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.
Camping on a budget? See the 2414 free camping spots in California. 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
- Jedediah Smith Redwoods — Del Norte - Crescent City · ~$35/night · Vistas 9.8
- Upper Pines - Yosemite Valley — Eastern Sierra - Yosemite · ~$36/night · Vistas 9.8
- Prairie Creek Redwoods - Elk Prairie — Humboldt - Orick · ~$35/night · Vistas 9.5
- Montana de Oro SP — SLO - Los Osos · ~$30/night · Vistas 9.5
- D.L. Bliss State Park — Lake Tahoe - South Shore · ~$45/night · Vistas 9.5
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns - Big Sur — Monterey - Big Sur · ~$35/night · Vistas 9.5
- Tuolumne Meadows — Eastern Sierra - Yosemite · ~$26/night · Vistas 9.5
- Humboldt Redwoods - Burlington — Humboldt - Weott · ~$35/night · Vistas 9.5
- Convict Lake — Eastern Sierra - Mammoth · ~$24/night · Vistas 9.5
- Alabama Hills BLM — Eastern Sierra - Lone Pine · Free · Vistas 9.5
- Lake Tahoe - West Shore — Lake Tahoe - West Shore · Vistas 9.5
- Whitney Portal — Eastern Sierra - Lone Pine · ~$28/night · Vistas 9.5
- KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND — KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND · Vistas 9.5
- Jalama Beach County Park — SB - Lompoc / Point Conception · ~$50/night · Vistas 9.5
- Channel Islands - Scorpion Ranch — Channel Islands NP - Santa Cruz · ~$15/night · 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
- 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
- Alabama Hills BLM - Lone Pine — Eastern Sierra - Lone Pine · Free · Vistas 9.5
- Crystal Cove - Moro Camp — OC - Newport Beach / Laguna · ~$55/night · Vistas 9.5
- Whitney Portal Group Campground — CA · Free · Vistas 9.4
- Sunrise High Sierra Camp — 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
- Tuolumne Meadows Backpackers Campground — CA · Vistas 9.3
- WHITNEY PORTAL — WHITNEY PORTAL · Vistas 9.3
- Big Pine Canyon - Palisade Glacier Group Campground — CA · Free · Vistas 9.3
- Upper Pines Campground — Upper Pines Campground · Free · Vistas 9.3
- LONE PINE — LONE PINE · Vistas 9.3
- Sentinel Campground — Sentinel Campground · ~$10/night · Vistas 9.3
- Little Yosemite Valley Campground — CA · Free · Vistas 9.3
- Upper Pines Campground — CA · Free · Vistas 9.3
- Tuolumne Meadows Horse Camp — CA · Vistas 9.3
- Lower Pines Campground — Lower Pines Campground · Free · 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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