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The Ultimate Backpacking Bucket List for California
Wilderness as far as the eye can see.
Did you know that California is home to over 14 million acres of wilderness. You read that correctly. Over 14 million! Even the most driven explorer with all the time in the world couldn’t hike every trail in California in a single lifetime. But that doesn’t mean you can’t try. If you’re able to carve out the time for one of the classic thru hikes like the JMT or the PCT, then get after it! For those of you who can only make time for a long weekend trip, this list of 50 backpacking trips in California is just what you need to fuel your next adventure to the backcountry.
Northern California
From the rugged Pacific coast to the dense redwood forests to the summit of Mt. Shasta, Northern California has no shortage of diverse backcountry terrain. Tackle the Lost Coast or spend a couple days relaxing in Redwood National and State Parks...you can’t go wrong.
1. Backpack Devil’s Punchbowl, Six Rivers National Forest
Photo: Joshua Contois
2. Climb Mt. Shasta via Clear Creek Route
Photo: Daniel Sherman
3. Hike to Etna Mountain Summit
Photo: Greg Balkin
4. Backpack the Sky High Lakes in the Marble Monutains
Photo: Chaney Swiney
5. Backpack Redwood National and State Parks
Photo: Austin Trigg
6. Backpack to Canyon Creek Lakes
Photo: Dan Loch
7. Backpack the Lost Coast: Mattole to Black Sands Beach
Photo: Whitney Whitehouse
8. Backpack the Stuart Fork Trail to Emerald and Sapphire Lakes
Photo: Joshua Contois
Bay Area
Living around the Bay Area is ideal for anyone who wants to live a city life but needs to have quick access to the wild. You can drive anywhere from 1-3 hours from San Francisco and find some truly stunning landscapes. Beach camping, epic summits, and more redwoods await.
9. Backpack to King’s Peak from Shelter Cove
Photo: Aja Pete
10. Backpack to Pt. Reyes Coast Campground
Photo: Josiah Roe
11. Backpack the Glen Camp Loop via the Palomarin Trailhead
Photo: Jeff Driscoll
12. Backpack to Point Reyes Wildcat Camp
Photo: Miranda Leconte
13. Backpack Sam McDonald Park
Photo: Ashley Chang
14. Backpack the Bear Valley to Coast Camp Loop
Photo: Jeff Driscoll
15. Backcountry Camp at Big Basin Sunset Trail Camp
Photo: Christian Arballo
16. Backpack to Redfern Pond
Photo: Ashley Chang
17. Backpack to Pat Springs
Photo: Max Berger
18. Backpack the Pine Ridge in Big Sur, North Coast Ridge Loop
Photo: Chris Diantonio
19. Backpack to the Ventana Wilderness’ Sykes Hot Springs
Photo: Blake Maitoza
20. Climb Cone Peak in Big Sur, Sea to Sky Route
Photo: Josiah Roe
21. Backpack to Goat Camp in Big Sur
Photo: Andrew Conway
The Sierra Mountains
The mighty Sierra are a major draw for people around the world. Early explorers like John Muir and Ansel Adams had obsessions with these mountains and made them famous with their writing and photos. But even the best writers and photographers can’t do these mountains justice...you need to see them for yourself.
22. Backpack to Ropi Lake
Photo: Emily Kent
23. Backpack to Leavitt Lake in Stanislaus National Forest
Photo: Jake Young
24. Backpack to the Waterfall Camp in Desolation Wilderness
Photo: Jake Young
25. Backpack to Middle Velma Lake
Photo: Christian Arballo
26. Backpack to Susie Lake in Desolation Wilderness
Photo: Miranda Leconte
27. Backpack to Gilmore Lake in Desolation Wilderness
Photo: Jake Young
28. Hike and Climb to Mt. Conness
Photo: Alex Souza
29. Backpack to Vogelsang and Merced Lake High Sierras Camp
Photo: Julie & Brian
30. Backpack Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley
Photo: Kevin Abernethy
31. Backpack Cathedral Lakes
Photo: Addison Klinke
32. Backpack atop Donohue Pass
Photo: Alex Souza
33. Backpack Lower & Upper Relief Valleys and the East Flange Rock
Photo: Josiah Roe
34. Backpack Sunrise Lakes to Clouds Rest
Photo: Nathaniel Polta
35. Backpack to Duck Lake
Photo: Sierra Joy
36. Backpack Agnew Meadows to Tuolumne Meadows
Photo: Jeff Driscoll
37. Backpack Ansel Adams’ Banner Lake
Photo: Addison Klinke
38. Backpack to Ediza Lake
Photo: Tobin Akehurst
39. Backpack to Crater Lake, Sierra National Forest
Photo: Emily Rudger
40. Backpack from Onion Valley to Mt. Whitney
Photo: Jeff Driscoll
41. Backpack the Rae Lakes Loop
Photo: Kevin Kaminski
42. Backpack to Mount Silliman, Sequoia NP
Photo: Debra Alison
Southern California
Explore the desert expanse of Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Parks or charge the trails on the sunny California coast. Down south, the water is warmer and beach camping is that much better...not sold yet? Check out these adventures.
43. Backpack to Panamint Dunes
Photo: Sarah Eichstedt
44. Backpack the Boy Scout’s Trail in Joshua Tree
Photo: Ian Buchanan
45. Backcountry Camp in Joshua Tree
Photo: Lauren Shusterman
46. Beach Camp on Santa Rosa Island
Photo: Michael Wigle
47. Backpack Mt. Williamson from Shepherd Pass
Photo: Jack Brumbaugh
48. Backpack Eaton Canyon to Idlehour
Photo: Alan Leung
49. Backpack the Trans-Catalina Trail
Photo: Drew Robinson
50. Backpack Zaca Ridge
Photo: Michael Wigle
Add these backpacking trips to your bucket list and let us know how you do. The truth is, this list only scratches the surface of the wealth of amazing backpacking you can find in California. But just because you’ve been told you can’t explore all of California’s wilderness in a lifetime, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
Cover photo: Josiah Roe
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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