Campgrounds in California
22 van-friendly campgrounds in California
View California Van Life Guide →Channel Islands National Park
Ventura, CA
Californias Galapagos. Boat-accessible island camping with endemic foxes and incredible kelp forests.
Emerald Bay State Park - Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe, CA
Stunning lakefront camping at Emerald Bay with views of Fannette Island. Crystal-clear waters and granite peaks.
Inyo National Forest Dispersed
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Hundreds of miles of forest roads with free dispersed camping near Mammoth Lakes. Enjoy lakes, hiking, and fishing. Best in summer and fall.
Tuolumne Meadows Campground
Yosemite Valley, CA
High country camping at 8600 feet elevation in Tuolumne Meadows. Access to stunning alpine trails and meadows.
Hendy Woods State Park Campground
Boonville, CA
Towering old-growth redwoods surround this peaceful Anderson Valley campground. Cool creek swimming and mushroom foraging.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Big Sur, CA
Redwood-shaded camping along Big Sur River with iconic coastal views. Waterfall hikes and scenic drives.
Upper Pines Campground
Yosemite Valley, CA
The most popular campground in Yosemite Valley with direct access to Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls trails.
Lassen Volcanic NP - Manzanita Lake
Mineral, CA
Volcanic lake camping beneath boiling springs and steam vents. Lassen Peak summit hike rewards with panoramic views.
Azalea Cove - Sequoia NF
Springville, CA
Riverside camping beneath giant sequoias in the Sierra Nevada. Swimming holes and towering trees.
Lava Beds National Monument
Tulelake, CA
Volcanic cave camping in remote Northeast California. Over 700 caves, Native American rock art, and solitude.
Trinity Lake Campground
Trinity Center, CA
Serene lake camping in remote Northern California. Boating, fishing, and mountain solitude far from crowds.
Pinnacles NP - Chaparral Campground
Paicines, CA
Volcanic spires and condor watching in central California. Spring wildflowers are spectacular.
Klamath River Campground
Klamath, CA
Riverside camping on the Klamath River near the redwood coast. Salmon fishing, kayaking, and fog-drenched forests.
Butano State Park - Santa Cruz Mountains
Pescadero, CA
Redwood-shaded camping in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Coastal fog and ancient forests.
Doheny State Beach Campground
Dana Point, CA
Beachfront camping steps from the Pacific Ocean in Orange County. Surfing, tide pools, and warm California vibes.
Kern River County Park
Kernville, CA
Whitewater rafting and fishing beneath Sierra peaks. Hot springs nearby.
Mendocino Pass Campground
Willits, CA
Coastal range camping near the Mendocino Coast. Redwood groves, fern canyons, and misty mornings.
Los Padres National Forest - Big Sur
Big Sur, CA
Dozens of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road pull-offs with ocean views. Free dispersed camping along narrow road.
Joshua Tree North BLM Dispersed
Joshua Tree, CA
Popular BLM land north of Joshua Tree with wide open desert camping. Great sunrises and stargazing. No water available on site.
Furnace Creek Campground
Death Valley, CA
Desert oasis camping in Death Valley National Park. Shade trees, swimming pool access, and general store nearby.
Angeles National Forest - Wrightwood
Wrightwood, CA
Mountain forest camping just an hour from LA. Ponderosa pines, wildflowers, and trail access to Mount San Antonio.
Borrego Palm Canyon Dispersed
Borrego Springs, CA
Anza-Borrego State Park surrounding BLM areas with free dispersed camping. Beautiful desert scenery. Bring your own water.