Pinnacles Campground

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.

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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

Nestled in the heart of rugged mountain terrain, Arroyo Seco Group Campground beckons outdoor enthusiasts seeking an authentic connection with nature. This semi-rustic retreat strikes the perfect balance between developed amenities and wilderness charm, making it an ideal basecamp for groups ready to explore the surrounding natural playground. Whether you're planning a family reunion, scout outing, or adventure with friends, this campground provides the space and setting for unforgettable outdoor experiences.

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.

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.

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.

7800 Cienega Road, Hollister, CA 95023

Nestled within the sprawling 6,800 acres of Hollister Hills SVRA, Ranch Cgs Campground serves as your gateway to an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Here, rolling hills draped in ancient oak woodlands give way to dramatic canyons carved by seasonal creeks, creating a diverse playground where off-highway adventurers, hikers, and nature lovers alike find their perfect escape. Whether you're seeking the thrill of navigating varied terrain on your OHV or preferring a peaceful morning walk through shaded groves, this remarkable landscape offers something for every outdoor spirit.

San Juan Canyon Road off Hwy. 156, San Juan Bautista, CA 95045

Perched high above the coastal fog, Valley View Campground invites adventurers to experience camping the way it was meant to be—beneath ancient oak canopies and endless starlit skies. This collection of 25 primitive campsites within Fremont Peak State Park offers a rare combination of solitude and spectacle, where the Monterey Bay stretches out below like a shimmering canvas. Here, away from city lights, the Milky Way reveals itself in all its glory, making this a cherished destination for stargazers and nature lovers alike.

San Juan Canyon Road off Hwy. 156, San Juan Bautista, CA 95045

Escape to Oak Point Campground, where 25 secluded campsites await beneath a canopy of ancient oaks, each offering breathtaking vistas of Monterey Bay stretching to the horizon. This pristine wilderness retreat invites you to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with nature's simple pleasures. Each thoughtfully placed site comes equipped with a sturdy picnic table for memorable outdoor meals and a fire ring perfect for evening gatherings under star-filled skies. While the campground embraces a back-to-basics approach with vault toilet facilities, the primitive experience only enhances the authentic connection to the surrounding wilderness.

7800 Cienega Road, Hollister, CA 95023

Escape to the untamed beauty of Hudner Ranch Primitive Campground, where two secluded campsites await adventurous souls willing to navigate rugged four-wheel drive trails. Your reward? A pristine wilderness retreat complete with shaded ramadas, sturdy picnic tables, and propane-friendly fire rings for evening gatherings under star-filled skies. Here, pit toilets and panoramic vistas of golden oak-studded grasslands remind you that the best adventures often require leaving modern conveniences behind.

7800 Cienega Road, Hollister, CA 95023

Nestled within the adventurous terrain of Hollister Hills SVRA, Ada/Ranch Campground beckons those who crave authentic outdoor experiences. This primitive tent camping haven strips away modern distractions, offering only the essentials—pit toilets and endless trails—making it the perfect basecamp for OHV enthusiasts ready to explore California's rugged backcountry.

47600 ARROYO SECO ROAD

7800 Cienega Road, Hollister, CA 95023

Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres National Forest

7800 Cienega Road, Hollister, CA 95023

Los Padres National Forest

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.