Russian Gulch State Park Campground Mendocino Coast
Just two miles north of the village of Mendocinoâone of the best small towns in Californiaâthe Russian River makes quite a splash at Russian Gulch State Park. Alongside unique trail-lined bluffs and tidal features like the Devil’s Punchbowl, this coastal state park also has 26 standard sites near the Russian River before it hits the ocean.
The sites are on the other side of Highway 1 from the ocean. RVs and tent campers share the sites, although no hookups are available. The notable Fern Canyon Trail extends from the campground at Russian Gulch, enabling a six-mile round trip to a 36-foot waterfall and back.
The entire Mendocino Coast is lined with natural attractions and other places to camp. Surrounding the village itself, Mendocino Headlands State Park features plenty of bluff-side ocean views but is day-use only. Less than two miles south of the village, Van Damme State Park offers more camping on the Northern California coast with over 70 sites available.
Address: CA-1, Mendocino, California
Saving Money When Rv Camping In Northern California
If you enjoy RV camping in Northern California, we highly recommend joining Passport America. It is a discounted camping program that saves you 50% at over 1,200 campgrounds in the United States, many of which are in Northern California. The pass is $44 per year but the pass pays for itself after just a few nights of discounted camping.
There are about 54 campgrounds in California that accept the Passport America discount. Many of these campsites are great destinations to visit in Northern California like Yosemite, Sequoia, and Klamath.
This is a great way to save money on RV camping fees, even if you only go out a few times a year. When we go on our RV trips we try to take advantage of discounted camping clubs as much as we can and it ends up saving us a ton of money.
Best Family Campgrounds In California
Showing kids the wilderness can be a special experience, as their inquisitive and observant minds often notice things that we take for granted. However, adventuring with younger children also requires a fair bit of stamina. These ten best family campgrounds, personally selected as the top places for camping with kids in California, guarantee never-ending adventure and stimulationsatisfying the first Commandment for Camping with Kids: Take children where there is a guarantee of action.
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Russian Gulch State Park
Just north of Mendocino, three hours north of San Francisco, sits one of northern Californias most gorgeous rugged coastlines at Russian Gulch State Park. Its one of the best camping places in Northern California. The state park has stunning landscapes ranging from redwoods and waterfalls to a glittering beach and even a leafy canyon.
Its crown jewel is the windswept headlands and sea cave at the iconic blowhole of Devils Punch Bowl. Plenty of photo-ops await you here, so dont forget to bring your best travel cameras and the best camera hiking backpacks. Despite only being open during summers , the state park and its campgrounds are very popular due to the immense number and range of outdoor recreation. Think paddling, fishing, Scuba diving, swimming, biking, hiking, and more.
While there are many options for beach campgrounds here, the best is the Russian Gulch State Park Campground, which is more peaceful and private. Campers have their pick of a group site, 26 standard sites, and even 4 equestrian sites replete with water troughs, staging areas, and corrals. Moreover, you have spaces for cars, trailers, RVs , and tents, They lie on the parks northeast edge under a shaded forest canopy, right next to the picturesque rocky coastline. Whats more, each of the campsites has a campfire ring and a picnic table. Finally, communal facilities including drinking water, showers, and restrooms are also available.
Best Rv Campgrounds In Northern California
Categories california
California is a great state for camping, especially in the summer. The Golden State has a little bit of everything when it comes to RV Camping. There are hundreds of great RV campgrounds in Northern California to choose from.
There are campsites next to waterfalls like Fowlers Campground next to McCloud Falls. California also has some amazing campgrounds that are right on the beach.
Some of the best beach campgrounds include Francis Beach RV and Wesport Beach RV, where you can enjoy ocean views right from your campsite.
If you are looking to camp lakeside then Northern California has great lakeside RV campgrounds such as the popular Collins Lake Campground.
There are also some great spots for RV Camping where you can camp in a majestic Redwood Forest and ride a real historic steam engine train.
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Dl Bliss State Park Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is one of the USAs top tourist attractions, so its no wonder that its one of the best camping places in Northern California. Theres no end to the things to do at Lake Tahoe, which is home to so many lovely sandy beaches. So, you can enjoy everything from lounging on the sand and picnicking to swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding. South Lake Tahoe is particularly popular for its great hikes such as the Lighthouse Trail to the Rubicon Point Lighthouse, the countrys highest elevated lighthouse. Likewise, the Rubicon Trail, the Fallen Leaf Lake Trail, and the Cascade Falls Trail are all excellent for hiking enthusiasts.
