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Camping in California with swimming

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

95% (37572 reviews)
95% (37572 reviews)

Popular camping styles for California

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Available this weekend

12 top campgrounds in California with swimming

89%
(243)

Yosemite Westlake Camp

33 sites ¡ RVs, Tents6 acres ¡ Coulterville, CA
Located on the John Muir Historic route to Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Westlake Campground and RV Park is convenient to all things Yosemite. Between here and the park is Rainbow Pool, a well-known swimming hole that campers here often visit on their way back to the campground for a refreshing dip in the cool waters. Coulterville was started as a gold-rush town. You can visit the museum and visitor center even try your hand at panning for gold.
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$48
 / night
97%
(1150)

The Lovelight Ranch

19 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres ¡ Desert Hot Springs, CA
The Lovelight Ranch is our 5-acre hippie paradise, centrally located in the Coachella Valley. We are near the amazing 1000 Palms Oasis and Coachella Valley Preserve for great day hikes and wildlife viewing, and also near the splendors of Joshua Tree and the high desert. We are happy to offer fun & relaxing activity Experiences such as the Tepee Sound Bath experience, DrumCircle and Didgeridoo experiences, Artistic Endeavor experiences. Sharing makes us Happy and we hope you will choose an Experience or two to enhance your visit and interests. We are within a half hours drive of Palm Springs, recently voted the hippest mid-sized city in the country and Coachella, home of the Coachella and StageCoach Festivals and not so far from the ever amazing Joshua Tree Festival . We are also very near Sam's Hot Water Spa, a chemical free hot springs soaking experience which is the perfect ending to a day of hiking, climbing or just sight-seeing. We have a Pool & Deck , A Horseshoe Pit, Nice Shady Hangouts and plenty to look at in every direction. We offer accommodations ranging from Elevated SkyDecks to SubTerrainian Glamping spots RV spaces as well as Basic Tensite camping . - Please check out our offerings for your Desert camping visits. Guests love staying here: "We had the most amazing time at Mikey’s place. Spiritual, reflective, and beautiful. The dogs and Rocky were the best! Mountain Views didn’t hurt (; we will definitely be back; Mikey was a welcoming and generous host. We stayed in Desert Isle and had a mystical time. You won’t regret staying here!"
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$45
 / night
96%
(4748)

Jug Handle Creek Farm

20 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents33 acres ¡ Caspar, CA
Jug Handle Creek Farm and Nature Center is a nonprofit with a five minute walk to Jug Handle State Reserve, Jug Handle beach and the Ecological Staircase trail. We offer 11 unique campsites with plenty of space and privacy. Each site has two picnic tables, a fire ring, parking for two cars and plenty of space for your tents. We also offer three lovely cabins, which have power and access to a shared kitchen and bathroom with a hot shower. Our 33 acres include a native plant nursery, community gardens, forests, meadows, and nature trails. Our site has lots of nature trails, is peaceful and beautiful and just a 5-minute walk to Jug Handle Beach and the Jug Handle Preserve. Our Mission: We offer a welcoming and supportive environment for people of all backgrounds to explore nature and connect with the natural word. Nature stewardship is central to our non-profit mission and as an organization we are engaged in many nature restoration projects throughout Mendocino County. We also provide a supportive learning environment for nature education for disadvantaged youth during the school year. If you teach k-12 and would like to bring your classroom to Jug Handle contact us about special rates and our immersive nature education programs.
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$40
 / night
92%
(317)

SMR Carmel Camping

34 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents89 acres ¡ Del Rey Oaks, CA
Welcome to Saddle Mountain Ranch, RV and Campground! We are located on 89 acres of forest land off Carmel Valley Road, just 5 miles from HWY 1. Nestled within oaks, Monterey pines, and redwoods, Saddle Mountain offers a great family friendly getaway for those seeking a break from the bustle of life. PLEASE NOTE, our RV and tent sites are pet friendly but YOU MUST ADD THE PET FEE EXTRA WHEN MAKING YOUR BOOKING. Our glamping stays are NOT pet-friendly aside from one of our luxury tents. We charge $5 per pet and you can bring a maximum of 2 pets. On site seasonally heated pool (Mid May through Oct). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: *Please continue reviewing/monitoring California Travel guidelines as they may change and affect your reservation* On site seasonally heated pool (seasonally), private hiking trail, playground, Foosball table and more. No refund for inclement weather during the Winter months. We provide complementary Wi-Fi in designated areas of the park. We ask that there is no streaming at the Park so we can share Wi-Fi with all our guests. Thank you!
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$70
 / night
71%
(7)

