The best great views campgrounds near Los Banos, California

Situated within the San Joaquin Valley southwest of Merced, Los Banos has quickly grown to become a central hub for many natural attractions in northern California. Along with its own historic downtown and a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home, Los Banos also offers easy access to nearby camping opportunities. Henry W. Coe State Park (the largest state park in the region) presents a bounty of wildflowers, mountain views, and hiking as well as backcountry camping or drive-in campsites. Sierra National Forest is the gateway to the Sierra Nevadas, a mountain range full of fishing, hiking, and snow activities. Or set up camp in Pinnacles National Park to experience geologic wonders, awe-inspiring terrain, and birding opportunities.

98% (962)

Top-rated campgrounds near Los Banos

Situated within the San Joaquin Valley southwest of Merced, Los Banos has quickly grown to become a central hub for many natural attractions in northern California. Along with its own historic downtown and a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home, Los Banos also offers easy access to nearby camping opportunities. Henry W. Coe State Park (the largest state park in the region) presents a bounty of wildflowers, mountain views, and hiking as well as backcountry camping or drive-in campsites. Sierra National Forest is the gateway to the Sierra Nevadas, a mountain range full of fishing, hiking, and snow activities. Or set up camp in Pinnacles National Park to experience geologic wonders, awe-inspiring terrain, and birding opportunities.

98% (962)

Top-rated campgrounds near Los Banos

1. 40min to Pinn/Song of the Ancients

97%

(1116)

31mi from Los Banos · 18 sites · Tents, RVs

35 miles to Pinnacles, and only 6 miles to Panoche Valley, a globally important migratory bird routes! Dark Skies at night for galaxy cruising and plenty of oak trees for cool shade. Warm sunny days and cool nights. Amazing and invigorating fall weather! Bring warm clothes and throws to wrap in while sitting by a roaring fire under dark skies streaming planets and galaxies. For daytime, dress in layers. In the oak studded world of the Diablo Mountain Range, the ocean influence sends gentle breezes winding their way through the oaks, offering days of dappled sunshine and nights crisp and cool. Use this as a home base and spend days at Pinnacles, Monterey, Carmel, the Central Valley, and so on or...you can rest and relax the world away, this is a place to regain your balance. Come with your cares leave clear and regenerated. A place to sing and dance, to talk late into the night as the night sky brims over with stars, and the campfire slowly dies. Perfect for group gatherings, and can accommodate your large party as easily and comfortably as we accommodate families, singles, and couples. What we provide is: outdoor hot shower, flush toilet, clean clear water from faucets, and at your campsite, a fire pit and grill to cook on, picnic table with benches, and the blue oak savanna. Firewood for $15/bundle, fire starters -first two free in the winter then $0.50/each. Our firewood is sustainably harvested from downed trees and branches. We sell it for a neighbor. No healthy live trees are harmed in order to produce firewood. No native trees are felled in order to plant fast growing hardwood for fire or anything else! Pitch your tent or park your camper amid the ancient Blue Oaks of California. Warm yourself by your campfire as you drink in the dark skies. Shake the dust off your work worn spirit. Let the celebration begin. Dance to the music in your heart sing along with the songs of the ancients. Regenerate. Breathe and hear yourself breathe. A safe place in the shade of the blue oaks. It's time to take time. Time to play and enjoy with friends and family. A place to bask in opulent starlight and absorb the sounds of darkness. Brought to you by wildfarmers/spif, an IRS designated 501c3 public charity.

2. Cole Ranch

100%

(400)

40mi from Los Banos · 10 sites · Tents, RVs

"I firmly believe that Nature brings solace in all troubles." -Anne Frank- Serene, quiet acreage on the Tuolumne River, with views of the snow capped Sierra Nevadas on a clear day. Scores of wildlife sightings, including river otters, eagles, wild turkeys, beavers, and many more. Perfect for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, or just relaxing. Like to fish? Fishing at Cole Ranch is a Love/Hate thing. If you Love to Fish, you will Hate to leave. Gateway to Yosemite National Park, the Mother Lode region, hiking trails, and spelunking opportunities, Cole Ranch has just about everything a camper would look for. All sites have access to our community outdoor kitchen, which has a refrigerator, coffee bar, sink, BBQ's, and stoves. Also available are our bathrooms, quite possibly the cleanest campground bathrooms in the 13 western states, which include flushable toilets, two sinks, and warm showers. Book your visit now. (Group bookings must be approved by host. Group bookings that have not been pre-approved may be cancelled.) ** Ever see a meteor shower? Cole Ranch is a perfect place to view one. Following is a list of Meteor Showers in 2025. (Dates indicate best night to see meteors) Lyrids. - April 22 Eta Aquarids. - May 4 Delta Aquarids - July 30 Perseids - Aug 12 Orionids. - Oct 22 Leonids. - Nov 17 Geminids - Dec 13 (Cole Ranch is a working ranch, surrounded by walnut and almond orchards. Harvest for these orchards occur mid-August thru September, and can create dust and noise. Occasional noise from common ranching activities may be heard. Landscaping activities like mowing, watering, etc. generally occur Mondays-Wednesdays) Check back here periodically for advisories on river conditions. ** RIVER ADVISORY UDATE - 4/21/25 ** The river rose unexpectedly yesterday, about a foot so far. According to those in control of the fluctuations, it is supposed to be back to normal level by Friday, 4/25/25. Feel free to text or call Barry at (209) 484-3675 if you have any questions.

