Top 12 Best Places To Camp In Northern California

Northern California offers some of the most diverse camping experiences in the country. From ancient redwood groves to volcanic landscapes, places like Redwood National Park, Lassen Volcanic, and Tuolumne Meadows provide unforgettable outdoor adventures.

Discover the best places to camp in Northern California that will transform your next outdoor getaway into an extraordinary journey through pristine wilderness.

1. Redwood National and State Parks: Giants in Silence

The tallest trees on Earth create a cathedral of silence here. Coast redwoods tower 350 feet above, some over 2,000 years old.

Drive the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway at dawn. The morning fog filters through ancient trunks, creating light beams that seem almost sacred.

Prairie Creek Redwoods offers the closest camping to these giants. Elk graze nearby, and Roosevelt elk herds wander through campsites like gentle giants.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: May-September
  
• Access: Highway 101, multiple park entrances
  
• Entry Fee: From $5 per vehicle
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 nights
  
• Key Areas: Prairie Creek, Gold Bluffs Beach, Fern Canyon
  

2. Lassen Volcanic National Park: Fire and Ice

Lassen Peak last erupted in 1917, leaving behind a landscape of bubbling mud pots and steaming fumaroles. The park sits on four different types of volcanoes.

Summit Lake Campground puts you at 6,695 feet elevation. Nights drop to near-freezing even in summer, so pack layers.

The Bumpass Hell trail leads to the park's largest hydrothermal area. Boardwalks keep you safe from boiling springs that reach 196 degrees Fahrenheit.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: July-September
  
• Access: Highway 89 from north or south
  
• Entry Fee: From $30 per vehicle
  
• Suggested Stay: 3-4 nights
  
• Key Areas: Summit Lake, Manzanita Lake, Juniper Lake
  

3. Tuolumne Meadows (Yosemite National Park): High Country Solitude

At 8,600 feet, Tuolumne Meadows opens only when snow melts, usually by July. This high-altitude paradise offers a different Yosemate than the crowded valley below.

Granite domes rise from alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers. The Tuolumne River meanders through, crystal clear and ice-cold.

Locals suggest arriving by Wednesday if possible. Weekends fill fast, but midweek offers peaceful mornings with deer grazing steps from your tent.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: July-September
  
• Access: Tioga Pass Road (Highway 120)
  
• Entry Fee: From $35 per vehicle (Yosemite pass)
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 nights
  
• Key Areas: Cathedral Lakes, Glen Aulin, Soda Springs
  

4. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park: River Meets Forest

The Smith River runs clear and green through the heart of old-growth redwood forest. This lesser-known gem offers swimming holes and towering trees without the crowds.

Morning mist rises from the river while ancient redwoods stand sentinel. Some trees here are over 2,500 years old.

The Stout Grove trail is short but spectacular—a half-mile walk through some of the most impressive redwoods in California.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: June-September
  
• Access: Highway 199, near Crescent City
  
• Entry Fee: From $10 per vehicle
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 nights
  
• Key Areas: Stout Grove, Simpson Reed Trail, Smith River
  

5. Sonoma Coast State Park: Where Redwoods Meet Ocean

Towering redwoods grow within miles of crashing Pacific waves. This unique ecosystem creates camping opportunities nowhere else can match.

Bodega Dunes Campground sits on coastal bluffs. Salt air mixes with redwood scent, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

Local surfers suggest checking Salmon Creek Beach at sunrise. Even if you don't surf, the waves and wildlife viewing make early mornings worthwhile.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: April-October
  
• Access: Highway 1, multiple access points
  
• Entry Fee: From $10 per vehicle
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 nights
  
• Key Areas: Bodega Dunes, Wright's Beach, Goat Rock
  

6. Mount Shasta Camping Area: Sacred Mountain Energy

Mount Shasta rises 14,179 feet from the surrounding landscape, a solitary volcanic peak that draws spiritual seekers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

McBride Springs Campground sits at 4,880 feet on the mountain's slopes. Clear nights offer stunning stargazing—the city of Mount Shasta keeps light pollution minimal.

