California is home to some of the best camping sites in the country. It has a total of 110 state parks, each with varying iconic features. It has everything from jungle-like camps to campsites with ultra-modern amenities like a bar and pool facility. In addition to the campsites, the campgrounds have unique and stunning attractions, fun activities, and scenery to make your experience worthwhile. Join ViewCation as we make a list of the best camping in the state of California.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park has some of the nicest campgrounds in California. The park boasts breathtaking views and a plethora of thrilling activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and river rafting. There are also numerous attractions at the park that provide a memorable experience. The long pine trees always create a conducive campground on the valley floor with its shades. With its thrilling adventures, it’s no surprise that it’s considered one of the busiest national parks in the country. Despite the fact that camping is only permitted for 14 days, you are free to travel the area using the available public transportation.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Big Sur, as it is commonly called, is home to California redwoods, a lovely river valley, and bluffs for spectacular viewing pleasure. The fascinating heights of the California redwoods, combined with the serenity of the environment, make it an ideal location for a variety of camping activities. Though camping is permitted all year, several paths and sections are inaccessible, particularly during the winter. There are also other outstanding trails of varying difficulty for your hiking delight. The bluffs may be difficult to walk along, but the view is well worth it.
Ventana Campground
Away from Big Sur State Park, another campground is situated in a secluded redwood canyon. The amenities provided by the Ventana Campground set it apart from other campgrounds. Aside from the tranquil and gorgeous campground, it provides luxury amenities such as exquisite restrooms and shower stations. There is also an outdoor lounge with a modern airstream bar that serves drinks and snacks. You’ll also have access to spa and pool services at Ventana Big Sur, the upscale resort next door, which is not far from the campground.
Joshua Tree National Park
The 800,000-acre national park is well-known for its hiking paths, campgrounds, and varied terrain. The park contains several campgrounds, the largest of which is Jumbo Rocks, while the smallest is White Tank. Because of their dark skies, the White Tank and Indian Cove campgrounds offer the best stargazing experiences. Massive rocks in the park also provide visitors and rock climbers with a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape. The 49 Palms Canyon Trail is one of the park’s most popular hiking paths. It is regarded as difficult because of its unique rock formations, yet it provides the opportunity for hiking and sightseeing.
Van Damme State Park
Located on California’s north coast, Van Damme State Park has an all-year-round campground that treats visitors to the rich greenery of its environment. The jungle-like environment has a lot to amaze you with. From the trail that leads away from Fern Canyon to the streaming river, through to the unusual pygmy forest of bonsai-like trees. Along these tranquil routes, you’ll find dozens of camps tucked into redwood groves. The park also includes a beautiful beach cove near the opening of the Little River. During the summer, visitors to the park can enjoy offshore tours of kelp forests and sea caves.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
This glamorous campground is nestled in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It is also the oldest national park in California. You’ll experience the wonder of walking or travelling under huge ancient trees and the picturesque beauty of spectacular waterfalls. The campground has year-round and seasonal campsites that can accommodate an enormous number of visitors. In addition, there are tent camps as well as a horse camp for horses.
Channel Islands National Park
Only a few miles away from Ventura Harbour Village is the Channel Islands National Park. Visitors can book a boat trip to the five islands of Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Santa Barbara, and San Miguel. Each island has a campground and offers a serene atmosphere and a scenic night sky that is unique to the island. There is also a viewing tower that offers a great view of the landscape. From the tower, you can easily spot a wide number of bird species. You can also enjoy the waters of the area either by snorkelling or kayaking.
Minaret Falls Campground
Minaret Falls Campground is known for its high alpine lakes, pine forests, and sweeping views of the Red Meadow Valley. It can be found on the shores of the San Joaquin River, close to the Minaret Falls waterfall. The campground provides amazing hiking trails that lead to spectacular locations within the region. It is accessible during the summer period and runs on a first-come-first-served basis. The campground is perfect for hikers and adventurers as it is filled with amazing vistas, awesome hidden locations, and fun activities.
