California RV parks are the best way to experience new California destinations. Travel to off-the-beaten-path locations and save money on hotels by traveling with your own house on wheels.
As a passionate RV owner and a California local, I’ve stayed at tons of CA RV parks and want to fill you in on the best of the state. Here’s what I found on my various California road trip adventures:
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23 Best California RV Parks
Upper Pines Campground
Camp among the pines and next to steep granitic walls at this Yosemite National Park campground.
🗺️ Distance from Fresno: 2 ½ hours | Google Maps | Upper Pines Campground Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: flush toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, fire ring, food storage locker
For a true California experience, camp among the pines in Yosemite National Park. Upper Pines Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in the park due to its close proximity to Yosemite hiking trails like Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls, and Half Dome.
Because this Yosemite National Park campground is so popular, you’ll need to reserve a site as soon as the reservations open. Upper Pines Campground reservations open 5 months in advance of your desired date.
Canceled reservations are also released on Recreation.gov at 7 am. If you don’t get lucky with a reservation the first time around, be sure to stalk the website. It’s your best chance to stay at one of California’s most famous campgrounds.
Bonelli Bluffs RV Park
A Southern California RV park overlooking a leisure recreation lake.
🗺️ Distance from Los Angeles: 1 ½ hours | Google Maps | Bonelli Bluffs RV Park Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: laundry facilities, restrooms, family pool, adult pool, market
One of my personal favorite RV parks in Southern California, Bonelli Bluffs RV Park gives campers an incredible leveraged view of Lake Puddingstone below.
For the best views of the lake and surrounding San Gabriel Mountains, I recommend staying in either Area B or Area C during your stay at this San Dimas RV park. This park is also dog-friendly and boasts a scenic loop trail around the lake.
👉 Pro Tip: If you’re staying at a site with full hookups or a dump station, you will want a good hose and rubber gloves so the dumping process runs as smoothly as possible.
Malibu Beach RV Park
Camp right on California’s “Hollywood Beach”.
🗺️ Distance from Los Angeles: 50 minutes | Google Maps | Malibu Beach RV Park Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: fire pits, laundry, horseshoe pits, convenience store, restrooms, propane, dump station
Few things beat camping within earshot of crashing Pacific Ocean waves. Staying overnight at Malibu Beach RV Park allows for comforts and commodities as well as close access to saline ocean waves.
The Malibu Beach RV Park is the perfect place to set up a home base while you explore the magical California beach town. I love making a trip to Point Dume Malibu Beach to rock climb right above the ocean waves.
San Clemente State Beach Campground
A campground with one of the best aerial views of the Pacific Ocean.
🗺️ Distance from Los Angeles: 1 ½ hours | Google Maps | San Clemente State Beach Campground Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: restrooms, showers, trash facilities, beach access
Another of my favorite California RV parks, the San Clemente State Beach Campground is open for all types of campers – from motorhome owners to tent campers and Sprinter van-lifers. This beachy campsite sits right on the ocean’s edge on the outskirts of town. It has full cell service, making it the best place for productive digital nomads to hang out for a few days.
There are several trails from this RV park that lead down to the beach, complete with a scenic running/walking trail and a few eateries. I recommend heading to the San Clemente Pier to catch the sunset. Or, watch the sun disappear behind the horizon from your clifftop campsite fire ring.
Agua Caliente County Park
A desert hot spring resort with surrounding cacti-laden hiking trails.
🗺️ Distance from San Diego: 2 hours | Google Maps | Agua Caliente County Park Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: restrooms, showers, hot springs, trash facilities, dump station
Camp under millions of desert stars at this San Diego County hot springs campground. Tents, RVs, and vans are all welcomed at Agua Caliente, the most popular campground in the famous Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
The Agua Caliente County Park offers naturally-fed warm thermal pools in the middle of the biggest state park in California. Go for nearby hikes during the day, meandering among desert palms and burrowing rodents. In the evening, catch the sunset from a thermal pool near your campsite.
Each campsite has picnic tables and fire rings and full or partial hookups are available at various prices. There’s no cell service at this Anza Borrego campground, so be sure to tell your loved ones you’ll be off-grid for a bit.
👉 Pro Tip: The hot springs are clothing mandatory, so don’t forget your bathing suit!
Idyllwild State Park Campground
An affordable campground in the San Jacinto Mountains with access to one of the best mountain towns in California.
