Waterfall camping in California with climbing

Hipcampers are spoiled for choice in California, where landscapes come supersized.

94% (6083 reviews)
94% (6083 reviews)

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Star Hosts in California

12 top waterfall campgrounds in California with climbing

92%
(564)

Kings Canyon Campground

21 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Wilsonia, CA
This rustic campground is located in Kings Canyon on hwy 180, 16 miles past the Sequoia-Kings Canyon Park entrance. Ten Mile Creek running thru the property. Magnificent views of Kings Canyon from the property. Google plus code for maps R497+877 Hume Station, California Campground sites with picnic tables. Flushing toilets on site. Water and sewer hookups available at some sites. 6 miles to the mighty Kings River, 12 miles to Grant Grove and the Giant Sequoia’s, 16 miles to Cedar Grove, 22 miles to “Roads End” and trail head for the endless backcountry trails including the Pacific Crest trail. Easy access to General’s Hwy for Sequoia National Park access The Sequoia & Kings Canyon area has a long history of being visited. Even in the pioneer days, before the road, people had heard tales of the majestic canyon, wild rivers and of the groves of gigantic trees, that many thought to be a hoax. Folks would make the difficult trip up into the mountain to see for themselves. This site, in the early 1900’s was a farmstead providing fresh fruits and vegetables to the areas loggers, ranchers, hotels and backcountry explorers. During the construction of the new highway In the 1920’s the site was used as a labor camp. During the highway construction days a lodge and gas station was built and was known as “Barton Flat”. In the 1950’s the property was sold and became the “Kings Canyon Lodge”. In 2015 the historic lodge and some of the other cabins were destroyed in the “Rough” fire, by a miracle the original 1928 visible gas pumps survived the fire and are still being used to this day. We are hopeful to eventually rebuild a lodge to serve the many visitors.
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$21.25
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98%
(814)

Yosemite Colfax Spring

11 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Groveland, CA
Welcome to Yosemite Colfax Spring! Home to a basecamp for river rafting trips during the summertime, we are located 15 minutes driving distance to the entrance to Yosemite National Park. If you are staying with us between May - September and want to come rafting, ask us about our river trips! Our camp sits on a ridge with views down into the Tuolumne River Canyon. The Tuolumne River begins at 13,000 feet of elevation in the High Country of Tuolumne Meadows and provides drinking water for over 2.7 million people in San Francisco. With cedar and pine trees, manzanita bushes, and wildflowers in the spring, enjoy the Sierras' flora and fauna. Our family has been operating our river rafting company for over 50 years, the last 11 of those years being here at Colfax Spring. Conveniently located off Highway 120, we are in close proximity to swimming holes, hikes, and more. Enjoy the privacy of our campsite and getting world-class views to yourself, with all of the amenities (flushing toilets, wi-fi, showers.) Make sure to check the Yosemite National Park website for information about reservations to visit the park!
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$81
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97%
(252)

Camp 🏕 Gold Dust Vineyard

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents6 acres · Somerset, CA
A six acre organic vineyard & natural winery on 21 acres awaits you at Gold Dust Vineyard. A working natural winery and cidery, come enjoy a glass, relax in the breezes at 2’700 feet. Decomposed granite soils and high elevation make for sweeping views and even better natural wine and cider! We welcome guests year round! Surrounded by nature, there is so much to do! Up in the Foothills, we experience all four seasons! Come relax☮️ March - May 🌸Don’t miss the wildflowers & babbling brooks, steams & rivers June - September 🏞Swimming in the Consumnes River or paddle boarding at Jenkinson Lake September - December 🍂🍁Fall foliage, wine harvest, apple picking and alpaca petting December - March ❄️⛷Snowy hikes, mushroom hunting and quick trips to South Lake Tahoe We accept reservations for wine and cider tastings and typically host guests between the hours of 11 am and 5 pm. Occasionally, during very hot and busy holiday weekends, we will host an evening tasting. We have running water on the side of the winery building. Please note, we are a mom and pop shop with just two of us and our young son running the show. We live on site in a tiny house and use the tasting area as our 'back yard' during off hours. We ask that guests please respect our area and off hours requests. We do not permit live fires or generators.
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$31.50
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97%
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Camping @ Quail Run Ostrich Ranch

