Lakeside camping in California with showers

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

96% (13257 reviews)
96% (13257 reviews)

Popular camping styles for California

Available this weekend

Dog-friendly getaways

12 top lakeside campgrounds in California with showers

98%
(125)

Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground

109 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Joshua Tree, CA
Welcome to Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground, your go-to destination for a unique and memorable camping experience in Joshua Tree. This family-owned and operated park offers breathtaking views from its 2,300 ft elevation, showcasing the beauty of the Mojave Desert and the surrounding mountains. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast looking to explore the area or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, Joshua Tree Lake RV and Campground has something for everyone. With panoramic views of the North face of Joshua Tree National Park, the ancient Copper Mountain Hills to the North and East, and exceptional desert vistas, you'll be surrounded by breathtaking landscapes wherever you look. Office Hours: 8:30 - 8 Sunday - Thursday 8:30 - 9 Friday and Saturday Check-in Begins at 12 PM. Checkout is at 11 AM. The campground is situated on the southern edge of the Mojave Desert and boasts some of the best stargazing opportunities in the region. With clear, unpolluted skies, you can enjoy the magnificent night skies and immerse yourself in the beauty of the stars. We want to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, so please take note of the following guidelines: Swimming is not permitted in the fishing lake and there is no swimming pool available. Pet owners will be pleased to know that their furry friends are welcome, but there may be an additional fee added to the reservation. Wi-Fi is provided by a third-party company and a separate service fee applies. Please note that we cannot guarantee the speed, rate, or troubleshooting of the Wi-Fi service. For your convenience, a wash station for dishes is available on-site, and the Joshua Tree Laundromat is located 9 miles away in downtown Joshua Tree. For campfires, it is important to keep them contained inside the designated burn barrels and never leave them unattended. In the event of high winds, campfire, and BBQ use may be suspended for safety reasons. So, pack your gear and head to Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground, your favorite place to stay while you play in Joshua Tree. Experience the magic of the Mojave Desert and all its natural wonders, and create memories that will last a lifetime!
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$15
 / night
96%
(226)

San Diego Mountain Lodge

48 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Santa Ysabel, CA
San Diego Mountain Lodge is a beautiful escape to nature sprawled out over about 40 acres on a breathtaking spot that we call Hideout Mountain in Santa Ysabel, CA. Multiple experiences are offered: -- glamping in our vintage camper trailers, -- RV sites with full hookups and incredible views of Lake Henshaw -- campsites, -- luxury camping in our remodeled cabins (studio, 1br, and 2br cabins) each with different amenities ranging from full kitchens, wood burning fireplaces, large outdoor decks and private fire pits. Gather and share ideas with fellow guests at our community firepit and picnic tables. What makes Hideout Mountain a magical place? #1 on the list are the stunning views as far as the eye can see of Lake Henshaw and the valley and surrounding mountains. We also have a one-of-a-kind, world renowned restaurant and bar on the property: Josie's Hideout Saloon, open on weekends with live music. We are located just a few minutes drive away from downtown Santa Ysabel and Julian, with easy access off Hwy 76.
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$29
 / night
97%
(15)

The Cabins at Joshua Tree Lake RV

10 sites · Lodging40 acres · Joshua Tree, CA
Joshua Tree Lake RV partnered with Hostel Cubed to create a mini glamping destination in our beautiful Siesta Circle! Using modular structures with minimal impact on Mother Earth, Hostel Cubed creates experiences in nature that combine the social culture of a hostel with innovative design in a community-driven atmosphere. After a stellar day exploring Joshua Tree, cool off in your Air Conditioned cabin, play with the ducks lakeside, roast some s'mores, or gaze at the Milky Way as you recharge for another memorable day in Joshua Tree. Our family-owned and operated outdoor experience offers charismatic desert scapes & vistas from our 2,300 ft elevation, giving you outstanding sightlines to Mt San Jacinto, Mt San Gorgonio and the North face of Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground is located at the southern edge of the Mojave Desert - offering exceptional desert vistas and spectacular night skies.
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$39
 / night
98%
(207)