🗺️ Distance from San Bernadino: 1 hour | Google Maps | Idyllwild State Park Campground Website | Reservations: first-come, first-serve | Amenities: restrooms, electric, trash facilities
Nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains, the Idyllwild State Park Campground is a perfect blend of secluded nature and small-town charm. It’s within walking distance of the main Idyllwild village, but it’s still surrounded by towering pines for a true outdoors experience.
With so many things to do in Idyllwild, this campground is one of the best areas to spend a night in the mountains.
The dry state park campground also offers RV sites, as long as the trailer is less than 30 feet. Don’t forget to stop by the state park visitor center informative exhibit on your way out!
Mountain Gate RV Park
A campground amid the Cascade Mountains just minutes from Lake Shasta.
🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 4 hours | Google Maps | Mountain Gate RV Park Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: restrooms, showers, water, electric, sewer, tv, Wifi
Camp among the redwoods at this Northern California RV park just outside of Redding, California. Mountain Gate RV Park offers incredible amenities and a perfect location. It’s only a few minutes from Shasta Lake and just one hour from Mt. Shasta.
Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the snow-capped Cascade Mountains, and explore the many hiking trails near the RV park for even more mountain views.
This is one of the best full hookup campsites to stay on the way to Mount Shasta. Be sure to bring your fishing rod — Shasta Lake and the surrounding drainage creeks contain lots of trout.
Alabama Hills
A free Eastern Sierra desert campground oasis.
🗺️ Distance from Los Angeles: 3 hours, 45 minutes | Google Maps | Alabama Hills Website | Reservations: first-come, first-serve | Amenities: primitive camping
Technically more of a “boondocking” spot than an RV park, the Alabama Hills is my absolute favorite place to camp in California. The Alabama Hills is like the Joshua Tree of Central California, bringing rock climbers and scramble fanatics to its desert boulder fields.
This is the best place to stay if you plan on hiking Mt. Whitney the next day, the tallest mountain in the Lower 48 and one of the best hikes in California.
The maximum time campers can stay is 14 consecutive days. The park used to be free-range BLM land, but recent regulations have limited overnight campsites.
Klamath River RV Park
The closest RV park to Redwood National Park.
🗺️ Distance from Eureka: 1 hour, 10 minutes | Google Maps | Klamath River RV Park Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: hot showers, laundry room, back-in sites, Wifi
Located near the California-Oregon border, Klamath River RV Park is swallowed by dense redwood foliage. Fisher folk readily flock to this green RV park because it sits scenically right on the Klamath River.
This RV park is heavy on amenities. Wake up to the aroma of coffee from the on-site cafe before you head over to the game room for a round of ping pong or to the playground with the kids.
The main draw of Klamath River RV Park is the proximity to Redwood National Park, which contains the largest area of old-growth Coast Redwoods in the world. Make sure you stop by the national park — it’s not every day you get to walk amongst the tallest trees on earth.
Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground
A desert oasis with a man-made lake for fishing within the campground boundaries.
🗺️ Distance from San Bernardino: 1 hour, 45 minutes | Google Maps | Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: restrooms, showers, electric, water, sewer
Only 20 minutes from the Joshua Tree National Park West Entrance, the Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground is one of the best places to stay in Joshua Tree.
The RV park is located just a few minutes from the small town of Joshua Tree, which has fantastic vintage shops and Western-style saloons. Joshua Tree Lake is one of the only places to stay in town with full hookups.
Campers can enjoy fishing from the man-made park lake, tackle nearby hiking trails, or walk around the small downtown. You’ll see some Joshua Trees scattered around the desert landscape, but make sure to head inside Joshua Tree National Park for the best views of the plant.
Non-campers can also take a 30-minute shower at the Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground spot for $10 – a popular option among rock climbers and backpackers.
San Onofre Bluffs Campground
Camp at a lesser-known SoCal surf beach.
🗺️ Distance from Los Angeles: 1 hour, 45 minutes | Google Maps | San Onofre Bluffs Campground Website | Reservations: first-come, first-serve | Amenities: fire pits, ocean views, group sites, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, showers
Camp above the ocean at the San Onofre Bluffs Campground. One of the most low-key surf beaches in Southern California, San Onofre retains a small-town beachy feel and offers seemingly untouched beaches.
The campsite doesn’t break the bank and has seven trails leading from the bluffs directly to the beach. No RV hookups are available, but there is a dump site. San Onofre Bluffs Campground is the best way to experience a quintessential beach camping experience more enjoyably – it’s way less frequented than other surrounding beach campsites.
Zephyr Cove RV & Campground
A small pine tree resort right across from Lake Tahoe.
