Salinas / Monterey Koa Ca
There are few destinations with as much to offer as the Monterey Coast area of Southern California, and if this is where your heart is taking you, then Salinas/Monterey KOA is where you will want to stay. While you are here, you can enjoy the heated swimming pool that is open year round, pick up small necessities at the camp convenience store and relax with cable TV in the evenings if you wish to catch up on your shows. Wi-Fi is available so you can stay connected, and there is an on-site playground to keep the kids happy. If you are looking to make new acquaintances, this friendly campground has a recreation room with billiards and ping-pong tables where you
Cloverdale / Healdsburg Koa Ca
Overlooking Alexander Wine Valley in the heart of northern Californias delightful wine country, Cloverdale/Healdsburg KOA is an award-winning campground perched on a hillside, surrounded by gorgeous trees and scores of wineries. Cloverdale/Healdsburg KOA is just a few hours drive north of book an RV in Sonoma County, youll have the freedom to take the wine tour of your dreams, while enjoying a slew of other tantalizing prospects. Some of the best beaches on the west coast are close by when you rent an RV near Cloverdale/Healdsburg KOA, as well as some of the loveliest parks, forests, mountains, lakes, and campgrounds in the state.
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Why Youll Love Mountain Gate Rv Park And Cottages
This RV park is perfect for traveling in comfort, with its pristine bathrooms, a convenience store, a fenced pet park, and a pool and brand new hot tub. When youre not enjoying the many amenities that Mountain Gate RV Park offers, you can head to Mt. Shasta for a breathtaking hike, head to one of the many local wineries and breweries for a day of wine and beer tastings, or head into the city of Redding to spend the day shopping. Staying at this park gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to enjoying Californias natural beauty and experiencing city life.
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Best California State Parks Camping Tips
Town and Tourist, Updated May 20, 2022
Disclosure: Town & Tourist may receive a commission for purchases made through links in this article, at no additional cost to you.
California State Parks and California National Parks are vast sections of wilderness, with jaw-dropping scenery from volcanos to deserts, beautiful meadows to striking rock formations!
Abundant with a spectrum of energetic wildlife, the California State parks give visitors the opportunity to capture a rare glimpse of some of the most beautiful wildlife in the world! From owls to Whales! Californias States parks are lush habitats for a variety of species!
For recreational users California state parks give you a great opportunity to take a stroll, a hike and even camp out!
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Oroville / Feather Falls Casino Koa Ca
If you are looking for a top-rated RV campground in a beautiful natural setting, check out Oroville / Feather Falls Casino KOA Journey. It is located in northern California, a 90-minute drive north of San Jose. Rolling hills, scenic lakes, and wonderful forests are close by when you are RV camping at Oroville / Feather Falls Casino KOA, and it’s a perfect place for nature lovers.
With a short drive, you can reach Lake Oroville or the Feather River. These are just some of the natural locations around the area, where you can enjoy hiking, picnicking, swimming, fishing, and so much more. Feather Falls Casino
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& 8 Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Photo by crd637 on Wikipedia
Kings Canyon borders Sequoia to the north, but the two parks are just managed together as Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. The photogenic landscape east of the San Joaquin Valley is made up of towering mountains, rugged foothills, and some of the tallest trees in the world. Between the two parks, there are fourteen campgrounds total, three of which are open all year long. Most are on a first-come, first-served basis, with up to six campers allowed per site. Each of them comes equipped with a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and metal food-storage box , but there are no RV hook-ups.
Your best chance of scoring a tent or RV site in the summer is during the week. But you can make reservations at a few of the campgrounds if youd prefer to secure a spot over the weekends.
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park, located less than 30 miles from mainland Santa Barbara, is a collection of five islands with 175 miles of untouched coastline. Accessible by a ferry or private boat, the islands can only be explored by foot or sea kayak. In 2021, 319,252 people visited this rugged park, eager to see mountains with rare Torrey pines, sandstone canyons, and sea caves, or hike out to Point Bennett to see huge rookeries of seals and sea lions on the remote beach. Half of this national park is underwater, making snorkeling an exciting way to see the diverse marine environment.
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Joshua Tree National Park
Photo by Wikipedia
Defined by its famous Joshua trees and rock formations, Joshua Tree National Park has a sheer desert landscape that looks like it belongs on Mars. The area, in southeastern California about 140 miles east of Los Angeles, has an abundance of opportunities for photography, rock climbing, and hiking for both adults and little ones alike.
