Campgrounds in California
California has 3796 campgrounds in the Camphive database, from free dispersed and BLM camping to developed state park and national forest sites. The highest-rated spots are listed below by Vistas score, Camphive's 1–10 scenic rating. Every listing links to a full page with location, fees, and details.
Looking for a site for a larger party? See the 290 group campgrounds in California. Prefer free, primitive camping? Browse the 2708 dispersed camping spots in California.
Of the 40 top-rated spots listed below, 19 are free and 40 score 8 or higher on the Vistas scenic scale. Listings concentrate around CA, Eastern Sierra - Lone Pine, Lake Tahoe - West Shore, Eastern Sierra - Yosemite.
Top campgrounds in California
- Emerald Bay SP Boat Camp — Lake Tahoe - Emerald Bay · ~$35/night · Vistas 10
- D.L. Bliss State Park — Lake Tahoe - West Shore · ~$45/night · Vistas 10
- Desolation Wilderness — Lake Tahoe - El Dorado · ~$5 permit · Vistas 10
- Upper Pines - Yosemite Valley — Eastern Sierra - Yosemite · ~$36/night · Vistas 9.8
- Jedediah Smith Redwoods — Del Norte - Crescent City · ~$35/night · Vistas 9.8
- Crystal Cove - Moro Camp — OC - Newport Beach / Laguna · ~$55/night · Vistas 9.5
- Humboldt Redwoods - Burlington — Humboldt - Weott · ~$35/night · Vistas 9.5
- Convict Lake — Eastern Sierra - Mammoth · ~$24/night · Vistas 9.5
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns - Big Sur — Monterey - Big Sur · ~$35/night · Vistas 9.5
- D.L. Bliss State Park — Lake Tahoe - South Shore · ~$45/night · Vistas 9.5
- Prairie Creek Redwoods - Elk Prairie — Humboldt - Orick · ~$35/night · Vistas 9.5
- Alabama Hills BLM - Lone Pine — Eastern Sierra - Lone Pine · Free · Vistas 9.5
- Alabama Hills BLM — Eastern Sierra - Lone Pine · Free · Vistas 9.5
- Point Reyes - Coast Camp — Marin - Point Reyes · ~$20/night · Vistas 9.5
- Kirk Creek - Big Sur — Monterey - Big Sur · ~$35/night · Vistas 9.5
- Jalama Beach County Park — SB - Lompoc / Point Conception · ~$50/night · Vistas 9.5
- Catalina Island - Two Harbors — LA - Catalina Island · ~$30/night · Vistas 9.5
- Steep Ravine Cabins - Mt Tam — Marin - Stinson Beach · $100/night · Vistas 9.5
- KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND — KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND · Vistas 9.5
- Montana de Oro SP — SLO - Los Osos · ~$30/night · Vistas 9.5
- Whitney Portal — Eastern Sierra - Lone Pine · ~$28/night · Vistas 9.5
- Tuolumne Meadows — Eastern Sierra - Yosemite · ~$26/night · Vistas 9.5
- Lake Tahoe - West Shore — Lake Tahoe - West Shore · Vistas 9.5
- Channel Islands - Scorpion Ranch — Channel Islands NP - Santa Cruz · ~$15/night · Vistas 9.5
- Sunrise High Sierra Camp — CA · Free · Vistas 9.4
- Whitney Portal Group Campground — CA · Free · Vistas 9.4
- ANACAPA ISLAND — ANACAPA ISLAND · Vistas 9.4
- Whitney Portal Family Campground — CA · Vistas 9.4
- Camp 4 — CA · Free · Vistas 9.4
- Doc Moyle's Camp — CA · Free · Vistas 9.4
- WHITNEY PORTAL — WHITNEY PORTAL · Vistas 9.3
- Upper Pines Campground — Upper Pines Campground · Free · Vistas 9.3
- Tuolumne Meadows Backpackers Campground — CA · Vistas 9.3
- Sentinel Campground — Sentinel Campground · ~$10/night · Vistas 9.3
- Little Yosemite Valley Campground — CA · Free · Vistas 9.3
- Tuolumne Meadows Horse Camp — CA · Vistas 9.3
- LONE PINE — LONE PINE · Vistas 9.3
- Upper Pines Campground — CA · Free · Vistas 9.3
- Big Pine Canyon - Palisade Glacier Group Campground — CA · Free · Vistas 9.3
- North Pines Campground — CA · Vistas 9.2
Open the interactive California camping map on Camphive to browse all 3796 spots with filters for free camping, RV access, and scenic ratings.
California camping FAQ
Are there free campgrounds in California?
Yes. California has 2708 dispersed camping spots in the Camphive database, which are primitive and usually free, plus free developed sites. See the dedicated dispersed camping page for the full list.
What is the Vistas score?
Vistas is Camphive's 1–10 scenic rating for every campground, based on the surrounding landscape. Spots rated 8 or higher are exceptional; this page lists California's top-rated camping first.
Do campgrounds in California require reservations?
Developed state park and national forest campgrounds often do, especially in summer. Dispersed and most BLM sites are first-come, first-served with no fee. Each listing links to a detail page with what's known about fees and access.
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