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California Dog-Friendly Camping: Best Pet-Allowed Campgrounds

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SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Mackerricher State Park Campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with pets, providing trash collection and picnic tables across its sites. Dogs must remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet and are prohibited from trails and beach areas to protect local wildlife. Jumbo Rocks Campground in Joshua Tree National Park similarly allows pets but restricts them from backcountry trails. Alabama Hills Recreation Area offers free dispersed camping with pets and basic toilet facilities, though lacks amenities like trash collection or picnic tables. Many campers report encountering ticks in several California camping areas, particularly at Hardin Flat Road, necessitating thorough pet checks after outdoor activities.

South Carlsbad State Beach Campground features tent, RV, and glamping options along the coastline with pet-friendly sites, providing full hookups including electric, water, and trash disposal. Dogs must remain outside sensitive habitat areas but can access designated portions of the campground. Pinnacles Campground in Pinnacles National Park accommodates pets in tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping accommodations with amenities including electric hookups, drinking water, and picnic tables. When planning pet-friendly camping trips in California, always verify specific pet policies as they vary across campgrounds, with some requiring vaccination records or charging additional pet fees. Weather consideration proves crucial when camping with pets in California's diverse climate zones, from coastal fog to desert heat. The campground at Hardin Flat Road provides comfortable camping despite the presence of many other groups nearby, creating a sense of security while offering proper waste disposal facilities.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites in California (2,672)

    1. Jumbo Rocks Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

    125 Reviews
    Twentynine Palms, CA
    Website
    +1 (760) 367-5554

    $30 / night

    "They're situated between HUGE boulders so they're nicely tucked away from high winds that can sometimes pick up."

    "It is roughly in between the northern and western entrances of the park, which means that it's essentially on the eastern edge of most of the rock climbing areas."

    2. Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    100 Reviews
    Pinnacles, CA
    Website
    +1 (831) 200-1722

    $44 - $164 / night

    "The campground loop we were in was full and the sites are fairly close to your neighbor but it wasn't bad. The main reason being absolutely NO generators allowed so it was peaceful."

    "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"

    3. Alabama Hills Recreation Area

    87 Reviews
    Lone Pine, CA
    Website
    +1 (760) 872-5000

    "Very cool rock formations all around you. Nice short trail nearby that takes you by a stream. Nearby to lone pine where I had one of the best patty melts ever."

    "Be prepared for to pack it all in and out coz you aren’t digging many cat holes. Tons of privacy at many sites."

    4. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

    80 Reviews
    Carlsbad, CA
    Website
    +1 (760) 438-3143

    $50 - $650 / night

    "If you’re headed to San Diego, be sure to stop and check out Carlsbad just off of the 5. this awesome beach town is quintessential Southern California beach awesomeness and it is absolutely gorgeous."

    "South Carlsbad State Beach is extremely crowded (like many coastal campsites in Southern California), but has very easy access to your own space on the beach below the cliffs."

    5. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground

    72 Reviews
    Big Sur, CA
    Website
    +1 (831) 667-2315

    $50 - $75 / night

    "It was huge, the ground was flat, there was room for multiple tents, and was fairly far away from the closest campsites. This little area of the campground was quiet and well-spaced out."

    "No other sites behind us. It felt secluded and private. Close to the bathrooms. And the bathrooms were clean. We didn’t have a river site but the river was right across from us."

    6. Morro Bay State Park Campground

    70 Reviews
    Los Osos, CA
    Website
    +1 (805) 772-2560

    $35 - $165 / night

    "This is my go to spot when traveling between Northern and Southern California. Conveniently located near to the town of Morrow Bay, but just far enough to feel away from it all."

    "Unlike many state campgrounds you find near the highway or railroad tracks, this one is located a nice distance from the road.  Still, it is within walking distance to a small marina and restaurant."

    7. Upper Pines Campground — Yosemite National Park

    66 Reviews
    Yosemite Valley, CA
    Website
    +1 (209) 372-8502

    $36 / night

    "Campground is close to curry village where showers, pool, market and pizza are available. Campground is near happy isles, where the trailheads for vernal falls, Nevada falls and half dome begin."

    "FYI, they are not joking about wildlife here, bear lockers are there for a reason and the animals are so comfortable and used to people they get close to camp."

