Arroyo Seco Group Campground

Los Padres National Forest

Tucked away in the rugged wilderness of Los Padres National Forest, Bottchers Gap Campground offers adventurous souls a chance to disconnect from civilization and immerse themselves in California's untamed backcountry. Though currently closed indefinitely since July 2016 due to the Palo Colorado Road closure, this remote sanctuary once beckoned campers seeking solitude among ancient oaks and sweeping mountain vistas. Perched at the edge of the Ventana Wilderness, the campground's more elevated sites reward visitors with panoramic views that stretch across the coastal mountains, making it a coveted destination for those willing to venture off the beaten path.

Nacimiento Campground, Los Padres National Forest

Tucked away in a serene grove of ancient oak trees, this intimate nine-site campground offers a perfect escape for those seeking solitude and natural beauty. A babbling creek meanders alongside the campsites, providing a soothing soundtrack to your outdoor adventure. The campground welcomes smaller RVs up to 25 feet, making it ideal for couples and small families looking to disconnect from the modern world.

2400 HWY 146, Paicines, CA, 95043, USA

Escape to Pinnacles Campground, where ancient volcanic spires meet modern comfort in the heart of California's youngest national park. This year-round sanctuary welcomes adventurers with thoughtfully designed spaces ranging from traditional tent sites to RV sites complete with electric hookups, and cozy tent cabins for those seeking a touch of glamping. After days spent exploring towering rock formations, refresh with hot showers, stock up at the convenient general store, and cool off in the seasonal swimming pool that beckons from April through September. With flush toilets and drinking water throughout, you'll find the perfect balance between wilderness adventure and essential amenities.

47600 ARROYO SECO ROAD

Escape to Arroyo Seco, where the rhythms of city life fade into the whisper of oak leaves and the gentle murmur of flowing water. This semi-rustic gem strikes the perfect balance between wilderness adventure and modern comfort, offering everything from streamside primitive camping to well-appointed sites with amenities. Whether you're casting a line into crystal-clear pools, exploring winding trails, or cooling off in natural swimming holes, Arroyo Seco provides an authentic California outdoor experience. Choose from modern campsites, primitive spots for the more adventurous, or gather your crew at the spacious group site.

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Nestled just minutes from the renowned Sand Dollar Beach, Plaskett Creek Campground beckons families and outdoor enthusiasts to experience the raw beauty of California's Big Sur coast. Wake up to the rhythmic sound of Pacific waves, gather around crackling campfires under towering pines, and spend your days exploring pristine beaches, casting lines into abundant waters, or traversing scenic coastal trails. Each thoughtfully positioned site comes complete with picnic tables and fire rings, creating the perfect basecamp for your coastal adventure.

Los Padres National Forest

Escape to China Camp Campground, where towering pine trees create a natural cathedral overhead and spacious sites invite you to unwind in perfect tranquility. This hidden gem welcomes tent campers and small RVs (under 20 feet) seeking an authentic wilderness experience away from the crowds. Each generously-sized campsite offers its own pocket of serenity beneath the protective canopy, where the only sounds you'll hear are birdsong and wind whispering through the branches.

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Tucked away in the rugged Santa Lucia Mountains, Escondido Campground lives up to its Spanish name—'hidden.' This remote wilderness retreat rewards adventurous souls with dramatic sandstone formations, ancient oak groves, and sweeping meadows that seem untouched by time. Whether you're threading mountain bike trails through ponderosa pines, spotting wildlife at dawn, or simply soaking in the profound silence broken only by birdsong, Escondido offers an authentic back-to-nature experience. While its primitive facilities and seasonal fly populations remind you this is truly wild country, those seeking solitude and unspoiled natural beauty will find this lesser-known gem delivers experiences ranging from profoundly peaceful to refreshingly challenging.

Los Padres National Forest

Tucked away in the heart of Los Padres National Forest, White Oaks Campground offers an intimate escape where only eight fortunate campers can claim their piece of wilderness each night. This hidden gem along Tassajara Road wraps visitors in a canopy of shade, where ancient oaks stand sentinel over rustic sites equipped with weathered picnic tables and stone fire rings. At the heart of this secluded loop, a wild berry bush serves as nature's gathering place, drawing curious deer at dawn and dusk while smaller creatures rustle through the underbrush. Here, privacy isn't just a feature—it's a promise, as each site offers its own pocket of solitude in this natural sanctuary.

