The State of California has some of the most diverse camping opportunities in the country. Visitors can choose from the deserts of the south to the lush forests in the north, or enjoy the coastal camping while exploring local wetlands and natural habitats.
Clear Lake State Park offers four different campgrounds. Three of the four offer full amenities, including hot showers. Clear Lake is one of the largest lakes in California, making it a popular camping area for people who enjoy water sports. Bass is a popular pastime on the lake and there is a separate beach set aside for swimming. Near the lake is the Anderson Marsh State Historic Park .With over 1000 acres of woodlands and rare California wetlands. Anderson Marsh Park provides visitors with a unique look into the lives of the ancient native inhabitants, the Pomo Indians. There are trails throughout both parks, including a popular Indian nature trail that highlights local flora and fauna alike.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park is home to one of California’s most well known icons, the ancient redwoods. With over 18,000 acres, the park offers visitors miles of trails to explore and is a popular destination for bird watchers. The park includes nearly 150 campsites with, water, restrooms and showers. The park also offers tent cabins via reservation, these cabins include two beds, wood stoves and picnic tables.
Calaveras Big Trees National Park located in northern California’s Gold Country is home to some of the biggest redwoods in the world. It is also the home of the “Discovery Tree”, the first documented redwood in the country. The park is open year-round and has two convenient campgrounds with nearly 130 camping spots between them. Hikers and cyclists will enjoy hundreds of miles of forest trails while the nearby Stanislaus River offers campers a place for water-sports and fishing.
The Big Sur Campground, located just south of Carmel California gives campers the opportunity to enjoy water recreation in the Big Sur River while camping amongst the coastal redwoods. The park offers nearly 100 full amenity campsites and has luxury cabins available via reservations. During a visit to Big Sur, visitors can plan a whale-watching trip right off the coast. The Gray Whales migrate twice yearly in early spring and in the late fall. Hiking is a popular pastime here and campers often see many of the local wildlife, including rare California Condors that have been reintroduced into the wild in the area.
Ocotillo Wells Recreation Area located in San Diego county borders the Anza-Borrego Desert. The recreation area has been a popular off-road destination for local residents for decades. There is a campground complete with showers, and “open camping” is permitted throughout the park. One popular attraction is “Shell Reef”, these hills are actually ancient reefs and contain shells and fossils reported to be millions of years old. When visiting Ocotillo Wells, remember that it is a desert environment so plan your trip accordingly and bring plenty of water if you plan on open camping.
Pine Acres Resort, located in Pine Grove California offers over 80 campsites with full amenities. The park is designed with the entire family in mind as it has a swimming pool, miniature golf course and local mining expeditions. There are daily guided tours available to show visitors some of the parks highlights, including gold mines that have been in use for over a century. Adventurers even have to opportunity to mine for gold themselves if they are feeling ambitious.