Off the Grid Hot Springs Camping

12 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents180 acres ¡ Lake Arrowhead, CA
Located on a rural off the grid property near the Deep Creek Hot Springs, this 160 acre property is the perfect place to escape the city and immerse yourself in nature. Nestled in the mountains of the high desert, come camp and enjoy yourself in a peaceful setting where beautiful natural desert scenery and mountain views surround you. The natural high desert landscape of junipers, joshua trees, chaparral and sages, combined with the nearby San Bernardino mountains in the background, create an amazing 360* view from just about anywhere on our land. This private homestead property is located 6 miles off the pavement, just far enough to escape the sounds and lights of the city, and is surrounded by 1,000's of acres of undeveloped government managed lands. The natural rural setting creates a serene atmosphere on the property that allows one to easily relax and recharge. You can set up your own tent and campsite or rent one of our furnished glamping tents to stay in when you come to visit. Have a special event coming up or just want to celebrate? Check out our private hot spring pool sites and private cold spring pool sites we have available for up to 300 guests. There is plenty of activities nearby to keep yourself occupied, such as nature watching right on the property, or exploring numerous hiking and ohv trails just off the property. With the trailhead starting on the property, the Deep Creek Hot Springs is just a short hike away, and well worth the effort, with nearby fishing and gold panning along the creek as well. Deep Creek flows all year around, and the 6 creek-side hot spring pools are always full and consistently hot all year around, ranging in temperatures between 90F-108F. The hike to the Deep Creek Hot Springs is steep in places and can be fairly difficult for some people, especially in warm weather. In order to be prepared with the correct gear to make this hike and know the USFS rules that apply to the area, please educate yourself before coming by visiting the USFS website page for the Deep Creek area. Know before you go! *Although children are permitted to be on the property, we do not recommend bringing them due to occasional nudity that may be seen in the area and the degree of difficulty of the hike. The hike to the hot springs is fairly difficult and everyone’s physical fitness needs to be considered when deciding to take children, elderly people, or over-weight people.
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$42.99
 / night
95%
(251)

Garden by the sea

1 site ¡ TentBolinas, CA
A large flowery lot home of a landscape painter and a musician. Very quiet within one block of cliff-side ocean view. A 15-20 minute walk or a few minute drive to the beach.Pitch your tent in a pretty private flower garden in a charming coastal town less than an hour from San Francisco. The site is surrounded by state and national parks accommodating many recreational activities.We have added an outdoor shower and a place to store surfboards.  Brighton and Wharf Rd. Beach are both good surfing spots.
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$50
 / night
95%
(21)

Skyview

9 sites ¡ Lodging, Tents23 acres ¡ Boulder Creek, CA
With 23 gorgeous acres, Skyview is the perfect place to enjoy nature and the elements. You can hike our ridge trail for spectacular views of the Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz mountains. You can relax in one of our Skypods and take a nap or read a book beneath a 200 year old oak tree. Go swimming in our huge pond and do yoga/meditate/journal on the adjoining beach. There's a grandmother (old-growth) redwood tree to visit plus a wonderful diversity of wildflowers and native plants to study and appreciate. Birds soar in the skies above (hawks, ravens, vultures) while the calls of morning doves and owls gently fill the air at dawn and dusk. And our sunsets...wow!!
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$65
 / night
86%
(2494)