Despite Lake Tahoe being open in the winter for alpine activities, most of the amazing campgrounds are shut during winters. Thats because of not just the cold temperatures, but also the massive amount of snow on the ground. One of northern CAs best camping happens here at the historic D.L. Bliss Campground, which lies on Lake Tahoes western shores. Choose from 165 small and wooded campsites, of which 20 are lakeside ones and 58 are tent-only ones. While trailers and RVs are permitted, vehicles larger than 18 feet arent permitted. Whats more, there are even designated bike and hike-in sites as well as group ones.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Big Sur, CA
This park may only have two camping spots, but they are well-known to be some of the best camping in Northern California !
If youre lucky enough to snag one of the two campsites at , then you are in for a really unique camping experience. At this state park is a pair of 2 magical, highly-coveted environmental campsites located on the west side of Highway 1 south of McWay Falls.
Let me tell you, getting reservations here is no easy feat. These sites are extremely popular year-round and usually fill up six months in advance.
I was able to secure one of the campsites a few years back, and to this day, it remains one of my most memorable camping experiences! Amenities are simple and include a picnic table, fire ring, trash cans, and pit toilets.
Despite the limited amenities, being able to sleep and wake up to the sounds of the Pacific Oceans crashing waves and sights of redwoods and coastal views were well, well worth it.
You will need to carry in all your belongings, water, and firewood from the parking lot, so do bring a wagon to help you out!
What You Need To Know:
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Dl Bliss State Park Campground South Lake Tahoe
This lakeside campground is on the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe. It’s a popular spot for activities like fishing, swimming, hiking, and SCUBA diving in the nearby underwater preserve. It’s a favorite for more casual outings, too, including taking some time to peer out from the nearby Inspiration Point.
D.L. Bliss is a top pick for camping near South Lake Tahoe. It’s a 13-minute drive from the city of South Lake Tahoe, and less than 20 miles south of Tahoe City. This ideal location makes D.L. Bliss a popular spot, but with other great areas like Emerald Bay State Park and Meeks Bay Resort nearby, there’s plenty of space to explore.
D.L. Bliss itself has over 250 family campsites, and they are often booked throughout the summer. Generally, campsites have enough space for one vehicle. Fire rings and picnic tables are at each campsite, as well as access to water and coin-operated showers.
Address: Lester Beach Road, Tahoma, California
Russian Gulch State Park :
Time and time again, I go on about how much I love the Russian Gulch State Park and the fact that there is a campground right inside it makes it even better.
You will have tons of things to do in this park , in addition to kayaking, hiking and more.
You can see my article above for a list of things you can do at Russian Gulch state park.
But overall, its a mixture of very scenic views, an absolutely stunning panorama, a beautiful beach and nice hikes to explore on the coast and in the forest near the beach .
I cant say enough about Russian Gulch and how much I love it. Its one of my favorite places in California.
And its one I plan to revisit every single time I am in the area.
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Channel Islands National Park
What makes Channel Islands National Park one of the best camping places in Northern California? For one, this Northern CA camping ground is home to San Miguel Island, one of the worlds most incredible abandoned islands. That and the other four islands that encompass this offshore national park is a perfect example of primeval California, circa hundreds of years ago. They can be reached via a 1.5-hour ferry ride from Los Angeles. Since none of them are connected to the mainland, they have a wondrous fauna populace. So, theres everything from dolphin spotting and whale watching to kayaking and hiking the trails. Birdwatchers will especially love the islands, as theyre home to at least 10 land bird species that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth! Fishing is a popular pastime, so do bring your fishing backpacks and fishing sunglasses.
Every isle boasts a small campground, but Scorpion Canyon campground on Santa Cruz island is the easiest to reach. While youll have to lug your gear for around half a mile from the dock, rewards are aplenty. Think a night sky that twinkles with thousands of stars and a serenity that can be found in very few places in the world. There are 31 tent-only walk/hike-in primitive sites, of which 25 are individual sites and 6 are group ones. However, all sites require reservations. Moreover, the campground even has pit toilets, potable water, food storage, and picnic table.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
While you wont find many coastal redwoods at Elk Prairie Campground proper, the camps creekside sites offer quick access to Californias most striking redwood trails. From the parks visitor center a short stroll from the campground follow the Prairie Creek Trail to the Cathedral Tree Trail, which loops through a primeval forest of the parks most scenic redwood stands. Or, hop on the James Irvine trail that leads 4.5 miles to Fern Canyon, a dazzling, overgrown streambed bounded by towering walls of lush ferns and dripping moss.
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Why Northern California Is Such A Great Place To Rv
California Americas most popular state houses some of the best attractions in the country. Throughout the year, flocks of people rush into the state for the Golden Gate Bridge, the Hollywood sign, or Yosemite National Park. But Northern California also offers terrific RV parks to unleash your adventurous side. So switch things up this time and go explore nature.