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Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
The state park is home to primitive, ancient trees and makes for a great hiking experience. The beautiful campground is pavilioned by the canopy of tall pine and fir trees and affords visitors a peaceful retreat. If you happen to take a tour of the area, you’ll find a herd of Roosevelt elk either grazing or napping at Gold Bluffs Beach. The park is open all year round, but it can fill up quickly during the summer. Since the park is right on the coast, visitors can treat themselves to a time at the beach.
Sonoma Coast State Park
This park is famous for its jagged rocky bluffs, stunning coastal coves, and tidepools. It is a haven for those who want to avoid the summer heat and for those who are new to camping. Among the three campgrounds in the park, Bodega Dunes Campground offers the most amenities. Visitors can enjoy the stunning sunset view, have fun with sandcastles on the beach, or explore the park’s wonderful attractions. Campsites cost $35 per night, while hiker and biker sites are $5 per night. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time, especially during the busy summer period.
Nevada Beach Campground
This beach campground offers tourists breathtaking views of the turquoise blue Lake Tahoe, which is surrounded by picturesque mountains. It is about a 20-minute drive from the southern end of Lake Tahoe. The beach campground is ideal for all kinds of gatherings, adventures, and people wishing to have a good time. There are also lots of watersports to choose from. The park is only open from May to October, so it gets very busy during the summer months. The park also has RV sites and is nearby to grocery stores, and gas stations, among others.
Tuolumne Meadows Campground
Located to the northeast of Yosemite Valley, the Tuolumne Meadows Campground is one of the most magnificent, glacier-fed landscapes one could have for a campground. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served and reservation basis. It also has a more tranquil setting and a plethora of hiking and lake activities. There is a bus that makes touring the campground quite fun. The family-friendly campground also has both tent sites and RV sites. Though it is a great place for all kinds of camping activities, it is only open to the public from July through September.
Pinnacles National Park
This park is the perfect campground for bird lovers. You can witness a vast diversity of the species that rule the skies in the park. Common ones include the critically endangered California condor, Yellow-billed Magpie, Greater Roadrunner, Canyon Wren, California Thrasher, Prairie Falcon and more. Grab your binoculars and head to one of the area’s many rocky mountains for the best views. There is group camping, fire rings, picnic tables, RV sites, and even pet-friendly tents at the campground.
Lake Tahoe
Located in northern California, Lake Tahoe offers one of the best campsites in the state of California. Aside from having enough space for tents and RV sites, it also has lots of hiking trails and water sports. There are over 20 campgrounds in the Tahoe National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin combined. Lake Tahoe, which is also North America’s largest alpine lake, offers a plethora of activities like parasailing, snorkelling, boat rides and a whole lot more.
Sequoia National Forest
The national forest not only makes for a great campsite but also an unforgettable adventure. The forest spans over a million acres and is home to General Sherman, the world’s largest tree. The aura of ancient trees and the numerous campsites make it an awesome spot to enjoy the great outdoors. The national forest is also a great spot for fun activities like whitewater rafting, cave exploration, and waterfall hikes. Cross-country skiing and rock climbing are quite popular during the winter.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
This national park is filled with fresh, clean lakes, lots of wildflowers, and crystal clear stargazing. It is also regarded as home to some of the best hiking trails. Manzanita Lake, one of the popular lakes in the park, has a museum and a large area for accommodating campers. The lake offers fun activities like paddleboarding and kayaking. Hiking to higher regions of the area can be rewarding with a breathtaking view of the volcanic landscape.
It is now time for us to hear from you. Let us know in the comments which of the above campgrounds piques your interest the most. And, for those who have visited any of these campgrounds, what was the most memorable aspect of your experience? Remember to show your support by liking this video and subscribing to the channel. Enabling post notifications will ensure that you don’t miss any of our daily uploads. Catch you in the next one.