Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Another campground that you will want to visit is the one in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. This is one of the beautiful places that you can head out to in Northern California and with good reason. It boasts 18,000 acres worth of old and recovering redwood forest. The highest point has a 2,000 feet elevation. But this can vary depending on where you are in the park.
In addition, this century-old park has 800 miles of trails that you can explore alongside giant trees, creeks, and waterfalls. Also, some of the trails here connect Big Basin to Castle Rock State Park. As well as the eastern portion of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Fortunately, there are hiking areas that you can get to easily. That way you will have more privacy while exploring the beautiful park.
#7 Gold Bluffs Beach
Gold Bluffs is a special place that you will find on the North California coast. Aside from the towering trees around it, the landscapes are stunningly different. Apart from the impressive ocean views, Gold Bluffs Beach is also near Fern Canyon in the Golden State.
#8 Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Those who head out to Grant Grove should take snaps of the stunning sequoia trees. Of course, marveling at these beautiful trees is not the only activity you can do here. You can also go horseback riding, camping, and hiking just to name a few. Afterward, go and visit the Sequoia National Forestwhere you will find the tallest trees in the state.
Best Campgrounds In Northern California For Your Next Trip
Northern California has long been a top destination for camping, and its no wonder. A sunny, warm climate paired with great weather year-round makes it perfect for fun outside activities.
Outdoor activities such as hiking and camping are popular in Northern California due to their proximity to national parks, state parks, mountain ranges, forests, and deserts. With everything from beautiful beaches and lakes to breathtaking redwoods, Northern Californias scenery and wildlife will have you coming back for a long time!
If you or your family are planning on embarking on a camping trip to this area, check out our list of the best campgrounds in Northern California for your next adventure.
We totally get itit can be really hard to decide where to camp in Northern California, so we did the research and the heavy lifting for you! This guide has narrowed it down to the top 18 best campgrounds in the region.
At the end of the post, weve included a few extra glamping spots for those of you looking for a more elevated camping experience. We hope you find something perfect for your next camping trip.
This post may contain affiliate links. You wont be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!
Bodega Dunes Sonoma Coast State Park
The Bodega Dunes Campground in Sonoma Coast State Park is a year-round site with 99 campsites available.
Up to 8 people are permitted, and dogs must be kept on a leash at the campground. As many as three vehicles are allowed, but there are additional fees beyond the first vehicle. The maximum vehicle length at Bodega Dunes Campground is 31ft.
Sites cost $35 per night, and campsites include picnic tables, fire rings, and food lockers. Tapwater, flush toilets and hot showers are also available on site.
There are lots to see and do on the Sonoma Coast, including historic sites, sandy beaches with tide pools, and excellent hiking and equestrian trails.
Whale watching is popular at nearby Bodega Head, as is windsurfing and kiteboarding at Bodega Bay. The Russian River offers opportunities for fishing and kayaking, and there is a great golf course at Bodega Harbour.
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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.
Can You Sleep In Your Car In California
You can sleep in your car if youre doing dispersed camping, or have a campsite in a campground but prefer to sleep in your car.
Sleeping in your car is considered camping, and many populated areas in California will kick car-sleepers out of the area.
There are some exceptions, so you can always look up the specific rules in each county, but, in general, city folk dont like people sleeping in their car.
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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.
Gold Bluffs Beach Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Gold Bluffs Beach is a special place on the Northern California coastline, part of the larger Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. And while big trees are around, the postcard landscapes are of a different nature. Alongside a stunning ocean scene, Gold Bluffs Beach is also an access point to the mystical Fern Canyon, one of the best hikes in Redwood National and State Parks.
At the far north end of the beach, Fern Canyon presents 50-foot walls draped with fernery. This natural hanging garden is explored via a creek bed littered with logs, where water shoes come in handy. Plan for plenty of stops to take pictures of this mystical environment.
The access road to Gold Bluff Beach and Campground is muddy and narrow, with sudden changes of elevation. Larger vehicles are not advised. Upon making it to the campground after six miles of slow travel, 26 sites are available. All are within easy earshot of the ocean.
