Fry Creek Campground

2050 S Coast Hwy 101 Cardiff, CA 92007

Perched dramatically on oceanside bluffs, San Elijo State Beach Campground invites you to fall asleep to the rhythm of Pacific waves and wake to spectacular sunrise views. This coveted coastal retreat offers 171 thoughtfully positioned campsites, from premium oceanfront spots where you can watch dolphins play from your tent door to convenient inland sites with full hookups. Each site comes equipped with essential comforts including hot showers, sturdy picnic tables for seaside meals, and fire pits perfect for evening s'mores under the stars.

2050 S Coast Hwy 101 Cardiff, CA 92007

Perched along California's stunning San Diego coastline, Grunion Run Group Campground invites adventurers to gather where the Pacific meets the shore. This spacious group haven welcomes up to 40 campers to create memories around crackling fires and shared meals. Your basecamp comes complete with 6 picnic tables for communal dining, a central fire pit for evening storytelling, a BBQ for coastal cookouts, and modern conveniences including a 50-amp hookup with full water and sewage facilities—perfect for groups seeking both adventure and comfort.

RAMONA

Nestled within a serene forest canopy on Palomar Mountain, Crestline Group Campground offers an enchanting retreat where towering Black Oaks mingle with aromatic Cedars, majestic White Firs, and evergreen Live Oaks. This spacious mountain sanctuary provides the perfect backdrop for memorable group gatherings, whether you're celebrating milestones, hosting family reunions, or organizing outdoor adventures with friends. Just minutes away, the renowned Palomar Observatory beckons stargazers and science enthusiasts, while pristine state parks invite exploration of the region's natural wonders.

35899 Canfield Road, Palomar Mountain, CA

Nestled just two miles from the world-famous Palomar Observatory, Observatory Campground offers stargazers and nature lovers an unforgettable escape into the cosmos. This budget-friendly mountain retreat welcomes both tent campers and RV adventurers with thoughtfully placed picnic tables and fire pits that beckon for evening s'mores under star-studded skies. While embracing a back-to-basics camping experience with vault toilets, the campground doesn't leave you completely roughing it—coin-operated hot showers provide a refreshing comfort during the warmer months when you need them most.

19952 State Park Rd, Palomar Mountain, CA 92060

Escape to Doane Valley Campground, where 31 thoughtfully designed sites await beneath a canopy of towering conifers in Palomar Mountain State Park. This family-friendly mountain retreat welcomes both tent campers and trailer enthusiasts to experience the magic of camping among ancient forests and wildflower meadows. Each site serves as your personal basecamp, complete with a sturdy table for evening card games, a crackling fire ring for s'mores and stories, a barbecue for grilling fresh catches, and a secure food locker to keep your provisions safe from curious wildlife.

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Tucked away in the heart of Cleveland National Forest, Indian Flats Campground offers an authentic wilderness escape with 17 intimate campsites perfect for those seeking solitude and adventure. This hidden gem serves as a gateway to the legendary Pacific Crest Trail, putting hikers at the doorstep of one of America's most iconic long-distance trails. While the campground embraces a back-to-basics approach without onsite water facilities, the nearby Warner Springs Gas Station provides a convenient resupply point for adventurers preparing for their journey into the wild.

Highway 79

Nestled in a tranquil valley where ancient oak groves whisper stories of the wild, Oak Grove Campground beckons adventurers to discover the hidden heart of Cleveland National Forest. This peaceful retreat features two distinct camping loops—Oak and Ribbonwood—each offering its own character and charm. As darkness falls, the campground transforms into a stargazer's paradise, where the Milky Way stretches across unpolluted skies while the nocturnal symphony of the forest comes alive with the calls of owls and the rustle of wildlife moving through the manzanita.

39755 Highway 79

Tucked away at the edge of the pristine Agua Tibia Wilderness, Dripping Springs Campground offers an intimate escape into nature's tranquility. This hidden gem provides the perfect basecamp for wilderness explorers, with well-maintained hiking trails that wind through diverse ecosystems, refreshing potable water stations, and clean vault toilets. Despite its modest size, the campground delivers an authentic outdoor experience where the only sounds you'll hear are rustling leaves and distant bird calls.

Santa Rosa Mountain, San Bernardino National Forest

High above the desert floor, where eagles soar and the air grows thin, fourteen pristine Yellow Post Sites await those seeking true wilderness solitude on Santa Rosa Mountain. These remote sanctuaries offer adventurers the essentials—a sturdy picnic table and fire ring at each location—while leaving the rest to nature's grand design. Without the usual campground conveniences of running water or trash collection, these sites invite you to embrace a more self-sufficient camping experience. Remember to bring all necessary supplies and honor the wilderness ethic: everything you carry in must journey back out with you, preserving these untouched ridgeline retreats for future explorers.

