Best Tent Camping in California

Yosemite. The redwoods. Big Sur. World-famous outdoor destinations abound in California. There are so many that you couldn’t possibly explore all the richness the state offers in one lifetime. The trick when camping in California is managing so many possibilities. Once you've visited the famous sites, try some creative approaches to camping in California.

When you think Napa Valley, you think of wine, not camping. But you can plan a wine vacation from behind the flap of your tent. Set up in one of the valley’s campgrounds then visit the many casual tasting rooms that won't mind dirt under your fingernails. When you tire of drinking wine, hike Mt. St Helena, a dormant volcano. Or walk through the Petrified Forest, a forest that was turned to stone by the last eruption of the volcano. Or visit California’s Old Faithful, a nearby geyser.

Once you have found camping in California’s Half Dome in Yosemite Valley, center yourself in Tuolumne Meadows, a more remote section of the park with its own collection of charming granite domes. Here's a secret: Instead of joining the crowds of day hikers on the meadow's most popular trails, follow the backpackers north on the famed John Muir Trail. The trail meanders through meadows, along a river below alpine peaks. And best of all, the first 8 miles of this trail out of Tuolumne are flat. Hike until you find a spot to watch the marmots, then return to your campsite. For more, backpack another 23 miles to Reds Meadow where you can catch a shuttle back up to Tuolumne.

With a little effort, you can spend the rest of your life camping in California and have a new adventure every time.

Best Tent Sites in California (732)

    1. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground

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

    $50 - $75 / night

    "With a stream running near the hike and bike camping area and tall trees offering a cool shade it is a wonderful reprieve from the outside world.  "

    "Weather was perfect (did not need a rain fly on the first night!), trails were well kept, and camping sites at both Sykes Hot Springs and Ventana were in great conditions."

    2. North Grove Campground — Calaveras Big Trees State Park

    22 Reviews
    Arnold, CA
    Website
    +1 (209) 795-2334

    $25 - $70 / night

    "The campground we chose was kind of close to the road which would have been the only real negative."

    "Beautiful site, hiking trails close by, well maintained grounds. Bear came through our camp one night hit the Bear box and walked off. Rangers were friendly and very informative about the area."

    3. Ventana Campground

    23 Reviews
    Big Sur, CA
    Website
    +1 (831) 667-2331

    $85 - $105 / night

    "We found it to be clean, in good repair, and the hosts were very warm and welcoming."

    "Great location for easy access to the state parks. Pricey but we fortunately didn’t have any neighbors (site 29)."

    4. Yucaipa Regional Park

    20 Reviews
    Yucaipa, CA
    Website
    +1 (909) 790-3127

    "The bathrooms are decent, no showers.

    We stayed in group campsite A. Tent camping is only allowed in group sites. They do have about 30 to 40 RV sites as well."

    "Great tent camping facilities, privacy from neighbors, access to Zanja Peak Trail head, 3 lakes for fishing, water park during the summer, and friendly helpful staff"

    5. Kumeyaay Lake Campground

    20 Reviews
    Santee, CA
    Website
    +1 (619) 668-2748

    $24 - $25 / night

    "This campground is located in the Mission Trails Regional Park, and we absolutely loved it. There are clean bathrooms with flushable toilets and showers, and sinks to wash off things."

    "No hookups here but they have great clean bathrooms and hot showers. Lots of hiking/biking straight from your campsite. This place is a jem, being so close to most parts of San Diego."

    6. Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground — Channel Islands National Park

    18 Reviews
    Oxnard, CA
    Website
    +1 (805) 658-5730

    $15 - $40 / night

    "We departed at around 9 am and arrived at around 10:30. We had to check in by 8 in the parking lot at Ventura bay."

    "This place had been on my bucket-list of camping forever and it takes a decent amount of planning because not only can you only access the campground by private boat, once there you have to walk in about"

    7. Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park - CLOSED INDEFINITELY

    18 Reviews
    Pescadero, CA
    Website
    +1 (650) 879-2040

    $35 / night

    "It is a smaller park than many of the other redwoods parks in Northern California, so it was very nice and peaceful. Butano is a bit off the beaten path to get to, but so worth it."