Point Reyes National Seashore
If you prefer some peace away from noisy campers. Those in their cars and large RVs this is the perfect place for you to be in. Point Reyes offers five campgrounds that are part of the backcountry. On the other hand, if you want to be close to beautiful beaches, make a reservation at Coast Camp. Those who want to have an ocean view should go to Wildcat or Sky Camp. Since it is a short drive from the San Francisco Bay Area, many go here during the weekends.
Aside from that, Glen Camp is suitable for hikers who want a more secluded place to stay. Take note that the amenities are not as impressive as the others. Additionally, the water is not potable. So make sure that you take this into account when planning your camping trip here.
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Camp Richardson Historic Resort & marina
Camp Richardson Campground charges $45 per night for tent sites and $60 for RV sites during the week, and $65 at weekends with water and electricity hook-ups. For full hook-ups, it is $65 and $70.
There isnt a maximum vehicle length stated, but there is a limit of 6 people per site.
Tent sites include bear-proof food lockers, and all sites have a picnic table and fire ring. The camp also boasts flush toilets, tap water, and hot showers. There is also a snack bar, dining marina, ice cream parlor, coffee shop, and grill.
Visitors will have lots to do with beaches and tide pools, hiking and biking trails, boating, and paddleboarding.
Cisco Grove Campgrounds Soda Springs
This beautiful natural site offers you the view and experience of the South Yuba River. Once you are here you will be surrounded by hundreds of acres of forests where you can camp. There is a lot that you can do at this campsite starting from playing volleyball and basketball to hiking and bicycling. If you visit Cisco Grove Campgrounds in winters, you can even go sledding and skiing.
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Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the most unique camping destinations in Northern California. The park is home to both hydrothermal hotspots and peaceful forests all in one place.
The breathtaking landscape features almost anything you can imagine, from wildflower meadows to crystal clear lakes. You can expect to see nothing short of amazing scenery when visiting this park to go camping.
This particular destination is best known for the active volcanoes scattered around the park. Needless to say, campers are sure to have an interesting experience pitching their tents at Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Areas to explore include Mount Lassen and Manzanita Lake. Hiking trails are available to visitors, along with dozens of picnic spots.
The park is open for camping from June to October, however August and September are considered to be the safest months to visit. Reservations are recommended due to demand but not required.
California’s Best Lake Camping
From the granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada to the remote mountain scenery of the Marble Mountains in the Trinity Alps, theres nothing quite like a lakeside campsite in the Golden State. California campers are spoiled when it comes to beautiful campsites, and this list of alpine lakes where you can lay your head for the night proves it.
An overall lackluster winter in California still produced a decent snowpack in the High Sierra thanks to a miracle March, so you might want to stick to lower elevations through early summer. Everything lower than 7,000 feet should be good to go by June, however.
Whether you prefer to pull up to your lakeside camping spot in your car, go for a quick overnight in the backcountry, or spend days at a time in the wilderness, these lakes sites are just the ticket for a refreshing experience outdoors.
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Silver Lake West Campground
On the north shore of Silver Lake, you will find Silver Lake West Campground, which has 42 campsites that allow up to 6 people per site and one vehicle.
Silver Lake West Campground costs $30 per night, but there are discounts available for seniors, military personnel, and the disabled, where the cost is $25 per night.
No showers are available on-site, but there are vault toilets and piped water. Campsite benefits from storage boxes for bear-proof food lockers, fire rings and grills, and a picnic table.
There are lots to keep you busy at Silver Lake West Campground with boating and fishing at Silver Lake and Caples Lake. Mountain biking and other summer activities are available at Kirkwood, or you will be able to explore the local hiking trails.
Top 10 Best Places To Camp In California
California is a mecca for those who love the outdoors. The state is full of natural wonders ranging from the hottest place on the planet to the tallest trees on the planet. Its no wonder there are so many amazing places to camp in California.
The Pacific Ocean kisses the entire western coast of the state and mountains grace millions of acres within the borders. Because of the natural treasures found in California, the state has become one of the best places to go camping.
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Beals Point Campground Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Beals Point Campground is a great place to stay in Northern California if youre looking for a bit of wilderness within the city limits. With plenty of amenities including restrooms and showers, the campground offers everything you need to have a comfortable stay.
In addition, the staff at Beals Point are always more than willing to help with whatever needs you might have while camping in Northern California.
The Best Camping In Northern California: 15 Top Campgrounds
Northern California is one of the best places in the state to camp, from the windswept coastline to the tranquil sequoia forests of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. From iconic parks like Yosemite and Sequoia and Kings Canyon to less-visited national forests like Shasta-Trinity, the options are endless. Here is the best camping in Northern California that should be on your list.
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