Stay the night and youll find the dark skies are perfect for stargazing. Nine campgrounds are dotted across the park, with about 500 campsites that are mostly first-come, first-served. No hookups are available, but they do have RV-accessible water and restrooms at Black Rock and Cottonwood Spring campgrounds. RVs can also be accommodated at Hidden Valley and White Tank campgrounds, but they cannot exceed a maximum length of 25 feet.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Welcome to gigantic Land! With whopping Redwoods, humongeous elks and 14,000 acres of rainforest style ferns shadow over lush and moss ridden trails. When I was there it really reminded of a set scene from Jurassic parkI was just expected a T rex to come strolling between the redwoods.
Keep your eyes peeled as you head over to Elk Prairie where you can catch a Glimpse of Californias LARGEST LAND ANIMALS! The ROOSEVELT ELK! These beasts can weigh up to 1,100 pounds, although they seem chilled best to give the big guys some space!! I got a few angry looks while there.
If your looking for a more exciting drive, take Davison Road to Gold Bluffs Beach. The 10 mile long stretch which back in the 1850s many used to scour for gold dust in the sand.
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Federal Rv Camping Information
- National Park Service NPS information about California RV camping on National Park Service administered lands.
- US Forest Service USFS clickable map for all National Forests in California. Great dispersed California RV camping sites and many developed campgrounds.
- Bureau of Land Management BLM information about BLM administered lands in California. LTVA information as well as dispersed RV camping and developed campgrounds.
VIDAL JUNCTIONFree RV camping on BLM administered land. Unlimited area for any size RV on the Southeast corner of the intersection.
Our Public Lands and Boondocking Section has more information about finding remote free RV camping locations, and our Free RV Camping has ideas about free camping and parking places you may not have thought about.
Public California Rv Camping Locations
Public California RV camping is great for RVers looking for varied outdoor experiences. Campgrounds managed by BLM and California State Parks offer RV camping, and the same is true for most County and Community parks. USFS campgrounds offer cooler locations to escape the Summer heat. Amenities range from dry RV camping with only trash and pit toilets to RV camping sites with full RV hookups.
These are only a few of the great California RV camping locations available at public campgrounds.
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Barstow / Calico Koa Ca
In Las Vegas, camping at Barstow / Calico KOA is the perfect location for the ultimate west coast vacation. Recreation opportunities abound here. Kids can enjoy the jumping pad, banana bike rentals, the playground, and the seasonal swimming pool. Adults can play at the archery range, have a game of basketball on the basketball court, or just hang out on the lawn by the pool. In the evening, after youve had a warm shower in one of the bathhouses, there are several communal fire pits for making smores and enjoying a cold beer. Or
Marshall Gold Discovery Park
It would be a GOLD RUSH extravaganza, without taking a trip to where the Gold Rush first began. As I drove down the chilled Highway 49 between Auburn & Placerville, I really found it hard to believe that this was the heart of one of the most iconic events in Californias History!
It was here that a saw mill Employee named James Marshall first saw the first sparkles of gold in 1849. From that point the boom began! With the nearby town of Coloma growing to 10,000 peoples and buildings popping up all over.
Top Tip: Gold Discovery Museum is a great place where kids can have a go at gold panning.
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Alternative Ways To Reserve A Campground
If your first try is unsuccessful, try again several times before you plan to make your trip. Cancellations happen all the time. You might be lucky enough to pick something up, but that requires a lot of persistence and a lot of searching.
To save time, try using the website Campnab. For a small fee, they will scan the system for up to four months, checking for openings and notifying you if openings appear. They scan every five minutes to an hour, depending on how much you pay for the service.
You can also head for one of the campgrounds that have a first come, first served policy. However, these are usually primitive campgrounds with pit toilets or hike-in spots.
Top 10 Campgrounds And Rv Parkscalifornia
The Western US is known for its beautiful array of sights, with California being one of the most popular RV rental and trip destinations. Sitting right on the coast, California has it all from beaches and deserts to mountains and forests. The amount of natural beauty is astounding. Along with the natural beauty, California is home to the Hollywood entertainment industry, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz Island. With so many different attractions, its no wonder why so many people choose the Golden State as a destination for their family trips.
With a plethora of RV parks in the state, it can be hard to narrow down your choices. Thats why weve done the hard work for you! Weve compiled a list of ten RV parks in California that have great reviews, great amenities, and will provide you with a world-class vacation.
140 Harvest Hosts Locations in California
A membership program that invites self-contained RVers to have unique overnight stays.
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California Campground Guide And Camping Resources
Check out the best of California camping. The beauty of California stretches from its deserts, to forests, to beaches all waiting for you to explore. Here you will find tent camping and RV park campgrounds, as well as hidden gems and cabin rentals. Below find some of the best campgrounds and places to camp in California.