The Enchanted Forest Retreat

54 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents45 acres ¡ Los Gatos, CA
Welcome to the Enchanted Forest Retreat! We are a meditation retreat center with 45 acres of some of the most gorgeous redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains to enjoy hiking, creeks and small water fall exploration, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, star gazing, relaxation, meditation and more. Our campground has running water from a natural spring, Men and Women's Restrooms each with 2 toilets and 1 hot water shower, laundry shed with sink and hot water, and an outdoor amphitheater, (the kitchen and washer/dryer is Staff Only not for campers). We have meditation teaching at the amphitheater and campers are welcomed to attend for free. 4-6 guests maximum with 1 car included in the nightly rate. Each additional vehicle is $15 per day and will be added at checkout once you add the correct number of vehicles you will be bringing. You can bring a maximum of 2 cars. PLEASE NOTE, we do not have a trash service on site, we require all campers to PACK OUT THEIR GARBAGE with them! Pets are $10 per day, 1 pet per group ONLY. Please add this as an extra at the time of booking, you will see the option to add extras once you begin the checkout process. Dogs must be on leash at all times! Quiet hours are 10pm-8am. No drugs of any kind including marijuana allowed. No loud music allowed. This is a private property so no visitors are allowed, only paid guests. Our onsite staff will go around and enforce the rules. NOTICE REGARDING RVs and TRAILERS: While we can not offer hookups, theoretically we have no problem with RVs, the road is steep in a couple of places getting down to the campground and VERY narrow in one spot (10ft). If you feel you're willing to take this risk (we won't be held liable), you're welcome to reach out to us and we can see if the site is good for RV/trailers. Only sites 8, 12 and 5 are good for trailers. No vehicle can drive into Site 7, 9, 10 and 11 (the parking area is separate). Other sites may be ok with small trailers. Check with the host. Any trailer larger than 20ft, take your own risk, there is a narrow point only 9ft wide.
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$80
 / night
95%
(1686)

Finnon Lake Recreation Area

39 sites ¡ RVs, Tents140 acres ¡ Placerville, CA
*BOOK EARLY* The campground is closed until April 1st. **NO FIREWORKS OF ANY KIND ALLOWED***** DINER CLOSED EFFECTIVE JULY 5TH*** **TRAILERS AND RVs MUST USE ROCK CREEK ROAD** From Sacramento on Hwy 50: : At the second stop light, Spring St./Hwy 49, turn left, heading north about 1 block to the stop sign. Turn left, staying on Hwy 49, approximately 1 mile. Turn right on Hwy 193. Travel approximately 3.1 miles to Rock Creek Road. Turn right onto Rock Creek Road and travel 8.9 miles to Finnon Lake/Frank's Diner on the Left. The campground is behind the Diner. The DINER IS CLOSED. Traveling West on 50 from Tahoe: make a right on HWY 49 traveling north. Follow the above instructions. Welcome to Finnon Lake Recreation Area! Our lovely lake offers serenity in a beautifully unique setting, nestled deep into the forest. Enjoy the scenic and exhilarating drive to our hidden gem along the South Fork of the American River- this is all for you to discover. The night skies above Finnon Lake will reveal stars unseen in most parts of California. Enjoy searching for bullfrogs, and watch the flock of Canadian Geese fly in right at sunset as the horizon blends into the watercolor sky. This private lake supports the fire protection efforts of the Mosquito Fire Protection District and the firefighters of this community. The lake is managed by volunteers of the community for the benefit of the residents The primary funding source for the Finnon Lake Restoration is the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, which was signed into law in 2004 with a mission to support “efforts that improve the environmental, economic and social well-being of the Sierra Nevada Region, its communities and the residents of California,” according to its Website. Finnon Lake is also home to a popular 18-hole disc golf course and Mosquito’s only restaurant, Frank's Diner. Enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, paddling, hiking, or biking during your stay. Potable water, picnic tables, campfire rings, and toilets on site. The property can not accommodate horses. 2 dogs per site limit. Our property is located in Placerville, California. Placerville is a charming California gold rush town named after the placer gold deposits found in its riverbeds and hills in the late 1840s. PLEASE NOTE, there is construction on the Mosquito Bridge. Expect delays, RVS/trailers must use Rock Creek Road (even if your GPS says Mosquito Road). Please message me with any questions. Please see our website: finnonrecreationarea.com for full directions. NO FIREWORKS OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED. Smoking is only allowed in an enclosed vehicle.
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$30
 / night
99%
(1173)

