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 (731)

    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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Showing results 1-10 of 731 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews in California

10000 Reviews of 731 California Campgrounds



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.