If There’s One Thing Better Than Camping It’s Free Camping Especially In A Wooded Or Beachfront Area
In California, a state known for its areas of natural beauty, there’s enough free camping to keep you bouncing around for months or even years.
While most national parks don’t offer free camping, look for Bureau of Land Management or United States Forest Service land on the outskirts, where the perfect free camping California site awaits you.
Courtesy of The Dyrt
How and Where to Find Free Camping in California
If you’ve never looked for free camping before, be patient and do your research ahead of time. The chances are high you’ll take a wrong turn or go a mile in the wrong directionwhen that happens, take a deep breath and enjoy the drive. Free camping exists in wild and wonderful places and the better equipped you are to enjoy the journey the more you’ll enjoy the destination.
Free camping in California can generally be found on BLM and USFS property, and some of the best sites are found by taking a random turn down a dirt road with a cattle guard and driving until you find a pull-out.
Benchmark maps make some of the best recreation-based atlases for exploring your state and region, with shaded regions denoting private and public property. They also cordon off national parks from national forests and differentiate between 4WD and paved roads. By cross-referencing your Benchmark map with Google Maps it’s easier than ever to identify areas with a high likelihood of free camping.
Here are 12 favorite sites.
Orr Lake Campground
Black Rock Campground: Lassen National Forest
Hidden Creek Villas & Rv Park
Editor’s Note: There’s no photo available at the time of writing
If you are looking for a perfect camping experience with tangled gorgeous forests, oceans, and rivers located few steps away, this Hidden Creek Villas and RV Park is the place for you. The park comes with full on-site hook-up services for long-staying guests, which include water, sewer, and electric services.
Visitors can expect to indulge in a lot of fun activities such as fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, or enjoy hiking in the adventurous coastal trails nearby.
Hidden Creek Villas & RV Park
Address: 199 N Westhaven Dr, Trinidad, CA 95570, United States
Clam Beach State Campground
Editor’s Note: There’s no photo available at the time of writing
If you looking for a family-friendly campsite, then this campground nestled close to the city of McKinleyville is perfect for you. The campground has a total of 15 sites, including 2 sites available for those with mobility issues. Campers can enjoy easy access to the beach and explore the Hammond Trail, which is perfect for bikers and horse riders.
The campground comes with ample on-site amenities, such as restrooms, picnic tables, and fire pits. Whatâs more, visitors can find plenty of opportunities to indulge in numerous outdoor adventures that include clam digging, beachcombing, and surfing, thanks to its proximity to Clam Beach.
Clam Beach State Campground
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The Humboldt County Fairgrounds Is The Only Place That Offers Camping Free Of Charge
. Find a Free Campsite. Originally a military garrison that predates the Civil War Fort Bragg CA later became a lumber town and tourism is the primary economic staple today. Highway 1 Fort Bragg CA.
Green Acres Campground RV Park Fort Bragg California. It is part of a 36 million contract that is improving energy resilience modernizing infrastructure as well as upgrading water lighting. Flights Vacation Rentals Restaurants Things to do.
Fort Bragg CA 143 Miles S. Leisure Time RV Park. Call To Reserve Your Space Today 707 964-5994.
Along the winding Noyo River in Fort Bragg California youll find a camping experience with sights and sounds of the harbor located within a charming intimate setting. Standish Hickey SRA State Parks Forests and Preserves. Leggett CA 144 Miles N.
Our community provides the best free camping. Campendium has 59 reviews of Fort Bragg RV parks state parks and national parks making it your best Fort Bragg RV camping resource. Favorite Add to Trip.
Jug Handle Creek Farm Nature Center. Visitors are advised to simply park and choose a site. MacKerricher State Park offers a variety of habitats.
394831 -1237944 Green Acres Campground RV Park. Campgrounds in Fort Bragg California. Dawn Redwood Group Campground.
Fort Braggs industrial past has aged rather charmingly. Fort Bragg Leisure Time RV Park Is Located In Northern California. Woodside RV Park and Campground.
Green Acres Campground RV Park Green. Pomo RV Park Campground. Woodside RV Park and Campground.
The 10 Best Places To Camp For Free In Northern California
Its hard to think of a more satisfying way to spend a beautiful weekend than camping on one of Northern Californias spectacular array of public landsexcept, perhaps, camping there for free. Land managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management is typically home to lots of free “dispersed” camping, meaning folks can drive up to an established primitive sitewhich dont typically have the usual campground services like water, garbage pickup, or restroomsand pitch a tent without the hassle of fees or permits. For frontcountry camping in Northern California, assume that youll need a current California Campfire Permit in order to build a campfire, use a camp stove, or barbecue. Check out our list of 10 awesome spots to remember why you fell in love with camping in the first place.
Bob Wick, BLM
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Best Free Camping Apps
I downloaded and used 5 different free camping apps on our trip and have narrowed it down to the best two in my opinion.