    "The campsite has car camping and walk-in sites. I had sites 5 and 6. The map for the campground is deceiving as they looked close together and connected but they were separate."

    8. Donner Memorial State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Truckee, CA
    Website
    +1 (530) 582-7892

    $35 / night

    "Close to Truckee so you can easily get supplies. Lots of trees give a private feel even though it is a busy campground."

    "We were in a large site and had pleasant neighbors. The restrooms were SUPER clean with flush toilets and hot showers. Short walk to Donner Lake and Donner Museum."

    9. Lake Camanche

    18 Reviews
    Wallace, CA
    Website
    +1 (209) 763-5121

    $50 / night

    "Wicked August heat, BUT there’s the lake!

    5 Stars — were it not for the SLOBS who preceded us!!"

    "I come here with my family every year around 4th of July. I would book way ahead for busy holidays like that. 

    The water level really varies on the year."

    10. Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area

    16 Reviews
    Borrego Springs, CA
    Website
    +1 (760) 767-5391

    "This is a great open camping area, you can camp near others or find a secluded spot of your own. There are fire rings, picnic tables, toilets and even showers."

    "Season starts around Halloween and ends in May for Red stickers. They have public restrooms spread through the grounds. It's great for tent camping and RVs/campers, tents."

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Tent Camping Reviews in California

10000 Reviews of 732 California Campgrounds


  • Dani P.
    Jul. 12, 2019

    Meeks Bay

    Beautiful and big family oriented campground

    Just a small walk away from Lake Tahoe shore. Big beautiful trees cover the entire campground. A couple bathrooms that surprisingly do not smell bad and have a running faucet. Bears are a real issue, so they have big bear boxes at each site - make sure to use them. Sites close together and not much privacy. Camp Host on site. Very limited parking at the sites, but free parking if you park outside of the campground along the main road and walk in. Do not leave food in your car, especially on the outside. And dont forget to Leave No Trace!

  • Luis N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 19, 2020

    Parsons Landing Campground

    Beach side campground

    One of the most amazing campgrounds I’ve ever stayed at. You’re on a sandy beach with waves crashing on the shore. There’s only a handful of sites, so try to book this early. Sites have rocks stacked up as a wind shield, it really helps! You’ll also have a picnic table, food storage box, and a fire pit. Vault toilets are available. No water on site, you must bring your own. Water, firewood, and fire starter are available for purchase. You can buy them at two harbors, which is where they will give you a key for a locker that is at parsons landing which will have all those items. I believe it’s 2 gallons of water.

  • Tony  C.
    Sep. 20, 2020

    Little Jimmy Trail Campground

    Local gem of a campsite

    This campsite is located in California and is one of my favorites. Located above Crystal Lake you’ll find Little Jimmy, it’s a backcountry hike-in only campground nestled just 2 miles off the Angeles Crest Highway. It has around 7 first-come, first-served sites with fire rings, vault toilets (which are currently not in service), and vintage backcountry ovens. After parking at Islip Saddle, cross the highway and begin hiking for 2 miles up the switchbacks until you reach Little Jimmy Campground on your right. Popular with Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, this scenic spot offers a chance to get away from established campgrounds and live amongst the Coulter Pines and Big Doug Firs. Campers turned hikers have easy access to hop on the legendary Pacific Crest Trail which runs through the camp. There is no fee to camp here other than an Adventure pass for your parking. In the summertime, bears can be common visitors so make sure and secure your food in provided bear boxes or bring your own bear canisters. As always, make sure you follow the "Leave No Trace" principles and pack everything in and out!

