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Best Campgrounds near Firebaugh, CA

281 Reviews

Firebaugh, California provides several camping options within 30 minutes of Interstate 5, making it a convenient stopover for travelers. Tumey Hills Box Canyon offers free dispersed camping on BLM land about 20 miles southwest of town, while Mercey Hot Springs provides established camping with tent sites, RV spots, and cabins just 15 miles from Firebaugh. Los Banos Creek Campground in the San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area offers waterfront camping for both tents and RVs with reservable sites. The region supports various camping styles from primitive dispersed sites to developed campgrounds with full hookups.

Many primitive camping areas near Firebaugh have limited amenities and require visitors to pack in essential supplies. "This is a completely off-the-grid resort that has good energy and tranquil atmosphere," noted one camper about Mercey Hot Springs. Road conditions at locations like Tumey Hills can be challenging, with a mix of paved and well-graded dirt roads leading to camping areas. Summer temperatures in this region regularly exceed 100°F, making spring and fall more comfortable camping seasons. Cell service is spotty throughout much of the area, particularly in canyon areas and distant BLM lands. Campgrounds within the state recreation areas have specific check-in procedures, with gates that often close at sundown.

Campers frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere at less-developed sites around Firebaugh, particularly at Los Banos Creek Reservoir. A visitor described it as "really quiet campground nestled into the hills with a beautiful reservoir," highlighting the water access available from most sites. Several reviews indicate Tumey Hills experiences regular target shooting activity during daylight hours, which some find disruptive. "Gun range, lots of people shooting. Wouldn't be my first choice. Easy overnight spot," one camper reported. Mixed-use campgrounds like Mercey Hot Springs provide unique amenities, including mineral hot tubs available for 24-hour access. The more developed RV parks near Chowchilla offer amenities like swimming pools, golf course access, and full hookups, though they tend to be considerably more expensive than the primitive camping areas.

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Best Camping Sites Near Firebaugh, California (51)

    1. Tumey Hills Box Canyon

    11 Reviews
    Mendota, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 582-2200

    "Close by amenities gas stations, mcdonald’s & freeway about 10 mins out"

    "Took us about 15 min to drive to where we camped. There is no water or bathrooms so bring a jug from Lowe’s with a spicket!"

    2. Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    93 Reviews
    Pinnacles, CA
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 200-1722

    $44 - $164 / night

    "Per my rating system, this is very close to being 5 stars, meaning it's worth planning a trip from out of state just to visit this park and surrounding national/state forest for 3 days or more  The only"

    "It’s a beautiful park and has the largest population of California Condors in the world. The campground is situated about 2.3 miles from the main trailheads. There's tent and RV campsites."

    3. The Lakes RV & Golf Resort

    4 Reviews
    Madera, CA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 665-6980

    $42 - $1500 / night

    "There is a high fence surrounding the property and it is secured by electronic hand held devices that you receive when you check in. The lake and swimming pool are beautiful and restful."

    "Surrounded by a pond. Cable & wifi. Decent laundry room. Perfect place if you're a golfer. We stayed here multiple nights. My kids loved the pool."

    4. Madera District Fair RV Campgrounds

    2 Reviews
    Madera, CA
    23 miles
    Website

    5. Los Banos Creek Campground — San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area

    7 Reviews
    Los Banos, CA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 826-1197

    $20 / night

    "Campsites are mostly at the water’s edge of the small-ish reservoir that’s main attraction (at least this time of year) appears to be fishing."

    "Not to mention the water was only a few steps away. Very small campground which made it not feel crowded. Portable Potty bathrooms which were not to bad and well maintained."

    6. Arena RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Madera, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 665-1752

    "Close to hwy but far enough that road noise isn't onerous. Train passes through once at night time, bring earplugs. Clean, tidy, well kept campground."

