Forest Camping in California
Discover the best forest camping across California. Immerse yourself in the forest. Towering trees, dappled sunlight, and the sounds of nature.
Forest Camping in Other States
Featured Campgrounds
Handpicked destinations that define the region
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Elk Prairie Campground
Towering Coast Redwoods create a cathedral canopy overhead, their thousand-year-old trunks filtering sunlight onto sword ferns and moss-draped forest trails. Roosevelt elk herds emerge from the ancient grove to graze in the adjacent meadow at dawn and dusk, bringing the old-growth forest to life.
Belknap
Towering giant sequoias create a natural cathedral overhead, their massive trunks casting dappled shadows while a melodic creek winds between campsites.
Gualala Point Regional Park Campground
Towering coastal redwoods and bay laurels form a cathedral canopy where filtered light dances across campsites along the Gualala River's east bank. Forest trails wind through old-growth groves before emerging onto windswept bluffs and tide pools, connecting your shaded sanctuary to...
About Forest Camping in California
Forest camping California offers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in some of the world's most magnificent woodlands, from ancient Coast Redwoods towering 300 feet overhead to the massive Giant Sequoias of the Sierra Nevada. California's forest campgrounds span diverse ecosystems across 800 miles of latitude, encompassing coastal redwood groves where fog drapes through the canopy, high-elevation sequoia forests where the world's largest trees stand sentinel, and mixed conifer woodlands where mountain streams cascade through fern-lined canyons.
Best Time
Late spring through early fall (May through October) offers the most reliable weather for forest camping in California, though optimal timing varies by elevation and location. Coastal redwood campgrounds remain accessible year-round with mild temperatures, but May through September provides the driest conditions and warmest weather, though morning fog is constant.
Scenery Highlights
- Towering tree canopies
- Shaded, cool campsites
- Diverse wildlife viewing
- Peaceful woodland atmosphere
Explore Forest Camping in California
Browse 20 campgrounds on our interactive map. Filter by amenities, price, ratings, and more.
Plan Your Trip
Popular Activities
Tips & Recommendations
- 1Reserve popular forest campgrounds six months in advance through Recreation.gov, as premier sites like Steep Ravine, Belknap, and Prairie Creek fill immediately when reservations open.
- 2Bring layers for dramatic temperature swings—coastal areas remain cool with morning fog even in summer, while Sierra campgrounds experience 40-degree temperature differences between day and night.
- 3Pack a quality rain fly and ground tarp for coastal camping where morning dew soaks everything, and consider a camp chair with back support for long evenings beneath the forest canopy.
- 4Headlamps are essential as forest campgrounds become pitch-black after sunset under dense canopy cover.
Forest Camping in California FAQ
We've ranked 20+ forest campgrounds in California based on tree coverage, wildlife viewing, and hiking access. Top options offer shaded sites and peaceful woodland settings.
Forest campgrounds in California are home to diverse wildlife including deer, various bird species, and small mammals. Store food properly and follow Leave No Trace principles.
California offers excellent forest camping with diverse woodland ecosystems, well-maintained trails, and shaded campsites perfect for summer escapes. Many sites offer both developed and primitive options.
Popular California Campgrounds Book Fast
The best forest camping in California book up quickly. Set up free alerts to catch cancellations.
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Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Elk Prairie Campground
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