8 sites · RVs, Tents62 acres · Lake Hughes, CA
Run by three generations, our ranch has been in our family for more than 70 years. We opened our doors to the public in 2014 to help support feeding our animals, bred and rescued, after the Powerhouse Fire almost burned us out. We’ve survived a county quarantine(2018-2019), the COVID Lockdowns (2021-2022), the Lake Fire (2020), and the Hurricane Kay burn scar debris flow and flood (9/11/22), depending on hard work and strong family and community bonds. In addition to camping and educational tours, we host private and community events, grow & sell produce and eggs, hatch and sell chicks, rescue ratites, and support the local bee population (which gives us RAW honey to sell), and are working to open a private U-pick-by-appointment orchard. We are all animal lovers, and conservationists, and try to do our part to ensure our children inherit a healthy and viable world. This is our home where we live, work, love, and play. We enjoy sharing our space with visitors who we hope learn about ostrich and make some great memories.
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$20
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98%
(183)

Musick Creek Falls

4 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Sacramento, CA
Musick Creek Falls is 40 acres and lies just south of Shaver Lake. At an elevation of, 4800 feet (1.46 km). The land is in a green and lush state of regrowth following the Creek Fire four years ago. Exhibiting novel and intriguing wildflowers such as Sierra Manzanita, sweet peas, Indian paintbrush, and cedars. The terrain is natural, beautiful, and rugged. This property boasts three exquisite cascading waterfalls, hiking trails, rock climbing, mountain biking, and stargazing opportunities. With proximity to Shaver Lake and China Peak Ski Resort, you are just minutes from any outdoor activity imaginable. Including, but not limited to, hiking, water and snow skiing, fishing, boating, stargazing, and sooo much more. The road into the property, although being maintained by us and the community, is still a dirt and gravel road. There are a few potholes and water bars. If you've rented a new Lamborghini, you should probably park on the asphalt, or use the Helicopter pad. The spigot provides excellent spring water. The water is flown in daily, condensed against Musick Mountain and filtered through acres of underground granite aquifers, where the minerals are added, raising the PH to around 9. The high PH helps rid the body of pollutants. I feel it is essential to the whole Musick Creek experience. We want you to leave here healthier and happier than when you arrived. There is trash and a composting outhouse on site. My wife and I stay here on site as long as the dog allows us to serve out heaping amounts of privacy or hospitality. Please explore everywhere. Be sure to check out all three waterfalls and Shaver Lake. Don't stay gone too long, though, as just about every night, there is an unforgettable sunset and the sounds and smells of the Sierra Nevada. The experience is supernatural. There is powerful medicine here, and it is undeniable. The weather is very mild most of the year, where a sweatshirt is perfect most nights and not too hot during the day We have kayaks available for use free of charge. Musick Creek Falls offers an affordable option compared to campgrounds and cabins in the area, which are often booked up and very expensive. Most cell phones have good reception throughout the property. We also have spare tents, camping gear, blankets, etc. if you forget something. Musick Creek borders on a Nature Conservancy. Since nearly all proceeds from your support go to the preservation of the area and its ecosystem, It is crucial that we respect our downstream neighbors. Unfortunately, there was an incident where a large family had trash blowing downstream. I know that this is not the norm for Hipcampers. As we are the most respectful and best looking of all the camping crowd. Though some are better at the leave no trace policy than others. It is critical that we deposit all trash into the receptacle. There are garbage bins for your use next to the shipping container, and one can be put at your site upon request. Sasquatch has been known to rip the limbs clean out of the sockets of campers he/she/it has suspected of littering. I scolded the squatch but when he/she/it tried handing back the arms to the campers... well Im sure you can see the problem there. Please be courteous to our neighbors, as the golden rule is the law of the land. We appreciate your support more than you know, and we are thrilled to share this amazing place with our Hipcamp community. Please be careful during your stay. Rocks can be slick in the water, and when the moon is small, it is very dark. Some nights can be cold, and there are timber rattlers that share the space with us. Timber rattlers are the most timid and shy of all rattlesnakes. If you are too close, they will give you a polite couple of shakes, indicating that they are merely passing through and would appreciate some space. Please be advised that in the winter months of December through April, there will be no host on site, and access will be limited as weather permits. For more info, visit https://musickcreekfalls.com. I just have to add, for anybody still reading, that Hipcampers are truly an amazing group of people. Maybe it's just that I get to meet you when you're on Vacation and down for anything, but I have not met a single Hipcamper I didn't like, which is incredible as I live out in the wilderness because I don't like people. You all have given me a renewed sense of community, and I am grateful for you all. If you are friends of the falls, then you are my family. What's mine is yours, and the Falls is ours. The responsibility of preserving this place and this planet belongs to all of us as well. Thank you for your support, and thank you for being you, exactly as you are.
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$60
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90%
(483)

