Best Tent Camping near Tupman, CA

We went tent camping and the spots were huge and close to the river which made for beautiful peaceful mornings.

Very convenient and super clean. The lady who answers the phone is super friendly and helpful. I think it's better for RVs and don't think there are any tent sites.

Nice and clean. Vault toilets. There’s water, but not sure if it’s potable, there wasn’t a sign. No trash service, you have to pack it out. There is an area for your horse. Walk in sites, rv/car camp/van/tent sites. It’s first come first serve, no reservations and it’s free.

rv camped. but could’ve tent camped in our spot, closer to the water. sites are HUGE! rv hookups lots of trees. water has enough pools to chill in. short walk upstream, gives you option for rafting back down to your camp. very enjoyable couple of days. oh! and super close , for a run into Sequoia for the day ( we did that!) we also reserved our spots, so our whole caravan of rvs would be together!

Nira is a small, primitive campground in the San Rafael wilderness behind the Santa Ynez Valley. The campground is a bit of a haul to get back to, and is often used as a base for backpackers entering the San Rafael wilderness or the Manzana Creek trail. I myself have only tent camped at Nira, just to go somewhere different - my boyfriend and his friends have backpacked out of Nira into the San Rafael Wilderness and to the Manzana Schoolhouse on multiple occasions.

Nira is the second, smaller campground back on Sunset Valley Road - Davy Brown Campground is up the road a little ways. Nira is small, with only 12 sites in a densely wooded live oak grove. The oaks provide a lot of shade and help separate the various camp sites. The Manzana Creek runs behind the campground; the main road leading into Nira is right above the campground, however, you’re pretty far back in the hills, so there isn’t a lot of noise from traffic.

Each site has a fire ring and a picnic table. There are no hook ups and only pit-toilets are available. There is NO DRINKING WATER available at Nira Campground, so be sure to bring plenty of water, especially if you plan to backpack through the area.

WARNING: You ARE in black bear country! While it is unlikely that a black bear will enter the campground, I would suggest locking your food and coolers in your car at night, as there are no food lockers in the campground. When hiking the Manzana Trail be aware of your surroundings: Black bears, coyotes, mountain lions, bob cats, and coyotes have been seen on the trail. CAMPSITE SPECS

Fees: $20/night (+ $10/ extra vehicle)

Plumbed Toilets: No - vault

Drinking Water: No

Showers: No

Picnic Table: Yes

Firepit: Yes

Cooking Grate: Yes

Shade: Yes

Cell Service: No

Animal Bins/Food lockers: No

Trash: Yes

Bathrooms, vaulted tent spots, fire pits. Has a water spigot but doesn’t work (maybe off during winter?) trail to hill top. Equestrian site for sure.

We had a great time floating on the river, sleeping in tents right by the water, bathrooms were clean and easy. Staff was so cool

Reyes Creek was great. The drive was nice, very scenic. The campsite was nice but small. Campsites are very, very close together. Some are smaller than others. Especially closer to the creek are smaller. The bathrooms are very clean for a campsite bathroom. Jade was very helpful and informative. She told us about two trails, we did the lighter one that was very nice. I can see this place being very nice in the summer. The weather on the apps are wrong. You have to google a few things to get the right weather. It was much colder than expected at night, woke up to 29 degrees F and ice on my tent and car windows. Other people with us said they had ice in their tent.

Went with a HUGE group of friends and we all had such a great time. Some of us were in RVs and some were in tents. We all got to stay together no one had to be separated from the group. We were right on the water, super beautiful and relaxing. One of my most memorable trips for sure!

About a mile from the trail head the lost valley campground is a great spot for beginning backpackers to stay for a night or two. It’s right up against the creek and has two tables. Great tree placement for hammocks and space for tents.

Beautiful campground in a secluded mountain area, if only I could fit into it! I reserved a spot based on the site saying it would accommodate 40’, then noticed the campground as a whole recommended 22’ max. I drove up in the car to check it out, and glad I did! The spots are big but the entrance is narrow and there’s a few spots that even a small class C would probably hit low hanging tree branches. Amazing spot for vans or tents but anything bigger, check out McGill campground right up the road.

Pretty solid! Had great cell service and was a lovely drive to get there. Probably wouldn’t recommend if you have a tent or RV as the spots were a little small and rocky. But I only went a little past where the directions take you, so not sure what else is up there.

Arrived just at sunset and loved the views! It was very peaceful and far enough from the highway. It seemed like the same truck was driving up and down a couple times which was the only downfall.

Overall a good experience.

Small campground for 12 smaller than 30 ft rigs or tents. Most are much smaller. Rough bumpy road for miles ether direction on a first come, first serve campground. Has vaulted toilet with no water or other services. If full, would seek off road area on right just as you approach. Has older building of interest. There was a great horned owl in one of the few eucalyptus trees at the campsite. Quiet and nice area to take a hike or two with pretty nice views if you like the high desert landscape. Warning not to travel dirt roads after a rain as you’re likely to get stuck. Better if you come in from the north side(58) on paved roads, but would limit you to boondocking likely because unable to get to this or Selby campgrounds. Selby is another first-come site to the NW

Great area to explore. Site 23 is level for a 2 door jeep wrangler with a roof top tent. it is a great site to stay due to very open and lots of trees to choose to hang hammock. Larger cars could be an issue due to entrance of campsites being with an ok designed. Clean, calm and great sunsets views to enjoy. Site 23 had a picnic table and metal fire grill/ring. Could not have a fire due to tight restrictions and a penalty of $5000 if evidence of fire was found. Fire fighters on constant patrol to enforce fire restrictions. Right before entering campground there is a Fire Forest dirt road great for exploring with a 4x4 vehicle. Lower Loop sites look better due to being more level.

We thought this campground was absolutely gorgeous. I guess some people don’t like to rough it a little and expect toilet paper in the bathrooms lol. Next time stay inside your RV. We spent a nice peaceful quiet night here on super bowl weekend. Don’t know why people are saying it’s remote when there’s a main highway only a few miles away and ranch houses near by and cell Service. The dirt road is in great condition and don’t need a 4x4 at all. It’s only 2 miles of dirt road to the campground and the rest is paved. Theres a nice trail that leads to the creek but unfortunately wasn’t flowing right next to camp but it was just upstream. Plenty of firewood to gather from fallen trees nearby. We didn’t see anyone the whole weekend and we had a great time. There are plenty of flat spots to set up a tent and had no problem at all.