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California RV park country. Backdrop for the RV Park Hubs California directory

RV Parks · California

RV Parks in California

Settle in 37 parks across California. Maps, hours, contact info, photos, and verified operator profiles, all in one place.

Coastline, Sierras, deserts, and redwoods. Every outdoor environment in one state.

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37 parks in California

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Federal campgrounds in California

Everything we have mapped in California, on one map. Tap anything for its details.

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Campgrounds 773

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Browse all 773 federal campgrounds

About California

Surf breaking below a coastal campsite one week, granite peaks out the windshield the next: California packs the Pacific coastline, the Sierra Nevada, and the Mojave Desert into a single state, often within a day's drive of each other. RV parks track that range: oceanfront sites in Big Sur, alpine bases near Lake Tahoe, warm winter ground around Palm Springs. Redwood forest, open beach, high desert: for extended stays and long, looping itineraries, few states give an RVer more to work with.

The classic routes earn their reputation. Highway 1 strings together coastal towns like Santa Cruz and Mendocino, with wine country in Napa and Sonoma a short detour inland. The Eastern Sierra runs from Mammoth Lakes down to Bishop through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country, while Yosemite, Sequoia, and Joshua Tree deliver the national-park experience, though RV access and amenities inside them vary widely. In winter, private resorts around Borrego Springs and the Coachella Valley fill with snowbirds chasing dry desert warmth.

California's popularity is the planning problem. The state park system runs everything from beachside loops to mountain retreats, usually with limited hookups and reservation windows that reward the organized. Commercial parks and resorts pick up the slack with full hookups, pools, and clubhouses. Know your rig's limits, too, big-rig access and towing restrictions matter on the state's narrower coastal and mountain roads, and checking ahead beats backing out of a tight campground at dusk.

When to camp in California

Peak Jun–Sep

Full season

Quick facts

Federal campgrounds
773
Parks listed
37
Best season
Year-round

Trip guide

Know before you go in California

Federal permits, lotteries and timed-entry reservations in California, from Recreation.gov.

Confirm current requirements with the agency that sets them before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

  • California Vehicle Registration and Insurance

    All RVs must carry valid registration and insurance from their home state or province. For California-registered vehicles, a smog check is required every two years at registration renewal for most gasoline-powered vehicles manufactured in 1976 or newer (the newest model years are exempt).

  • California State Park Reservations

    Reservations are mandatory for most campsites within the California State Parks system. These are typically booked through the ReserveCalifornia website, often released on a six-month rolling window, and fill quickly.

    ReserveCalifornia

  • California Campfire Permits

    During designated fire season (typically May to October, but variable), a campfire permit is required for campfires, barbecues, and portable gas stoves on most public lands, including national forests and state parks. Permits are free and available online.

    CAL FIRE

  • Waste Disposal Regulations

    Strict regulations govern the disposal of greywater and blackwater. RV waste must only be discharged at designated dump stations, which are available at many RV parks, rest stops, and some public campgrounds. Illegal dumping carries significant fines.

01Are reservations always necessary for RV parks in California?
Nearly always worth making, yes. Peak seasons (summer on the coast and in the mountains, winter in the deserts), plus holidays see popular state parks, national park campgrounds, and even private resorts booked months out. Rolling in without a reservation is a gamble that rarely pays.
02Can large RVs (big rigs) access all campgrounds and parks in California?
Not all. Modern private resorts handle big rigs comfortably, but older state park loops, national park sites, and some scenic routes carry length, height, or weight restrictions. Check the park's website or call before pointing a large rig at a narrow mountain road.
03What is the best time of year to RV camp in California?
Match the season to the region. Spring and fall are pleasant nearly everywhere and lighter on crowds. Winter belongs to the deserts; summer belongs to the coast and mountains. The state is big enough that some part of it is in season year-round.
04Are monthly or seasonal rates available at California RV parks?
Yes, especially in the snowbird belt. Parks around Palm Springs, Borrego Springs, and along the Colorado River commonly price monthly and seasonal stays well below the daily rate, which is exactly why long-term winter sites go fast.
05What are the rules regarding campfires in California?
They change with the fire danger. During fire season a California Campfire Permit is often required on public lands, and restrictions can escalate from limited use to full bans. Check local conditions and the specific park's rules when you arrive, never assume last month's rules still hold.
06Is boondocking or dry camping permitted in California?
Yes, on much of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Forest land, often free and subject to stay limits that vary by district, research your target area first. State parks and private RV parks are different animals: most either designate dry-camping sections or don't allow it at all.

Watch & learn

Watch & learn, California

  • YouTube

    California Central Coast Camping Trip | Driving The Pacific Coast Highway

    The Traveling Together Journal

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  • YouTube

    360 Tour of Pismo Coast Village in Pismo Beach California - RV Park on the Beach

    Campground Views - Start your camping trip here!

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CampgroundsEvery Forest Service, Army Corps and Park Service campground with its site map, hookups and rig length.
Rest Area Overnight ParkingPick the state and how long you need to stop: the state's own time limit and overnight rule, and the RV parks nearest you if the answer is no.
RV Length Limits by StateEnter your rig and pick a state: its length, triple-towing and height limits from its own law, and every state on your trip where the rig is over.
Route PlannerDrop stops on a map and watch distance and drive time add up. Export a GPX or share the link.
RV Solar CalculatorSize panels, batteries and an inverter for your rig, checked against your roof, with real sun data.
Everything MapListings, trails, spots, clubs and public land on a single full-screen map. Switch layers on and off, then tap any point for the details.

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