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Big Pine Creek Campground
Another popular place where you can make camp is the Big Pine Creek Campground in Inyo National Forest. There are 30 campsites available in this area which you can reserve before heading here to ensure that you will have a spot. Five sites are for walk-ins while four areas are for tents only. Aside from that, the rest of the campsites are suitable for RVs, cars, and more.
Hiking is a popular activity here as well as fishing.The beautiful lakes here are home to a variety of fishes plus the environment is quite stunning too. You can also bring your bike here to take on the challenging bike trails. Especially if you are feeling adventurous. What better way to immerse yourself in nature than choosing a campground surrounded by stunning landscapes and plenty of adventures?
Flying Flags Rv Resort And Campground
Rent out a vintage RV or bring your own to this highly accommodated campground. This campground has it all including a small waterpark, game room, dog park, pool and cabana, restaurant, fitness center, and free Wi-Fi. It is nearby attractions like a Spanish winery, Avila Beach, Lake Cachuma and Los Padres National Forest.
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Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park Campground
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Campground offers visitors 86 sites and great amenities.
Up to 8 people are permitted per site, as well as one vehicle and one towed trailer or vehicle. RVs up to 25ft are permitted, and trailers can reach 31ft. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash and attended at all times. The cost is just $35 per night or $7 for hike and bike visitors.
The campground provides fire grills, food storage lockers, picnic tables, flush toilets, tap water, and showers.
Activities include trails through the beautiful woodland and fishing, canoeing, rafting, and kayaking in the river.
Russian Gulch State Park Campground
Meanwhile, two miles north of Mendocino, you will find the Russian Gulch State Park. Aside from the trail-lined bluffs and tidal features. Just like the Devils Punchbowl, you will find 26 RV and tent sites here.
These campgrounds are near the Russian River. Which gives you a good view of the waters. In addition, there are plenty of natural wonders to see on this site. For example, there is the Mendocino Headlands State Park which gives you ocean views from the bluff.
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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Coastal redwoods, as well as scenic views of the river, are a few advantages to setting up camp at Pfeiffer Big Sur. Just off Highway 1, this state park is a popular campground and with good reason. It can accommodate all kinds of campers. Especially since they have an RV park, tents, and even hike-and-bike campsites just to name a few.
Guests will always have access to potable water, hot showers, and toilets. You can even bring your dog as you explore the trails here. Although there is no beach access in this park, you can still spot several beaches nearby.
The Best Beach Camping In Northern California
Tai Power Seeff / Getty Images
It’s a dreamy idea: Take a drive along the Northern California coast, pitch a tent right beside the ocean, listen to the waves all night, and wake up to harbor seals barking nearby. This guide to places you can pitch your tent at the beach in Northern California was created by scouring the coastline to find places to camp from Santa Cruz County to California’s northernmost point. As you drive, you’ll find cliffs plunging straight into the sea and dramatic “sea stack” rock formations offshore.
Read on to discover where you can go beach camping in Northern California, in order from south to north.
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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:
Sonoma Coast State Park
Rugged rocky bluffs, scenic coastal coves and tidepools with marine life all attract visitors to Sonoma Coast State Park. Located only a few hours north of the San Francisco Bay area, it offers the perfect escape from the heat of summer for families or beginning campers. Enjoy the sunset from camp, or explore the beach, but do not swim, as there are unpredictable ocean currents. The park offers three campgrounds, with Bodega Dunes Campground offering the most amenities, like showers and dump stations. Camp sites are $35 a night, and hiker and biker sites are $5 a night. Reservations are recommended, especially during the busy summer months.
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Castle Crags State Park Campground
Address: 20022 Castle Creek Rd, Castella CA 96017 Phone number: 235-2684Cost: $25/nightAmenities: Flush toilets, potable water, general store, picnic table, fire ring, bear-proof food locker.Why its worth camping at: Enjoy striking granite peaks and proximity to beautiful Mt. Shasta.
Castle Crags State Park is most noted for its towering granite cliffs. The state park has 76 campsites at its main campground to accommodate both RVs and tents.
Note that there is a smaller walk-in campground adjacent to the main campground called the Riverside Campground. This campground only has 12 sites, and half are first-come, first-served only.