    7. Mercey Hot Springs

    2 Reviews
    Pinnacles National Park, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 826-3388

    $70 - $185 / night

    "If you’re doing the long drive from the Bay Area to LA, a nice place to stay is Mercey Hot Springs.  It takes about 20 minutes to get there from the freeway and is in the middle of nowhere.  "

    "When I arrived the nights were hot so I decided to take an AC Cabin #10 where I could park right next to the cabin and slept comfortably."

    8. Laguna Mountain Campground

    14 Reviews
    Pinnacles National Park, CA
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 630-5000

    "It is difficult to find BLM camping in California and this is a gem! The road is in prone to mudslides and looked like is was recently cleared of mud in multiple spots."

    "Laguna mountain road trail is very strenuous The last leg of the trail(primitive trail) is not easy to follow. Someone has marked the trail with stacked rocks."

    9. Medeiros Primitive Campsites — San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area

    7 Reviews
    Los Banos, CA
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 826-1196

    $20 / night

    "There are porta potties throughout and a handicap accessible pit toilet near the entrance. There are dumpsters but no recycling bins (weird for a California state facility)."

    "We stayed right next to the river, which was nice. Open area with nice spots with a table, shade and a fire ring. Very windy, but tolerable."

    10. Millerton Lake State Recreation Area Campground

    19 Reviews
    Friant, CA
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 822-2332

    $30 - $200 / night

    "Bathrooms were so-so with regard to cleanliness but most sites had its own access to water which was awesome!"

    "Had a fun time with the family, had accesible restroom and showers, had picnic table so we could put our things, shade, place where we could set our tent with our truck next to us, and we were able to"

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Recent Camping Photos near Firebaugh, CA

77 Photos of 51 Firebaugh Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Firebaugh, CA

281 Reviews of 51 Firebaugh Campgrounds

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 9, 2025

    Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    Camping at Pinnacles

    This is the best (and only) option for camping near the national park. Beware, there is very limited cell/wifi service here. Reserve before coming or it’s a long slow drive out to services. The park is really great, so I recommend staying here a night or 2 to fully explore the small national park. Lots of sites and lots of options. Some are more secluded and some are more traditional. Tents/cabins available. A store and pool are available also.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 7, 2025

    Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    Sweet campgrounds

    Lots of camping options here. More than I've seen at other parks. Wooded. Wildlife. Lots of deer and turkeys. Didn't have time for hiking but seems to have some good one. Campground store is well stocked.

  • Jake M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    Spaced out sites. Friendly people

    Fairly large campground. Store, showers, toilets, purified water is all inclusive . Being bug spray and be prepared to see wildlife at night. Skunks, raccoons, and other animals will come and take food.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Condon Peak Campground

    Nice spot!

    Easy access in a camper van. Nice big areas but not many spots (about 5 or 6). Only 2 other vehicles/campers here. Beautiful views, cooling winds and don’t seem to be any biting bugs! Picnic tables & shelter, plus a fire ring on each pit. No showers but toilet available. Lovely & quiet!!!

  • Emily W.
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    Wildlife Wonders

    I had a great time at the Pinnacles Campground. I saw a bunny (pictured) and hordes of quail. The tent-only sections of the campground were very pretty too. The only downside of our site (130–134) is that there was not a lot of privacy — it would have done better as a group camp. Fortunately, our neighbors were awesome so the forced company was not a downside! But if I go again, I am going to try to get spot 129, which seemed really secluded. The other nice thing about the little area we were in is that it is right at the trailhead for the Bench Trail. Raccoons were REALLY bold — they stole our neighbors' food while they were at their campsite! So keep the area crumb clean for sure.

  • kThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 14, 2025

    Buck Ridge

    Blm with a lake view

    First come first serve, vault toilets, water pump by outhouse area, pic a site and make a donation, the is a camp host. Picnic tables, well used.. fire pits, barbecue pits.. sites look d pretty clean, i am across from lake, train noise..

  • Erika V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Medeiros Primitive Campsites — San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area

    Down by the river

    Last minute overnighter on a Friday night in July. First come first serve camping. We stayed right next to the river, which was nice. Open area with nice spots with a table, shade and a fire ring. Very windy, but tolerable. Overall a chill place though cars kept driving through into the evening, though it settled down around 11pm. Slept well! Great spot if passing through.

