Skip to content
RV Park Hubs
California RV park country. Backdrop for the RV Park Hubs California directory

RV Parks · California

RV Parks in California

Settle in 36 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.

View 36 parksGet listed free

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.

Best time to go

When to camp in California

Full seasonality
Peak season Jun–Sep
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
PeakGoodFairOff

Year-round. Conditions vary dramatically by region.

  • June–September: peak coastal season, so reserve ahead
  • September: arguably the best month, warm and uncrowded
  • Coastal mornings can be foggy and cool year-round

36 on the map

Loading map…

Tap a pin to open its profile.

Quick facts

Parks listed
36
Best season
Year-round

All listings

36 parks

across California

All states

Get listed free

Run a park in California? Add it to RV Park Hubs. Free, no commission.

Add your listing

Watch it live

Live webcams in California

All webcams
Donner Summit I-80 Cam live webcamLive
Pass cam · Sierra Nevada, I-80, California

Donner Summit I-80 Cam

via Caltrans District 3

Map of where the Donner Lake webcam isLocation
Lake cam · Truckee, California

Donner Lake

via HDOnTap

Watch live
Watch Donner Lake live
Map of where the Lake Arrowhead webcam isLocation
Lake cam · Lake Arrowhead, California

Lake Arrowhead

via HDOnTap

Watch live
Watch Lake Arrowhead live

Plan your trip

Plan your trip to California

Hookup Availability

Most private RV parks offer full hookups (water, sewer, electric). State and national park campgrounds frequently provide partial hookups (water, electric) or dry camping (no hookups), requiring RVers to be self-sufficient.

Big-Rig Access

While many commercial RV resorts accommodate large rigs, older state parks, national park campgrounds, and some scenic mountain roads may have length or width restrictions. Always verify park specifics and route accessibility.

Seasonal Popularity

Southern California deserts are popular for snowbirds from October to April. Coastal and mountain regions, including national parks, see their highest demand from May to September.

Reservation Lead Times

For popular destinations, especially during peak seasons and holidays, reservations are often essential and should be made three to six months, or even a year, in advance. Many state parks release reservations on a rolling six-month basis.

Monthly/Seasonal Rates

Many private RV parks, particularly in snowbird destinations like Palm Springs, Blythe, and Borrego Springs, offer attractive monthly or seasonal rates for extended stays. Inquire directly with individual parks for availability and pricing.

Weather Extremes

California's diverse climate means significant weather variations. Be prepared for extreme heat in deserts during summer, snow and freezing temperatures in mountains during winter, and potential coastal fog or rain. Pack accordingly.

Confirm current requirements with the state agency 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.

  1. 01

    Define Your Destination & Activities

    Beach camping, mountain hiking, or desert wandering, decide what the trip is actually about first. The regions and national parks sort themselves out once you know what you want to be doing when the rig is parked.

  2. 02

    Research RV Park Options

    Cast a wide net: private resorts, state parks, national park campgrounds, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sites all play differently. Compare hookups, big-rig access, amenities, and pet policies before you shortlist.

  3. 03

    Secure Reservations Well in Advance

    The famous spots book fast, sometimes months to a year out for peak season. Get on ReserveCalifornia for state parks and recreation.gov for the national parks as early as the windows allow.

  4. 04

    Prepare Your RV for the Climate

    One trip can span desert heat, mountain freeze, and coastal damp. Check tires, fluids, and your heating and cooling systems before departure so the rig is ready for whichever California shows up.

  5. 05

    Review Local Regulations and Permits

    Rules shift by area: campfire permits, food-storage requirements in bear country, waste-disposal specifics. Read up on your destination, and keep your driver's license, registration, and insurance current and handy.

01How many RV parks are listed in California?
RV Park Hubs lists 36 RV parks in California: full-hookup resorts, long-term resident parks, and overnight campgrounds across the state.
02Are 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.
03Can 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.
04What 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.
05Are 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.
06What 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.
07Is 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

    0
  • YouTube

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

    Campground Views - Start your camping trip here!

    0

Free tools

Your free outdoor toolkit

View all tools

Keep exploring

Nearby states

In your pocket

Take every campground with you.

Free, no account needed. Campground maps, multi-stop routes, and public lands in your pocket.

  • Every RV park and campground in your pocket

  • Multi-stop routes planned and saved

  • Public-land boundaries for boondocking

  • GPS tracking that keeps recording between coverage

Download GoHubs
Compare to The Dyrt
The RV Park Hubs app dashboard

For operators

Run a park or campground?
Get on the map for free.

Claim your free listing for a branded page and a spot in the RV Park Hubs app, then add bookings and digital waivers whenever you’re ready. No setup cost.

Claim your listing for free How it works