3. Terra Cultura

95%

(225)

45mi from Los Banos · 5 sites · Tents, Lodging

Our farm is nestled in the scenic hills of Aromas, CA, just 15 minutes away from the ocean. Whether you’re passing through on a road trip along California’s majestic coast, or looking to spend some time getting to know the lush landscape of the Central Coast, we welcome you with open arms! We are a nonprofit educational eco-arts farm and your booking supports environmental stewardship and arts education for underserved communities. Thank you for your support! We place the highest value on respect--for the land, and for the people, plants, and animals that call this area home. While you are here, please consider yourself a partner in stewarding this place.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

J

Joy

1 week ago

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to 40min to Pinn/Song of the Ancients

Beautiful! Veronica was a wonderful host. Very welcoming and gracious. There is no service in the area and Veronica was kind enough to let us use her phone to get in touch with the rest of our group to give some updated instructions/directions. The grounds are well-maintained and the sites were big enough to accommodate big groups with multiple cars. Our group had a mix of car and tent campers and it was big enough to accommodate us all comfortably. Also, the sunset view is absolutely stunning! Looking forward to our next trip back here. Thanks, Veronica!

A

Anne

2 weeks ago

16 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Cole Ranch

I had to cancel my reservation but Barry the host was very understanding . I hope to get there at a later time.

Enjoying being outdoors with the family at campsite 3

Megan

November 2025

18 ft campervan

With pets

Weekend Trip to 40min to Pinn/Song of the Ancients

Really lovely site and very kind host. It took us an hour to get to Pinnacles, so not quite as close as we thought - but a really beautiful stay. Fair warning - the directions are a little tricky and there isn’t any cell coverage. Would recommend taking a peak at you map before you lose coverage :)

B

Brian

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Cole Ranch

Great location right on the river, perfect for fishing for rainbow trout or launching a boat. Site had all the amenities you might need for a weekend stay and lots more!

David

November 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Cole Ranch

What a hidden treasure. We enjoyed a serene thanksgiving, and a visit from a blue heron. You can see Barry's love and care for the land. The facilities are clean, and there's even a hot water sink. Didn't get to get the boats this time, but definitely will return to try them next time.

K

Kryss

November 2025

25 ft Class A

With pets

Weekend Trip to Cole Ranch

We've camped at Cole Ranch twice now and had a great time both times. Barry is a great host. I love the amenities there.

W

Whitley

November 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Cole Ranch

We had an absolutely fantastic stay at this HipCamp! The tent site was perfect — clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully set up. Everything we needed was there, from a well-equipped kitchen and fridge to spotless indoor toilets (such a bonus when camping with kids!). We went on the river a couple of times and the kids loved playing in it. Barry, our host, was attentive, friendly, and truly went above and beyond to make sure we had a great stay. Firewood was available for purchase, which made our evenings around the campfire even better. I came with my two kids, and we all had such a great time — we’ll definitely be back! Highly recommend this spot to anyone looking for an easy, relaxing, and well-run camping experience.

Y

Yui

November 2025

16 ft car

Weekend Trip to Cole Ranch

My partner and I loved staying at Cole’s Ranch! Barry is extremely hospitable and organized. All of the amenities he provides were also super clean; we really appreciated the clean bathroom and kitchen area. Highly recommend the tour he provides as well! We ended up booking the hay ride and cow/calf experience and all of their cows were friendly and loved being pet. We’re definitely going to come back again next time!

Ivy

October 2025

15 ft campervan

1 night at 40min to Pinn/Song of the Ancients

We absolutely loved our stay here! Veronica is such a warm and accommodating host who went out of her way to make us feel welcome. The property itself is stunning, a beautiful non-profit space that feels like you have traveled far away to a peaceful savannah desert. We had the best time sitting around a bonfire with Veronica under a million stars, truly unforgettable. The location is perfect, close to Pinnacles National Park but feels worlds away from everything. Totally worth the drive, and we will definitely be back again!

A

Angelo

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Cole Ranch

My buddy and I wanted to get back into camping, and we heard about Hipcamp from a friend. We found Fisherman's Hideout on Cole Ranch just about 20 minutes from his house. Barry messaged us immediately after we booked and sent us a thorough welcome packet that had all of the information regarding our visit. He came right out to us when he saw us pull into our campsite. He was super friendly and we got a tour of the property from his wife. The campsite was clean and had a new firepit with benches. The bathrooms were clean and we had a great first Hipcamp experience. We will definitely be back again

Shm

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to 40min to Pinn/Song of the Ancients

Beautiful and friendly!! Thank you so much for having me and for being so kind Its a bit hard to navigate to since you are likely to lose signal but the directions provided were perfect and its absolutely worth the trip !!

