8 National Parks in California that are great for camping
One of the best things about the Golden State are the magnificent landscapes and wilderness areas. It has so many beautiful outdoor destinations that everyone falls in love with it. Everywhere you go in California there are charming and inspiring landmarks and places to adventure. And what better way to explore it, than to go on a camping trip for a few days.
Because the State is so popular, with many important and popular places, the government protected them by declaring the creation of new National Parks. 28 to be exact. Within the national parks, there are 270 park units with camping grounds. So yeah, there is plenty of places for you to park your RV or set up your tent.
Having the most diverse collection of recreational, cultural, and natural resources, California is a must-go place for camping enthusiasts. Here is a list covering a few National Parks you have to visit when you go camping there.
1. Yosemite National Park
One of the oldest and best known National Park in the country is, of course, Yosemite National Park. The park is full of beautiful, vast landscapes, Sequoia forests, grand meadows, valleys, and breathtaking waterfalls. Having the Sierra Nevada is one of the reasons the park is so rich and diverse.
The park has 13 camping grounds, where you can camp with an RV, trailer or tents. Since the park is so popular, there is big line up for the camping spots. So, you had better make a reservation if you want to make sure of a pitch. All of the campsites are equipped with electrical, water, and sewer hookups.
2. Pinnacles National Park
Just a few hours outside of San Francisco, Pinnacles National Park is a unique and beautiful place to visit. The area was formed by multiple volcanic eruptions 23 million years ago. The park is full of canyons, oak forests, and Chaparrals. It is best not to visit the park during the summer time, for some people it can get so hot and become unbearable. We recommend visiting the park during spring when it’s full of bright wildflowers and green grass.
The camping sites are reachable from the east side of the park. All of the camping areas are provided with hookups, and some of them have shared tables and BBQ pits. There are also a few seasonal swimming pools which are open during the spring and summer seasons.
3. Death Valley National Park
As the name suggests, this park is a place with extreme temperatures and droughts that make it hard for life to survive here. But, there is something beautiful about it. The salt flats, deep canyons, and sand dunes create spectacular and amazing landscapes. Placed on the border between Nevada and eastern California, the National Park is a home to a diverse spread of natural life, despite it’s name.
There are lots of “First-come, first-served” campsites all across the National Park. They are equipped with electrical and water supplies, fire pits, and tables. Since the place is so hot and dry, it’s a perfect destination for camping in winter.
4. Redwood National Park
The Redwood National Park is mostly known for being the home to the tallest trees on Earth. The forests are so beautiful and deep, you would think that you’re into the Amazon. Apart from the tall trees, the park is full of vast prairies, wild riverways, and 40 miles of coastline.
The park has four camping grounds for tents and RVs. Unfortunately, none of them is equipped with electrical or water hookups. The campsites are opened throughout the whole year, and they are very close to the many hiking trails.
5. Joshua Tree National Park
The vast and amazing landscapes of the Joshua Tree National Park make it a unique and beautiful place. The Colorado and Mojave ecosystems come together to form the beautiful desert structure of the park. Apart from the famous Joshua trees, the park is a home to many animals and plants.
The campsites will give you a great opportunity for stargazing, rock climbing, and hiking. There are nine campgrounds across the park with many “First-come, first-served” campsites.
Unfortunately, there are no hookups. The Cottonwood Spring and Black Rock provide water and restrooms for the campers.
6. Channel Islands National Park
With its five fantastic islands, this park is a unique and beautiful place to visit. Surrounded by the ocean, the park is full of natural and cultural wonders. There are a variety of animals, plants, and archeological resources, which are preserved on these beautiful islands.
All of the five islands have a camping grounds, but none of them is accessible for RVs. Each campground has pit toilets and picnic tables, but none has a water supply. So make sure that you bring a lot of water with you.
7. Lassen Volcanic National Park
The Lassen Volcanic National Park is a home to one of the biggest plug dome volcanoes on Earth, the Lassen Peak. The park is full of volcanos, wildflowers, steaming fumaroles, meadows, and mountain lakes. There is loads to explore and many landscapes to see. You have the opportunity to discover the mysterious volcanos and hot waters.
The park offers well-maintained through to primitive campgrounds, and it has eight of them. They are equipped with fire pits, picnic tables, and boxes for food storage. Unfortunately, none of them provides hookups for RVs.
8. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
These two parks merge to create an amazing experience and a gateway to the natural world. The Foothills, huge mountains, vast caverns, deep canyons, and the tall trees, create a truly wonderful and unique natural space. The hiking trails offer you a breathtaking experience and beautiful landscapes.
The two parks share fourteen camping grounds and three of them offer a full-year access. The campgrounds are equipped with fire rings with grills, picnic tables, and metal boxes to protect your food from the wild animals. Unfortunately, there are no hookups for RVs.
With so many places to explore and so much natural beauty to see, California is the place to be this season. Pack your bags, organize your family or friends, and go for a camping trip of a lifetime.
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