Hiking Campgrounds in California
Discover the best hiking campgrounds across California. Experience the best of both worlds with camping that puts you right at the heart of incredible hiking opportunities. Direct trail access and stunning mountain vistas.
Hiking Campgrounds in Other States
Featured Campgrounds
Handpicked destinations that define the region
About This Region
California offers unparalleled hiking diversity—from the tallest trees on Earth in the coastal redwoods to the highest peak in the contiguous US at Mount Whitney. The Golden State encompasses desert canyons, alpine meadows, volcanic landscapes, and dramatic Pacific coastline. With over 280 state parks and 9 national parks, California camping and hiking creates endless opportunities for trail exploration across every imaginable terrain.
California hiking campgrounds range from drive-up sites near popular trailheads to remote backcountry camps requiring permits. Many national forest campgrounds offer direct trail access without the crowds of national parks. Expect variable conditions: coastal fog, desert heat, and mountain weather that can change rapidly. Campgrounds fill quickly during summer and holiday weekends, especially near iconic destinations like Yosemite and Lake Tahoe.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (April-June) brings wildflowers to the desert and foothills with comfortable temperatures. Summer (June-September) is ideal for Sierra high country after snowmelt. Fall (September-November) offers fewer crowds and stunning colors, particularly in the Eastern Sierra. Winter opens mild coastal and desert hiking while closing mountain passes. Many trails are accessible year-round in Southern California and along the coast.
Region Highlights
- Direct trail access
- Mountain and forest settings
- Backpacking base camps
- Scenic wilderness views
Plan Your Trip
Essential information for a great camping experience
How We Rank Campgrounds
We curate the top 24 campgrounds for Hiking Campgrounds in California using a transparent, data-driven methodology
Review Sentiment
We analyze camper reviews to measure overall satisfaction based on average ratings.
Review Volume
Campgrounds with more reviews provide stronger signals of quality and popularity among campers.
Quality Score
Our ranking combines sentiment and review volume to surface consistently well-reviewed campgrounds.
Geographic Relevance
Campgrounds are selected based on proximity to the destination and relevance to the search area.
Our Data Sources
- Recreation.gov - Official federal campground data and availability
- State Park Systems - ReserveCalifornia, ReserveAmerica, and state-specific booking platforms
- Google Reviews - Aggregated camper ratings and sentiment analysis
Hiking Campgrounds in California FAQ
Common questions about hiking campgrounds in California
We've ranked 970+ hiking campgrounds in California based on trail access, hiking variety, scenery, and user reviews. Top options are near national forests, state parks, and wilderness areas.
Popular California Campgrounds Book Fast
The best hiking campgrounds in California book up quickly, especially during peak season. Set up free alerts to catch cancellations.
2-Minute Checks
We scan for cancellations every 2 minutes across all booking platforms
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167,000+ Campsites
Coverage across Recreation.gov, ReserveCalifornia, and more
Outdoorithm
Just now
Site #42 is now available!
Black Rock Campground · Your preferred dates
Tip: This campground typically books out within hours. Act fast!
Find Your Perfect California Campground
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- Search 970+ hiking campgrounds in California
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