    8. Indian Cove Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

    65 Reviews
    Twentynine Palms, CA
    Website
    +1 (760) 367-5554

    $55 / night

    "The sites are tucked into the rocks which block wind and kept us nice and warm at night. Bats flew just overhead for a couple hours and I thought it was magical!"

    "Cons: no park entrance from here. You have to drive 20/30 minutes out to the main road and back in to get to the main area of the park. The campsite next to us had some nasty anthills."

    9. Oceano Campground — Pismo State Beach

    67 Reviews
    Grover Beach, CA
    Website
    +1 (805) 473-7220

    $35 - $50 / night

    "Popular with families and groups Grass around tent sites still green. Most parking spots close to level but bring some blocks. Individual large restrooms with flush toilets and sinks."

    "It started raining cats and dogs during the night, 7am the rangers advised that evacuations could be in store....3pm we had to leave the campground and we were directed further down the coast to Oceana"

    10. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Campground

    61 Reviews
    Hiouchi, CA
    Website
    +1 (800) 444-7275

    $35 - $100 / night

    "It is pet friendly and has a good system of paths through the campsites but still affords privacy."

    "Quiet and pet friendly! Decent showers, and great involvement from the staff! No annoying camp hosts!"

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews in California

    10000 Reviews of 2672 California Campgrounds

    • S
      Apr. 1, 2019

      Flying Flags Avila Beach

      Good base camp

      We stopped here for a few nights so we could hook up to shore power for a bit, do laundry, dump etc. The campground itself is small and old so the sites can be a little small for the larger rigs. Bathrooms and showers were clean. People who run it were extremely accommodating - it was difficult for us to access the dump hookup in our first assigned site (we have a macerater with a very short hose) so they moved us to a better site. Easy walking/biking access to Avila beach (4.8miles round trip), and quick drive from Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo. They allow leashes pets and have a small dog park and pet “walk,” and while these are great, I also like to walk my dog around the whole campground when we can’t take her walks elsewhere, and this campground is very limiting. They have several signs up where dogs aren’t allowed.

      Overall, this is a great location if you want access to the beach and nearby towns with nice basic amenities.

    • BThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jan. 14, 2026

      Joshua Tree RV & Campground

      Friendly staff, comfortable park, clean amenities

      Comfortable partial hookup sites, pet friendly, and nice people. Theres a dog park next door. The bathrooms are clean, and the laundry facilities work well (although coin only, no cards).

    • N
      Sep. 26, 2021

      San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA

      Great camp for the kids

      This KOA is pretty big with plenty of options for RV sites. Wide variety of full hook-ups or partial hook-ups. Like most (if not all) KOAs, you can also tent camp or tent cabins. Good size dog park for the pets to run and be free, as well as plenty of fun activities to entertain the kiddos. For us, this is a great spot to shoot down the highway and pull in for a few days to get away from the hustle and bustle of normal life! Close to downtown Petaluma with plenty of premium shops and restaurants.

    • Amy and Alan R.
      Nov. 24, 2020

      Trona Pinnacles

      Magical Landscape

      A very out of the way place to plant yourself if you are looking for space. I never knew this was here and grew up camping in California. Filming for the remake of Planet of the Apes happened here. There is so much room and a huge choice when camping here, there isn’t however, potable water or shade unless you bring your own. Amazing views and stunning sunsets. Pretty decent star gazing as well, tho there are lights from Trona it’s self and a glow of light on the horizon to the south. We spent a few days camping with family here. It’s easy to social distance when you need binoculars to see most of the fellow campers in the area. There is one pit toilet at the main parking area and some people to camp there as well. Close to Spangler Hills Off Rd area as well.

    • Sunshine M.
      Oct. 21, 2022

      Rancho Seco Recreation Area

      All types of fun !

      I love this place because it is about 45 minutes from the house.  There's plenty to do with lots of great sites.  The first time we went, they didn't have any annual passes because they lady was out that day. But the other day, we were able to finally get a season pass.  You can fish, hike, or swim here. The campsites are spacious and you don't feel over crowded if there is a family next to you. It's pet friendly. The store was recently redone and they offer a wide variety of items, from keep sakes to any necessity you may have forgotten ( lighter, logs, clothes shoes, etc... )  There also boat rental that are a fair price, plus you get them for an hour or so. ( You will have to check the prices and availability. ) There's a dog park for the dogs to roam free off the leash, which also has access to water/ beach area for the dogs only.