Musick Creek Falls

4 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Shaver Lake, 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 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 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 will allow it. We out heaping amounts of privacy or hospitality as we know how to read the room. 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, The Musick Creek Confluence. 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 one year bravely, I mustard up the courage to look him is his glowing eyes and demand he return those arms immediatly 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. Timber rattlers get huge and are green. Now if you've ever seen a pissed off rattlesnake coiled up and ready to strike, these are not them. They are not responsible for any bites dog or human year in and year out. I steped on a big one at night and it looked at me like it could not believe how rude and clumbsy I was to the point I took my hat off and apologized red cheeked and ashamed Now The Golden Bears or these new hybrid species that are caused from big bears having to migrate south due to environmentalism and bigger bears are mating with smaller bears making new species They will eat your skin first while the rest of you watches! Lol Im so only totally mostly kidding 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. There is absoloutly nothing I wouldnt do for you, and while you are my guests you are under mine and the forest protection. Protection from bordom , cold, hunger ,danger , mechanical mishap and Dick Cheney ,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
 / night
96%
(894)

Diamond Gulch

44 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents824 acres · Groveland, CA
CLOSE TO YOSEMITE! Explore the mines and hang out on our Groveland, California ranch! We are 35 minutes to the main gate of Yosemite National Park. A great place to stay just outside of the park. We have 824 acres on a beautiful cattle ranch with two small ponds. On our property, you'll find frogs, turtles, oak trees, pine trees and stunning views of Yosemite. We have several campsites to choose from including RV camping, tent camping, and a glamping tent. Pets are welcome. Campfires are permitted as long as there is no fire ban. Potable water and toilet are available onsite. There's a golf course less than a mile away. We are also very close to town. In just a few minutes, you can drive to our local grocery store and pizza parlour. We are a 10-minute drive to Pine Mountain Lake. Beautiful Pine Mountain Lake offers golfing, dining, horseback riding, water sports and an airport. When you come to the ranch it feels like you are hundreds of miles away from civilization, but still close to everything you need. It is incredibly peaceful! This is a great place for someone who wants to escape city life and enjoy the tranquillity of nature. Much of the ranch is open wilderness for you to explore, and it's not uncommon to see deer, frogs, turtles, quail, turkeys, or other countless species of birds. Diamond Gulch Camp is the perfect place to relax if you’re a photographer, artist, family or a group of friends looking for a place to camp near Yosemite. A small portion of the property was used as a gold mine years ago, and you may find remnants of old home sites if you go exploring. We're not far from Wards Ferry Road, Groveland, Lake Don Pedro and other interesting places.
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$38
 / night
98%
(807)

Walden Ranch

2 sites · Tents300 acres · Linden, CA
Walden Ranch began with the purchase of a neighboring 20 acres. Couple that with the inspiration of Thoreau's lines and life at the real Walden Pond, the ranch has grown to nearly 300 acres and the small ranch pond has grown to a 5-acre lake with a 3-acre forest and home. Scouts, family and church groups use the site for gatherings. Available are canoes, bonfire, and exploring the ranch's 300-head cattle, llamas, poultry and wildlife. Pitch your tent in a forest setting alongside a lake on a working cattle ranch. Watch wildlife or hike to smaller lakes on the ranch. Other animals include dogs, llamas, geese, chickens, and  horses. The ranch is within a 20 minute drive to either Stockton or Lodi, CA and is surrounded by vineyards, orchards and pastures.  Outdoor flush toilets, sink, tables and fire ring available. Forested area is set amidst grazing lands.  This "Walden" even has willow trees slipped from Walden Pond, MA. Owner looks forward to sharing this peaceful, special spot! 
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$30
 / night
93%
(441)

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
 / night
100%
(2)

