Camping in California with climbing
Hipcampers are spoiled for choice in California, where landscapes come supersized.
93% (26479 reviews)
- California
93% (26479 reviews)
Popular camping styles for California
Under $50
Available this weekend
12 top campgrounds in California with climbing
90%
(924)
Bridgeport Reservoir Campground
33 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents11 acres · CA
Bridgeport Reservoir is a lake at the lower end of Bridgeport Valley in Mono County, California. Its earth-filled dam was constructed in 1923 by the Walker River Irrigation District, along the East Walker River. The campground and marina was built I-don't-know-how-long ago, but it sure is nice!
About Us: Welcome to Bridgeport Reservoir Marina and Campground. Join us for the classic camping and fishing experience with unique views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Within the Toiyabe National Forest, Bridgeport Reservoir Marina and Campground is conveniently located near two distinct hot spring areas. A true angler's paradise, the Reservoir has excellent trout fishing from spring through fall and is close by to multiple rivers for incredible fly fishing. A short 30-minute drive to Tioga pass will bring you straight into the heart of Yosemite National Park. Off-road enthusiasts will have a heyday will the plethora of 4x4 trails in the area as well as the famous trail that brings you right to the Bodie Ghost Town.
Climate & Ecosystem: At 6,400 feet (1,950 meters), this high desert climate has little to moderate tree coverage and gets hot during the days and cool at night. The conditions are much like Joshua Tree National Park or Alabama Hills camping area. During your visit, you will notice many flying insects that resemble mosquitos. These Chironomid are harmless and do not bite. On the contrary, the mosquito presence is very minimal.
Swimming in the lake is possible usually between April to July.
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$27
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97%
(683)
Splitrock Farm and Retreat
34 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents101 acres · Fallbrook, CA
About Splitrock Farm and Retreat
Far Away, Close to Home
For more information...
Visit our website www.splitrock.camp
Instagram page @splitrockfarmandretreat. Tag your photos #splitrockfarmandretreat #SplitrockFAR #farawayclosetohome
Or, contact the Camp Host through Hipcamp direct message or the direct line 760-645-5431.
Splitrock Farm and Retreat started in January 2021 after a global search of a place to set roots, live off the land, and create an amazing place for recreation, relaxation, and rejuvenation.
Splitrock Farm
Splitrock was part of a 160-acre avocado farm that prospered from 1970 to 2017, generating over 1million pounds of avocados per year until the previous owners switched off the water in 2017. Ben purchased 101 acres in 2021 with plans to harvest the dead avocado trees for firewood and replant with organic, sustainable crops such as grapes, citrus trees, and flowers.
Splitrock Retreat
Splitrock's attraction comes from its unique groves, magnificent granite boulders, and sweeping vistas. Mixed within the avocado groves are several ancient groves and solitary trees that include 200 foot tall pines, hundreds of old oaks, and soaring palms. Freckled throughout the hillsides are thousands of humongous granite boulders, offering a prehistoric feel to the landscape. Above all, Splitrock offers unrivaled views. Over 40 miles of coastline includes views to Point Loma, the Carlsbad power station, and the Pendleton Hospital. To the northeast are views of near 11K foot snowy peaks of San Jacinto and San Gorgonio, with rolling hills of De Luz and Fallbrook in the foreground.
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$32
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89%
(247)
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
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River Ranch Campgrounds
28 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · Twain Harte, CA
At River Ranch Campgrounds, Tuolumne, CA we offer a wide range of activities to make your stay enjoyable. Take a hike on one of the many trails winding through the Stanislaus National Forest at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains, or cast a line in the North Fork of the Tuolumne River or Basin Creek for some great native fishing. After a long day of exploration, come back to the campgrounds and relax by the firepit or enjoy a picnic in one of our many picnic areas. Activities in the campground include horseshoes and volleyball. We pride ourselves on blending nature and family camping in a safe, serene environment. We offer water hookups and centrally located restrooms with heated showers to make your stay comfortable and convenient.