Mount Shasta City Koa Ca
At the foot of majestic Mount Shasta in scenic northern California, you can pick up an RV rental and stay at the wonderful Mount Shasta City KOA. This luxurious campground is centrally located near dozens of epic parks and forests in one of the countrys most beautiful states, allowing for some easy day trips to recreation areas in the vicinity.
No matter the time of year, there is always something to hold your interest when you rent an RV near Mount Shasta City KOA, like hiking or fishing in the warmer months and skiing or snowboarding during the snowy winters. The parks convenient location in Mount Shasta, just off of Interstate 5, makes it easy to travel throughout the
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Tips To Know Before Your Visit
Camping reservations go so fast that you won’t have time to think and debate on the day the reservation window opens. Every campsite can disappear within moments while you try to decide which of two side by side spots is better.
Ahead of time, make sure to:
- Pick a park you want to camp in and at least one alternate. You also need to be very prepared with your ideal dates and at least one alternative.
- Get the URL for the park you want to reserve. To do that, go to Reserve California and enter the park’s name. Get familiar with the reservation system while you’re there.
- Pick a few campsites that you are most interested in and have them ready. For this, too, it may be helpful to have alternate sites in mind.
- Sign up for an account with Reserve California. You need to have an account and be logged in before the clock strikes eight.
Why Youll Love Clios Rivers Edge Rv Park
This award-winning park offers plenty of things to keep you active. A dog park, playground, volleyball court, putting green, and horseshoes are just the beginning! Youll be able to enjoy the beautiful Sierra Mountains while staying in absolute comfort. Spacious sites, full hookups, free Wi-Fi, and cable tv, and even a personalized RV escort service all ensure that youll have every need cared for.
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Viii Native American Murals
The Native American which once lived in the Anza Borrego Desert were great expressive artists. This can been seen with there ancient designs left on the rocks & ridges. From sun, stars & animal characters you will find a range of expression drawings which will take you back in time.
With over 50 art murals dotted around the Anza Borrego State park, they are findable. However, due to the history & sensitivity the park does not Officially inform where all the sites are!
Top Tip: The best way to see the Ancient Mural sites is by taking a Pictograph Trail based in Little Blair Valley.
You can take a normal car through the dirt road up to the trail head, then take a pretty easy hike up a eye catching boulder with some fantastic crimson & yellow art murals painted bu the Kumeyaay Native Indians.
Reservations For Other California State Park Activities
You can also use Reserve California to make reservations for activities in the state parks:
- Hearst Castletour reservations are available 120 days in advance. Call 800-444-4445 or 916-414-8400 ext. 410. You can also reserve Hearst Castle Tours online at Reserve California.
- Elephant Seal Viewing at Ano Nuevo requires a guide during the breeding season . Ticket sales usually start in October, and you can reserve your tour by calling 800-444-4445 or 916-638-5883, or online.
- Crystal Cove Beach Cottages in Orange County follow the same procedures described above.
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Emerald Bay State Park
Lake Tahoe is a real picturesque bay, in the word of Mark Twain the fairest picture the whole earth affords. With its rich blue clarity, this lake is a perfect place to explore by boat or on foot. The small Fannette island in the centre, adds a certain charm to the bay and is home to the ruins of stone built teahouse.
There are some great tours of the 9th Century Castle, offered daily from the end of may up until Labor Day.
Hiking Trails:
Rubicon Trail is a popular trail which follows the lake from DL Bliss state park around 4 miles to the south side of the bay. Another great hike is from Emerald Bay up to the Icy cascades of Eagle Falls offering a spectacular view of Emerald Bay & Lake Tahoe.
There are a few cruises nearby such as the Tahoe Queen Paddle wheeler which visit the Emerald Bay. If your after something really special there is a private yacht cruise available from Lake Tahoe Boat rides.
Anza Borrego Desert State Park
As Californias largest State park, covering 600,000 acres! Anza Borrego State park is a real icon stepped with rich Colonial History. Named after the Spanish Explorer Juan Bautista de Anza, who trekked across the desert back in 1774.
The word Borrego comes from the Spanish word for sheep the native large horned sheep of the region, which can usually be spotted on the trails close to Palm Canyon.
The landscape of Anza Borrego Desert State Park is full of variety & richness from Cactus ribbed hills to slotted canyons and acres of badlands.
Top Tip: Rent a 4×4, with high clearance to give you the best access to the area.
My advice is when you first arrive, head to the parks visitor center , they are really helpful and will give you some insight into the parks history & some fantastic tips on routes.
The great news is the visitors centre is underground, so a cool place to get out of the Californian heat!
Below I have outlined some popular landmarks of the park & some MUST see features to check out!
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