Best Camping near Cantil, CA

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Cantil. Cantil is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Discover great camping spots near Cantil, reviewed by campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Cantil, CA (109)

Showing results 1-10 of 109 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Cantil

Recent Reviews in Cantil

360 Reviews of 109 Cantil Campgrounds


  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Desert Site
    Oct. 17, 2024

    BLM Desert Site

    BLM desert site

    35.08627305276245,-117.54092669125416 Great space. Easy to find. Away from highway enough. Very windy. Great sunset and sunrise.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from West Keyville
    Oct. 17, 2024

    West Keyville

    Beautiful scenery, challenging access

    I drove past a couple of camp grounds directly at the lake and was very disappointed what I found. Yes, you can camp right at the lake but only if you appreciate the charme of a Walmart parking lot. There is basically next to no trees or any nature for that matter.

    So I looked a little further and was very happy to have found this site. Beautifully located right at a river, surrounded by trees, big boulders and the stunning mountain scenerey.

    However, be aware that this is not serviced at all. There is no electricity, water, dump stations or anything else than the actual spot. And BEWARE: there is quite a steep and narrow entry road into the site. I drove in with a 30 feet class A camper and I am little worried if I will get out tomorrow. Also I smacked some leaves off of a tree on my way in with my 13“ clearance.

  • Karen D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Kern's River Edge Campground
    Oct. 6, 2024

    Kern's River Edge Campground

    Nice campsite, friendly hosts, family and kid oriented

    Well run site, with easy late check in process. Friendly on site camp hosts who sell ice and firewood. Quite a lot of rules, and it had kind of a kids camp feel to it. Showers are hot, but you need quarters for them. I only gave three stars as it just not my kind of campground. If you're a family with kids I think it'd be great.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Paradise Cove
    Sep. 26, 2024

    Paradise Cove

    Beautiful scenery

    Very beautiful sight of the lake and mountains. Easy access from the road. Had a ton of wind and thunder so hard to move further up and away from the lake so we wherent up against the wind. Close to the road so a little noise from it, but thats what made it easy accessible as well. All in all a very nice campsite.

  • Greg D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Mountain Valley RV Park
    Sep. 20, 2024

    Mountain Valley RV Park

    Decent for a quick stop

    Grounds seem well kept, the gravel was raked at our site when we pulled in. Restrooms are ok, the issue was that the lock them up at 10:00pm and don’t open until 7:30am. It would be so simple to put a code lock on the doors. You have to pay for WiFi, and the laundry machines are paid for by using a credit card for pay cards and the machine was out of cards. The only way to use it was to create an account with some vendor online! In the morning there were planes taking off, towing gliders, which was interesting to watch

  • Ciara W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed
    Aug. 7, 2024

    Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed

    Guy just sitting in trees near the end

    All the spots at the front were taken here so we had to drive almost all the way to end. Don’t go down the final steep hill, you might not make it up. It’s very tight there and you have to do a 20 point turn to turn back.

    We walked down the hill and our friend saw some random guy come out the trees and follow us as we were walking back up. He might be living there because there was so much trash

    2 stars because the area itself is nice, there’s the river nearby and internet was good

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Wagon Wheel Staging Area
    Jul. 24, 2024

    Wagon Wheel Staging Area

    Gorgeous but DON’T GO IN THE SUMMER

    We arrived in the evening, when it was still 33 celcius (95f), but the whole day it was about 45 celcius (113f). So the place was as hot as it can be. But that won’t change my rating too much. Because if the weather was a bit cooler I would have loved this even more, when we woke up, we were greeted by a beautiful desert. If you have an AC that you can put on during the night, it shouldn’t be a problem!

  • m
    Camper-submitted photo from Boulder Gulch
    Jun. 29, 2024

    Boulder Gulch

    Good camping site

    This campground has some shade and some open areas.Area was clean and the host is personable. Cost of camping fee is $34 per night. Has potable water and running water in bathroom. No showers or amenities.

  • Daniel M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sandy Flat
    Jun. 2, 2024

    Sandy Flat

    Great spot - close to the river

    The campground was great - the spot was not so great. I recommend staying here just don’t stay on camp spot 9. You have to “scale” down a medium incline just to get from your car to the camp flat for your tent. And your downwind from the bathrooms and can smell… everything. Again the campground was great and we were pretty close to the river which was awesome. But stay away from site 9. We’ll definitely be back but will be at one of the others. Be sure to bring river/water shoes and some decent bug repellent.

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Saddleback Butte State Park Campground
    May. 13, 2024

    Saddleback Butte State Park Campground

    Desolate

    The only thing more desolate than this campground is the landscape, but perhaps that's your thing. I'm the only one here on a Sunday night in May. A couple pulled in before me, but after a once-around, they left. Each campsite is well sheltered from the sun and wind -- 8' tall plywood windbreak wall plus lattice ceiling with room under it for two picnic tables and your tent. Too much noise from the nearby highway. By the way, if Google maps leads you to the closed picnic area, don't worry, there's a separate campground entrance south of it on the connecting street.

  • Caroline D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Stine Cove Recreation Site
    May. 4, 2024

    Stine Cove Recreation Site

    the spot looked perfect, but the location didn't match

    we looked around the indicated GPS point but at this location, but house or ranch, nothing that looks like the photos posted previously. too bad the spot looked magnificent but with night falling and fatigue from the road we finally slept facing the road in the post office parking lot.

  • Michelle W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Ricardo Campground — Red Rock Canyon State Park
    May. 2, 2024

    Ricardo Campground — Red Rock Canyon State Park

    Gorgeous desert

    Beautiful area with nice shady rock overhangs to stay cool during the day. No AT&T signal. No tesla signal. There was poor WiFi at the visitor center but at least you could send an email or message. The desert was alive in April! I got #8 which had a nice view. Not too crowded at 1 pm on a Saturday where I got to choose from a dozen open sites. So much better than the Alabama Hills area which was completely packed.