How these apps work is pretty simple. Lets say you are in Southern California and want to find free camping in the Santa Barbara area. Simply pull open your app of choice and you can toggle buttons to show wild or free sites.
You can also use these apps to find paid campgrounds or campgrounds with amenities you may need on the road, like places that have showers or dump stations.
Make sure to read the reviews from past campers. These arent like Yelp where you get a wide range of rants, these reviews are usually pretty spot on. For example, if someone says its not ideal for tent camping, you shouldnt try to bust out a tent. If people say you need 4WD to get to the site, you will 100% need a sturdy car.
These are the apps we used!
Jackson Demonstration State Forest
Why you should camp here: Easy access camping in a living laboratory in a coastal redwoods setting.
- Location: Jackson Demonstration State Forest
- Reservations: No
- Campsite type: Tent and Small Trailers
- RV hookups: No
For those challenged with camp planning skills further than just a few days out, Dunlap Campsite in the Jackson Demonstration State Forest is waiting. This first come, first served campground is one of three run by CAL Fire in JDSF
At just a 20 miles inland from Fort Bragg and $20 a night, its a good spot to know about. Nestled among the giant redwoods, the site offers serenity and beauty as well as a picnic table, fire pit, BBQ and pit toilets, but no water. The Noyo River runs right through camp.
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What To Bring With You
If you havent figured it out yet, wild camping means youlll be off the grid. You wont find ADA accessible ramps, dump stations, picnic tables or shiny bathrooms here. Some site may have fire rings but thats about it.
Youll need to pack in everything you need to use
Camping List:
- Power
- Wet wipes
Free Ca Camping Sites
- Willow Creek Road : This is a forestry road that branches of Hwy 1 . It’s a good half hour drive up a curvy mountain road, the first mile is paved, then you hit a dirt road. The sites are scattered without notice all along the side of the slope. I recommend heading up the road a good thirty minutes and finding a spot few people have claimed. Plus, you get a better view. For me, camping is best when I don’t have to listen to my neighbors, who probably love hip hop so much they have to blast it throughout the campground for everyone else to enjoy. Pack your trash and you’ll have to dig a scat hole, or hold it until you get to Gorda. Free camping typically means little to no amenities. This is what I seek when I want good, non-parking lot style camping, or glamping. Otherwise you’re heading to Plasket, Lime Kiln Creek, etc., but those are packed and booked six months in advance.
- Another stellar set of free sites are further north from Willow Creek Rd. also off Hwy 1, about 30 minutes north of Gorda, up Nacimiento Road .
Cole Creek Free Camping
Lumsden Bridge Campground
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Sounds Of The Sea Rv Park And Cabins
Editor’s Note: There’s no photo available at the time of writing
Nestled at 300 ft above the Pacific Ocean, this Sounds of the Sea RV Park and Cabins offers an exciting camping experience for couples as well as families. A short walk from the camp base can lead you to the adventurous trails of the Redwood Coast and the remote beaches. There are 52 sites in the park. All RV sites come with full hook-up, water, and sewer facilities, as well as cable TV and Wi-Fi.
Visitors can choose to indulge in numerous activities, such as kayaking, enjoy an exciting fishing trip, or exploring the delectable selection of local cuisines. With so much to offer, this camp spot will surely attract every adventure enthusiast.
Sounds of the Sea RV Park and Cabins
Address: 3443 Patricks Point Dr, Trinidad, CA 95570, United States
Russian Gulch State Park Campground
Why you should camp here: Access tide pools, woodlands, a secluded beach and waterfall in a lush canyon setting.
- Location: Russian Gulch State Park
- Reservations: Yes
- Campsite type: Tents and small RVs
- RV hookups: No
Thirty-one campsites, including four equestrian and one group site, lie along a small creek in the 3-mile long leafy canyon that makes up Russian Gulch State Park. Views of the beach, headlands, redwoods, mosses and ferns are framed by the picturesque Frederick W. Panhorst Bridge, rising 100 feet above the gulch.
There are 15 miles of lush forested hiking and horseback riding trails and five miles of bike trails to explore. Be sure to check out the 3/4 mile Headlands Trail to Devils Punch Bowl for spectacular views of the bridge, beach, coast and canyon.
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Best Free Camping Incalifornia
By Sara Sheehy
With its 840 miles of coastline, beautiful mountains, and fun cities, California is at the top of many peoples adventure lists. From the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Joshua Tree National Park, California is filled with beautiful destinations, sunny days, and plenty of those Beach Boys vibes.
California has an ample amount of dispersed camping if you know where to look. Here is where youll find the best no-cost camping in the Golden State.
See the California free camping map.
Free Camping In California
As a heads up, free campgrounds California are much harder to find. We found most of our free campsites in Oregon. Once we crossed state lines, we had to resort to paid California campgrounds due to the lack of safe or decent free spots.