Sequoia Mountain Farms

80 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Miramonte, CA
Welcome campers! PLEASE read all of the below before booking and screenshot/print the BELOW DIRECTIONS, as google and other mapping apps have taken guests on very difficult routes. Trust us, mapping apps don't account for the issues of small mountain roads! We have over 10 acres of stunning campground nestled only 15-20 minutes from the North entrance to the Sequoias! We have multiple sites to accommodate every type of camping from tent camping to tents-attached-to-cars and trucks, to pop-up campers to RVs with or without power and water hookups. Please see our RV hook-up spaces on our sister post! (RV sites at Sequoia Mountain Farms). There are wonderful views down into the valley, at night with sunsets off-the-hook, and city lights twinkling in the valley distance. We have multiple sites for large groups. Hot showers now available for all campers at no extra charge! We offer three sizes of campsites with different prices and capacities explained below. SMALL: Price includes 1 vehicle, and up to 3 people. Extra vehicle: $7/night/per vehicle (unlimited number allowed, but may need to park on the campground road, nearby). Extra person: No extra persons allowed in small sites (3 max). Small site #s (9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 35, and 36) MEDIUM: Price includes 1 vehicle, and up to 3 people. Extra vehicle: $7/night/per vehicle (unlimited number allowed, but may need to park on the campground road, nearby). Extra person: $10/night (maximum of 10 persons allowed in medium sites). Medium site #s (3, 5, 8, 16, 18, 29, 30, 33, 34, 37) LARGE: Price includes 2 vehicles, and up to three people. Extra vehicle: $7/night/per vehicle (unlimited number allowed, but may need to park on the campground road, nearby). Extra person: $10/night/per person. (20 person max in large sites). Large site #s (1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 17, 24) Sites 1, 6 and 24 can accommodate RVs/trailers without any hookups. If you need hookups, then see our RV sites. We have two of them. DIRECTIONS: Navigator apps push anyone coming from the south up the 245 highway north. It is a very winding and slow climb up the hill. It's doable (even for large rigs), but we HIGHLY recommend continuing north on highway 99 towards Fresno and then heading east on highway 180 up the mountain. It's faster, much more scenic and a smoother drive. This route also goes right by the nearest gas station on your way up! To avoid some of the less desirable routes, we recommend navigating to the last stop for gas first, and then to the property. Coming east on highway 180, out of Fresno, that gas station is a Valero at 35468 E Kings Canyon Rd. (aka Clingan's Junction). From there, DO NOT INPUT OUR STREET ADDRESS, or you will end up at our neighbor's property to the north (the Federal Fire Work Center). Instead: - Go to Google Maps (not google search) - Search for Sequoia Mountain Farms Campground - Click on Directions - We are located exactly where our icon appears on Google Maps, and this will take you there. Assuming there are no road closures we recommend the following as the most desirable route. From Clingan's, head east on the 180 for exactly 13.8 miles to the 245 highway (it comes up quick with only 1 or 2 small signs), make a right, heading south. If you hit the park entrance, you went too far, turn around drive back about 5 min and look for the 245 on your left. Once on the 245 heading south, go 5.1 miles. On your right you will pass the 'Pinehurst Lodge', which is on google maps, an easy reference point and is 1 minute or less away (great food!). Then a few seconds later the U.S Forest Service "Work Center" is on the right and we are just past that on the same side of the road. First you will see a Giant Sequoia Tree in the front yard (campground road is just to it's right with orange cones on either side) then the apple ranch with the ole loggers cabin chimney from the late 1800s still standing in the front yard directly off the highway! If you hit the 'leaving sequoia national forest' sign and the community center, you went too far, turn around and drive 1 minute back and look for the apple ranch on your left, pass it and then turn left after the Sequoia tree into the gravel road with the orange cones (for sites CG01 - CG37). If you rented RV1 or RV2, then your entrance is just to the left of the orange cones. ARRIVAL: Entering the property, through the orange cones, the road will go slightly downhill and curve to the left. Stay to your left and you will run into the restrooms on your left. Use the property map to locate your site, set up and enjoy. A host is usually around working somewhere and makes multiple rounds on the camp daily. Please take note of the posted pics from directly across the street facing what you will see when you get here. The address sign is posted on a tree and you can see the apple orchard and ole loggers chimney from the road off to the left and the Giant Sequoia Tree on the right of the address sign with the main entrance just to the right (north) of the tree (with the orange cones). There are 3 gates.: TENT SITES CG01-CG37: The FAR RIGHT GATE (north gate), just to the right of the Sequoia Tree, goes to the campsites! Look for the graveled road with orange cones / solar lights easily visible from the road. RV SITES RV1 and RV2: The MIDDLE GATE (just to the left of the campground road, and to the right of the address sign and mailbox) is for the two RV hook up sites in the big pad / yard directly off the road. These are back in sites, no pull-through access. HOUSE RENTAL: The FAR LEFT and southern most gate (to the left of the address sign and mailbox) is closest to the apple ranch and chimney; leads to the house which is also a rental. CAMPERS, PLEASE DO NOT APPROACH THE HOUSE OR BACK YARD UNLESS INSTRUCTED OTHERWISE. Thank you for understanding. We look forward to seeing you soon at Sequoia Mountain Farms!!! :) Please message us for any questions! We are happy to help! We want you to have the best experience possible, so if we can help, we definitely will! Also, please check the weather online before you come up to the mountain! Just know we are operating under the assumption that you are aware of the conditions and are prepared for them. If nature happens message us and we will do our best to assist! :)
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$30
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95%
(560)