  • Elliott B.
    May. 11, 2019

    Ventana Campground

    Ranger Review: RovR RollR 60 Cooler at Ventana Campground: Nice campground

    Campsite Review:

    Ventana Campground

    Ventana Campground is a tent only campground, which I love as I feel like it’s harder and harder to find now a days. They can’t accommodate RV’s, motor homes, travel trailers or pop-up tent trailers. Although we did see a few of the rental company camper vans and trucks with roof tents or small campers on top. This campground isn’t cheap… But for the Big Sur area, I guess it’s “reasonable” as this campground is right in the middle of Pfieffer Big Sur and Julia Pfieffer Burns State Parks. It really is in a great location to explore the coast That being said, I did find it a little disappointing just how close the campsites are to each other here, meaning you’re not going to get anything close to a secluded camping experience. These (like almost all campground now a days) come with a fire ring and picnic table. We were lucky enough to get randomly placed in a spot right next to a wonderful little 2-foot waterfall on the creek that runs through the campground. We lucked out as there was never anyone at the front gate and there was just a list of everyone’s per-assigned campsite. There were some other campsites which were right on top of each other and you had to basically walk through someone else’s area to get to “your” table and fire ring.

    It was nice that there was both recycling/trash and potable water stations scattered throughout and the bath facilities were decently maintained, and as they say “modern” (i.e. flush toilets). However, I was blown away that they only have coin-operated showers available (2 minutes per quarter). This and they really did pack in the 60+ sites plus a “glamping” area in the back for $425-695 (average ~$600) a night…

    The tent site campground is reservable by phone at 1-855-391-8683 or online ($85 for Sunday-Thursday, $105 for Friday & Saturday)

    While we don’t have one, I know people like to know that dogs are allowed at the campsite on leash (2 per campground).

    For me personally the campground only gets 3/5 stars :

    Overall, remember that while you have great access to the beauty that Big Sur Coast has to offer and the campground is pet friendly you’re definitely, not really going to get a remote camping experience and there’s a lot lacking for how much you’re paying. The facilities don’t have dish washing areas and while they are nicely cleaned and maintained things like a shower shouldn’t have cost extra…

    These rules are copied from their pamphlet.

    •        Respect the peacefulness and quiet of the redwoods.

    •        QUIET HOURS 10 PM TO 7 AM.

    •        No loud noise or loud music at anytime.

    •        NO RVS. NO HOOK UPS. NO GENERATORS.

    •        All fires must be in fire rings, under control at all times and extinguished before departure.

    •        PLEASE DO NOT DEFACE TREES OR STUMPS.

    •        Please purchase your firewood in Big Sur. Collecting groundwood is forbidden.

    •        No fireworks or fire arms permitted on property.

    •        LEAVE NO TRACE on campsites or facilities.

    •        Conserve water. Firmly close water taps when not using.

    •        Dogs must be quiet, on leash at all times and stay in campsites or roads. Please clean up after your dog. No dogs left unattended.

    •        Recycle bins are available for plastic bottles, cans and glass. Please recycle.

    •       Maximum five people, one vehicle, two dogs.

    Gear Review:

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt I sometimes get the opportunity to test out products and what I got to use during this trip for protecting our food from the wildlife and the elements was RovR’s RollR 60 cooler. While listed as “a 60-quart carrying, all-terrain attacking, patented design that can go anywhere you can. Engineered with the world's best cooling and organization design on the inside and built to carry your campsite, tailgate or party on the out.” It really turned out to be all this plus so much more. We had a really easy time wheeling it around and to our site and it was so much nicer than having to carry a cooler like I’ve done with my other rotomolded brands. Ugh… they get heavy with food and ice in them.

    This cooler comes with a lot of really unique features that no other cooler has! Plus many other customization and add-on possibilities. Their coolers come with a folding tote container which is attached to the top with velcro straps so that while wheeling it around it won’t just slide right off. Good thinking there! When not in use this tote folds flat, and fits into an indention on the top thus serving possibly as a slight cushion for sitting.

    When in use, the tote is unfolded and becomes an additional dry container for holding extra gear like a stove, pots and pans, paper towels, etc. You can also remove it entirely from the top and placed to the side or move it to a picnic table with all that dry gear you have for cooking or whats not. This “feature” is awesome - it is like having two carrying containers in one.

    There are additional fixtures on the cooler which are designed to attached auxiliary items like a cutting board, umbrella or drink holders. There’s even a fixture for attaching an extension that can be attached to a bicycle. Thus, one can pull the cooler behind a bicycle like a trailer. Innovative game changer for those bike campers!