Cosumnes River Ranch

25 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres ¡ Plymouth, CA
We are a family owned/operated ranch, located along the Cosumnes River, one of the last un-dammed rivers in California. As one of the last rivers flowing from the west slope of the Sierra without a major dam, the Cosumnes is a vital example of a healthy watershed. Our goal is to offer a unique outdoor experience for anyone looking for a place to spend time in the great outdoors. Whether you're looking for a single campsite, or a place for a larger gathering, we're excited to have you visit! Take your pick of activities available on site: swimming , gold panning, fishing, camp fires, wildlife watching, floating, hiking, and mountain biking to name a few. There are 3 miles of river to explore. Private and noise free. Porta potties on site.
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$85
 / night
99%
(1759)

Down-to-Earth Ecoshire

248 sites ¡ RVs, Tents35 acres ¡ CA
Private 35 acre Private Land Restoration Project surrounded by rolling hills, mountain views and open sky. The sunsets and sunrises are spectacular year round. Stars and open skies that you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else in southern California. Just 15 minutes from Temecula wineries, 40 minutes from the alpine, artsy town of Idyllwild in the San Jacinto Mountains, and just 15 minutes from the 215 in Menifee toward Hemet. Best to visit from early autumn to lush springtime where we have great wildflower blooms. Cooperative managers Jim and Dawn host visitors who want to enjoy nature, participate in regenerative gardening all while off-setting their travel footprint. Fees go to our not for profit land restoration which includes planting trees, improving aquifers and enriching the soil. The property is a owned by a restorative co-op (turning a former illegal dump into an oasis of hope) where we invite you to participate in creative local solutions to our larger global problems. * If your group is larger than six adults, pease visit our group listings page. If your group needs special privacy and sound requirements and you'd like to reserve the entirer property, you will need to contact us directly. * Spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis. * Our visitor support pricing is $20 for the first person and $15 for all additional adults. Kids 6 - 12 are $5 per night. We don't want to charge for kids 6 and under, so do not include them in your booking. Thanks! * Campfire rings are only in common clearing, designated and permitted areas. Please check for seasonal fire restrictions.
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$20
 / night
97%
(57)

Musick Creek Falls

4 sites ¡ RVs, Tents40 acres ¡ Sacramento, CA
Musick Creek Falls is 40 acres that lies just south of Shaver Lake. At an elevation of, 5400ft (1.65 km). The land is regenerating in a green and lush state following the Creek Fire of five years ago, exhibiting novel and intriguing wildflowers such as Sierra Manzanita, sweet peas, and cedars. The terrain is natural, beautiful, and rugged. This property boasts three exquisite cascading waterfalls, hiking trails, 4×4 roads, hunting, rock climbing, and stargazing opportunities. We are just 8 minutes from the town of Shaver Lake, Sierra National Forest, campgrounds, boating, fishing, and 40 minutes from China Peak Ski Resort. The road into the property, although being maintained by us and the community, can be a challenge for vehicles very low to the ground. There is water, and trash on site. We stay on site part of the year, but the campsites are far enough for privacy, or hospitality, and you are welcome to explore the entire 40 acres. There is an amazing sunset every night, and just the sounds and smells of nature. The weather is very mild most of the year, where a sweat shirt is perfect most nights and not too hot in the day We have kayaks available for use free of charge. Musick Creek Falls offers an affordable option, whereas campgrounds and cabins in the area are often booked up and very expensive. Most cell phones have good reception throughout the property. We also have spare tents and camping gear, blankets etc. if you forget something. Please be courteous to our neighbors, as the Golden rule is the law of the land. Please be advised Winter months December through February there will be no host on site and access will be limited as weather permits. For more info https://musickcreekfalls.com
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$48
 / night

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Camping in California with swimming guide

Overview

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for camping in the United States! If you're looking to combine your love for swimming with the beauty of California, you're in luck. With over 5,500 options in California that offer swimming, you're sure to find the perfect spot to cool off and relax. From Jug Handle Creek Farm (1479 reviews) to Salmon Creek Ranch (1270 reviews) and Finnon Lake Recreation Area (780 reviews), our top campsites have been highly rated by fellow campers. Whether you're into off-roading, exploring historic sites, or trying out wind sports, there's something for everyone. And with an average price per night of $65 and options as low as $15, you can find a campsite that suits your budget. Enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories at California's best swimming campsites!

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