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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Castaic, California
Hiking the Piru Creek Gorge Trail
Take the I-5 exit North of Castaic, CA at Templin Hwy. Turn onto Golden State Hwy heading the only direction it goes from the exit, North. When it dead-ends in a few miles at the National Forest Gate, you are at Frenchman's Flat.You can camp here, or hang with the day hikers. Heading North along ...Read more -
Trinity Center, California
Stuart Fork Trail to Emerald and Sapphire Lakes
5.027.06 mi / 4213 ft gainThe trail begins just past the Trinity Alps Resort, a private collection of cabins near Weaverville, CA. Hikers wanting an early start can spend the night at the Bridge Camp Campground, located next to the trailhead. The path starts out wide and level, following an old road to the wilderness bou...Read more -
Big Sur, California
Camp at Andrew Molera State Park
4.51 miAndrew Molera is about 27 miles south of Carmel and one of the first State Parks you'll hit heading down the coast. There will be signs for the Park as you approach and the main parking lot is only a couple hundred yards from Hwy 1. There are a number of hiking trails and activities to do around ...Read more -
Loma Mar, California
Camp Under the Redwoods at Memorial Park
With old growth redwoods and a creek swimming area, Memorial Park is a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area. Memorial Park is only a few miles east of the town of Pescadero. To get here, you can either approach from Highway 1 and drive up Pescadero Creek Road or take Highway ...Read more -
Truckee, California
Swim at Long Lake near Truckee
3.71.5 mi / 100 ft gainThe story goes that twenty or so years ago, long before the advent of the Royal Gorge Cross-Country Ski Area, some local Truckee boys decided to put a couple rope swings up on Long Lake near Soda Springs, CA, and they remain there to this day.Long Lake sits amongst a cluster of both man-made and ...Read more -
Forks of Salmon, California
Hike to the Caribou Lakes, Shasta-Trinity Alps
4.016 mi / 3000 ft gainHike through the most majestic and unforgettable mountain ranges, alpine terrains, glacier lakes outside of the Sierra Nevada in Northern California. Yes, it's a long drive there and a lengthy hike, but if you have any doubts about whether this is worth the effort, just go! I struggled with the s...Read more -
Twentynine Palms, California
Boy Scout's Trail in Joshua Tree
4.516.12 mi / 1539 ft gainThe Boy Scout trail connects the main part of the National Park to the outer rim campground, Indian Cove Campground. All backcountry overnight trips must be registered at a registration board (free, self-registration). Start this trip at the registration board located in either Indian Cove Campgr...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Backpack Chewing Gum Lake
3.34.5 mi / 1000 ft gainChewing Gum Lakes is located in Emigrant Wilderness, South of Lake Tahoe and North of Yosemite, with stunning valley views and gorgeous granite faces, peaking through the tree lines of the Stanislaus National Forest. Sitting just north of Yosemite allows you to take in a portion of the beauty of ...Read more -
Palmdale, California
Camp at Manzanita Loop in Chilao Campground
5.0Chilao Camp is located at an elevation of 5,300 feet, in the San Gabriel Mountains, and is divided into two different loops called the Manzanita and Pine.This specific adventure is for the Manzanita Loop, which is pretty much known as the more scenic loop, mainly because the area overlooks the Bi...Read more -
Point Reyes Station, California
Bear Valley to Coast Camp Loop
5.016.18 mi / 2818 ft gainPermit and Trail Camp Info To stay overnight in Point Reyes, you must stay at one of the Trail Camps. Camping anywhere else in the park is not allowed. Permits for the Trail Camps can be booked up to 6 months in advance. If you are looking to go on a weekend, then you'll want to start loo...Read more -
Markleeville, California
Backpack to Grouse Lake
4.711.43 mi / 2283 ft gainIt is a 6 mile hike to Grouse Lake. You begin at the trailhead which is right by Damsite Campground at Upper Blue Lake. Park in the dirt parking area and then cross the metal footbridge, and you will see the trailhead marker on your left. The trail takes you into the Mokelumne Wilderness. Follow...Read more -
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Pat Springs via Skinners Ridge
3.513.18 mi / 3645 ft gainBackpacking to Pat Springs is a way to see Big Sur and the San Lucia mountains from a perspective that few get to experience. The Ventana Wilderness is rugged and remote, yet Pat Springs is one of the most beautiful campgrounds around that will allow you to take in this amazing terrain. To get ...Read more -
Bodega Bay, California
Camp at Bodega Dunes Campground
These kind of getaways shouldn't be planned many weeks before the trip. So we didn't booked a campground. And from this experience we learn that you don't have to reserve a campground. Just go there - don't panic when you see campground is full sign in the entrance. There are always available spo...Read more -
Kyburz, California
Hike Pyramid Peak
5.0Although it stands only slightly higher than its neighbors, Pyramid Peak nonetheless dominates the Crystal Range atop which it sits. Great views from the summit make this a must-do.The Route: The route is fairly straightforward to Lake Sylvia (see map). Simply follow the well-defined Lyons Cr...Read more -
Malibu, California
La Jolla Valley Walk-In Camps
5.010.58 mi / 2146 ft gainHello Friends! I just took a really chill overnight backpacking trip to the La Jolla Valley Backcountry campsite and I’m going to give you some details so you can have as nice of an outing as I did! The trailhead is conveniently just off of the Pacific Coast Highway, across the street from the T...Read more -
San Francisco, California
Camp at the Rob Hill Campground
5.0Rob Hill Campground is a hidden treasure, located at the Presidio’s highest point above Baker Beach amid a beautiful eucalyptus grove. The campsite welcomes groups of all kinds and is also home to the Camping at the Presidio (CAP) program, which provides youth with meaningful outdoor experiences....Read more