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Looking for a new camping spot?
Some of Hipcamp users’ favorite places to camp are in California.
The lodging reservation platform highlighted 50 favorite places to camp in the United States in 2026, based on reviews, ratings, regional trends and more.
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“Millions of nights under the stars are booked with Hipcamp each year — on working farms and ranches, beside rivers and orchards, and on the public lands that belong to all of us,” Hipcamp said.
Destinations that stood out in 2026 ranged from mountaintop retreats to coastal getaways.
“Some are iconic,” Hipcamp said. “Most are hidden gems.”
See what campsites are “worth the trip”:
What are the best Hipcamp sites in Northern California?
In Mendocino, Hipcamp highlighted Foxfern, a “romantic” getaway” that sits “on the edge of a redwood forest filled with ferns and rhodedendrons.”
Visitors to the eight-acre site are close to beaches and trails.
“Listen for the sound of the ocean and wake up surrounded by the quiet beauty of the Mendocino Coast,” Hipcamp said.
The cozy cabin at Foxfern can fit up to four guests, and pets are allowed. Reservations start at $162 per night.
The campsite has has 155 ratings on Hipcamp, with a 99% recommendation rate.
Hipcamp reviewer Iris C. called Foxfern is a “gorgeous and magical cabin.”
Kosk Creek Campgrounds in Big Bend was among Hipcamp’s favorite camping spots in California in 2026.
With 30 campsites starting at $65 per night, the campground is located on a 400-acre ranch in the Shasta County mountains with a creek and hot springs. Day passes for hot springs cost $15.
Visitors can fish, boat and kayak in the nearby Iron Canyon Reservoir.
Kosk Creek Campgrounds had been rated 823 times on Hipcamp, with 96% of users recommending a stay.
“This campsite was exceptional,” Hipcamp reviewer Tyler W. said. “We enjoyed the hot springs and the river as well, an amazing experience overall.”
In addition to being one of Hipcamp’s favorite campsites of 2026, The Olive Farm in Novato was a finalist for Hipcamp’s 2024 list of the best tent camping sites in the nation.
The Marin County campsite is on a small olive farm with a private pond of fishing, boating and swimming.
The Olive Farm’s campground can be reserved for $126 a night, while the lodging cabin costs $221 a night. Both can be booked under the same reservation, accommodating up to 40 guests.
The farm is “great for groups” and “family-friendly,” according to reviewers.
With a total of 424 ratings, the Olive Farm has a 99% recommendation rating on Hipcamp.
Hipcamp reviewer Sophie L. said The Olive Farm was “worth the hype,” praising the “very sweet layout with many small trails.”
D. L. Bliss State Park in South Lake Tahoe offers campsites near the beach, making it a favorite with Hipcamp users.
Visitors have access to Lester Beach and Calwee Cove, where they can kayak, canoe and paddle board.
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Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Beach camping costs $45 per night, accommodating up to eight people and one vehicle.
A total of 22 people rated the campground on Hipcamp, resulting in a 100% recommendation rating.
Hipcamp reviewer Jason M. said that the beach camp was “by far the best, as you just walk down the stairs to the beach.”
Where’s the best place to camp on the Central Coast?
Cuyama Badlands in northern Santa Barbara County was one of Hipcamp users’ favorite places to camp in the United States in 2026.
“If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to camp on the moon, this is it,” Hipcamp said.
“With dark skies, total solitude and Chumash cave paintings nearby, this is a place for campers seeking adventure, not amenitites,” the booking platform said.
Cuyama Badlands has 21 campsites hosted by Songdog Ranch in New Cuyama, with reservations starting at $40 a night.
The Central Coast campsite has a 99% recommendation rating, garnered from 4,671 ratings on Hipcamp.
“One of the most peaceful and quiet campsites I’ve ever stayed in,” Hipcamp user Ginno C. wrote in a review. “The sunsets were amazing and the stars at night were spectacular.”
Hipcamp also named Cuyama Badlands one of the best van and overland campting spots in the country in 2026.
What’s a top spot for camping in Southern California?
Whiteside Mountain in San Diego County was also among campers’ most favored places to stay in California in 2026.
The mountaintop campsite in Jamul is surrounded by 160 acres of private land.
The area has a shaded deck, outdoor bathroom and a fire pit. Hiking and climbing opportunities are available at Whiteside Mountain, too.
The campsite can have up to six guests and costs $115 a night, with a minimum three-night reservation.
Whiteside Mountain received a 100% recommendation rating from 410 visitors.
“You truly have the entire mountaintop to yourself, making it the perfect place to disconnect, relax and take in the incredible views,” said Angelo Gabriel S., a Hipcamp reviewer.
How did Hipcamp rate the favorite places to camp?
Hipcamp allows users to book, rate and review their stays at campsites online.
The lodging reservation platform said it selected its favorite campsites of 2026 “based on a combination of camper reviews and ratings, regional trends, cultural relevance and spirited debate among the Hipcamp team.”
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