DABUDAGE

8 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · CA
Embark on an unforgettable journey to the soul of California, where the ocean lies in wait to heaving mountains. Experience the true spirit of nature encapsulating your being as you are set free from distractions. A Place to Stay in southern Big Sur with Camp Sites and Accommodations. please make sure to read listings entire written description before requesting to book.
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$60
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93%
(427)

Arber-Moore's Ranch

6 sites · RVs, Tents22 acres · Oak View, CA
Beautiful natural campsites in the Valley of the Moon (Ojai Valley). Our sites are within an eighth of a mile of walking, running, biking, and riding trails from Ojai to the beaches of Ventura. On many days you can experience Ojai’s famous pink moments. You can hike the trails above Ojai, boat, eat, or picnic at Lake Casitas. Travel to nearby Ventura to shop, fish the pier, or take a deep sea fishing charter or Island charter to Whale watch or fish around the Channel Islands. Please note the aerial view of the camping area recently placed by Hipcamp is NOT AT ALL REPRESENTATIVE of the current camping sites and shows a photo that is many years old when the site was merely land. That photo is without any of the existing amenities or improvements. The actual sites are all Larger than Federal Park and Statepark guidelines, with averages of 20'x30' for campsites and 20'x40' for a long RVCampsite. We have planted many young trees and continue to plant trees and native shrubs around and near the sites. We have picnic tables, table coverings, fire pits, and camping rugs/footprints. There is also an outdoor shower, a shower tent with hot water, and an upgraded porta-potty with a sink. Note: During times when high heat is predicted, we strongly recommend that our Hipcampers bring pop-up shade tents or canopies for their sites. The Hipcamp is adjacent to our working ranch, and any photos of old sheds, trucks, a wood lot, or other equipment are NOT on the Hipcamp, but you will drive past that property to get to the separate Hipcamp area. Wineries, Farmer's Markets, Craft Breweries, dispensaries, and more are within 10 to 15 minutes of our site. Our location allows moments when you may see Hawks, Owls, Geese, Swallows, Robins, Bluebirds, and more. We offer both tent and RV camping. The Majority of our Guests love it here: "Vivian and Dave were exceptional hosts! Easy to contact and find our way to their property. Also gave us a plethora of places to go and things to do in the Ojai area. The area was open and spacious, and many trees and upgrades were in the works to make future stays more user-friendly. Big pluses were the shower and toilet facilities—much appreciated !!"
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$69
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94%
(249)

