboat, which can also be a great method to take in the sights.
Picture: Austin Brizgys
Browse fanatics need to pitch a tent and stay the night at this location! This camping area is situated right on among Half Moon Bay’s the majority of constant surf spots. There are likewise great walkings in the location to extend and leave the water for a bit. Facilities include picnic tables, grills, fire rings, and hot showers. Absolutely nothing beats awakening to the sounds of the ocean and being able to get right in the water with your board in hand.
Cover image: Josiah Roe
Your guide to the very best outdoor camping in the Golden State.