  • E
    Jul. 24, 2025

    Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    Bathroom disclaimer would have been nice

    The campground overall was pretty nice—it’s huge and even has a pool (though by around 1:30, it gets completely taken over by a swarm of kids). What really threw me off was the bathroom situation. I expected flush toilets, as advertised, but our loop only had Port-a-Potties. To make matters worse, it’s a quite a walk to get to the restroom in our loop—and that’s not ideal in the heat. Every other loop seemed to have proper bathrooms, so it felt like we got the short end of the stick without any heads-up. Between the long walks, the heat, and the surprisingly bold raccoons and birds, I’d recommend this spot only for a one-night stay—especially if you’re planning to hike during the day.

Guide to Firebaugh

Dispersed camping near Firebaugh, California includes several options ranging from free primitive sites to established campgrounds with amenities. Tumey Hills Box Canyon provides free dispersed camping on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land approximately 10 miles southwest of Firebaugh. The area features primitive sites with no hookups, water, or established facilities, though one portable toilet is available. Mercey Hot Springs offers a more developed experience with tent sites, RV spaces with electric and water hookups, and cabin accommodations located about 15 miles southwest of Firebaugh.

Road access to Tumey Hills requires navigating partially paved and graded dirt roads, making high-clearance vehicles advisable during wet conditions. The climate typically features hot, dry summers and mild winters, with limited shade throughout the region. "Another beautiful spot ruined by people who can't pickup after themselves," notes one visitor about Tumey Hills, highlighting the importance of practicing Leave No Trace principles. Cell service remains limited or non-existent at most sites, particularly in canyon areas. Campers should prepare for self-sufficient stays with all necessary water, as drinking water is unavailable at dispersed sites.

The camping experience around Firebaugh varies significantly between locations. Mercey Hot Springs receives positive reviews for its mineral pools and peaceful atmosphere, with one visitor describing it as "a completely off the grid resort that has good energy and tranquil atmosphere." In contrast, Tumey Hills users frequently mention target shooting activity, with one camper reporting "gun shell casings everywhere" and another describing it as functioning primarily as "a shooting range" rather than a traditional campground. Los Banos Creek Campground, located within 30 minutes of Firebaugh, offers a different experience with waterfront sites and reservoir access. A visitor characterized it as a "small, private, waterfront" location ideal for families, noting that "the water was nice and cool for swimming or just floating."

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the regulations for overnight parking at Firebaugh rest areas?

California rest areas, including those near Firebaugh, generally limit stays to 8 hours within a 24-hour period, prohibiting overnight parking for camping purposes. For proper overnight accommodations, consider Thousand Trails San Benito which provides full RV hookups about 45 minutes from Firebaugh. Alternatively, Harris Ranch offers a convenient overnight parking option for those traveling through the area. Always look for posted regulations at specific rest areas, as enforcement varies, and commercial vehicles have different rules than passenger vehicles.

Is free camping allowed along the San Joaquin River near Firebaugh?

Free camping directly along the San Joaquin River near Firebaugh is generally not permitted. However, Tumey Hills Box Canyon offers free BLM dispersed camping not far from Firebaugh. For those willing to drive a bit farther, Condon Peak Campground provides free camping in the coast range about 45 minutes southwest of Firebaugh. This remote site is perfect for those looking to escape civilization, but note there's no cell service in the area. Always check current BLM regulations before camping, as rules can change seasonally.

Where are the best camping spots near Firebaugh, CA?

Several excellent camping options exist near Firebaugh. San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area offers developed camping with lake views and basic amenities about 30 minutes west. For those seeking a more remote experience, Laguna Mountain Campground provides beautiful BLM camping in the Diablo Range. This hidden gem features primitive sites and stunning views, though be aware the access road can be challenging, especially after rain when the clay-like mud becomes problematic. The campground is typically accessible year-round but conditions vary seasonally.

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