Sawtooth Canyon Campground

San Bernardino National Forest

Tucked away in the San Bernardino National Forest, Horse Springs Campground beckons adventurers seeking an authentic wilderness escape. This hidden gem offers a rare opportunity to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature's quiet rhythms. As a primitive campground with minimal foot traffic, it provides the perfect sanctuary for those who prefer their outdoor experiences unfiltered and uncrowded.

Bureau of Land Management, Barstow Field Office, 2601 Barstow Rd., Barstow, CA 92311, USA

Nestled within the otherworldly Rainbow Basin Natural Area, Owl Canyon Campground beckons adventurers with 22 intimate campsites scattered beneath ancient rock formations. This first-come, first-served desert oasis rewards early arrivals with sites featuring welcoming picnic tables, crackling fire rings, and protective shade structures that offer respite from the Mojave sun. While vault toilets provide modern convenience and water arrives weekly by truck, savvy campers pack extra supplies to ensure uninterrupted exploration. Budget-conscious travelers and geology enthusiasts alike find themselves drawn to this affordable gateway to one of California's most spectacular geological theaters, where rainbow-hued cliffs and sculpted badlands create an ever-changing canvas of natural art.

SAN BERNARDINO

Saddle up for an unforgettable adventure at Big Pine Equestrian Group Campground, where horseback riders and their trusted companions find sanctuary in the breathtaking San Bernardino Mountains. This specialized campground welcomes groups of up to 25 people, offering thoughtfully designed equestrian amenities including spacious horse corrals, convenient hitching racks, and fresh watering stations that ensure both riders and horses enjoy their mountain retreat in comfort.

San Bernardino National Forest

Escape to Horse Springs Campground, where the serenity of the high desert meets the whispering pines. Tucked away from the tourist crowds of Big Bear Valley, this secluded retreat invites you to pitch your tent among fragrant juniper groves and towering pine clusters. Here, where the mountain air is crisp and clear, you'll discover a peaceful sanctuary where panoramic mountain vistas stretch endlessly in every direction, painting the horizon with nature's grandest canvas.

Bureau of Land Management, Barstow Field Office, 2601 Barstow Rd., Barstow, CA 92311, USA

SAN BERNARDINO

San Bernardino National Forest

San Bernardino National Forest

Bishop Creek, South Lake Road, near Four Jeffrey Campground, CA

Escape to Mountain Glen Campground, where just five secluded sites await beneath a canopy of quaking aspens and graceful willows. This hidden gem along the melodic waters of Bishop Creek offers the perfect basecamp for tomorrow's alpine adventure or a tranquil week-long retreat from the demands of modern life. Here, intimacy meets wilderness, creating an atmosphere where every camper becomes part of the mountain's quiet rhythm.

1 Visitor Center Dr Lee Vining, CA 93541

Tucked into a scenic bend along the melodious Lee Vining Creek, Big Bend Campground invites adventurers to claim one of its 17 intimate campsites within the majestic Inyo National Forest. This hidden gem serves as the perfect basecamp for those drawn to both Yosemite's stunning Tuolumne Meadows entrance and the otherworldly landscapes of Mono Basin Scenic Area. Each site comes equipped with essential amenities including vault toilets, fresh potable water, and bear-proof food storage lockers to ensure both comfort and wildlife safety during your stay.

INYO, CA, USA

Nestled in the heart of the Eastern Sierra, Big Pine Canyon offers adventurers a gateway to some of California's most dramatic alpine wilderness. This stunning canyon serves as your basecamp for exploring ancient glaciers, crystal-clear mountain lakes, and towering granite peaks that pierce the sky at over 14,000 feet. Whether you're seeking challenging mountaineering routes or peaceful streamside camping, Big Pine Canyon delivers an authentic High Sierra experience that will leave you breathless—both from the altitude and the sheer beauty surrounding you.

Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Gather your favorite people at Camp 4 Group Campsite, where up to 35 adventurers can create lasting memories together in the heart of nature. This thoughtfully developed campground welcomes groups with everything needed for the perfect outdoor gathering – spacious picnic tables for shared meals under towering trees, crackling fire pits for evening storytelling, convenient vault toilets, and regular garbage collection that lets you focus on what matters most: quality time with friends and family.

Six Rivers National Forest

Tucked away in the vast wilderness of Six Rivers National Forest, Bailey Canyon Campground offers an authentic back-to-nature experience for those seeking solitude and simplicity. This hidden gem provides all the essentials for a comfortable stay, including vault toilets and fresh drinking water, while each thoughtfully arranged campsite comes complete with a sturdy table for meals under the stars and a campfire ring where stories and s'mores come to life after dark.

Sequoia National Forest

Perched at an impressive 7,800 feet elevation, this mountain retreat features 73 thoughtfully designed campsites nestled among towering pines and crisp mountain air. The campground welcomes RVs up to 24 feet, with each site featuring a paved parking spur for easy setup and bear-proof storage boxes for peace of mind. Adventure seekers will love the direct access to thrilling OHV trails right from camp, while fresh drinking water is available throughout the season. Whether you're seeking adrenaline-pumping off-road adventures or simply yearning to wake up above the clouds, this high-elevation haven offers the perfect basecamp for your mountain escape.

Eldorado National Forest

Tucked away in the heart of Eldorado National Forest, Northwind Campground beckons those seeking solitude amid towering pines and whispering aspens. This hidden gem rewards visitors who venture off the beaten path with pristine natural beauty and the kind of peaceful atmosphere that's increasingly rare in today's busy world. The smooth paved roads leading to this intimate campground make it an accessible retreat where the only sounds you'll hear are birdsong and wind through the trees.

Sequoia National Forest

Rail Creek Rd, Klamath National Forest, California

Escape to the pristine wilderness of Kangaroo Lake Campground, where 18 thoughtfully placed sites await at 6,100 feet among towering conifers and fragrant manzanita. Choose from 13 convenient drive-in sites or venture to one of 5 secluded walk-in tent sites for a more intimate connection with nature. The crown jewel is the crystal-clear, 25-acre lake that plunges to depths of 110 feet—a tranquil haven for paddlers and anglers pursuing rainbow trout in its cool waters. A gentle, quarter-mile paved trail winds through the forest to the lake's edge, making this mountain paradise accessible to all. As you settle into this bear country sanctuary, proper food storage becomes part of the authentic wilderness experience under star-filled skies.

Upper Soda Springs Campground, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

Nestled in the heart of Reds Meadow Valley, Upper Soda Springs Campground offers an intimate escape where the melodic San Joaquin River becomes your constant companion. This tranquil retreat features 28 thoughtfully spaced campsites, each equipped with bear-proof lockers, picnic tables, and access to pristine pit toilets and fresh potable water. Adventure beckons from every direction—cast a line into the crystal-clear river waters, set out on scenic trails that wind through ancient forests, or venture to the nearby geological wonder of Devil's Postpile National Monument and the breathtaking cascade of Rainbow Falls.