54270 PINECREST AVE PO BOX 518

Perched high in the San Bernardino National Forest, Ribbonwood Equestrian Campground beckons horse lovers with a rare combination of mountain serenity and desert vistas. This specialized haven for equestrian adventurers features private corrals at every campsite, allowing you and your four-legged companions to rest comfortably after a day exploring Southern California's diverse terrain. Modern conveniences including flush toilets, hot showers, and fresh drinking water ensure comfort without sacrificing the authentic outdoor experience. From your campsite, watch the sun paint the distant Salton Sea in shades of gold while Palm Desert sparkles below.

San Bernardino National Forest

Discover your perfect desert retreat at Pinyon Flat Campground, where 18 intimate first-come, first-served campsites await beneath the starlit sky. Nestled at the edge of the Santa Rosa Wilderness Area, this hidden gem becomes a hiker's paradise each spring when the desert explodes in a spectacular wildflower display that transforms the landscape into nature's own impressionist painting.

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Tucked away in the heart of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Pinyon Flat Campground beckons those seeking an authentic desert escape without breaking the bank. This hidden gem delivers the perfect blend of solitude and adventure, where days begin with panoramic mountain vistas and end with some of Southern California's most spectacular stargazing. The whisper of wind through ancient pinyon pines and the distant call of desert wildlife create a natural soundtrack that reminds visitors why they ventured beyond the crowded campgrounds below.

Pyramid Peak Road off of Highway 74, near the community of Lake Hemet

Escape to the pristine wilderness of Thomas Mountain & Toolbox Springs Yellow Post Sites, where adventure meets tranquility in the heart of nature. These secluded camping havens invite tent campers and car adventurers to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with the raw beauty of the outdoors. Each site features a simple metal fire pit for gathering around crackling campfires under starlit skies, embracing the authentic, back-to-basics camping experience without the crowds and amenities of developed campgrounds.

Highway 79

39755 Highway 79

35899 Canfield Road, Palomar Mountain, CA

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19952 State Park Rd, Palomar Mountain, CA 92060

RAMONA

Pyramid Peak Road off of Highway 74, near the community of Lake Hemet

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.

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.

Modoc National Forest

Nestled at the gateway to the South Warner Wilderness, Pepperdine Campground offers three distinct camping experiences in one remarkable location. Equestrian enthusiasts will discover a dedicated horse camp complete with convenient stock water and pole stalls at select sites. The trailhead staging area beckons adventurers with ample parking and corrals, serving as your launching point into the wilderness. For those seeking a more intimate experience, a cozy family camping loop awaits beneath a canopy of ancient fir trees. As a pack-it-in, pack-it-out facility, Pepperdine encourages visitors to embrace Leave No Trace principles while immersing themselves in this pristine mountain environment.

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.

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.

13652 Highway 79 Julian, CA 92036

Saddle up for an unforgettable equestrian adventure at Los Vaqueros Group Horse Campground, where the spirit of the Old West meets modern camping comfort. This specialized horse-friendly retreat beckons riders and their four-legged companions with direct access to the legendary California Riding and Hiking Trail. Well-appointed horse corrals ensure your equine partners rest as comfortably as you do, making this the perfect basecamp for exploring miles of scenic trails that wind through California's stunning backcountry.

Doran Regional Park

Nestled along a stunning 2-mile stretch of sandy beach on Bodega Bay, Doran Regional Park Campground offers 112 year-round campsites where the Pacific Ocean meets coastal adventure. With five distinct camping zones ranging from harbor-side spots to tent-only areas, this family-friendly destination combines beach camping with exceptional access to fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching. Whether you're launching your kayak into the bay, exploring tide pools along the rock jetty, or simply enjoying soft sand and mellow surf, Doran delivers a quintessential California coastal camping experience.

Mendocino National Forest

Tucked into a peaceful inlet at Lake Pillsbury's northwestern corner, this campground offers the perfect blend of lakeside tranquility and easy water access. Just a short stroll from your campsite, the shimmering waters of Mendocino National Forest's largest lake beckon with endless possibilities for adventure. Whether you're launching your boat from the nearby ramp at dawn, casting a line into the crystal-clear waters, or taking an afternoon swim, this scenic basecamp puts you at the heart of one of Northern California's most beloved recreational lakes.

17119 Avenue of the Giants, Weott CA 95571

Escape into the cathedral-like sanctuary of Hamilton Barn Environmental Campground, where primitive hike-in campsites nestle beneath towering old-growth redwoods. This hidden gem rewards adventurous souls with unparalleled privacy and profound solitude, offering a rare chance to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with nature's ancient rhythms.

CA-108, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, California

Nestled along the scenic Sonora Pass on CA-108, Sonora Bridge Campground beckons outdoor enthusiasts with 22 tranquil sites carved into a landscape of towering Jeffrey pines and aromatic sagebrush. Here, where the melodious West Walker River flows just steps away, anglers cast their lines into pristine waters while hikers set off to explore the dramatic high country. This rustic mountain retreat offers the perfect basecamp for your Sierra Nevada adventures, complete with firewood available on-site to fuel evening campfires under star-studded skies.