Los Padres National Forest

Tucked away in the enchanting Santa Lucia Mountains, Memorial Park Campground offers an intimate escape where eight thoughtfully placed campsites nestle among towering oaks and dramatic sandstone formations. This hidden gem attracts those seeking solitude and natural beauty, where a babbling trout stream provides the soundtrack to your adventure. Though the amenities are simple, the setting is extraordinary—perfect for families who value authentic outdoor experiences over crowded commercial campgrounds.

47225 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

Nestled beneath towering ancient redwoods, Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground beckons adventurers to experience the magic of California's most dramatic coastline. This beloved sanctuary along the Big Sur River welcomes everyone from solo tent campers to families with RVs, offering everything from secluded standard sites to coveted premium spots right along the riverbank. With specialized hike/bike sites for eco-conscious travelers and spacious group areas for gatherings under the canopy, this high-demand destination requires advance reservations—especially during the bustling summer months when the redwood cathedral fills with the sounds of discovery and wonder.

63025 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

Where the rugged Big Sur coastline meets ancient redwood groves, Limekiln State Park Campground offers an extraordinary escape into nature's contrasts. Twenty-nine carefully positioned campsites invite you to choose your adventure: wake to crashing Pacific waves at ocean-facing sites or drift off to sleep beneath towering redwoods along the gentle murmur of Limekiln Creek. This remarkable convergence of forest and sea creates an unforgettable backdrop for exploring California's most dramatic coastline while uncovering remnants of the region's industrial past.

45500 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

Nestled in a serene meadow where the Big Sur River winds toward the Pacific, Andrew Molera Trail Camp offers an authentic wilderness experience for those seeking to disconnect from the modern world. This primitive hike-in sanctuary features 24 thoughtfully spaced sites—22 standard tent spots and two dedicated hike-and-bike locations—each equipped with essential comforts: a crackling fire pit for evening gatherings, a sturdy picnic table for meals under the stars, and a secure food storage locker to protect your provisions from curious wildlife. While the campground embraces simplicity with its lack of showers, fresh drinking water flows freely and well-maintained flush toilets provide a welcome touch of civilization in this backcountry retreat.

47225 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

Nestled a quarter-mile north of the park entrance, Group A & B campsites offer an exclusive tent-only retreat where the sounds of Highway 1 fade into whispers of wind through ancient trees. These spacious walk-in sites welcome larger gatherings of up to 35 people, creating the perfect basecamp for family reunions, scout troops, or adventure-seeking friends. Each site comes thoughtfully equipped with picnic tables for communal meals, fire rings for evening storytelling, and access to potable water. While you'll find convenient flush toilets nearby, the absence of food lockers and showers adds to the authentic camping experience, encouraging a deeper connection with the natural world around you.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Highway 1 at mile marker 36, Big Sur, CA 93920

Discover the ultimate coastal escape at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where two intimate environmental campsites await adventurous souls willing to hike in for an extraordinary experience. Perched along the dramatic edge of Highway 1, these secluded sites immerse you in Big Sur's raw beauty while providing essential comforts—crackling fire rings for evening gatherings, sturdy picnic tables for sunset meals, and secure food lockers to protect your provisions from curious wildlife.

Los Padres National Forest

Perched dramatically on a windswept bluff above the Pacific, Kirk Creek Campground offers one of California's most spectacular camping experiences. Here, where the Santa Lucia Mountains meet the sea, campers wake to panoramic ocean vistas and fall asleep to the rhythmic crash of waves below. The campground welcomes both tent campers and RV travelers, with each site positioned to capture the mesmerizing coastal views. Just minutes away, the pristine Sand Dollar Beach beckons with its crescent of white sand, while the Vicente Flats Trailhead promises adventures into the rugged Big Sur backcountry.

Los Padres National Forest

Tucked away in the heart of Los Padres National Forest, Ponderosa Campground offers an authentic wilderness escape along the banks of the Nacimiento River. This hidden gem attracts those seeking solitude and natural beauty, with sites nestled among towering trees perfect for tent camping and small trailers. The winding approach road adds to the adventure, filtering out larger RVs and preserving the campground's intimate character. Days here unfold with refreshing river swims, quiet fishing spots, scenic trail explorations, and encounters with the diverse wildlife that call this pristine landscape home.

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47600 ARROYO SECO ROAD

Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres National Forest

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Highway 1 at mile marker 36, Big Sur, CA 93920

Los Padres National Forest

2400 HWY 146, Paicines, CA, 95043, USA

Nacimiento Campground, Los Padres National Forest

47225 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

45500 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

47225 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

63025 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920

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

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.

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

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.