The 13 Best Camping Sites in California for Any Kind of Camper

Whether you want to get lost in the redwoods or sleep under the stars in a desert, this is your guide to camping sites in California.
Written by Kaitlin May
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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Nature lovers, unite! From majestic oceans to stunning sequoias, these are the 15 best places to pitch your tent in
California
.
While some people are happy to roast their s’mores anywhere, many have their preferences when it comes to Mother Nature. Thankfully, with 13,000 campsites boasting breathtaking views, remarkable redwoods, and dreamy deserts, California has a spot for anyone’s ideal campsite.
But how do the 6.5 million campers visiting California’s campgrounds each year decide on their destinations? Here with the full rundown of the Golden State’s best campgrounds is the
super app
and travel extraordinaire:
Jerry
From prime hiking territory to the most iconic glamping spots, these are the sites you’ll want to set your sights on for your next California camping trip. 
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Best for hikers: Yosemite National Park

Address: Tioga Rd Hwy 120 & Hwy 140 Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Phone number: (209) 372-0200 (then dial 3, then 5)
With 1,200 square miles of High Sierra excellence punctuated by ancient sequoias, majestic waterfalls, and vast trails, Yosemite National Park is a hiker’s paradise. Four hours east of
San Francisco
, challenging climbs like Half Dome and El Capitan await, but you can also find more manageable routes throughout the surrounding wilderness. Yosemite is home to
13 campgrounds
, all of which you’ll need a
reservation
to stay at starting in the spring.
If you want to camp at Yosemite, start planning early! Reservations for most of the popular sites like Lower Pines and Camp 4 are open up to five months in advance, and there are no first-come, first-serve options once you arrive.

Best for desert dwellers: Joshua Tree National Park

Address: 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Phone number: (760) 367-5500
If you’re ready to hit the Do Not Des-turb button and get lost in the desert flora landscape, you can head 140 miles east of
Los Angeles
to Joshua Tree National Park. Prime for trading in Instagram scrolling for stargazing, the 100 miles of Joshua-tree-lined hiking trails, and 8,000 climbing routes make the Mojave desert an unforgettable camping site.
To set up camp at any of the nine campgrounds, including the popular Indian Cove and Hidden Valley sites, it’s best to
make a reservation
in advance. Although there are some same-day options, the park fills up fast, and you won’t want to miss the photo-worthy hype.

Best for lovers: Point Reyes National Seashore

Address: 1 Bear Valley Rd. Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
Phone number: (415) 464-5137
What’s better than getting cozy with your loved one by the crashing coastline? Just an hour north of San Francisco, you can bask on the beach, soak in the sunset, and witness whales romping in the distance at Point Reyes National Seashore. You can catch a glimpse of elephant seals sunbathing near Chimney Rock at Drakes Beach or paddle across Tamales Bay—as long as you have a camping permit for Marshall Beach and Tomales Beach.
The site offers
five reservable campgrounds
nearby, with
Coast Camp
providing the most privacy for cuddly couples looking for solace from the busy city.

Best for wildlife enthusiasts: Pinnacles National Park

Address: 5000 East Entrance Road, Paicines, CA 95043
Phone number: (831) 389-4486
Volcanic eruptions 23 million years ago formed what is now the pinnacle of rock exploration just an hour south of
San Jose
: Pinnacles National Park. From talus caves to rock spires, the park is prime real estate for bird watching, with the California Condor, Prairie Falcon, Greater Roadrunner, and Golden Eagle flocking the landscape.
If you’ve got an RV handy, you can park at one of the campgrounds near a fire pit and enjoy the open skies. It’s a good idea to
reserve a spot
for either your RV or tent ahead of your trip so you can enjoy the area’s picnic tables and BBQ pits without any hassles.
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Best for island hoppers: Channel Islands National Park

Address: 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001
Phone number: (805) 658-5730
There’s no better place to channel your inner islander than the “American Galapagos” near Ventura Harbor Village: Channel Islands National Park. With access by boat to five islands including Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Santa Barbara, and San Miguel, you can explore a preservation station home to unique species of wildlife and archaeological resources.
Although there’s a campsite on each of the five islands, space is limited for preservation purposes, and you’ll need to
reserve your spot
ahead of time. You’ll also need to book your boat transportation to the island for an overnight stay before you head out to the wildlife haven.

Best for family fun: King’s Canyon and Sequoia National Park

Address: 47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271
Phone number: 559 565-3341
It turns out the “Land of Giants” is the best spot to bring your little ones for some camping fun. Powerful yet vulnerable, the world’s largest trees line the Sierra Nevada foothills, accompanying grounds for cave excavation, waterfall wandering, and whitewater rafting. If you’ve got rough-and-tumble kiddos, there are plenty of opportunities to go rock climbing, too.
With fourteen campgrounds including three year-round sites, you can roast your marshmallows any time at King’s Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Reservations
are open for popular picks like Lodgepole, but can’t be made more than 30 days in advance of your trip.