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$40
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Blue Sky Center
31 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents267 acres · New Cuyama, CA
1948- On January 1, 1948 a wildcatter named George Hadley, who had been oil prospecting in the valley for 10 years, made the first oil strike in the Cuyama Valley. Richfield Oil Company soon moved in and extracted nearly 300 million barrels of oil in just a few short years. To accommodate an exploding workforce in the early 1950s, the company built the town of New Cuyama, its infrastructure, public buildings, the Cuyama airstrip (L88) and all the industrial structures that are now home to Blue Sky. Richfield Oil Company, later merging with Atlantic Oil Company forming the Atlantic Richfield Oil Company (ARCO), created high-paying jobs, a safe and prosperous community, and developed schools, churches, and recreational areas for the employee-residents.1973- With dwindling production in the area and new discoveries in Alaska, Atlantic-Richfield Oil Company put the town of New Cuyama and its associated infrastructure up for sale. Word of an entire town for sale made its way to entrepreneur, Russell O’Quinn of the Foundation for Airborne Relief (FAR) and Mildred Dotson, a wealthy widow from Tulsa, Oklahoma. The two worked together to acquire the townsite and adjacent land. O’Quinn, an aviator, inventor, and test pilot, aspired to use the New Cuyama airstrip and facilities as a base for humanitarian relief and a non-profit trade school. Though not fully realized, FAR’s primary vision included utilizing converted military aircraft to airlift food and medical supplies to developing countries and global disaster areas. Dotson had loftier goals. Her plans included an 18-hole fly-in golf course, expansion of the Buckhorn Restaurant and Motel, and a 40- to 50-acre lake for amphibious landing and water sports. 1986- Another visionary, Harry Kislevitz, inventor of the popular design tool Colorforms® and founder of Future City/Villages International, sought to develop the site as a “City of Friendship,” an all-electric village of 5,000 earthen homes. The dwellings were to be designed by Nader Khalili, an Iranian-born architect who specialized in earthen structures, worked with NASA on prototypes for lunar homes and received an award from the United Nations for his work towards the development of low cost, sustainable structures for human shelter in impoverished and disaster prone environments. One 628-sq-ft Khalili prototype remains on the property today ("the Cantina"). Khalili went on to form the California Institute for Earth Art and Architecture, Cal-Earth, in Hesperia, CA.1993- Recognizing the transformative potential of clean, solar power and the attractiveness of a rural destination, entrepreneur Mike Nolan worked to develop the Solar Skypark and Big Sky Guest Ranch with Santa Barbara Architect, Barry Berkus. The Sky Park included plans for sixty-five fly-in residences on one-acre lots powered completely from clean, solar energy. The Big Sky Guest Ranch was intended to function as a clubhouse for Skypark residents complete with an equestrian center, a small subsistence farm, pool and plenty of enriching recreational activities. 2012- At the end of 2011, the Zannon Family Foundation made a long-term investment in acquiring the New Cuyama Airport property with the vision of rehabilitating the site to be a low-cost resource for programs and organizations working to advance sustainable living practices and technologies. Plans began soon after towards developing a framework and organization to develop the space and coordinate with prospective programs and institutions. In 2014 Blue Sky Sustainable Living Center ("Blue Sky Center") received 501(c)(3) not-for-profit status, endeavoring to reclaim this property for the public good. Today, Blue Sky Center provides unduplicated services and technical assistance to support small businesses and entrepreneurs as well as the local food system, with core work focused on community research and advocacy led by Cuyamans. Learn more on our website and consider supporting our community work with your donation or by hosting your next special event here!
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$35
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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
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Paradise Shores Camp
46 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Bridgeport, CA
We're a family owned RV Park & Campground located on the shores of Bridgeport Reservoir. Together with our crew, we're excited to welcome you into our newly adopted home.
We believe in campfires, starry nights, good laughs, exploration, a deep sleep and an early rise. The mountains are a place to get back to basics, a place to explore, to breathe. So turn off your phone and turn on your senses.
It’s important to us that our guests don’t feel they are renting a tent/RV site or a camper as much as they’re immersing themselves into the outdoor experience. You may just want to sit outside and read for days, enjoy campfires and eat s'mores. For more adventurous, there's a full slate of self-guided recreational activities, such as hiking, kayaking, fishing, ATVing, rock climbing, biking, natural water slides, stand up paddle boards, bird watching, available in the area. We do have modern conveniences such as wifi internet; however, we encourage our guests to “unplug” and immerse in the slow paced life instead.
At Paradise Shores, we believe in protecting people, animals and the planet. We make sure that the majority of products we use at our camp is recycled, composted, or re-used. We prefer to use products that are produced in a sustainable way and avoid those that aren't.
We are continuously reducing the amount of waste we generate and actively promote recycling of aluminum, plastic, glass, and cardboard. We pack our own recycling and haul it to the nearest recycling facility which is an hour away. We co-opt the drive with other activities to reduce waste. We don’t use individually packaged toiletries or one-use products. We use plant and planet friendly detergent.
We're based in a desert. We share our precious water with the entire planet. With only 326 million cubic miles of water on the earth, the decreasing amounts of access to quality fresh water is alarming to us. We monitor how we use water in our day-to-day activities and are constantly working on ways to reduce our consumption of fresh water resources.