D

David

October 2025

17 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Cole Ranch

The RV sites are well laid out, spacious, and flat, next to a lovely pomegranate orchard and near a pleasant river. Barry was extremely friendly and helpful, greeting us when we got there and showing us around the amenities. The boats available for use were great, and the kitchen area provided a place with hot water on demand to do dishes so we didn’t have to heat it up on our stove. My only regret was not bringing fishing gear along; maybe next time, since we will definitely keep this on our list of places to come back to.

n

nate

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Cole Ranch

I don't know which was more lovely, the camp ground or the hosts. Everything was amazing. The kitchen and bathrooms were not just clean, they were nice...like nice nice. The grounds were clean and very well kept. I go camping every year for my birthday, and this year was the best. I will 100% be back.

K

Kate

October 2025

Tent

With kids

3 nights at 40min to Pinn/Song of the Ancients

The land here is so lovely and we had a great time camping and marveling at the starry night sky. My kids loved the goats and the wild bunnies. Veronica was a great host, very approachable and responsive. We hope to be back soon!

Betsy

October 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Cole Ranch

A beautiful, beginner and family-friendly camp ground! Barry, the host, is extremely helpful and just a text away. The amenities, kitchen, fridge, clean bathrooms with flushing toilet and shower, and water equipment (kayaks, lifejackets, paddle boats) are all there if you forget anything. Site 1, 2, and 3 share the same river-front grass field and Fisherman's Hideout is a bit more secluded but a slope down to the water. So for those who are interested, you may choose to pitch at tent by the water or up the slope where the fire pit and water spigot is. I had a very relaxing time enjoying the scenery and the amenities. It's definitely going into one of my top sites to come back and visit!

Tim

October 2025

21 ft travel trailer

1 night at Cole Ranch

This place is beautiful and incredibly well maintained. So many nice extras around the camp. Barry and his wife are friendly and welcoming. I wish we'd booked a longer stay.

C

CHRIS

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Cole Ranch

Best campground I’ve ever stayed at couldn’t ask for better service and everything was just perfect. Barry and his family are just great his son n law noticed we were fishing and weren’t doin that great so he gave us some tips and also to top it off gave us his own personal lures and hooks. We ended up catching 6 Bass to end the day. I wish I could give this place 10 stars because it deserves all the compliments you could give it. Can’t wait to come back.

M

Marija

October 2025

Tent

With kids

1 night at Cole Ranch

We loved tent camping on Cole Ranch! The views were beautiful, and the many birds nearby made our stay enjoyable. The place is meticulously maintained, and the hosts were exceptional in meeting our needs. Would definitely recommend to anyone.

J

Josh

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to 40min to Pinn/Song of the Ancients

Wonderful site and Veronica was so wonderful and friendly! Would highly recommended

W

Whitley

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Cole Ranch

The place is perfect, flat sites on grass, outdoor kitchen, water toys and fishing pretty much from the tent. We got to bring less stuff because it was all provided and had an excellent time. We 100% will be back.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best great views camping near Los Banos guide

Where to go

Henry W. Coe State Park

Encompassing over 87,000 acres of hillsides and mountain ridges, Henry W. Coe State Park is the largest state park in northern California. It offers a rich natural display, particularly in spring when the wildflowers bloom and blanket the fields. Campers can trek through more than 250 miles of hiking trails and ranch roads to take in views of the area. The park also hosts fishing spots for anglers and horseback riding trails for equestrians. Along with rugged backcountry camping, there is one on-site developed campground outfitted with 20 drive-in campsites. Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, and access to vault toilets and potable water nearby.

Sierra National Forest

An hour and a half east from Los Banos is the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Sierra National Forest presents a diverse habitat comprising five wilderness areas, two nationally designated scenic rivers, and three nationally designated trails. The forest is also known for its incredible mountain vistas and pristine lakes that offer fishing opportunities. In winter, campers can snowmobile, cross-country ski, or downhill ski and snowboard on forest hills, as well. Then, spend the night at one of the campgrounds at Bass Lake, Merced River, Rock Creek, or High Sierra.

Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles National Park is the result of massive volcanic and geologic activity millions of years ago. It now includes diverse biomes of chaparral, canyon bottoms, and oak woodlands. Hike over 30-miles of trails that travel through talus caves, over rocky spires, and across stretches of wildflower-covered grasslands. Or rock climb among local birdlife including California condors and acorn woodpeckers. Pinnacles Campground offers several campsites for tents and RVs with fire rings and picnic tables as well as water, flush toilets, coin-op showers, and even a swimming pool (April to October). Most RV sites have electrical hookups and nearby dump stations, as well.

When to go

Los Banos features year-round camping fun for the entire family. Summer months, particularly holiday weekends, are popular times to visit. July is historically the hottest month with an average high of 92°F. December is considered the coldest month with average lows of 38°F. While winter might be offseason to some, the nearby Sierra Nevadas and Sierra National Forest are favorites among campers who enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.