  • Bryan S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Rivernook Campground
    Apr. 24, 2024

    Rivernook Campground

    Standard

    Probably could have been a 3. We checked in late 930 but called ahead to let them know. We got to our spot no power. Under 30 degrees with no heater not ideal. They did come fix it in the morning but when we mentioned it to the office they just said oh well. Definitely not exceptional service. General store was very limited. Wi-Fi didn’t work they claimed it was out of service. People drive way too fast through the camp ground. Lots of permanent residents with some pretty rough setups. Upside great location by the river. Beautiful sites and sounds.

  • I
    Camper-submitted photo from Ricardo Campground — Red Rock Canyon State Park
    Apr. 21, 2024

    Ricardo Campground — Red Rock Canyon State Park

    Desert Camping

    Enough space for our 29” RV, pavement was really ok for desert, water, toilets in the morning full of insects, but that’s desert. You also have Wi-Fi at the Visitors Center which we really loved. Our spot had view to both sites of the rocks.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed
    Mar. 25, 2024

    Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed

    Stayed a night

    We pulled in at night time around 10:30PM. I was scared it would be sketchy, but turned out to be a smooth dirt road. We encountered multiple other campers as well before we found a suitable turnout. Loved the accessibility. We woke up to a beautiful little spot near the water; would definitely camp again here

  • Jack J.
    Camper-submitted photo from Gold Ledge Campground
    Mar. 7, 2024

    Gold Ledge Campground

    River View Campsite

    Came as a going away trip. Great little camp ground. The park ranger was kind and knowledgeable of where to get decently priced firewood. Close to amazing hiking trails and town so if you needed anything, it was just down the road.

  • makenna W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Rivernook Campground
    Feb. 29, 2024

    Rivernook Campground

    Nothing like the website photos…

    My partner and I canceled our booking here after a short drive to our “campsite”… everyone seemed to be camping in what looked like dirt parking spots with cheap fire rings with no space or privacy. The campground was rundown and poorly maintained… looks more like a cheap trailer park than whatever they’re advertising on the website. After driving almost two hours to this location… we will admit we were incredibly disappointed with what we found. Don’t waste your money.

  • makenna W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Kern's River Edge Campground
    Feb. 29, 2024

    Kern's River Edge Campground

    A lovely, quiet campground.

    My partner and I stayed here after a campground down the road overbooked us for a weekend, and it ended up being a lovely trip. The campsites were clean and spacious, the bathrooms were sanitary and showers were hot. Only downside happen to be the on-site general store was shut down the whole weekend.



Guide to Cantil

Camping near Cantil, California, offers a unique blend of desert landscapes and mountain views. Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or an adventure-filled trip, there are several campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are great trails nearby, especially at Ricardo Campground — Red Rock Canyon State Park. One camper mentioned, "The nature trail is accessible directly from the campground and the views are jaw-dropping."
  • Photography: The stunning vistas make for perfect photo ops. A visitor shared, "Gorgeous vistas and the weather was decent," highlighting the beauty of the area.
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, Stine Cove Recreation Site is a great spot. One long-time camper said, "I’ve been camping at this lake since I was 11... I caught 100’s of fish out of there."

What campers like:

  • Peaceful Environment: Campers appreciate the tranquility at places like Tehachapi Mountain Park. One reviewer noted, "The campground was very quiet the night we were there."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer plenty of space. A visitor at Wagon Wheel Staging Area remarked, "We drove our skoolie in and didn’t have any trouble... it is so spread out that we never heard them."
  • Natural Beauty: Campers love the scenic views. A review for Brite Lake Aquatic Recreation Area stated, "Beautiful location overlooking a lake."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Many campgrounds, like Ricardo Campground, have basic facilities. One camper mentioned, "Pit toilets only... not all are completely level."
  • Weather Considerations: The desert can get extremely hot in summer. A visitor at Wagon Wheel Staging Area warned, "DON’T GO IN THE SUMMER... it was as hot as it can be."
  • Cell Service: Expect limited cell service in some areas. A camper at Tehachapi Mountain Park noted, "No rangers to control the noise... didn’t seem to be any cell service."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly spots like Mountain Valley RV Park. One parent said, "The grounds are clean and well-kept. Starlink and Verizon service both work great here."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have activities lined up. A camper at Sandy Flat mentioned, "We were able to play at the river during the day and then had a nice campfire at night."
  • Pack Essentials: Bring bug repellent and water shoes, especially if you're near water. A visitor at Sandy Flat advised, "Be sure to bring river/water shoes and some decent bug repellent."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Road Conditions: Some campgrounds have narrow roads. A reviewer at Tehachapi Mountain Park warned, "The road in is tight and twisty with no shoulders."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need more amenities, consider places like Lake Isabella-Kern River KOA. A camper noted, "Overall nice site with full hookups & wi-fi/cell."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some areas can get noisy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Mountain Valley RV Park mentioned, "Not much to do around the campground but close enough to town to get a bite to eat."

Camping near Cantil, California, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just be sure to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What camping is available near Cantil, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Cantil, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 109 campgrounds and RV parks near Cantil, CA and 26 free dispersed camping spots.

  • Which is the most popular campground near Cantil, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cantil, CA is Ricardo Campground — Red Rock Canyon State Park with a 4.4-star rating from 36 reviews.

  • Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cantil, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 free dispersed camping spots near Cantil, CA.

  • What parks are near Cantil, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Cantil, CA that allow camping, notably Angeles National Forest and Sequoia National Forest.