California's Top 12 Spots For A Gorgeous Camping Trip

With everything from vast deserts to beautiful beaches to dense forests, California is perhaps known for its natural beauty more than anything else. It's unsurprising then that the Golden State is a hotspot for camping, earning $7 million from the outdoor activity every year. With 279 state parks – the highest number in any state — California also makes it easy to pitch a tent, see the stars, and get up early for a hearty hike. But with so many parks and plenty landscape options, it can be tough to decide just which site to spend the night. Got an Airstream? Here are California campgrounds where you can glamp in an Airstream. 

Explore combed through California's best spots for getting in touch with nature. These places are great for everyone — from expert campers who can manage just fine without potable water to beginners looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Here's what we found, ranging from shoreside campsites where you can watch the sun go down over the ocean to deserts with endless clear night skies.

Nearly 3 million people visit Joshua Tree National Park annually to escape from the mundane, marveling at the park's otherworldly foliage, desert landscapes, and boulders ripe for climbing. But with so much to see throughout the park's 794,000 acres, whether that be by hiking, biking, or horseback riding, it's only fitting to spend at least one night at this park that's even more beautiful after dark, thanks to its clear, starry skies. At this park at the juncture of the Mojave and Colorado deserts, campers can choose from 8 campgrounds that contain 500 campsites. Most of the campsites need to be reserved, especially since the popular park fills up quickly.

One of the favorites that has nearly 20% of all of the park's campsites is the Black Rock Canyon Campground, which has sites to accommodate all kinds of campers, from those with tents to RVs to horses. It also has tables and fire rings at all sites, as well as bathrooms and water. But what really makes this site the favorite is its location, as it's near one of the park's iconic Joshua tree groves. Forgot to make a reservation? Just pitch up at White Tank Campground instead, which is first-come, first-serve and is nestled within the park's granite boulders that beg to be climbed. Plus, far from any artificial light, it's one of the best spots to see the stars in Joshua Tree National Park.

Since 1890 – making it the first national park in America — Yosemite National Park has been where Americans go to see natural marvels, from the tallest granite monolith on the planet to 3,000-year-old towering Giant Sequoia trees to the biggest waterfall on the continent. Four million people visit the park every year, making it one of the most visited parks in the United States, and many guests keep their stay rolling by camping overnight at this beloved respite. They can choose from 13 campsites open from April to October, all of which require reservations that sometimes fill up within minutes of becoming available.

One of the most popular campgrounds in the Land of Giants is Upper Pines, home to 235 sites with flush toilets, potable water, picnic tables, campfire rings, and other amenities. Even better, it's conveniently located near some of Yosemite National Park's top attractions, such as Vernal Fall, Mirror Lake, and Half Dome. But if peace and privacy are what you're after — and you're an accomplished camper — Yosemite Creek campsite is a hidden gem located in a quiet pine forest nearly 8,000 feet up in the air. Want to scale some of Yosemite's Giants? Then, a stay at Camp 4 might be your best bet, as it's near several bouldering spots as well as the revered El Capitan. Plus, it has flush toilets, hot showers, and potable water.

Known for its seaside cliffs and picture-perfect coastline, Big Sur is a must-visit spot for any California traveler, and in the heart of the region is Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Filled with an array of stunning trees, meadows, and 1,000 miles of coastline, the park is a hotspot for camping, with its 189 campsites filled nearly constantly, even in the colder months. For that reason, make sure you book your campsite exactly six months in advance to get access to the campground's parking lot, firepit, picnic tables, hot showers, flush toilets, and potable water. Or, for a less primitive experience, book Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park's sole six-person cabin, which costs $75 per night.

While camping at this park, sometimes called a "mini Yosemite," don't miss out on spots like the Colonial Tree, a 31-foot wide, 277-foot high redwood tree that dates back 1,200 years, which simply can't be missed. If you're into history, make your way to the Homestead Cabin, built by John Pfeiffer. We have him to thank for the park, as he sold it to the government after inheriting it from his parents, who were some of the first European settlers in the region. If the views are what you're after, hike Valley View Overlook, which offers amazing panoramas of the surrounding landmarks, like the Big Sur River Valley and Andrew Molera State Park.

At Redwoods National Park, campers will be blanketed not only by their own sleeping bags but also by the tallest trees on the planet. That is, if they score 1 of the 86 campsites at the only campground in the park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Campground. Near a redwood grove and the famed Smith River, campers here can sleep surrounded by millennium-old trees if they can snag one of the first-come, first-serve spots from November through April. Or, if looking for something less primitive, reserve one of the park's four cabins. You might also have a few more bucks to splurge on the cabin, too, since Redwoods National Park is one of the rare national parks that doesn't have an admission fee. Alternatively, camp amongst redwoods at this California riverside RV resort. 