🗺️ Distance from Sacramento: 2 hours 20 minutes | Google Maps | Zephyr Cove RV & Campground Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: laundry, showers, vending machines, picnic tables, fire rings
One of the most popular RV parks in Tahoe, Zephyr Cove RV & Campground is technically just across the California border in Nevada. Zephyr Cove also offers an on-site gift shop, restaurant, and cabins.
Beach access is only a short walk across the street from this campground – I recommend it as one of the best things to do in Lake Tahoe. Winter rates are far more affordable at this NorCal RV park, but the summer rates are still some of the most affordable in the area.
McCloud RV Park
Mount Shasta’s premiere RV park.
🗺️ Distance from Sacramento: 3 hours, 40 minutes | Google Maps | McCloud RV Park Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: laundry, fish-cleaning stations, hot showers, BBQ areas
Planning a trip to Mount Shasta? Then why not bring your trustee ol’ RV along? The McCloud RV Park lies only 11 miles outside of town and is one of the more affordable parks in the area.
The 14,000+ foot Mt. Shasta looms over the entire town, making it one of my favorite small towns in California. Make sure to bring your hiking boots, because hiking on Mt. Shasta is one of the most popular activities.
Although McCloud RV Park is open year-round, I would advise visiting in the summer for the best experience. Winter brings snowfall and below-freezing temperatures.
Sequoia RV Ranch
One of the best places to stay near Sequoia National Park for full hookups.
🗺️ Distance from Fresno: 1 hour, 15 minutes | Google Maps | Sequoia RV Ranch Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: water, electric, river access, picnic tables, fire rings
Sequoia RV Ranch is in Three Rivers, California, the gateway town to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. This Central California RV park rests right on the Kaweah River and has gorgeous views of river, mountain, and forest landscapes.
Sequoia RV Ranch is open year-round but frequently reaches below-freezing temperatures in the winter months, so plan accordingly. The park is also only a few minutes from downtown Three Rivers. I recommend visiting Three Rivers Brewing Co., one of the coolest breweries in California.
June Lake RV Park
Camp around one of the best alpine lakes in the Eastern Sierra.
🗺️ Distance from Los Angeles: 5 hours | Google Maps | June Lake RV Park Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: restrooms, showers, cell service, trash facilities
One of the coolest places to visit in California, June Lake is an alpine paradise. Only 1 hour north of Mammoth Lakes, June Lake is a must-see destination after hitting the deep powder slopes of Mammoth Mountain, one of the top ski resorts in California.
June Lake RV Park is a short walk to the waterfront and main downtown June Lake area. Check out June Lake Brewing, one of the best spots for some craft beer after a day of hiking. It’s right next door to the RV park.
June Lake is not an overcrowded, touristy destination. It remains free from crowds even in the summer months, making it the ideal destination for fishing, hiking, or a secluded California getaway.
Big Bear Shores RV Resort
A campground surrounded by one of the most famous mountain lakes in CA.
🗺️ Distance from: 1 ½ hours from San Bernardino | Google Maps | Big Bear Shores RV Resort Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: tennis court, pool, water, electric, sewer
Big Bear Lake is one of the top California lakes. With so many things to do in Big Bear, this is the perfect place to stay for a while and explore the forest town in depth.
The Big Bear Shores RV Resort rests right on the banks of the lake, giving campers easy lake access for fishing, kayaking, and nearby hiking trails.
Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort
A Northern California campground near redwood trees and world-class surf beaches.
🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour, 15 minutes | Google Maps | Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: riverfront camping, water, electric, sewer
Camping among redwood giants is one of my favorite things to do in California. The Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort provides Northern California travelers with the perfect stop along an ultimate California road trip.
The Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort is located just steps from Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. The state park has beautiful forested hiking trails and swimming holes along the San Lorenzo River. There’s even a steam train, the Roaring Camp Railroad, that takes passengers on a ride through the trees and down to the beach.
Furnace Creek Campground
One of the hottest campgrounds in the summer booms with life in the winter.
🗺️ Distance from Los Angeles: 5 hours | Google Maps | Furnace Creek Campground Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: electric, restrooms, group sites
Enjoy camping under the stars in Death Valley, one of the coolest California national parks and the hottest place in the world!
Furnace Creek is the only campground in the park with both dry RV sites and full hookups. It’s a perfect location — close to famous Death Valley sights like Zabriskie Point and Artists Palette. Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, is just a short drive away.
Reservations are required from October-April, the park’s peak season, but is first-come, first-serve during all other months. What Furnace Creek Campground lacks in cell service, it makes up for in stargazing opportunities.