San Diego Canyon Creek

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents1 acre · El Cajon, CA
Try out camping without having to rough-it! You can rent the Honeycomb Cabin! Or swing through for a safe place to spend the night in your van, or tent, while taking advantage of San Diego and all it has to offer! So much to be seen or done within 30 miles! You can plan a visit to the World Famous San Diego Zoo, Museums, Sea World, Birch Aquarium, Safari Park, Lego Land and more! San Diego county has wine tasting, breweries, theaters and eateries of all kinds. There are several beaches, mountain lakes, and even the deserts! You can skydive, or scuba dive, go deep sea fishing, or lake fishing, mountain biking, hiking, climbing, or walking the boardwalk! San Diego Canyon Creek is a small patch of woods, near a road, in a neighborhood. We are surrounded by rocky peaks, with a creek that most often runs year round! We have multiple species of song birds, owls, hawks, and other wildlife that live in this Riparian Habitat, with a chorus of frogs throughout the summer nights. It's a very short walk to the neighborhood park- equipped with several types of playground equipment and public creek access, or a five minute drive to a Crestridge Ecological Reserve containing multiple trails. We have three campsites and a cabin on about an acre of land. If you'd like to hang out on the property, we offer a table and chairs with each campsite to lounge in while enjoying the fresh air and nature. There are also a couple of hammocks available. In addition, our SHARED amenities include an outdoor kitchen that includes a sink with hot water, 2 mini fridges,(full at times, extra coolers available) coffee maker, a two burner stove, a griddle, a toaster oven, blender, tea kettle, and a few pans, plates, bowls, cups, and utensils. Also here to SHARE is a Propane fire pit and BBQ area. The bathroom now includes a flush toilet, sink and shower. We are continuously making improvements. Fun Fact: Harbison Canyon was named after John Stewart Harbison - aka the King of the Bee Keepers. He arrived with over one hundred colonies of bees in 1874 and within 7 years he became the world's largest honey producer! Today there are just a few bees in the area.
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$45
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98%
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River Ridge Ranch -722 acres

13 sites · Lodging, Tents722 acres · Springville, CA
Swimming in North Fork Tule River, miles of hiking trails on ranch. River Ridge goes from 1,000' elev. to 3,000' elevation. Hike right on the ranch. We are between Sequoia National Park (about an hour) and the Giant Sequoia National Monument (16 miles to groves up Hwy 190 and no entrance fee). Choose from individual tent sites, group tent sites, tiny cabins. the 5-acre Compound or the Entire Ranch. There are 33 giant sequoia groves in our Southern Region of the Giant Sequoia National Monument, some easily driven to, and some remote. Our ranch is a nature preserve and an education demonstration site, teaching sustainable and regenerative land use practices. River Ridge Institute, our non-profit, hosts a variety of events for the public. Please note: you are expected to leave the ranch and kitchen area as you found it, i.e., dishes washed thoroughly and dried and put away, recycling separated from trash, food scraps in compost buckets, sticky marshmallow removed from forks and surfaces (ick!). Thank you. Enjoy: The Kitchen has a 3-burner cooktop, large fridge, microwave, full dishes and utensils and pots and pans with a big washing area in the back. Propane barbecue grill.. There's a River Barn to use as a remote space and Turtle Cove for swimming. Saturday morning Farmer's Market in downtown at 9 AM - Noon. Ancestral land of the Foothill Yokuts tribe. Homesteaded in 1859, owned by the Negus family from 1909-2000. Barbara and I bought it to save it from subdivision and it's now protected by a Conservation Easement and acts as a community center for the arts, music, poetry, gatherings and outdoor education. We're both biologists, so, just ask us. Please see the Rules and Safety section to review our Waiver of Liability.
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$40
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99%
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TerraSol

2 sites · Lodging40 acres · Nevada City, CA
I’ve had the pleasure to be the “caretaker” of this special land once inhabited by the Maidu Indians for the past 43 years. This is SPECIAL ground here and I’m sure you will feel the MAGIC!!! This 40 acres sits on the Yuba River Ridgetop. At the "Platform of Pleasure" you will enjoy 100,000+ acre views of protected land looking North to the High Sierra, minutes away from downtown Nevada City and 15 miles from Yuba River Trailheads. Firewood bundles are $15 per bundle (2+ hours of campfire when campfires 🔥 are allowed). There is a $15.00 dog fee per dog/per stay. On our property like anywhere in the woods there are mosquitos, so you should bring bug spray. We offer a tent platform, as well as a canvas tent listing. Guests love staying here: "From the moment we arrived Chris was nothing but amazing. He helped us get settled in and even recommended some beautiful spots to hike/sight see. They are both so generous! The campsite beautiful and they did a very nice job supplying us with any materials we may need. Definitely coming back during the summer!"
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$79
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Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden

7 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Murphys, CA
Thank you Hipcamper's for many great years of support. The sculpture garden and campground features, continue to grow. We will be closed for the winter, October 28 through April 4. New art installations and outdoor shower will be completed, while closed. Historic Brice Station 100 acres, was a horse stop on the Ebbetts Pass stage line. Horses were fed, watered and swapped here, over 100 years ago. Today, Brice station hosts a ceramics gallery and school, vineyard and tasting room, Blacksmith school, Concert series, Shakespeare performances and Master artist, Michel Olson's, Sierra Circles Sculpture Garden and campground. Born in Berlin, Germany, he has spent much of his life performing, guiding, studying, while travelling and becoming an accomplished artist in wood, stone and iron. Two of his gypsy rigs and several large art installations, are in the meadow next to the forested 6 site campground. Installation include, 100 ft sacred circle, yin/yang, sun dial and calendar. Quadruple Branch Arch. Avenue of art. Glass and Brass over Grass. Stone stage with two bell racks. Wheels of time. Florence the Freightliner. Glass henge. Chain henge. Family altar. Double sand box. Stone spiral Each, of the 6 campsites, have art installations as well. Site 1 is spacious with multiple tent sites, art Steel TeePee, and nice shade oak. Picnic table and some chairs. Parking for 4 cars. Sites 1 and 6 together, with kitchen area, makes a great group site. Site 2, is our largest single site. Multiple tent sites. 2 tables. Branch arch way. Parking for 6 cars. Hammock friendly trees. Site 3, is our cozy site. Multiple tent sites. Wood wizard and frog carving. Picnic table. Parking for 3 cars Site 4, has our second metal TeePee, with melted bottle suncatchers. Multiple tent sites. Picnic table. Parking for 3 cars Site 5, has Wood Henge, made from one enormous tree. Multiple tent sites. Picnic table. Parking for 3 cars. Site 6, has a burningman bicycle fence, and ski lift chair swing. Multiple tent sites. Picnic table. Parking for 3 cars. Brice Station Winery, tasting room. Open Fri. - Sun. 12 to 6pm .Quyle Kilns Pottery Gallery, School and ceramic art studio Wed thru Sunday 10am to 6pm Paul Quyle Blacksmith school. C.B.A. member. First and third Sat 9am. Brice Station Vineyard, tasting room and concerts bricestation.com Simply put, art, nature camping, with a hint of history, at its best. Children are full price and must be attended to. No trailers over 14 ft. No campsite open fires June thru Oct. Communal kitchen/crafts area with large tables, BBQ and cook top available. Propane fire rings and counter top stoves allowed in campsite. Leashed dogs welcome, please pick up after. Please no extra loud music or voices.
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$59
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Waterfall camping in California with climbing guide

Overview

Golden coasts. Redwood forests. Fiery desert canyons. Alpine lakes framed by snowy peaks. But the best memories are in the details—seeing a gray whale breach off the rugged north coast, feeling the sun on your face on a Southern California shore, or maybe enjoying s’mores beside the crystal waters of Lake Tahoe. Trails climb from campgrounds to immense granite domes in Yosemite while Joshua trees beckon for attention in the eastern deserts. The best part? There’s somewhere amazing to camp year-round.

Where to go

North Coast

Camping beneath redwoods—the tallest trees in the world—is a hard-to-beat highlight of the north coast. The majestic groves scattered across Redwood National & State Parks are an excellent choice for first-timers. Further south, from Eureka to Mendocino and eventually San Francisco, you’ll find a string of private and state park campgrounds tucked along rugged coastlines marked by bluffs, coves, dunes, and tidepools.

Central Coast

Stretching from Monterey south to Santa Barbara, the Central Coast scores points for scenery and variety. Plus, it’s a convenient escape from the urban hassles of San Francisco and Los Angeles. Redwoods, waterfalls, and windswept bluffs border Highway 1 in Big Sur, while waves crash beside state parks north of Santa Barbara. For a remote camping experience, campsites at Channel Islands National Park off the coast of Santa Barbara can oblige.

SoCal Beaches: Los Angeles to San Diego

The golden beaches of Southern California are the stuff of lazy days and pop songs. And fantastic camping for those inclined. The best campsites line-up beside the coast between Newport Beach and Dana Point in Orange County, with a few more perched on coastal bluffs north of San Diego. Not surprisingly, these oceanfront sites fill fast, so book early.

Sierra Nevada Mountains

Granite domes and lush Alpine meadows border campgrounds in Yosemite National Park, while enormous sequoias are the draw in Kings Canyon and Sequoia national parks. Campgrounds beside alpine lakes and the sparkling blue waters of Lake Tahoe are always postcard-pretty.

Southern Deserts

For surreal sunsets, striking rock formations, restless sand dunes, and spring wildflowers, head east. Nine campgrounds and plenty more right outside await at Death Valley National Park, home to the lowest spot in the U.S. Joshua trees and picturesque boulders keep Hipcampers happy at Joshua Tree National Park while Anza-Borrego Desert State Park serves up fantastic desert hiking outside San Diego. High season is late fall through spring, when temperatures are pleasant.

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