Free camping along Highway 1 I think used to be the norm. There are so many large, beautiful turnouts on the highway that must have been homes for road trippers for years. But, recently, many of these popular spots have been trashed and closed down or have no parking signs installed.
I think theres an art to camping California, at least on the coastline. Lots of stealth, guts, and time to locate safe places to spent the night. We had a campervan that required us to spend a lot of time outside of our van
Because of this, we couldnt just pull off and park on a narrow turnout that is approved by the apps. I wasnt keen on setting up my camping chair 2 feet from speeding traffic! But, if you have a larger van that you could sit inside, I think it would be a lot easier to do this.
So, let go of the idea of free beach camping in Northern California. Most of the beaches dont allow overnight parking. You may have better luck in Los Angeles I havent checked the signs at the beaches down there in person so Im not 100% sure.
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Mendocino Woodlands State Park
The Woodlands offers three private group cabin camping areas, each with a large, well equipped kitchen, dining hall, cabins, showers and bathrooms. The camping areas can accommodate groups of 30 to 200.
Camping for Individuals: Individuals can enjoy the camp in three ways:
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Contact a group camp listed on the Uncommon Vacations page to see if you can join. Many groups are looking to expand their numbers and would welcome you.
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Become a Friends of the Woodlands volunteer for an inexpensive, fun-filled weekend. Help the Woodlands tackle a project for a few hours, and have the rest of the weekend to yourself. Meals and lodging included.
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Sign up for Fall Weekend Workshops on interesting topics such as herbs, wilderness first aid, and more.
Big Lagoon County Park Campground
Editor’s Note: There’s no photo available at the time of writing
Located to the north of Trinidad, this popular campground will let you experience perfect waterside camping. This family-friendly campground lies adjacent to an ocean beach and a freshwater lagoon. The shallow waters of the lagoon create a perfect opportunity to enjoy sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing. With miles of sand, Big Lagoon is a paradise for beachcombing and surf fishing.
The park offers amenities that include coin-operated showers, flush toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits for the convenience of its visitors. Bookings for the campsites can be done on a first-come, first-served basis.
Big Lagoon County Park Campground
Address: 510 Big Lagoon Park Rd, Trinidad, CA 95570, United States
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Read Reviews & Look At Photos
As I mentioned, the reviews on the apps are usually 100% accurate. If a lot of people say positive things about a site, its almost a shoo-in for a nice place to spend the night.
Read these reviews carefully. If people mention its just a turnout be prepared for small turnout on the side of the road. If they say theres trash or its sandy, thats what youll find that when you arrive.
If the listings have photos, look at those carefully to help you actually see the site! Sometimes the review sounded good, but when I looked at the photo I saw things wrong with the site so I knew it was a waste of time driving there.
Navarro River Redwoods State Park
The Paul M. Dimmick campground is still closed.
Ten primitive sites at Navarro Beach Campground have chemical toilets with no running water. Camping is first-come, first served, with no reservations. Please call the District office Monday- Friday 08:00 am-5:00pm for further up-dates at 937-5804.
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Woodside Rv Park & Campground
If youre planning a trip to Fort Bragg, you cant go wrong staying at Woodside RV Park. The park is well maintained and caters to both RVers and tent campers. If you opt for tent camping, youll feel like the only one at the park with their private, tree-lined tent sites. The park is within walking distance of the ocean so that you can pop over for an evening stroll or a picnic lunch on the beach.
Woodside RV Park offers full hookup sites for $38/night, $228/week, and $650/month in summer.
Experience The Coast At Fort Bragg
Scenic Views and Historic Sites
Located in Northern California, Leisure Time RV Park offers a variety of natural wonders and historic sites for those looking to get away and explore the beauty of Californias North Coast area. Our park caters to outdoor lovers, both RV and tent campers, looking for a great place to stay while enjoying the area.
Feels like home, away from it all
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A Nice Place For A Drink Rule
Finally, our main way of deciding if a free camping site was one we wanted to spend the night in, we asked ourselves is this a nice place to have a drink? If we answered no, we moved on.
For example, we read these great reviews about a free camping site in northern California near Crescent City. It said it was a small parking lot but private quite and had great ocean views. Sounded perfect! Expect when we pulled up, we instantly knew it wasnt going to be a good fit.
It wasnt the type of vibe/place where we could pull out our chairs and have a drink in peace. So we kept driving and ended up at this adorable free site next to the Smith River instead! We held out for the good sites!
Where To Find Free Camping In California
As a general rule of thumb, finding free camping on the coastor any coast, reallyis difficult. There are exceptions to this rule, but if youre watching your budget, the coast is a tricky place to do it.
Luckily, the interior of California is full of public lands, including the Bureau of Land Management, National Forest, and National Park Service lands, where you can settle in for a week of adventure and relaxation in a beautiful place.
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