👉 Pro Tip: Visit Death Valley in the late fall, winter, or early spring. It is dangerously hot in the summertime, with temperatures regularly exceeding 120 degrees.
Westport Beach RV Park
A NorCal campground right on the sandy ocean banks.
🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 3 hours 30 minutes | Google Maps | Westport Beach RV Park Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: Wifi, firepits, water, sewer, power
The Westport Beach RV Park is one of the best coastal Northern California parks. Located in the beautiful Mendocino National Forest, this unique park allows RVs to park right on the sandy beach within steps of the ocean.
This section of the Northern California coast is particularly rugged and wild. It’s a stunning location with few crowds, but don’t plan on swimming unless you have a wetsuit. The waves can be quite cold and strong, especially in the winter.
Marina Dunes RV Park
A Northern California coastal campground with easy beach access.
🗺️ Distance from San Jose: 1 hour | Google Maps | Marina Dunes RV Park Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: clubhouse, playground, Wifi, fitness center, laundry, showers
Marina Dunes RV Park is one of the closest RV parks to the popular beach towns of Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. This picturesque seaside resort offers romantic yurts, cabins, and RV camping.
Marina Dunes has easy beach access, with just a short trail leading from the RV park to the sprawling beach. You can watch the sunset here, explore the huge sand dunes, or go for a dip in the chilly Pacific (if you’re brave).
Marina is a great jumping-off point for exploring the rest of the Monterey Peninsula, which is one of the best day trips from San Francisco.
San Francisco RV Resort
An affordable campground on the waterfront just shy of San Francisco’s city borders.
🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 15 minutes | Google Maps | San Francisco RV Resort Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: pool, showers, restrooms, BBQ, picnic areas, store, laundry
The San Francisco RV Resort is one of the most affordable places to stay in San Francisco. The park sits on a bluff right above the Pacific waterfront and receives a coastal breeze year-round.
Just 20 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge and most of the top attractions in San Francisco, SF RV Resort is one of the top RV parks in California. Enjoy a hot tub, swimming pool, hot showers, laundry, and a BBQ area. Just remember that your prime ocean view might be blocked by San Francisco’s infamous fog — it’s all part of the SF experience!
Waterfront RV Park
A campground right across the street from the most famous surf competition in the U.S.
🗺️ Distance from Los Angeles: 1 hour, 15 minutes | Google Maps | Waterfront RV Park Website | Reservations: online reservations | Amenities: clubhouse, pool, restrooms, showers
Bring your motorhome to Huntington Beach, also known as “Surf City USA” – arguably the most popular beach in California. This RV park is the best place to stay in Orange Countyif you’re looking for a casual environment close to prime surfing spots in California.
Waterfront RV Park is located near the Huntington Beach Pier, which has several restaurants perched above the ocean. It’s also one of the few RV parks that allow up to 30 days of accommodation at a time.
Campland on the Bay
A pet-friendly San Diego campground right on the water.
🗺️ Distance from San Diego: 15 minutes | Google Maps | Campland on the Bay Website | Reservations: | Amenities: Wifi, restrooms, showers, laundry, beach access
San Diego is one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., so save some money while exploring the beach town by staying at the Campland on the Bay RV Resort.
Campland RV Resort sits on the shores of Mission Bay, near the vibrant neighborhood of Pacific Beach. While the RV park doesn’t overlook the ocean, the beach is only a few minutes drive away.
Campland has more amenities than most surrounding RV parks like a gym, volleyball court, basketball court, skatepark, cantina, live entertainment, and ice cream parlor.
FAQs About California RV Parks
How much does it cost to park an RV in California?
It varies from $30 a night to well over $100 per night to park an RV overnight in California. Prices are on the lower end during the winter season and in dry campsites as opposed to parks with full amenities in the summer.
Where can I park my RV for free in California?
RV owners can park their vehicles on BLM land for free in California. There are helpful apps like The Dyrt and iOverlander that highlight where these free camp spots are.
Can I park my RV at Walmart in California?
In most cases, you can park your RV at Walmarts in California for free. Not all corporations abide by this, however, so calling beforehand could save you from getting kicked out in the middle of the night.
How long can you stay at a campground in California?
Most campgrounds have 14-night stays in California. This is especially the case with free BLM sites but some paid RV parks may allow you to stay up to a month or more.
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You’re now ready to embark on an awesome California RV park adventure! Be sure to check out the best tent camping in California to mix up your outdoor camping experience.
