1. Big Basin Redwoods
State Park, North of Boulder Creek
Big Basin Redwoods State Park is
California's oldest State Park, established
in 1902. Home to the largest continuous
stand of Ancient Coast Redwoods south of San
Francisco, the park consists of Old Growth
and recovering Redwood Forest, with mixed
conifer, oaks, chaparral, and riparian
habitats. Elevations in the park vary from
sea level to over 2,000 feet. The park has
over 80 miles of trails. Some of these
trails link Big Basin to Castle Rock State
Park and the eastern reaches of the Santa
Cruz range. The Skyline to the Sea Trail
threads its way through the park along
Waddell Creek to the beach and adjacent
Theodore J. Hoover Natural Preserve, a
freshwater marsh.
2. Benbow Lake SRA Garberville, California
To provide power for the new development in
the valley , a concrete dam was constructed
across the south fork of the Eel River in
1928. The dam not only provided power but
also created Benbow Lake.
The Benbow family, interested in preserving
the natural scene around the Hotel and along
the river, made efforts to place the land
under State protection. In 1956 funds were
approved for the Benbow Project was
purchased in 1958. Today the park consists
of campsites and a large day-use picnic
area. Hiking, picnicking and camping are
popular summer time activities, while salmon
and steelhead fishing are popular in the
winter.
3. Camp Edison, Shaver
Lake, Northeast of Fresno
Shaver is one of the Sierra lakes created as
part of a Southern California Edison
hydroelectric project, and Camp Edison’s 252
campsites have electricity, and Internet.
This camp has great lake access and mountain
views. There are so many things to do close
to Camp Edison Campgrounds; it is a good
campground with fishing, hiking, swimming,
and whitewater paddling.
4. Hendy Woods State
Park Point Arena, California
The park features two virgin redwood groves;
Big Hendy with a self-guided discovery trail
and Little Hendy. The Navarro River runs the
length of the park. Located in the middle of
the Anderson Valley wine district, this park
is warmer and less foggy than redwood parks
along the coast. The park is well known for
a fallen redwood stump that was home for a
man known locally as the Hendy Woods Hermit.
5. Cold Springs
Campground, Sequoia National Park, East of
Three Rivers
The campground consists of 40 individual
sites at an elevation of 7,500 feet. No
trailers or RVs are permitted in this
camping area due to the winding and rough
nature of Mineral King Road. Each campsite
includes a picnic table and fire pit with
grill. Amenities located in the campground
include pit toilets and drinking water.
Other amenities located nearby include:
ranger programs, a pay phone and a riding
stable.
6. D.L. Bliss State
Park, Lake Tahoe
The grandeur of the parks and their setting
is a product of successive upheavals of the
mountain-building processes that raised the
Sierra Nevada. From promontories such as
Rubicon Point in D.L. Bliss State Park you
can see over one hundred feet into the
depths of Lake Tahoe. On the crest of Eagle
Falls in Emerald Bay State Park, you can see
a brilliant panorama of Emerald Bay,
Fannette Island, Lake Tahoe, and the distant
Nevada shore. The park is named for a
pioneering lumberman, railroad owner, and
banker of the region. The D.L. Bliss family
donated 744 acres to the State Park system
in 1929.
7. Kirk Creek
Campground, Los Padres National Forest, Big
Sur
Located on the west side of Hwy. 1
overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this
campground is situated on bluff with
fantastic views of the Big Sur coastline.
The sites are spacious and have a picnic
table, fire ring and pedestal barbeque. The
campground elevation is aprox. 100ft. above
sea level in the Los Padres National Forest.
There is one trail providing beach access or
you can drive 4 miles to Sand Dollar Beach,
the largest sandy beach in the Big Sur area.
8. Refugio State
Beach, Northwest of Santa Barbara
Refugio State Beach offers excellent coastal
fishing as well as trails and picnic sites.
Palm trees planted near Refugio Creek give a
distinctive look to the beach and camping
area. A bike trail along the beach bluff
connects the beach with El Capitan State
Beach 2.5 miles east.
9. Morro Bay State
Park, San Luis Obispo
Morro Bay State Park features lagoon and
natural bay habitat. The bay’s most
prominent landmark is Morro Rock. The park
has opportunities for sailing, fishing,
hiking, and bird watching. The park museum
has exhibits that cover natural features and
cultural history, Native American life,
geology, and oceanography. The park also has
a colorful marina and an 18-hole public golf
course. On the bay’s northeast edge is a
pristine saltwater marsh that supports a
thriving bird population.
10. Jedediah Smith
Redwoods State Park, Northeast of Crescent
City
Established in 1929, this predominately old
growth coast redwoods park is bisected by
the last major free flowing river in
California, the Smith River. Almost all of
the park land is water shed for the Smith
River and Mill Creek, a major tributary. The
park has about 20 miles of hiking and nature
trails, river access, a visitor center with
exhibits and a nature store. Drive Howland
Hill Road (gravel-not recommended for
trailers) and stroll in the Stout Grove.
Other Campground Sites
ReserveAmerica - Directory
of campsites in the United States
ons can be made by Internet or
phone.
KOA Campgrounds
Go Camping America - National
Association of RV Parks and
Campgrounds with a directory
listing of over 3000 RV parks and campgrounds.
Ventura Beach Camping - Campgrounds on the beach in Ventura County, CA.
Beaches in California - Info on all the beaches in California with hotels and restaurants near each beach.
America's Best Top 10 Outdoor Activities
Cycling Tours -
USA's Top 10 Bicycling Tours and
by
State
Climbing - Guide
Service to America's highest mountains and more
Fly Fishing
-Discover America's best fly fishing hot spots
Fishing Vacations -
Great American Fishing Holes and Links
Hot Air Balloon Racing
- Hot Air Balloons and Festivals
Golf Courses -
America's 25 Greatest Golf Courses
Rafting Trips -
America's favorite Rafting Adventures
Rock Climbing in
National Parks
Rock Climbing in the
United States
Sea Kayaking - Best
of the East and West Coasts
Kayaking - Top 10
White Water Rivers in the US
Skydiving - Top 10
most scenic places to skydive in the US.
Sleigh Rides -
Romantic and Family Sleigh Rides
Snowboarding - Best
in the West and East
Snowmobiling - USA's
Top 10 Snowmobiling Areas
Ski Areas - USA's
Top 10 Western & Eastern Ski Areas
Cross Country Skiing
- From Alaska to Maine
Equestrian Vacations
- Best horseback vacations
This listing of the
Top Ten Campgrounds in California is constantly being revised as we experience and visit new campgrounds all around the United States. So, if you
feel we are missing one, please email
us and let us
know!