    • haelie A.
      Nov. 1, 2022

      Laguna Seca Recreation Area

      racetrack!

      we stayed here for two days while camping in california- it was sweet! we had the whole tent/dry camping campground to ourselves this time of year.

      i couldn't find anything about rates online, so if you are trying to figure that out--- it's not the cheapest. dry camping ranges from 40-50$ and full hookup from 50$-60$, though i do think they have discounts for off season (november-....march? not sure.) waking up and watching the open track was super fun. lots of cool trails and viewpoints.

      > good thing to mention, we showered on the third morning. my (male) partners shower was hot, and my (female) shower was so freezing. so maybe showers in the male bathroom, although way grosser, are the move!

    • K
      Jul. 31, 2021

      SacWest RV Park & Campground

      Perfect for what it is.

      Perfect for what it is which is a basic parking lot RV park. The amenities are pretty great, lovely pool, petting zoo and my favorite the fenced dog park. Oh and they have a dog wash with leash clip!!! So many parks miss the opportunity for dog friendly features. They have the cleanest bathrooms i have ever experienced at an RV park.

      My only disappointment was the wifi connection specifically in communal spaces close to the office where it makes sense to have strong connection. Their rec room would be a perfect place to hey some work done if only the wifi was powerful enough. Since i was working on the road I was specifically in need of this amenity. I heard certain RV spots had great reception but unfortunately not ours.

    • Alejandro L.
      Feb. 19, 2021

      Mt. Figueroa Campground

      Make your own camp

      While visiting Los Padres National forest on a Valentines Weekend, we unfortunately couldn’t do much camping near the higher altitudes due to high wind gusts so we headed toward the other camps, Davy Brown and Nina. Only problem was these were all reserved!! Why I hate most camping in California Bc nothing is ever available. Either way I hate these type of campgrounds where there are fire pits, and bathrooms, and typically more humans nearby. So we ditched that and settled on a campsite off the road since the sun was setting. It was off one of the many horse/hike trails and was at least flat and somewhat further from the road and hidden by brush and trees. It was a nice night and enjoyed a quiet night alone on the forest. We only needed to do an overnight since we were doing the wineries and we’re staying at an bed and breakfast the next night. Overall it was nice but rather stay in 2 other spots we found that could make for future camping trips. ☺️⛺️

    • Gillian L.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 15, 2025

      Barstow-Calico KOA

      Beautiful

      We rolled in after dark. The office is open until 9 pm which was very nice. They sell snacks and supplies. There are cabins for rent along with tent sites in addition to backup and pull through sites. Our site had full hookups. The dog park at the back of the campground was decent size with a gorgeous view of the mountains. There are arched overhead lights through the lanes to help light in the dark. A word of warning, the campground has many oleander flower bushes which are toxic to humans and pets if ingested, so please use caution. There are signs warning of this.

    Guide to California

    California offers a variety of pet-friendly camping options, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors with your furry friends by your side.

    Pet-friendly campgrounds include Jumbo Rocks Campground

    • At Jumbo Rocks Campground, pets are welcome, making it a great spot for families traveling with dogs.
    • This campground features picnic tables and fire pits, perfect for a cozy evening with your pet after a day of exploring.
    • With numerous hiking trails nearby, you can enjoy scenic walks with your dog while taking in the stunning rock formations.

    Dog-friendly activities while camping near Pinnacles National Park

    • Pinnacles Campground allows pets, and the surrounding area offers fantastic trails for hiking with your dog.
    • The campground has a pool, providing a refreshing spot for the whole family, including your four-legged companions.
    • Enjoy birdwatching and wildlife spotting in the park, where your dog can accompany you on many trails.

    Dog owners appreciate the amenities at South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

    • South Carlsbad State Beach Campground features easy beach access, allowing you to take your dog for a fun day by the ocean.
    • The campground includes clean restrooms and showers, ensuring a comfortable stay for both you and your pet.
    • With a nearby camp store and restaurant, you can grab snacks and supplies without leaving your furry friend behind.

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