We hope you can help us maintain this greener camping!
We hope Paradise Shores Camp becomes your home as it is ours. It’s located in one of the most spectacular areas in the world. We’re surrounded on three sides by the high Sierra Nevada Mountains. Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne Meadows, Mono Lake, June Lake, Virginia Lakes, and Twin Lakes, as well as the historic gold-mining town of Bodie, CA are all within a short drive from our place.
We're proud to know this area intimately and are excited to share the secret spots with you. The excellent hiking/running trails including the Pacific Crest Trail, thousands of miles of ATV, dirt bike and mountain bike trails are accessible right from our camp or within a short drive from here. The surrounding terrain offers endless activities and unbelievable scenery in remote wilderness settings.
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$36
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98%
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Sahara House
1 site · Lodging5 acres · Joshua Tree, CA
Relaxation awaits you at this 100% off the grid solar Sahara House. Watch the sun rise and set from your private deck equipped with lounge chairs . Stargaze while getting close to nature in the outdoor shower, or curl up on the couch and watch your favorite on demand movies in this modern desert home.
Enjoy the seclusion that 5 acres has to offer with just a short drive to the beauties of Joshua Tree and the surrounding cities. Enjoy the outdoors but all the amenities of home.
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$79
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Black Canyon Family Farm
4 sites · RVs, Tents53 acres · Ramona, CA
A few acres of natural land. There is a seasonal creek running through the area. It's a very quiet area. It's primitive, natural and we love it that way. The creek runs into the Cleveland national forest and down to the Mesa Grande Indian reservation. There is hiking and exploring! Come throw a tent up in one of the two camp sites or a hammock in the trees.. Hike the nature preserves in Santa Ysabel. Go to Wynola enjoy craft beverages, Josie's live music off the 76. Or just enjoy the peacefulness of the forest here and hike and reset your mind.
The top 13 are residential, the bottom 40 will be open for exploring, camping, hiking and gardening! We are new homesteaders trying to do things more organically and real free range for our animals. We have a farm on the top 13 acres with cows, pigs, goats, sheep and chickens. More animals will come soon. We will eventually like to offer food from our farm to our guests. That way they can actually see where the food comes from and how ours raised!
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$50
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90%
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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. Pick your spot and enjoy! First come-first serve, with multiple sites for large groups which can be reserved.
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.
Large site #s (1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 17, 24)
Sites 1, 6, and 17 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 (except large rigs), but we HIGHLY recommend continuing north on highway 99 to 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!
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 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, 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 coming from this direction.
ARRIVAL: Entering the property, the road will go slightly downhill and curve to the left. Stay to your left and our self check-in station will be on your left (If you hit the showers and restrooms, you went too far). Please fill out one of our check-in slips; putting the original in the box and the carbon copy on your site number sign at your site. 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.: 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.
The MIDDLE GATE (just 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.
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. 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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96%
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San Diego Canyon Creek
5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents1 acre · El Cajon, CA
As you enter into our little oasis, you'll see why we want to share the space.
It is a great environment to get away from the city or pass through on your road trip.
The driveway enters down to our creek-side camping where a hammock under a tree awaits a quiet reader or a bird watcher.
It's just a 30 minute drive to the beach, a short walk to the neighborhood park- equipped with a playground, or a five minute drive to a local ecological reserve containing multiple trails.
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.
In addition, we have a propane-powered fire pit, an outdoor kitchen with full amenities, including, hot water, a two burner stove, a toaster oven and a BBQ area. The bathroom now includes a flush toilet, sink and shower.
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 worlds largest honey producer.
Today there are just a few bees in the area.
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$45
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DABUDAGE
6 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · CA
A place to stay in southern Big Sur with camp sites and accommodations.
Before sending an inquiry please read the listings.
Also available as a host your own retreat venue starting at 250 per night
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$60
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Dog-friendly getaways
Star Hosts in California
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Camping in California with climbing guide
Overview
Looking for the perfect camping spot in California to fulfill your climbing adventure? Look no further than Salmon Creek Ranch (1270 reviews), Mill Creek Resort (638 reviews), and The Lovelight Ranch (532 reviews). With over 4,000 options in California that cater specifically to climbers, you're sure to find the ideal spot to pitch your tent. And with reviews from other outdoor enthusiasts, you can trust that you'll have an amazing experience. Plus, you'll have access to popular amenities like pet-friendly sites, potable water, and trash disposal. So pack your gear and get ready for an unforgettable climbing experience in California!
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