The best campgrounds in Northern California cover more diverse terrain than almost any other region in the country — ancient redwood forests, volcanic landscapes, dramatic Pacific coastline, alpine lake shores, and desert-adjacent high desert all within a few hours of each other. Finding the best campgrounds in Northern California depends entirely on what kind of experience you’re after. Here are 15 of the best campgrounds in Northern California organized by region, so you can find exactly what you’re looking for.
Best Campgrounds in Northern California — Redwood Coast
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Jedediah Smith is consistently rated the best campground in the entire redwood region. The 86-site campground sits along the crystal-clear Smith River surrounded by some of the most impressive old-growth redwood groves in California. Swimming in the emerald green river is extraordinary in summer. The famous Howland Hill Road drive through the grove is accessible from camp. Book through ReserveCalifornia up to 6 months in advance — summer weekends fill immediately.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Prairie Creek offers two distinct camping experiences — the main campground in the forest and Gold Bluffs Beach campground on a dramatic stretch of black sand beach backed by bluffs. Roosevelt elk roam freely through both areas. The Gold Bluffs Beach sites are among the most dramatic campground settings in all of California. High clearance vehicles recommended for the beach road.
Patrick’s Point State Park
Patrick’s Point sits on a rocky headland above the Pacific north of Trinidad with jaw-dropping coastal views from almost every site. Tidepools, coastal trails, and Agate Beach are all accessible from camp. One of the most beautiful spots on the entire Northern California coast and far less crowded than the major redwood parks.
Best Campgrounds in Northern California — Lost Coast and Humboldt
A.W. Way County Park
The best car camping base for the Lost Coast — 37 spacious sites along a bend in the Mattole River with hot showers and flush toilets, rare amenities for this remote region. First come first served, $25 per night, almost never full. The combination of the river setting, the proximity to the Lost Coast beaches, and the quality facilities makes this one of the most underrated campgrounds in Northern California.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
The Avenue of the Giants runs through Humboldt Redwoods — 31 miles of some of the tallest trees on Earth. Multiple campgrounds line the South Fork Eel River including Burlington, Hidden Springs, and Albee Creek. Albee Creek is the most scenic — shaded sites on a historic homestead with river access. The Rockefeller Forest nearby contains the largest contiguous old-growth redwood forest in the world.
Best Campgrounds in Northern California — Lassen and Shasta
Manzanita Lake Campground — Lassen Volcanic National Park
The best campground inside Lassen Volcanic National Park sits on the shore of Manzanita Lake with perfect reflections of Lassen Peak at sunrise. 179 sites with full facilities, a camp store, and direct access to the park’s volcanic trails. Book at recreation.gov — summer weekends require 6-month advance planning.
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
McArthur-Burney Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in California — Theodore Roosevelt reportedly called it the eighth wonder of the world. The campground sits steps from the falls with Lake Britton nearby for swimming and boating. The combination of the waterfall, the lake, and the forest setting makes this one of the best campgrounds in Northern California for families.
Castle Crags State Park
Castle Crags offers dramatic granite spire scenery reminiscent of Yosemite but with a fraction of the crowds. The campground sits below the crags along the Sacramento River with excellent access to hiking trails including the Castle Crags Wilderness trail. Mount Shasta is visible from multiple points in the park.
Best Campgrounds in Northern California — Lake Tahoe and Sierra
D.L. Bliss State Park
The premier campground on western Lake Tahoe’s shore — many sites have direct lake views and the sandy beaches at Lester Beach and Calawee Cove are steps from camp. This is peak-demand camping that requires booking the moment the 6-month window opens. The lake clarity and color here is extraordinary.
Sugar Pine Point State Park
A popular alternative to D.L. Bliss with more sites and slightly better availability. The campground is set back from the lake in pine forest with beach access nearby. The historic Ehrman Mansion on the property is worth touring. Good base for hiking, biking, and water sports throughout the Lake Tahoe basin.
Fallen Leaf Lake Campground
Fallen Leaf Lake sits just south of South Lake Tahoe and delivers a quieter and more intimate lake camping experience than the main Tahoe campgrounds. The water is warmer than Tahoe itself making it excellent for swimming. Dramatic waterfall hiking nearby. A genuinely beautiful and undervisited campground.
Best Campgrounds in Northern California — Wine Country and Coast
Salt Point State Park
Salt Point sits on the rugged Sonoma County coast with two campgrounds — Woodside inland in the forest and Gerstle Cove on the coast above dramatic tide pools and kelp forests. The abalone diving here was legendary before the closure and the coastal scenery remains extraordinary. One of the best campgrounds on the Northern California coast for photographers.
Austin Creek State Recreation Area
Set in the hills above Guerneville in western Sonoma County, Austin Creek offers remote backcountry camping just an hour north of San Francisco. The 4WD-only primitive sites are among the most secluded in the Bay Area region. The main campground at Bullfrog Pond is accessible to all vehicles with decent facilities and a peaceful forest setting.
Best Campgrounds in Northern California — Eastern Sierra and Volcanic
June Lake Loop Campgrounds
The June Lake Loop off Highway 395 is one of the most beautiful and undervisited areas in the Eastern Sierra. Multiple campgrounds ring the four lakes of the loop — June Lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake, and Grant Lake. The scenery is stunning with the high Sierra peaks reflected in the crystal-clear lakes. Far less crowded than Mammoth Lakes just to the south.
Convict Lake Campground
Convict Lake sits in a dramatic glacially-carved bowl south of Mammoth Lakes with one of the most spectacular mountain lake settings in California. The campground has 88 sites right on the lake shore. Fishing, kayaking, and hiking access directly from camp. Book at recreation.gov — summer fills fast, but shoulder season often has availability.
Tips for Booking the Best Campgrounds in Northern California
Reservations for state park campgrounds open 6 months in advance through ReserveCalifornia. National forest and BLM campgrounds book through recreation.gov on similar timelines. The most competitive campgrounds — D.L. Bliss, Jedediah Smith, Prairie Creek — require booking the moment your window opens. Set calendar alerts for exactly 6 months before your target dates.
If you miss the reservation window, check cancellations regularly — especially 2 weeks before your target date. The best campgrounds in Northern California do release cancellations regularly, and persistence pays off.
The best overall season for most of the best campgrounds in Northern California is late May through early October. The redwood coast is excellent year-round. Higher elevation Sierra and Cascade campgrounds are typically only open May through October.
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For more Northern California camping see our guides to Car Camping the Lost Coast California — The Complete Guide, Best Time to Visit Redwood National Park — A Season by Season Guide, and Car Camping Point Reyes California — The Complete Guide.
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