Spending the night at the park? There's a lot more to do than just see tall trees. Redwoods National Park is also home to tons of coastline, beaches, rivers, and lagoons, as well as World War II history since there is a former early-warning radar and air defense station here. While at the park, you might also see animals such as elk, seals, and sea lions. Plus, the park has oversized Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues near a gift shop and bathrooms, making for a fun photo opportunity and a pitstop on your way to forgoing modern conveniences for a short while.

Channel Islands National Park might be just a short journey from Los Angeles. But for some reason, this relatively unknown California park has remained undisturbed by the throngs of campers who usually hustle for campsites at Golden State parks. Just about 30,000 people visit this park annually, so you'll have your pick of campgrounds, which occupy most of the five islands that make up the park. However, this isn't a beginner's destination since a ferry limits how many items you can bring for camping. To get a spot, reserve your campsite up to six months in advance and pay a $15-per-night fee, which is the only expense needed to access the free-admission park.

The most popular campground to pitch a tent is Scorpion Canyon Campground on Santa Cruz Island. Don't miss out on renting a kayak so you can check out the park's many sea caves up close. Or, if you're more of a landlubber, do the 5-mile Potato Harbor hike — preferably at sunset — so you can see the beautiful colors of the Channel Islands National Park sky. You will also see wildlife like elephant seals in their natural habitat. Another renowned hike perfect for seasoned hikers and those interested in relaxing at a secluded beach is the 7.5-mile Smugglers Cove hike, which leads to a rocky shoreline surrounded by blue waters.

If you've ever dreamed of waking up to the sound of the ocean crashing on the shoreline, then a stay at El Capitán State Beach is for you. Just 17 miles (which is only a 30-minute drive) from Santa Barbara, this park alongside the Pacific Ocean has over 100 campsites that cost $45 to $55 per night and can be reserved up to six months in advance from March to November. Large groups of 32 to 60 people can also be accommodated at the park's group campsites for $235 to $320 per night. Plus, the campsites offer bathrooms, drinkable water, showers, and even laundry machines. If you're looking for more coastal camping, then stay at this Californian beachfront campground with stunning ocean waters. 

A hotspot for wildlife, this park is ideal for fishing for everything from halibut to rockfish, as well as seeing birds such as red-tailed hawks and hairy woodpeckers. You might even spot whales here if you visit during the off-season since they migrate to and from Mexico through this area. To see the stunning nature that El Capitán State Beach has to offer and catch the park's animals in action, embark on a hike during your stay here, such as the 5-mile Ansio Trail that leads to another nearby state beach. Or, tackle the more difficult Canyon and Ridgetop Trails, which are known for their sprawling views of mountains and ocean.

With more than 400,000 acres, you'll have your pick of everything from the level of seclusion to the climate in Sequoia National Park, which is best known for its giant sequoia trees preserved when the park became the second national park in America in 1890. And thanks to the park's seven campgrounds, people can sleep among these trees that date up to 3,200 years. All of the campsites cost $32 per night, which includes picnic tables, fire rings, grills, and food storage bins. But don't wait to book your spot; the campgrounds require reservations and are hotcakes. To get a less primitive experience at Sequoia National Park, snag a campsite at Lodgepole Campground, which has a visitor's center, store, showers, laundry machines, and a free shuttle, as well as easy access to many of the park's popular trails.

For the best access to Giant Forest's sequoia grove, which is one of the park's star attractions, reserve a campsite at Foothills Campgrounds, which is 3,000 feet up in the air and is near plenty of hiking trails and is a 45-minute drive to the grove. More than 8,000 giant sequoia trees call the grove home, including the biggest living organism on the planet — the 2,000-year-old General Sherman Tree. While visiting the grove, trek to the Crescent Meadow, which has been called "the gem of the Sierra Nevada" and has a scenic 1.8-mile hiking trail.

Orange County is one of the most happening places in California. It's also home to Crystal Cove State Park, which is one of the largest, naturally beautiful places in the area. With more than 3 miles of beachfront and 2,400 acres of land, it's Mother Nature's respite that attracts everyone from surfers to hikers to history lovers. Crystal Cove State Park even has a historic district home to 46 cottages that were part of a colony in the 1930s and 1940s. Since there's so much to see and do in the park, like scuba diving, exploring tidepools, and more, the best way to appreciate Crystal Cove State Park is to stay overnight and enjoy many camping and activity options.