Relaxing Natural Hot Springs

1 site · RV, Tent20 acres · Templeton, CA
Franklin Hot Springs is an all-natural hot spring in the middle of beautiful Paso Robles wine country. We are located about a mile from the city limits " out in the country". Our water has one of the healthiest and dense mineral breakdowns compared to waters tested around the world. Our natural hot springs has been a treasured local gem since the 1950's offering relaxation and rejuvenation to visitors of all ages. Experience the therapeutic benefits of our pure, chemical-free waters, naturally infused with Magnesium, Lithium, Sodium, and Potassium. Our spring fed pools maintain a blissful temperature of 98 - 100 degrees. Our springs are considered among the top 5 destinations for psoriasis treatment. Our water follows a natural " flow-through" system, originating from a main well, then replenishing our fish filled lake before winding its way through parts of Paso Robles and eventually merging with the Salinas River. In addition to overnight camping and soaking in our natural hot springs, we offer fishing and boating as part of your stay. You do not have to have a fishing license; we are a member of the Fish and Wildlife and are considered an Aquaculture Farm. We offer several Dry camping sites (no electricity) and 3 sites that have electric hook-ups.
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$40
 / night
91%
(116)

ArtFarm Movie Ranch & Nomad NeXuS

41 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres · Leona Valley, CA
Nomad-NeXus @ ArtFarm Nature Space offers the best of both worlds: Amazing Nature , bright stars and serenity , a fun creative vibe and good people and blazing fast internet connection for digital nomads and young entrepreneurs who are looking for a space to connect with nature and the world at large all at once, bridging the gap between Nature and Technology, Freedom and Community , hard work and inspiring moments with inspiring and positive people. ArtFarm Movie Ranch and Nature space is the perfect location for all your artistic needs and the perfect space for Digital Nomads and Creative entrepreneurs to immerse themselves in Nature while enjoying the benefits of an instant community of inspired people who love to connect, collaborate and create ! we would love to meet you!
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$57.80
 / night
100%
(365)

Five Fours Camp in Three Rivers

2 sites · Tents2 acres · Three Rivers, CA
This is essentially a private campsite with a million dollar view! We are no longer opening the bunkhouse campsite; so that spot is now another area for your group to hang out. We are animal friendly and don't charge extra for you to bring your dog(s) to camp. Please LET US KNOW YOU ARE BRINGING DOG(S), when you request to book. Our boy Chance is a Husky Doberman mix. Although we welcome dogs, the park only allows them into the park BUT NOT ON ANY TRAILS!! Only the national forests allow dogs on trails, not national parks. We can be available to dog sit your dog(s) while you explore in the park for $7/hour. Please contact us ahead of time, if possible, so we can arrange to be available to dog sit on your chosen day(s). Three rivers, California is the lower gateway to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National parks; and has some unique restaurants, shops & even our own brewery! Our hillside property has great mountain views on 2.25 serene stepped acres. Our driveway turns directly off of Sierra drive, four miles past the town center (3R post office) and just 2 miles from the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks entrance - so it's conveniently located and easy to find! Five Fours Camp is up a private driveway, leaving the roadway below. You can't see it; but you can still hear the tranqual sound of the Kaweah River flowing across the street. Sorry, there is NO river access from this campsite. I know! We were heartbroken too when we found out we couldn't just cross the street and swim! You CAN go to Slick Rock and swim, boat, fish and more - about 8 miles away. My wife Elizabeth and I bought our log home in 2015 and we have been dreaming and building here ever since! Our boy Chance was rescued during the beginning of the pandemic. He chases all the fun wildlife off of our property! In addition to deer, we have seen fox, bob cats, an Ocelot, too many coyotes, wild turkeys and bear crossing an animal highway along our upper hillside property line. Hawks, hummingbirds, quail, blue birds, woodpeckers and Sime yellow bellied finches are regularly seen here all over as well. Owls have been heard; but not seen. We love our mountain views and look forward to sharing them with you!
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$67
 / night

Star Hosts in California

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Lakeside camping in California with showers 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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