Best for tree huggers: Redwood National Park

Address: 1111 Second Street, Crescent City, CA 95531
Phone number: (707) 464-6101
With sprawling rows of the tallest trees on earth stretching from
Crescent City
to Orick in northern California, Redwood National Park is a nature enthusiast’s dream. You’ll find 40 miles of impressive coastline nestled near expansive prairies, reckless rivers, and oak woodlands to explore. If you head to Elk Prairie, you might catch Roosevelt elk strolling through the grass.
To immerse yourself in the mighty redwoods, plan to stay at the Mill Creek campground or park your RV at the Mystic Forest RV Park, where you can either
stay on your camper or pitch a tent
at one of the 14 designated tent areas there.

Best for glampers: Lassen Volcanic National Park

Address: PO Box 100, Mineral, CA 96063
Phone number: 530 595-4480
If taking it easy on your trip makes you a happy camper, then you’ll want to head three hours north of
Sacramento
to Lassen Volcanic National Park. Leave the heavy hiking up to the Yosemite folks, because you can conquer Manzanita Lake in one foul mile-and-a-half long swoop. You might want to take several laps, though, because the 30+ volcanic domes, wildflowers, and pastel sunsets are sights you’ll want to soak in.
While the area offers 12 campgrounds to choose from, a favorite is the
Manzanita Lake Camping Cabins
, where you can ditch the tent and opt for a more glamorous (temperature-controlled) experience.

Best for adventurers: Furnace Creek Campground 

Address: P.O. Box 579, Death Valley, CA 92328
Phone number: (760) 786-3200
Out of the volcanoes and into the inferno—the stunning landscape of The Oasis at Death Valley is no mirage, although you might see one while you trek its arid land. Even though you’ll be 120 miles northwest of
Las Vegas
, you might feel like you’ve been transported to the set of Dune, with two mountain ranges, an enormous crater, and an even bigger salt basin.
Hotter than heck and drier than the Sahara, you’ll want to head to
Furnace Creek Campground
between October and April—and avoid the summer months completely. The campsite accepts reservations for both RVs and tents, so it’s up to you how you want to catch a break from the scorching desert heat between hikes.
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Best for beach bums: Leo Carrillo State Park

Address: 35000 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90265
Phone number: (805) 488-1827
While most people think of glitzy staples like Nobu when Malibu comes to mind, a down-to-earth spot to wade in tide pools nearby just happens to be ideal for beachy campers: Leo Carrillo State Park. Its 1.5 miles of coastline carve out plenty of room for surfing, fishing, beachcombing, and more. If you want to camp with the whole family, there are campfire programs offered during the summer.
Whether you hit the mild Yellow Hill Trail or the more challenging Nicholas Flat Trail, you can rest up with a same-day reservation at
Leo Carrillo State Park Campground
with plenty of spots for tents, RVs, or trailers.

Best for surfers: San Elijo State Beach

Address: 2050 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff, CA 92007
Phone number: (760) 753-5091
Tide pools are great, but if you want to hang loose, you’ll have to head to
San Diego
’s Coast and pitch your tent near San Elijo State Beach. With the campground offering showers, picnic spots, volleyball courts, and a camp store with essentials, you’ll have no reason to leave your surfing sanctuary once you arrive. There’s even a reef on the shoreline that snorkelers and divers can explore.
Reservations
can be made up to six months in advance of your trip, and you can even book a
trailer rental
with an approved contractor ahead of time. Otherwise, all you’ll need is your tent and your longboard, and you can surf off into the sunset!

Best for non-camping campers: Ventana Campground

Address: 48123 CA-1 Big Sur, California, United States, 93920
Phone number: (855) 391-8683
Nestled in a redwood canyon near the universal bucket list destination, Big Sur, is the Ventana Campground. While you may want the experience of sleeping in a tent beneath the world’s tallest trees, you may hate the idea of not having running water—or a cocktail to sip on. Don’t fret! Not only are there fully-functional showers and restrooms, but there’s also a luxe cocktail lounge within walking distance where you can grab some spirits and snacks.
You can
book your spot
in the tranquil getaway ahead of time, or even skip the camping altogether with a reservation at
Ventana Big Sur
—the resort and spa nearby.

Best for horseback riders: Russian Gulch State Park

Address: CA-1, Mendocino, CA 95460
Phone number:(707) 937-5804
Just two miles north of Mendocino, verdant canyons meet windswept headlands in Russian Gulch State Park. You might head there to capture a photo of the famous Frederick W. Panhorst Bridge or explore the sea cave called the Devil’s Punchbowl, but this camping site is a paradise for equestrians.
There’s a unique campground dedicated to ​​horseback riding on the northeast corner of the park with corrals, staging areas, and water troughs. You can make reservations by calling 707-937-5804 (District Office). If you’re looking for a more standard camping scene, you can
make reservations
for one of 26 sites for the summer months only.

Protecting yourself with the right insurance when you travel

Although camping helps you reconnect with nature and get in touch with your roots, you’ll want to tap into a more civilized resource when it comes to your car insurance.
Road trips
along California’s coast are ideal for campers from all over the globe, but an accident or a maintenance blunder can throw anyone’s trip off track.
That’s where
Jerry
steps in, wherever you are, to make sure you have the most protection for the lowest possible price. As long as you have cell phone service, you can download the app, enter your information, and choose a quote from over 55 insurance providers that meet your needs.
With all that handled in minutes and an average of over $800 in savings per year, you can cash in while you check out at your favorite Cali camping sites.
Jerry
quoted me a price that saved me almost $4000 a year in California! I definitely recommend Jerry.” —Patricia B.
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