76 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several camping areas sit within driving distance of Los Banos, California, giving campers a mix of environments to choose from. San Luis Reservoir SRA has good water views and lets people fish or boat during their stay. Over at Pinnacles National Park, the campground puts you right near some interesting rock formations and trails worth hiking. If you want more quiet and tree cover, Laguna Mountain Campground tends to be less crowded and has better shade. You'll need to be smart about food storage in all these places since wildlife is common - the raccoons at Pinnacles are particularly determined to get into coolers and food containers. During summer, these campgrounds fill up fast, so making reservations ahead of time saves a lot of headache. RV campers should know that Pinnacles Campground does have electric hookups available. The amount of tree coverage differs between sites, with Laguna Mountain having the most natural shade. Birds and small mammals are regular visitors to campsites throughout the area. Always check the local rules about wildlife before your trip to stay safe. Privacy between sites varies quite a bit - some are fairly open while others give you more separation from neighbors. Taking time to research the specific layout of each campground helps you pick a spot that matches what you're looking for, whether that's basic facilities or something more developed.
"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)."
"Lovely roadside stop, could be a bit cleaner."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Getting it reserved is a website-mess though as you need to click on San Luis Reservoir SRA and then Los Banos Creek Campground. LBC doesn't even show up on the map."
"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."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Los Banos is this strange little travel vortex for me. Ive been passing thru the town a couple times a month for the last year...either go to or leaving my partner."
from $60 / night
Check Availability"After the fires in Northern California prevented us from camping in El Dorado County, we made a quick decision to go south a bit to San Luis Reservoir."
"We picked it out on a map as close to half way to the Bay Area from Sequoia. It was a winner but there are lots of gnats around sites and bathrooms. Besides that, we were the only ones there!"
from $28 - $30 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $50 / night
Check Availability"Camping spot was clean and a tall fire pit a good distance from the water and bathroom at site 22. Was hot af was the only issue for us, 103 and the sun just hurt."
"But the wildlife and lake make this place. I saw the sunrise over the lake, but didn’t snap a picture because I was too comfy!"
from $40 - $200 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $44 - $164 / night
Check Availability"over night & day sites, hot showers and indoor restrooms surrounded by beautiful nature."
from $30 - $200 / night
Check Availability"However, this gorgeous state park has dozens of beautiful trails winding through cattle country and down along streams and ponds in the Dinosaur Point area. NO WATER."
ScoutWe have spent summers here on the water for the last 3 years. The site has a convenience store and a restaurant that serves up a really great burger. Also a very short drive into town.
ScoutEasy freeway access. Sites are wide open with no real privacy.
ScoutWe stayed here in B loop site 25 over Memorial Day weekend. The site was FHU with a level concrete pad for the RV. Each site has a concrete picnic table and very large concrete fire pit. That’s where all the good things about this campground end.
There are burrs, goose poop and spiders everywhere. Tent campers are allowed to reserve FHU RV sites, and many do. Because the 6 people per site rule is NOT enforced, the tent campers easily infringe on others’ campsites and are constantly walking through others’ campsites. When asked about the tents in RV sites, the staff at the campground entrance shack stated “We do not discriminate”, which clearly contributes to the chaos of the campground. The staff at the entrance shack are rude and incompetent.
There is absolutely NO enforcement of quiet hours. Other campers keep their music loud and the party going all night, every night. They literally never turned it down and were blasting it like they were at the club… 12am, 2am, 4am, 6am… ALL NIGHT. My kids and I couldn’t get a good night sleep because of it. This is not a true family campground. It invites all the wrong elements, because they don’t enforce the rules. Drunken, loud, yelling campers are everywhere at all times.
This is not relaxing camping. It’s just non-stop loud music and partying. I would NEVER recommend this campground to people I actually like, and will never be returning.
GuideThis is an excellent campground. This is our second time visiting. The campsites are level and adequately sized and fire rings are available. There is a dump station and water available on site. There are plenty of hiking trails available from the campsite.
TravelerCodorniz is a quiet, well-maintained campground run by the Army Corps of Engineers on Eastman Lake. It’s a great spot if you want a peaceful camping experience with decent amenities and easy lake access. What I liked: • Spacious sites with good separation for privacy • Decent restrooms and hot showers • Hookups available at some sites • Relaxed, low-key atmosphere—no crowds or noise • Nice lake setting for fishing, kayaking, and swimming Things to keep in mind: • It’s fairly remote, so bring everything you’ll need • Amenities can vary by site and season • Cell service is limited, so download maps/info ahead of time Overall, Codorniz is a solid choice for RV or tent camping if you want a calm, lake-adjacent spot without the chaos of more popular campgrounds. Great for a weekend getaway or a longer stay if you’re exploring the Central Valley area.