    My favorite feature was Inside the cooler there is a special bin that can hold items that may not need to be chilled like bread, towels or utensils. This feature is so important to keep items separate and dry when moisture develops, or the ice starts to melt. The bin itself has an internal divider which further aids with organization. Sometimes you want things right on the ice, but other stuff isn’t going to do as well if you freeze it!! This was an awesome idea.

    Overall, I give the cooler 5/5 stars. I really love the company’s innovation to the rotomolded cooler and even our cats approved! Go get ourselves one of these instead of some of those other rotomolded coolers at RovRproducts.com

    Cooler’s Features:

    •        Certified grizzly bear resistant rotationally molded body and lid with anchor pins for attaching prep station and accessories!!! Yes, please. Especially with all the bear cu

    •        Up to 10 days of ice retention depending on use. Umm....need to test this out fully, but it lasted the 4 days i needed it with opening the cooler a few times per day.

    •        Capacity: Without Deepfreeze dry bin installed: 60 cans and 20lbs. of ice. With Deepfreeze dry bin installed: 40 cans and 10 pounds of ice in main compartment and 4-6 bottles of spirits upright with meats, breads, fruits and vegies in dry compartments. 

    •        High performance wheel assembly: 9-inch all-terrain rubber tires with interchangeable tube, aluminum hubs with 2 sealed bearings 

    •        Aluminum pull handle with dual motocross style grips. This is great for pulling the heavy cooler around. Have you tried carrying one of the other brands without wheels?!?! It sucks!! They get really heavy, really fast.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2021

    Big Pine Creek Campground

    Creek side paradise

    I stayed here May 10-12th with my two dogs. I chose a site right along the creek which was wonderful to fall asleep to the sounds of rushing water. Many sites are quite spacious and offer a sandy area for tent set up. Most sites have a picnic table, fire pit, & metal bear box for food storage. Vault toilet available that were surprisingly clean. Camp host was friendly and had firewood on site available for purchase for $8/bundle. The website lists nightly rate as $21/night but when I arrived the sign had been updated to $23/night. This was the perfect basecamp for some day hikes up Big Pine Creek Trail to some beautiful blue lakes.

  • Erin S.
    Mar. 16, 2022

    Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    Tent campground with plenty of hiking trails

    Pantoll is a pretty campground located adjacent to the entrance to Mount Tamalpais.  You can hike to, bike to, take the bus to, or even drive to this campground.  If you choose to drive, just know that it can be impossible to find a place to park on busy weekends (you'll need to drop your stuff off, find a place to park along the road, then come back to park in the evening when the parking lot clears).  We hiked in.  On a weekend night in March, only four of the 16 sites were taken so we had no problem nabbing a spot.  The campground is situated across a steep-ish hillside.  Water spigots are spread out among the sites, but all the bathrooms are located down the hill near the parking lot.  Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, and a flat spot to pitch a tent.  Sites are fairly close together in bunches (for example, 2, 3, and 5 were close, 6 and 7 were close, but there was a bit of space between the groups). Firewood is sold at the ranger kiosk but they have limited hours. Some spots are larger than others, and very few can accommodate a house-size tent (you know what I mean - and no judging, I have a house-size tent for car camping).  We had our 3 person backpacking tent with us and it would have fit in all the sites.  Sites up the hill require a bit of a hike-in but are farther from the road noise and busy parking lot.  There is one dishwashing station near the bottom.  

    Pros: 

    - Location.  You can hike anywhere from this campground.  Down to Muir Woods in less than 3 miles.  Up to Rock Springs, Bolinas Ridge, and Mount Tam.  Down to Stinson Beach.  I could spend a week here exploring all the trails.

    - Amenties.  Dishwashing sink, many water spigots, food storage lockers, fire pits, toilets that flush.  And Wifi from the ranger kiosk (squee!!!) which we appreciated to check the weather and bus schedule (very poor Verizon signal).

    Cons: 

    - Noise from Panoramic Highway.

    - Busy parking lot with lots of people potentially moving around the campground (especially the lower sites). 

    - No reservations: FCFS only.

    Overall I'm really happy I finally got to chance to camp here and would recommend.

  • Ryan W.
    Aug. 8, 2020

    Stone Creek Campground — Mount San Jacinto State Park

    Just Far Enough to Feel Remote. Just High Enough to Make Hiking Difficult.

