California
Looking for the best camping in California? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around California. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Camping Spots in and near California
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Big Sur, California
Hike from Kirk Creek Campground to Vicente Flat Trail
10.9 mi / 3454 ft gainThe Vicente Flat Trail is well kept and wide, with many campsites at the end. This trail is very close to Cone Peak, and is used for mountain biking, trail running, birding, and nature trips.Read more -
Bishop, California
Camp at Pleasant Valley Pit
3.5Pleasant Valley Pit offers 75 sites, fires outside camping area need a permit, a dumpster is in the campground, 4 vault toilets, no water, some tables, fire rings. To get here, head 0.5 miles off of the Pleasant Valley Road. $2 per vehicle. Learn more at blm.govThis campground is dog-friendly, bu...Read more -
Susanville, California
Camp at Cheney Creek Primitive Campsite
3 miCheney Creek has a bulletin board and toilet but no developed campsites. There is a primitive hike in or bike in campsite at Cheney Creek along the Bizz Johnson Trail, which is beside the Susan River. The primitive self contained camping site is 1.5 miles east of the Devil's Corral Trailhead on t...Read more -
Echo Lake, California
Ski Ralston Peak
5.0Ralston Peak is a classic south Lake Tahoe backcountry skiing and snowboarding area, and is excellent for hiking in the summer, too. Please note, however, that backcountry skiing and snowboarding is dangerous – make sure you know the conditions and have avalanche equipment.There are two main appr...Read more -
Lake Hughes, California
Hike the Pacific Crest Trail from Horse Trail to Bear Campground
11.63 mi / 2396 ft gainThis is part of the Pacific Crest Trail. If you're through-hiking or sectional hiking, you'll have to hit it eventually. Try and avoid it in the late summer or early fall because of heat, and gnats. Find a way to check the bug report, we got marauded by gnats 90% of the way (early October) and ap...Read more -
Castaic, California
Paddle Castaic Lake State Recreational Area
6 miCastaic Lake is a man made reservoir located 41 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, CA in the town of Castaic. Made up of two bodies of water, separated by a 425-foot dam, Upper and Lower Castaic Lakes have a combined 29 miles of shoreline forming the Castaic Lake State Recreational Area. The s...Read more -
Plumas County, California
Drake Lake Trail
4.6 mi / 840 ft gainThe hike starts at the Warner Valley Trailhead and winds up the mountain until you reach the lake. The first 2 miles or so are very pleasant walk through the woods until you reach the last portion which is essentially straight up the mountain side. This portion of the trail can be very slippery...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Backpack to Nelson Lake
17 mi / 1000 ft gainHead to any Yosemite wilderness station for a map, bear canister, and permit for Nelson Lake. The trail itself starts in the Tuolumne Campground at Elizabeth Lake trailhead. Follow the trail 2.2 miles up to Elizabeth Lake and remember the lake itself is in a no-camping zone, so you must continue ...Read more -
Twentynine Palms, California
Explore Cottonwood Spring
Just east of the Cottonwood Visitor Center. This scenic spot provides access to cottonwood spring. The spring is a short walk down from the parking lot, and was formed from earthquakes! It was a popular spot for natives and settlers to gather water back in the day. As you approach the springs you...Read more -
Pacific Crest Trail, California
Camp at Warner Valley
Warner Valley Campground is at the end of Warner Valley Road. It's 16 dollars a night at a first come first serve basis. As far as the campground it self, there are a few bathrooms and each site has a fire ring and a picnic table. There are 17 sites which isn't a ton but since it's a fairly unuse...Read more -
Burney, California
Northshore Campground
The name of the campground, Northshore Campground, speaks for itself. It's located on the northern side of Lake Britton, across the water from the main state park camping area. This is nice for us as it's easier to get a spot, and it's much quieter. Campground Reservations It's a PG&E campgr...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Backpack to Lower Ottoway Lake
32 mi / 2400 ft gainThe hike begins at Mono Meadows trailhead along Glacier Point Road, first descending 2.8 steep miles to Illilouette Creek. Above the Illilouette Junction, take in views of the Valley's granite domes before beginning the post-burn forested slog. The trail covers an additional 10 miles of relativel...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Backpack to Red Slate Mountain
22 mi / 5600 ft gainI would recommend you spend the night in the area to acclimatize, since the trailhead does start at ~8,000ft and you will be hiking up to ~10,500ft at the end of the first day and climbing up to 13,100ft on the second day. One option would be to reserve a spot at the nearby McGee Creek Campground...Read more -
Doyle, California
Camp at the Fort Sage OHV Area
The recreation area consists of approximately 29,000 acres of public land that is managed primarily for off highway vehicle use and winter deer range. Vehicle use within the recreation area is limited to designated roads and trails to ensure that the two primary uses remain compatible throughout ...Read more -
South Lake Tahoe, California
Camp at Bayview Campground
5.0Bayview is a first come, first serve campground in South Lake Tahoe, halfway between Emerald Bay and Cascade Lake. You can catch an amazing sunrise over Emerald Bay! Large pine trees provide ample shade, and each site is equipped with a picnic table, grill, and bear boxes. Bring plenty of water -...Read more -
Jenner, California
Camp at Stillwater Cove
4.0It's a short walk down to the beach and there is a nice trail that follows along the creek. Campground features include potable water, restrooms with coin -operated showers, flush toilets, and electrical outlets. There is also a dump station. Please note: there are no RV hook-ups. Check out more...Read more