LegendValado RV Park and State fairground offers 38 RV spaces 29 with full power (50 amp) water and sewer hookups for $48 a night. Weekly and monthly rates available. 30 minutes to Pinnacles National Park, and 5 minutes south of Hollister, California. Good T-Mobile coverage. Office closes at 4:00. Local rodeo in June.
TravelerI love how many sites here are private. It really gives the sense that you are out alone in nature, while being only 15 minutes away from the city. The restrooms are in good conditions, I haven’t tested the showers. But I’ve always enjoyed my trips here
A negative though- people do tend to dump their cats here, so depending on the time of year cats may be heavy. In January there were lots, this last time in March I only saw one or two!
TravelerWe recently camped at Vivian Cove and had a mixed experience.
The positives:
The natural setting is beautiful — right by the water with lots of ducks, and the campsite layout is quite nice. The stone seating areas are a great feature, and overall the location itself is very enjoyable. It feels more secluded compared to the main campground areas.
Important notes about facilities:
Be aware that facilities here are very basic. While the site may be listed as having amenities, in reality:
This may be expected for some campers, but it can be very different from what people assume if they see “restrooms” or “hookups” mentioned.
The main issue:
Our experience was heavily affected by a few groups who did not follow campground etiquette.
While many campers were respectful and quiet, it only took one or two inconsiderate groups to significantly impact the experience.
Enforcement:
There does appear to be enforcement — staff/patrol came through in the morning and disruptive groups were eventually asked to leave. However, quiet hours were not effectively enforced overnight.
Tips for future visitors:
Overall:
The location is great, but the experience depends heavily on neighboring campers and expectations regarding facilit
TravelerI don’t think it lives up to the expectations or the price. I generally find it dirty here. I also think the toilets are quite worn
Camping sites near Los Banos, California tend to be drier and warmer than other parts of the state, with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F. The area sits at elevations ranging from 100 to 400 feet above sea level in the western San Joaquin Valley. Most campgrounds remain open year-round due to the mild winter climate, though autumn and spring typically offer the most comfortable conditions for outdoor activities.
Fishing at Los Banos Creek Reservoir: Sites 1, 3, 4, 11, and 12 sit directly on the water's edge, providing immediate access for anglers. Campers can cast directly from their sites or from several shoreline locations. "The water was only a few steps away. Very small campground which made it not feel crowded," notes Los Banos Creek Campground visitor Patrick F.
Explore bat caves at Pinnacles: The park offers unique cave exploration opportunities along with rock climbing on distinctive formations. Cave access varies seasonally to protect bat populations. "Pinnacles have some great hikes, there are bat caves to explore, lakes and slot canyons. We really enjoyed hiking thru caves and tight places. Super fun for adventurous kids," shares a Debi R. from her visit to Pinnacles.
Water activities at Medeiros: The primitive campsites provide direct water access for swimming, kayaking and fishing during warmer months. Most water-edge sites include shade structures and fire rings. "We stayed right next to the river, which was nice. Open area with nice spots with a table, shade and a fire pit," explains Erika V. from her stay at Medeiros Primitive Campsites.
Waterfront access: Many sites at Los Banos Creek Reservoir allow for camping within steps of the water, particularly sites 3-4 and 12, which offer both shade and lake proximity. "Site #5 appears to be the largest site. We fit our 3 tents at the one site and used the other two just for parking. The entire campground is right on the banks of the reservoir so water access no matter where you're staying," explains Haley M. about Los Banos Creek Campground.
Quiet atmosphere at McConnell: The state recreation area along the Merced River provides a peaceful environment with shade trees and river access, particularly on weekdays when crowds are minimal. "I love this park and specially love the off season. I usually haul in just day hours and stay worry and bother free," notes Bradley A. about McConnell State Recreation Area.
Swimming pool at Pinnacles: During hot summer months when hiking becomes challenging, the campground swimming pool provides welcome relief, especially for families with children. "If you camp here in the summer it'll be really hot, but the good news is there is a swimming pool at the campground. We usually do a early morning hike and then spend the afternoon cooling off at the pool," writes a visitor to Pinnacles.