    Stone Creek Campground in San Jacinto Mountain State Park is the perfect getaway for coastal Southern California residents. It is a few hours out of the major metro areas, but close enough to get to for just a night or two. 

    Located near Idyllwild, this is the smaller, less rowdy campground associated with the tourist town. There is also a camp right in town if you're looking for shopping and bars, and a few more further up hill.

    Stone Creek has about 35 sites. The outer ring sites are huge, and most of them are fairly private especially the loop to the right of the entry. Our site was #7, and after thoroughly campsploration it is unquestionably the best for individuals. If you're in a group rent the inner ring where the backsides of all the sites run together.

    We were trying to get away from people, from the pandemic, and spend some time doing something normal. Stone Creek was perfect for that. The only human interaction was having to check -in at the entry with a ranger. They wore a mask, and we spoke through a window in the ranger shed. They did have to hand me a parking pass, but after that we were on our own.

    Site 7 is extremely large, and extremely private with multiple flat spots that could accommodate tents, two large picnic tables, multiple spots for hammocks and a fire ring that has seen better days. We could see a car across the loop, but couldn't actually see other campers without effort from where we set up the tent or even the fire ring.

    This particular site extends back over a ridge and downhill. It was so private back there we strung up our camp shower next to a giant boulder for a shower without feeling like we needed to set up a privacy shade/curtain.

    Camp is just high enough to prevent most bugs, but there were a few flies and mosquitos. The vault toilets were clean, and well stocked with TP and antibacterial soap. There were three on-site. One in the middle of the center ring which was the busiest, but none of the solar lights were working making it difficult to find in the dark. No obvious trail. The other we used near the entrance was well lit, had a wooden path and seemed to be forgotten by most other campers.

    Multiple hiking trails led out of camp including one right from next to our site that led to multiple other trails heading up San Jacinto Mountain. The trails were a mix of gravel fire road, dirt trail and a few sandy areas through the flats. They were mostly well-signed, but one sign was down causing us to miss a turn so…bring a map. They're available at stands at the front of camp. Trails are…vertical unless explicitly labeled as short scenic hikes.

    There were warning signs for snakes, mountain lions, plague-infected squirrels and bears, but all we saw were deer. They didn't seem to consider bears a serious threat as there were no bear boxes or locks on trash cans. However, having bear-proof (Ha!) food storage is important.

    We really have no complaints about this place, and will definitely be back to explore more trails.

    Pro-Tip: It is a windy, windy road up into the mountains, and people travel too fast. We saw some serious accident sites when people were traveling too fast, and caught up to a slow moving camper around a curve. Drive carefully.

    Pro-Tip: We had full phone/wifi service here. We didn't want or need it, but if we were working from the road this would be an easy stop to set up.

    Pro-Tip: Outer ring is more private. Inner ring better for groups.

    Pro-Tip: In the summer add 5-10 degrees to the temperature which is taken from a higher elevation weather station.

  • A
    Oct. 16, 2020

    Indian Cove Campground — Joshua Tree National Park

    Beautiful Joshua Tree Campground

    We stayed at campsite 50 in October with two young kids (2 and 4). Tent camping.

    Pros: the views, the beautiful rocks, clean sites, friendly ranger, rocks that could give you some relief from sun if you’re lucky enough. Great area for bouldering from entry level up. Site 50 had low rocks that were doable for my 2 and 4 yo. The rest were way too advanced.

    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. Some of the campsites are set up a bit odd depending on your equipment, could or could not be a big deal. For example we were sharing a parking space with campsite 51 and their site was walking in behind ours. So if they had had an RV I think it would have been impossible. Site 50 was right across from the vault toilet which was great for proximity (and toilet was clean as far as these go) but every once in a while we’d get a whiff of out house which is not pleasant. Wasn’t too frequent so not a big deal but if you want to avoid stay further away from toilets.

    Get water at the entrance gate to the cove. That’s the only water hook up near by. Picnic tables and fire ring in each site. Vault toilets. No showers. No Joshua trees here but tons of Mojave yuccas and other desert plants. Beautiful views and sleeping under dessert sky and stars.