Castle Crags offers unique outdoor beauty and the opportunity to fish or simply enjoy the nearby Sacramento River.
Another perk of this campground is its proximity to Mount Shasta. This is a great basecamp option for exploring the mountain or Shasta Trinity National Forest.
You can make reservations at Castle Crags Campground here.
Los Angeles National Forest
The Los Angeles National Forestis another option to consider if you are looking for the perfect location to camp in Southern California. Hikers often flock to Manker Flats which is a high-altitude campground near the peak of Mt. Baldy or Mount San Antonio. There are rustic accommodations available here but you can also pitch your tent if you want. Take note that the trails get crowded during the weekends.
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Tuolumne Meadowsyosemite National Park
Image from The Dyrt camper Michelle C.
If you want to camp in Yosemite but dont want to face the crowds in the Valley, head an hour and a half up Tioga Pass Road to Tuolumne Meadows. Its one of the rare car-accessible campgrounds in the High Sierras. Located at 8,600 feet, the campground is only open during the summer months because of the snow. Half of the 304 campsites are reservable online. Half are reserved for walk-ups. During the peak weekends in July and August, there can be a line in the morning. Early or late in the season, though, it can be pretty easy to find a spot.
There are spaces for RVs and trailers up to 35 feet, with a dumping station but no hookups. There are six wheelchair-accessible sites reserved for those with disabilities. Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, and food locker. Restrooms have drinking water and flushing toilets, but there are no showers.
The campground is a popular stopping point for thru-hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail and the John Muir Trail. There are hike-in campsites for those with a backcountry permit. There are also some group and equestrian campsites available.
Find free northern California campgrounds from your car without WiFi. The Dyrt PRO lets you download maps and campgrounds without cell service. My alternative to using pro would be to drive back out to cell service.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Campground Redwoods National And State Parks
Jedediah Smith is one of three state parks jointly operated with Redwoods National Park. Together, these parks comprise the northern portion of California’s Redwood Country surrounding Highway 101. Jedediah Smith is the farthest north of the three state parks and less than 10 miles from Crescent City.
Jedediah Smith State Park has 89 campsites that accommodate tents and RVs. The campground is popular throughout the year thanks to its proximity to numerous groves of very tall trees. The campground is also near the historic Howland Hill Road, offering a stunning one-lane drive through the big forest.
For anglers and photographers, the Wild and Scenic Smith River is also within hearing distance of all the campsites. Flushing water and coin-operated showers are available to all overnight guests. A few sites accommodate RVs up to 36 feet long.
There are a total of four developed campgrounds in Redwoods National and State Parks. The Gold Bluffs Beach Campground at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park offers tent camping on a secluded coastline, and the Mill Creek Campground at Del Norte Coast features plenty of space to RV camp next to some big trees.
Redwoods National and State Parks also offer backcountry campsites for those wanting some solitude among the redwoods.
Address: 1461 US-199, Crescent City, California
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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.
Redwood National And State Parks
If you want to go big, the RNSP is one of the best camping places in Northern CA. The complex is home to three state parks and one national park, which are home to the tallest trees in the world the redwoods. This immense coastal woodland system is around six hours north of San Francisco and overlooks the North Pacific Ocean.
This coastal redwood ecosystem is as unique as its old, with the towering trees lessening the temperature of the first and offering lots of shade. Explore and hike regions such as Stout and Lady Bird Johnson Groves and Fern Canyon. Gold Bluffs Beach is a great spot for watching the sunset and is named so for the iconic golden bluffs overlooking it. However, the best spot might be Redwood Creek Overlook, which sits 1,000 feet above the ocean and boasts views of both the Pacific and the redwoods. And, of course, the park is famous for the huge population of the majestic Roosevelt Elk, which you can spot in Elk Meadow.
While there are four campgrounds to choose from, none are as popular as the Jedediah Smith Campground. Thats because this lies on the wild waters of the Smith River nestled among old-growth redwoods. Not only does it have access to hot showers but restrooms too. Choose from 106 sites spread between the main and the outer loop, or you even have the option of cabins. Finally, the campground is open all year, but reservable only between May and September.
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