Wildlife encounters: Beyond raccoons, campers report spiders, frogs, and other wildlife at several area campgrounds. Proper food storage and tent setup are crucial. "In the light of the headlamp I saw MANY LARGE spiders. They'd come out to hunt, apparently. This is no exaggeration, they were so large that their eyes gleamed when they caught the light of the headlamp," warns Jessica R. about her experience at Los Banos Creek.
Water conditions vary: San Luis Creek Campground offers both good fishing and swimming, though water levels and safety conditions change seasonally. "Camping spot was clean and a tall fire pit a good distance from the water and bathroom at site 22. Was hot af was the only issue for us, 103 and the sun just hurt. There were plenty of fish and fishing folks on the shore and boats all were catching," reports Joseph R. from San Luis Creek Campground.
Water crossings at some sites: Several campgrounds require crossing water features to access the camping areas, and these can change rapidly with rainfall. "Warning: the water crossing is no joke!!!! When I arrived it was about 7" but when I crossed the next day to go into town it was 9-10" high and flowing fast. I was legit scared but I made it across," cautions LILI P. about Los Banos Creek.
Choose sites with natural shade: Many sites lack significant tree cover, making summer camping uncomfortable without proper preparation. "Sites #5-9 are the flattest and beach front. I'm not sure what it's like now after this year's rain, but there was a sandy beach front leading into shallow water. It was perfect for our young kids to play in safely (with life vests of course)," recommends Haley M.
Early morning activities: Schedule hiking and outdoor exploration before 10am during summer months to avoid extreme heat, particularly at Pinnacles. "The raccoons at Pinnacles are particularly determined to get into coolers and food containers. My campsite was right next to a common raccoon path and a few walked by within a few feet of me and my campfire," warns Christopher V. from Pinnacles Campground.
Verify bathroom facilities: Restroom quality and type vary significantly across campgrounds and even within the same campground. "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 bathroom in our loop—and that's not ideal in the heat," explains Emily H. about her Pinnacles experience.
Leveling blocks required: RV sites at many area campgrounds, particularly at Los Banos Creek, require significant leveling equipment. "If RV... bring leveling blocks... lots. Getting it reserved is a website-mess though as you need to click on San Luis Reservoir SRA and then Los Banos Creek Campground. LBC doesn't even show up on the map," advises Weston W.
RV length limitations: Most sites accommodate smaller rigs under 24 feet, with limited options for larger vehicles. "Large, level sites. Very good rates for a quick stop," reports Mike K. about his stay at Santa Nella RV Park, one of the few options that regularly accommodates larger rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you camp at Los Banos Reservoir and what are the regulations?
Yes, camping is available at Los Banos Reservoir through several designated campgrounds within the San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area. Basalt Campground — San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area and Medeiros Primitive Campsites — San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area offer options for visitors. Regulations include required reservations for most campgrounds (previously first-come-first-served sites have transitioned to the reservation system), adherence to fire regulations, and specific check-in/check-out times. The area is managed by California State Parks, so standard state park rules apply, including quiet hours, pet leash requirements, and proper food storage. Facilities vary by campground, with some offering water and toilets while others are more primitive.
Where are the best camping spots near Los Banos?
The Los Banos area offers several excellent camping options. Los Banos Creek Campground — San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area is a prime local spot with sites suitable for tents and smaller RVs, though leveling blocks are recommended. For those willing to drive a bit further, Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park offers beautiful surroundings with both tent and RV sites about 2.3 miles from main trailheads. Other good options include Laguna Mountain Campground (BLM land with primitive camping), Thousand Trails San Benito (good for exploring Pinnacles), and several campgrounds within San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area like Basalt and San Luis Creek.
What amenities are available at Los Banos Creek Campground?
At Los Banos Creek Campground — San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area, amenities include basic facilities suitable for an older, established campground. The sites accommodate tents and smaller RVs, though larger rigs may have difficulty with leveling as the terrain is uneven (bringing plenty of leveling blocks is recommended). The campground is now reservable through the state park reservation system, though navigation of the website can be challenging as you need to select San Luis Reservoir SRA first, then Los Banos Creek Campground. Basic amenities include toilets and water access. The campground provides a convenient base for exploring the larger San Luis Reservoir recreation area.
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