When it comes to variety, California really does have it all. If you are looking to camp in the mountains or fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean waves, California is the place to go. There are National Parks, State Parks and private campgrounds that offer everything from riverside campsites to hike-in only sites overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. In reality there are hundreds of fabulous places to camp in California but here are 5 of the best places to camp in California this summer.
1. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is one of the best places to camp in California this summer!
©A.Hornung/Shutterstock.com
Yosemite National Park is visited by more than 3 million visitors a year. They come to see the beauty of Yosemite Falls, El Captain and Half Dome. Some come just to enjoy the views while others come to hike, bike and climb, a little something for everyone. Staying right in the park at one of the many campgrounds is a wonderful way to enjoy the park. There are 13 different campgrounds including some that have large RV sites and others with smaller tent pads. A few of the Campgrounds are closed due to the Covid closures, but there are still plenty to choose from. Visit the Yosemite National Park Campground website for all the details about each campground. Here are the basics:
| Campground | Season/Open | Number of Sites |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Pines | All year | 238 |
| Lower Pines | Apr. 14 – Oct. 12 | 60 |
| North Pines | Apr. 11 – Oct. 11 | 81 |
| Camp 4 | All year | 61 |
| Wawona | All year | 93 |
| Bridalveil Creek | Closed until 2023 | 110 |
| Hodgdon Meadow | All year | 105 |
| Crane Flat | Closed until 2023 | 166 |
| Tamarack Flat | June – Oct. 15 | 52 |
| White Wolf | July – Sept. 25 | 74 |
| Yosemite Creek | June –Sep. 15 | 75 |
| Porcupine Flat | Closed until 2023 | 52 |
| Tuolumne Meadows | Closed until 2024/25 | 104 |
2. Lake Tahoe: Nevada Beach Campground
Nevada Beach Campground sits on the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe so you can enjoy amazing sunsets from the campground.
©topseller/Shutterstock.com
The beautiful Lake Tahoe is a favorite vacation spot for many. There are several campgrounds on the shores of the lake, but Nevada Beach Campground is one of the best places to camp in California this summer. Sitting on the east shore of Lake Tahoe, you know you can enjoy some of the most beautiful sunsets over the lake, right from the campground. You might even get to see a bald eagle fly over your site. Some of the sites have lake views while others are nestled in the woods for more privacy. The campground is a National Forest Service campground so you know the hiking and wildlife will be amazing.
If you are lucky you may see one of the majestic bald eagles hunting for their dinner.
©FloridaStock/Shutterstock.com
| Nevada Beach Campground | |
|---|---|
| Location | East Shore of Lake Tahoe |
| Nearest City | Stateline, Nevada |
| RV Sites | 54 RV or tent sites |
| Tent Sites | 54 RV or tent sites |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, Nevada Beach Pavillion |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | The amazing sunsets over Lake Tahoe! |
3. Redwood National Forrest and Park
Hiking through the Redwood National Forest is an amazing experience. The Redwoods are some of the tallest trees in the world!
©Ryan Kelehar/Shutterstock.com
You can look at photos of the Redwood National Forest, but until you stand next to an enormous redwood you can’t fathom their actual size. If you want to camp among the redwoods there are four different campgrounds at the Redwood National Forest and Park. Each campground has sites with picnic tables and fire rings as well as restrooms and showers. The Jedediah Smith Campground is right on the banks of the Smith River and the Gold Bluffs Beach one has access to a secluded beach. They all have amazing hiking trails, but be sure to make a trip to the “Big Tree” an area with several of the tallest, biggest trees in the park. It is located in the Prairie Creek State Park.
| Redwood National Forest | |
|---|---|
| Nearest City | Far NW corner of California, Klamath, CA |
| Jedediah Smith Campground | 86 RV or Tent, no hookups, on the banks of the Smith River, some hike/bike-in sites, 4 cabins |
| Mill Creek Campground | 145 RV or Tent, no hookups, access to Mill Creek, some hike/bike-in sites |
| Elk Prairie Campground | 75 RV or Tent, no hookups, some hike/bike-in sites |
| Gold Bluffs Beach Campground | 26 RV or Tent, no hookups, access to secluded beach |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Camping amongst the biggest trees in the world! |
4. Golden Gate National Recreation Campgrounds
This is the view from Kirby Cove Beach at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area!
©iStock.com/greta6
Do you want to sleep under the Golden Gate Bridge? The Golden Gate National Recreation area is right next to the Golden Gate Bridge just outside of San Francisco. There are four different campgrounds located in the Marin Headlands along the coast on the north side of the bridge. The Kirby Cove Campground has access to Kirby Beach overlooking the bridge. All of the campgrounds are small and some require a hike to get to so plan ahead. You also need to bring in your own water, but the seclusion and the views are worth it.
| Golden Gate National Recreation Area | |
|---|---|
| Nearest City | San Francisco |
| Bicentennial Campsite | 3 Tent only sites, short hike down a hill to reach it |
| Hawk Campground | 3 Tent only sites, amazing views but there is a 3 mile hike to get to the campsite |
| Haypress Campground | 5 Tent only sites, .7 mile hike to the site, can also hike to Tennessee Beach |
| Kirby Cove Campground | 5 Tent only, 2 are ADA accessible |
| Amenities | Vault toilets, picnic tables |
| Pet Friendly | No pets allowed except service animals |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Camping with views of the Golden Gate Bridge! |
5. Big Sur: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
The coastline along Big Sur has amazing views. One of the best places to camp in California this summer is at the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
©Osprey Creative/Shutterstock.com
Big Sur is about half way between San Francisco and Los Angeles, right on the coast. The Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has hiking, biking, fishing and swimming. There are multiple riverside campsites for RV’s and tent camping. Make this your homebase so you can enjoy hiking to the Pfeiffer Falls or take a short drive down to Pfeiffer beach to swim and see the arched rock formations. You can drive up the coast to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to see the Elephant Seals when they come ashore between late November to mid-February. You may also be able to spot dolphins, sea otters and killer whales!
The
Elephant
seals come ashore during late November for mating season. You could see some of the impressive mating rituals including the males that slam in to each other to show dominance.
| Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park | |
|---|---|
| Nearest City | Monterey, between San Francisco and Los Angeles |
| RV Sites and Tent Sites | 189 RV or Tent sites, no hookups, picnic table and fire ring at each site |
| Amenities | Restrooms, showers, water |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Camp right along the Big Sur River. Short drive to amazing Atlantic beaches! |
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Osprey Creative/Shutterstock.com
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