By admin 
From redwood-shaded riverbanks to dramatic deserts, California has plenty of top-tier camping options in 2026.
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Whether you’re a local looking for a weekend escape or a visitor planning your first trip to the Sierra Nevada, outdoor enthusiasts plenty of new reasons to load up the car.
Here’s a practical guide to the campgrounds drawing the most attention this year — including what they cost, what they offer and how to snag a site when reservations are gone.
What is California’s best state park for camping?
The best California state park for camping can be found on the Central Coast, according to the California State Parks Foundation.
The nonprofit organization surveyed more than 2,000 people about their favorite spots before naming the winners of the 2026 Best of California’s State Parks poll.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park features an “exquisite mix of forest, waterfalls and coastal scenery in one place,” the foundation said, resulting in a “peaceful, almost magical atmosphere.”
The Monterey County park sits along the Big Sur River, where redwood, oak, sycamore and willow trees fill the gorge below the Santa Lucia mountains.
Standard campsites run $50 per night, and premium riverfront sites cost $60 per night. Both fees include entry for one vehicle.
Reservations at Big Sur’s largest campground can be made up to six months in advance — and they go fast.
Where are top state parks for camping?
Two California state parks earned honorable mentions for camping, according to the California State Parks Foundation.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the largest state park in California, is sprawled across Imperial, Riverside and San Diego counties with 500 miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas and campground reservations from $20 to $45 a night.
It costs $35 a night to stay at Calaveras Big Trees State Park in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties.
In addition to two groves of giant sequoia trees, visitors will find rivers, creeks, meadows and ancient volcanic rock formations.
Find award-winning private campgrounds
Five California campgrounds were recognized as part of Campspot’s 2026 Campsite Awards.
The booking platform ranked campgrounds across a dozen categories, including Top Campgrounds for Glamping and Top Campgrounds in the U.S.
Here’s which California campgrounds caught Campspot’s attention:
Tower Park in Lodi, part of the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park chain of resorts, ranked No. 3 among Top Campgrounds in the U.S. and took third place on the Top Large Campgrounds list. The resort along the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta offers luxury cabin rentals for $295 to $520 a night, plus tent camping for $160 a night and recreational vehicle sites for $150 to $240 a night.
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Tower Park includes an expanded water park, snack stand, dog park and hot tub.
Bonelli Bluffs RV Resort & Campground in San Dimas earned the No. 5 spot on the Top Campgrounds in the U.S. list. The campground at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains offers hiking trails and fishing options. RV sites cost $75 to $90 a night.
Sun Outdoors Paso Robles was second on Campspot’s list of the Top Large Campgrounds. The wine country resort features pools, a spa, fire pits, a wellness center and dog parks. Lodging costs $300 to $355 a night; RV sites are $85 to $145.
Casini Ranch Family Campground in Duncans Mills ranked No. 5 on Campspot’s list of Top Unique Campgrounds. The 110-acre ranch near the Russian River and Willow Creek State Park offers access to canoeing, kayaking, fishing and hiking trails plus horse feeding and pet-friendly cabins.
Prices for tent sites range from $80 to $281, while RV sites are $90 to $285 and lodging is $105 to $356 a night.
Lake Cuyama Recreation and Park District in Julian earned the No. 5 spot on the Top Campgrounds for Tent Camping list. Described by Campspot as “the jewel of the San Diego mountains,” the site offers fishing, canoeing and kayaking.
Cabins cost $103 to $308 a night, RV sites $50 to $65. Tent sites average $43 a night.
Where can I camp near Yosemite National Park?
For campers shut out of Yosemite, Kings Canyon or Sequoia national parks, there’s good news.
Mono Hot Springs near Shaver Lake landed at No. 10 on The Dyrt’s 2026 list of the best campgrounds near national parks.
“Camping near national parks offers a fantastic way to experience the great outdoors,” the camping app said in an April 2 news release. “But many national parks are highly sought-after and have limited availability — some being fully reserved many months or a year ahead of time.” The Dryt called Mono Hot Springs a “hidden gem in the Sierra National Forest, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure,” The Dyrt said.
Campsite reservations typically range from $37 to $78 per night, with 36 sites available. RVs are not allowed, but campfires and pets are permitted.
The Dyrt teamed up with Girl Camper, a community connecting women through outdoor experiences, to create its 2026 Best Places to Camp report.
When reservations are gone: First-come, first-served sites
If you’ve waited too long to book — or you prefer last-minute trips — California State Parks offer 15 first-come, first-served campgrounds.
These scenic sites offer everything from hiking and mountain biking to swimming, canoeing and kayaking.
A word of warning: Campsites usually fill up by early Friday before a holiday weekend.
- North Coast: Humboldt Lagoons State Park, Manchester State Park and Navarro River Redwoods State Park
- Far North: Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park
- Gold Country: Auburn State Recreation Area
- San Francisco Bay Area: Castle Rock State Park, Forest of Nisene Marks State Park and Mount Tamalpais State Park
- Central Coast: Andrew Molera State Park and Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area
- Central Valley: George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area
- Southern California: Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area, Saddleback Butte State Park, Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area and Picacho State Recreation Area
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence based on our own originally reported, written and published content. Before publishing, journalists reviewed this content in compliance with McClatchy Media’s AI policy.
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