Crystal Cove State Park's most popular spot for camping is Moro Campground, which has 58 campsites, including those for RVs, tents, and people interested in getting primitive, as nearly 2 dozen of the campsites are a 3-mile walk away from the rest. The other campsites have access to picnic tables, bathrooms, showers, and drinkable water. You can also rent one of Crystal Cove State Park's historic cottages for a one-of-a-kind, glamping-esque experience. No matter where you stay, utilize the park's 18 miles of hiking trails that showcase the park's ocean views, Moro Creek, and oak and sycamore trees, whether on foot, mountain bike, or horseback.

California is perhaps best known for its warm temperatures, but in Tahoe National Forest, located in the northern half of the state, campers trade hot weather for a crisp breeze in an elevation that ranges from 1,500 feet to 9,400 feet. Here, campers can do everything from fly fishing to skiing, depending on when they visit. Plus, they have 76 campgrounds to choose from. For a campground that's easy to get to, book a spot at Granite Flat Campground, which is a short jaunt from Highway 89 as well as Lake Tahoe and the Truckee River and offers picnic tables, fire grills, storage lockers, and vault toilets for $22 per night.

If you want to be away from it all instead, then pitch your tent at Cottonwood Creek Campground, which also has picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets for $20 per night. It's a short distance from several of the park's renowned trails, like the Cottonwood Creek Botanical Trail and Overlook Trail. Or, if you want to keep your camping trip more modern, then stay at Tahoe Donner, which has penthouse- and honeymoon-style camping sites as well as internet and electricity for $26 to $151 per night.

Looking for the mountain views of Yosemite National Park or the thermal features of Yellowstone National Park but without the crowds? Then Lassen Volcanic National Park should be your California camping getaway, as it only receives about 500,000 visitors per year. It also gets more snow than any other region in the state, but don't let that scare you off since the camping season is only from June through October anyway. Campers can choose from seven campgrounds, most of which require reservations and include picnic tables, fire rings, storage lockers, drinkable water, and trash receptacles — some also have flush toilets. 

While staying at Lassen Volcanic National Park, you can't miss out on visiting the icy Lake Helen, which is ideal for boating or kayaking — the only way to enjoy its beautiful blue waters. Also, check out Bumpass Hell, the park's biggest hydrothermal area, which is home to Big Boiler, a 322-degree fumarole, making it the hottest in the world. Or, for a hardy hike, venture the Kings Creek Falls Trail, which rewards those who can navigate this rocky and muddy hike with views of 30-foot waterfalls. For more lakeside activities, visit California's largest lake for camping and hiking. 

Climbers of all skill levels will find paradise at Pinnacles National Park, which, despite being the state's smallest national park, is chock-full of 26,000 acres of unique rock formations created by the now-inactive, 23 million-year-old volcano that calls it home. And there's no better way to get a head-start on your climb than by camping at Pinnacles National Park, which has just one campground: Pinnacles Campground. It has amenities like flush toilets, drinkable water, showers, and even a seasonal pool, making it one of the few national park campgrounds with one. There are also onsite cabins for glampers. But don't wait to make your reservation here; there are no first-come, first-serve sites for latecomers.

If you're planning on a weekend at Pinnacles National Park, then besides climbing the park's legendary rock spires, hike the 30 trails here, including those that lead to Bear Gulch Reservoir and Bear Gulch Cave, the latter of which houses big-eared bats. Birdwatchers will also revel in the park's many flighted friends, such as California condors, golden eagles, and even the endangered soaring bird that can be spotted here. For more wildlife, visit this California regional park to get up close and personal with thousands of ladybugs. 

Those looking for a one-of-a-kind wildlife adventure will find it at Los Padres National Forest, which is at the continent's only biodiversity epicenter, thanks to being home to three national wildlife refuges and a national marine sanctuary. Ninety endangered species live in its 220-mile forest. The best way to glimpse a few and experience this untouched land is to camp overnight at one of the park's many campgrounds. 

Be warned, though; most of the campgrounds are quite primitive, fitting with the rugged, mountainous nature, and there are no cabins available for rent. To sleep surrounded by oak trees and a meadow, book a spot at the intimate Escondido Campground, or to wake up close to the mountains, pitch your tent at Middle Lion Campground. Is camping not your style? Sleep in luxury lodge rooms at this lakeside mountain hideaway resort. Inside the state's second-biggest national forest, hike one of Los Padres National Forest's acclaimed trails, like the Montecito Peak hike, which offers bird's-eye views of the surrounding California scenery, or the challenging Romero Canyon hike that offers beautiful coastal sights.