I've watched sunrise from Panther Meadows countless times. The alpenglow on Shasta's glaciated peak creates colors that photos can never capture.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: May-October
  
• Access: Everitt Memorial Highway from Mount Shasta city
  
• Entry Fee: From $5 per night
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-4 nights
  
• Key Areas: Panther Meadows, Bunny Flat, Castle Lake
  

7. Lassen National Forest: Hidden Volcanic Wonders

Beyond the national park, Lassen National Forest offers dispersed camping and fewer regulations. Hat Creek provides excellent trout fishing and crystal-clear swimming holes.

Cave Campground sits near Subway Cave, a quarter-mile lava tube you can walk through with a flashlight.

The area stays cooler than surrounding valleys, making it perfect for summer escapes when temperatures elsewhere become unbearable.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: June-September
  
• Access: Highway 89, multiple forest roads
  
• Entry Fee: Free for dispersed camping
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 nights
  
• Key Areas: Hat Creek, Subway Cave, Burney Falls nearby
  

8. Kosk Creek Campgrounds: Family-Friendly Forest Retreat

Located in Mendocino National Forest, Kosk Creek offers developed camping with modern amenities while maintaining a wilderness feel.

The creek runs year-round, providing natural swimming holes and the soothing sound of flowing water from every campsite.

Oak and pine trees provide shade, and the elevation keeps temperatures comfortable even during hot summer months.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: May-September
  
• Access: Forest roads from Highway 20
  
• Entry Fee: From $15 per night
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 nights
  
• Key Areas: Swimming holes, hiking trails, wildlife viewing
  

9. Finnon Lake Recreation Area: Waterfront Camping

This hidden gem near Placerville offers lakefront camping with boat launches and swimming areas. The 100-acre lake sits surrounded by oak woodlands.

Each campsite has lake access, and morning fishing from your tent door is possible. Bass and bluegill populate the warm waters.

Rangers recommend visiting in spring when wildflowers bloom around the shoreline and temperatures remain pleasant for outdoor activities.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: April-June, September-October
  
• Access: Finnon Road from Placerville
  
• Entry Fee: From $25 per night
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 nights
  
• Key Areas: Boat launch, swimming beach, nature trails
  

10. Mystic Forest Campground: Redwood Privacy

Private campground nestled among second-growth redwoods offers a more intimate camping experience. Each site feels secluded despite being close to neighbors.

The towering trees create natural air conditioning, keeping temperatures cool even on hot days. Morning fog drifts through the canopy.

Owners maintain trails throughout the property, and the seasonal creek provides natural sounds for peaceful sleep.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: May-October
  
• Access: Highway 101 near Leggett
  
• Entry Fee: From $40 per night
  
• Suggested Stay: 1-2 nights
  
• Key Areas: Nature trails, seasonal creek, redwood groves
  

11. Jug Handle Creek Farm: Sustainable Camping

This working organic farm offers camping with an educational twist. Solar showers and composting toilets demonstrate sustainable living practices.

The property includes coastal bluffs, redwood groves, and organic gardens. Campers can often purchase fresh vegetables and eggs.

Ocean views from some campsites provide sunset watching opportunities, while protected valleys offer wind protection for comfortable sleeping.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: April-October
  
• Access: Highway 1 near Mendocino
  
• Entry Fee: From $30 per night
  
• Suggested Stay: 1-3 nights
  
• Key Areas: Ocean bluffs, organic gardens, beach access
  

12. Camp Nauvoo: Historic Riverside Retreat

Located along the Russian River, this historic property offers camping under massive oak trees. The river provides swimming, kayaking, and fishing opportunities.

Stone buildings from the 1800s add character to the landscape. The property was once a resort for San Francisco families seeking cooler summer temperatures.

River access from multiple points allows for easy morning swims and evening fishing for steelhead and salmon depending on season.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: May-September
  
• Access: River Road from Guerneville
  
• Entry Fee: From $35 per night
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 nights
  
• Key Areas: Russian River, historic buildings, oak groves
  

Northern California's best places to camp offer adventures that will stay with you long after you've packed your gear. Each location provides its own magic—whether watching sunrise through ancient redwoods or falling asleep to river sounds.

These destinations create memories that last lifetimes. Start planning your next camping adventure in Northern California today.

The wilderness is calling. Your tent is waiting.