California
Looking for the best camping in California? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around California. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Camping Spots in and near California
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Kings Canyon National Park, California
Lookout Peak via Don Cecil Trail
11.05 mi / 3865 ft gainYou'll want an early start to this hike so consider camping in the park the night before. If you enter the park via CA-180 and follow it for a ways (passing Kings Canyon Visitor Center, Kings Canyon Lodge, and eventually the Cedar Grove Visitor Center) you'll come up to two campsites on the left-...Read more -
Los Angeles County, California
Bear Canyon via Switzer Falls Trailhead
6.67 mi / 1273 ft gainParking: Parking is available at the Switzer Falls Picnic Area, or in the two overflow lots on the hill. You will need an Adventure Pass to leave your car parked here. Make sure to follow posted signs - there are some parking spots that do not allow overnight parking. Amenities: Bear Canyon has...Read more -
Bishop, California
Bouldering In The Buttermilks
5.0The Buttermilks is a historical climbing area that is home to some of the worlds most famous rock climbs. It is located at the base of the Eastern Sierras near Bishop, CA. In this region there are 3 main bouldering areas: The Happies, The Sads, and The Buttermilks.The Buttermilks are massive gr...Read more -
Whitethorn, California
Jackass Creek via Lost Coast Trail
23 mi / 8071 ft gainThe Lost Coast is infamous. For its name alone draws visitors from around California and the world. A 26-mile stretch of coast, road less, with a wall like mountain range just yards from the ocean and beach. But with the Lost Coast being what it is, there is a lesser-known, yet equally stunning h...Read more -
Cambria, California
Camp at San Simeon State Park
4.0San Simeon has two campgrounds to choose from – San Simeon Creek Campground has 115 campsites for tent or RV camping. Sites have fire rings and picnic tables, and nearby there is firewood for sale. Your other choice is the primitive Washburn Campground, located 1 mile inland. From this plateau, y...Read more -
San Bernardino County, California
Off-Road Jacoby Canyon
5.02.9 miThis is now my favorite trail in the San Bernardino National Forest. Ranging from desert scenes at the bottom and pine trees at the top, you experience such high levels of outdoors feel you can't resist. This trail has so many awesome spots for camping and off-roading that it has a great mix for ...Read more -
Junction City, California
Scramble Thompson Peak
4.022.7 mi / 6100 ft gainThis adventure begins at the Canyon Creek Lakes in the Trinity Alps wilderness. Park at the Canyon Creek Trailhead near Junction City and hike the well-maintained and easy-to-follow trail for 8 miles. Once you reach the Canyon Creek Lakes, your off-trail adventure officially begins. I’d recommend...Read more -
Pacific Crest Trail, California
Camp at Warner Valley
Warner Valley Campground is at the end of Warner Valley Road. It's 16 dollars a night at a first come first serve basis. As far as the campground it self, there are a few bathrooms and each site has a fire ring and a picnic table. There are 17 sites which isn't a ton but since it's a fairly unuse...Read more -
Groveland, California
Hetch Hetchy to Rancheria Falls
4.812.55 mi / 2388 ft gainSituated in the northwest portion of Yosemite National Park, Hetch Hetchy is is a not often visited treasure of the Central Sierra Nevada. In 1913, in an extremely controversial move, work on the O’Shaughnessy Dam was started to provide water to the growing population of San Francisco. Today, Het...Read more -
Inyo County, California
Backpack Fall Canyon
8 miThe trail head is north of Furnace Creek at the Titus Canyon parking lot which is clearly marked on any park map. On a busy weekend cars are lined up along the road leading to the parking lot which has a restroom. Note that there is no water source here. To begin the hike in, take the trail on th...Read more -
Bishop, California
Backpack the Piute Pass Trail in the John Muir Wilderness
21 mi / 2000 ft gainWith so many famous hiking trails in the Sierras, its hard to find a trail as isolated as the Piute Pass Trail. This trail allows you to hike in the John Muir Wilderness, Inyo National Forest, and Sierra National Forest in one 20 mile section of trail. You will encounter amazing wilderness, spect...Read more -
Inyo County, California
Camp at Lone Pine Campground
4.0The Lone Pine Campground is located 6 miles west of Lone Pine California, and 7 miles east of Mt Whitney Portal. The campsite is nestled next to Lone Pine Creek, which is the perfect place to fish for Sierra Nevada trout. The campground sits at 6,000 feet and in clear view of Mt. Whitney, the hig...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Backpack to Lower Ottoway Lake
32 mi / 2400 ft gainThe hike begins at Mono Meadows trailhead along Glacier Point Road, first descending 2.8 steep miles to Illilouette Creek. Above the Illilouette Junction, take in views of the Valley's granite domes before beginning the post-burn forested slog. The trail covers an additional 10 miles of relativel...Read more -
Hume, California
Weaver Lake via Big Meadows Trailhead
6.81 mi / 1181 ft gainThe hike to Weaver Lake begins at the Big Meadows trailhead in Sequoia National Forest (elevation: 7,633 ft.). There is roadside parking at the beginning of the trailhead and more parking available just inside the gate. At the trailhead, there is a vault toilet, trash receptacle, and map of the a...Read more -
Bishop, California
Hike Pine Creek Pass to Lower Pine Lake
10 mi / 2500 ft gainThe Pine Creek Pass is usable for day hiking and overnight adventures. If you'd like to spend the night, be sure to pickup a wilderness permit! If you plan to bring a four legged friend, make sure to indicate that on your wilderness permit request. There are several lakes you can stop at througho...Read more -
Burney, California
Northshore Campground
The name of the campground, Northshore Campground, speaks for itself. It's located on the northern side of Lake Britton, across the water from the main state park camping area. This is nice for us as it's easier to get a spot, and it's much quieter. Campground Reservations It's a PG&E campgr...Read more