  • J
    Oct. 13, 2023

    Wawona Campground — Yosemite National Park

    Great campground

    I really recommend this campground. I can come here and play online games with my family. The campground offers both reservable and first-come, first-served campsites. The sites are relatively spacious and provide a mix of shade and sun. Each campsite typically includes a fire ring, picnic table, and food storage locker. It provides basic amenities such as restrooms with flushing toilets and drinking water. However, it does not offer showers or hookups for RVs. There are no electrical or water connections at individual campsites. The campground's location provides access to various outdoor activities. Nearby attractions include the Mariposa Grove, where you can explore giant sequoias, and the Wawona Golf Course. Additionally, there are hiking trails, scenic drives, and opportunities for wildlife viewing in the area.


Guide to California

Tent camping in California offers a diverse range of experiences, from coastal retreats to serene forest getaways. Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, there's a perfect spot waiting for you.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Tips for tent camping near popular attractions

Unique features of California campgrounds

  • Experience the charm of Manker Campground, nestled in Angeles National Forest, with access to numerous hiking trails and beautiful mountain views.
  • Camp at Limestone Campground for spacious sites above the river, perfect for cooling off on hot days and enjoying the serene surroundings.
  • Enjoy the remote beauty of Usal Beach Campground, where you can camp right on the beach and soak in breathtaking sunrises.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best tent camping locations in California?

California offers exceptional tent camping experiences ranging from beaches to mountains. Parsons Landing Campground on Catalina Island provides a secluded beach camping experience with sandy shores and crashing waves. Sites feature wind shields, picnic tables, and food storage boxes. For mountain lovers, Thousand Island Lake Backcountry in the Ansel Adams Wilderness offers stunning 360-degree mountain views at nearly 10,000 feet elevation with pristine waters for fishing, swimming, and spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Other notable options include Yosemite National Park's backcountry sites, the redwood groves at Calaveras Big Trees, Channel Islands National Park, and Mount Tamalpais State Park, all offering unique ecosystems and terrain for tent campers to explore.

What should I pack for tent camping along the California coast?

When tent camping along the California coast, pack layers for variable temperatures—mornings and evenings can be significantly cooler than daytime, especially with coastal fog. Bring a quality tent with a full rain fly and footprint, as coastal humidity and occasional precipitation can be factors. At Pantoll Campground on Mount Tamalpais, campers appreciate having wind protection gear. Include a warmer sleeping bag than you might expect (rated 10-15°F below expected lows). For Santa Cruz Island Scorpion Canyon Campground, pack all necessary water and supplies, as services are limited. Essential items include sunscreen, hat, beach towel, binoculars for wildlife viewing, headlamp, portable stove (during fire restrictions), insect repellent, and waterproof storage for electronics and valuables.

Are there any tent-only campgrounds in California for a more secluded experience?

Yes, California offers several tent-only campgrounds perfect for secluded experiences. Sheep Camp Primitive Campground in Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area features just four tent sites alongside a small stream providing peaceful white noise. Little Jimmy Trail Campground is a backcountry hike-in only option with about seven first-come, first-served sites, located just two miles off Angeles Crest Highway. It features fire rings and vault toilets. For boat-in seclusion, Lake Clementine Boat In offers designated tent sites accessible only by water. Hetch Hetchy Backpacker's Campground in Yosemite and walk-in sites at Steep Ravine on Mount Tamalpais provide additional tent-only options where motorized vehicles and larger RVs cannot intrude, creating a more immersive natural experience.

What are the best times of year for tent camping in Southern California?

The best times for tent camping in Southern California are spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) when temperatures are moderate and crowds are thinner. Summer (June-August) brings hot days, especially inland, though coastal areas like Black Jack Campground on Catalina Island remain pleasant with ocean breezes. Winter (December-February) offers mild daytime temperatures at lower elevations and in desert regions like Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area, with nighttime temperatures that can drop significantly. Spring wildflower blooms create spectacular landscapes in areas like Anza-Borrego Desert. Consider elevation when planning—mountain areas have shorter seasons (typically June-September), while coastal and desert regions are accessible year-round with proper preparation for seasonal conditions.