California: 36 best campgrounds

1. Big Basin Redwoods State Park, North of Boulder Creek

Your pick of four waterfalls is the payoff for tackling the roller-coaster trails that fan out under gargantuan old-growth trees in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Insider tip: Consider the easy-to-get-to hike-in sites if you want more space and privacy. Best for: Beating the heat Info: $25; 831/338-8860 Book it:  reserveamerica.com

 2. Camp Edison, Shaver Lake, Northeast of Fresno
Shaver is one of the Sierra lakes created as part of a Southern California Edison hydroelectric project, and Camp Edison’s 252 campsites have electricity and cable TV. Half even have Internet. But power down: This camp has great lake access and mountain views. Insider tip: Campsites 119 and 121 have the best views but cost the most ($60). Best for: People who absolutely can’t miss an episode of 24 Info: From $25; 559/841-3134 Book it: Reservations by fax and mail only (details at sce.com/campedison)

3. Cold Springs Campground, Sequoia National Park, East of Three Rivers
A glacial-cut valley, Mineral King is surrounded by 12,000-foot granite and shale peaks. Pick a site alongside the Kaweah River or in the shade of aspens. Insider tip: For homemade pie and a shower ($5; bring your own towel), head to nearby Silver City Mountain Resort. Best for: Intimate, RV-free escapes Info: $12 (plus $20 park entrance fee per vehicle); no reservations; 559/565-3341

4. D.L. Bliss State Park, Lake Tahoe
It isn’t easy (or cheap) to claim a spot along Tahoe’s glorious west shore. But here you can swim and sunbathe at Lester Beach, marvel at Balancing Rock, or simply ogle Tahoe’s famously blue waters. Insider tip: Reserve ahead to nab beachside ($35; sites 141–165). Best for: Families Info: From $25; parks.ca.gov or 530/525-7232 Book it: reserveamerica.com

5. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Northeast of Crescent City
Set beside emerald Smith River, this camp is lush with ferns and old-growth redwoods. Insider tip: Walk to the 340-foot-tall Stout Tree and its mammoth brethren. Best for: Beating the heat Info: $20; parks.ca.gov or 707/458-3018 Book it: reserveamerica.com

6. Kirk Creek Campground, Los Padres National Forest, Big Sur
Scattered across a bluff, the sites are open to the stars and the sea. Insider tip: Pack dress-up clothes and blow the money you saved on lodging with a prix fixe dinner at Post Ranch Inn’s Sierra Mar (dinner from $100; 831/667-2800). Best for: Sunsets Info: $22; campone.com or 805/434-1996 Book it:  recreation.gov

7. Leo Carrillo State Park, Malibu
Campsites sit under the sycamores on the east side of State 1 and on a gorgeous beach on the west side, with access to tidepools. Insider tip: Hike the Nicholas Flat Trail for coastal views. Best for: First-timers Info: $25; parks.ca.gov or 310/457-8143 Book it:  reserveamerica.com

8. Mesquite Spring Campground, Death Valley National Park, North of Furnace Creek
Set in the Grapevine Canyon wash, this is a great base for exploring northern Death Valley. Tour the Spanish-Moorish mansion, Scotty’s Castle ($11; 760/786-2392), and walk the rim of Ubehebe Crater. Insider tip: With a high-clearance car, you can take a day trip to Eureka Dunes, California’s tallest sand dunes. Best for: A desert adventure Info: $12 (plus $20 park entrance fee per vehicle); no reservations; 760/786-3200

9. Minaret Falls Campground, Inyo National Forest, North of Devils Postpile National Monument
Riverfront sites overlook the Upper Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River; some have views of Minaret Falls. Insider tip: The short hike to the Devils Postpile lava formation is a must. Best for: Hiking Info: $20 (plus $7 transit fee); no reservations; 760/924-5500

10. Refugio State Beach, Northwest of Santa Barbara
Campsites sit along a crescent-shaped cove fringed by palm trees, where you can fish, swim, and snorkel. Insider tip: On Fridays during the summer, the park staff offers free sea-kayaking lessons at 9 or 11. Best for: Groups Info: From $25 (from $125 for group sites); parks.ca.gov or 805/968-1033 Book it:  reserveamerica.com

11. Russian Gulch State Park, North of Mendocino
On the rugged Northern California coast, this campground offers an up-close look at Mendocino’s natural beauty, like at Devil’s Punch Bowl, where the ocean surges through a huge hole in the headlands. Insider tip: Hike to Russian Gulch Falls. Best for: Beating the heat Info: $25; parks.ca.gov or 707/937-5804 Book it:  reserveamerica.com

12. Ryan Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, South of Twentynine Palms
Sites are tucked among jumbled piles of the quartz monzogranite boulders of Joshua Tree. Insider tip: A couple of miles from camp, a trail leads 1.5 miles up to the 5,461-foot summit of Ryan Mountain. Best for: A desert adventure Info: $10 (plus $15 park entrance fee per vehicle); no reservations; closed early Jun–Sep 7; 760/367-5500

13. Sabrina Campground, Inyo National Forest, West of Bishop
Bishop Creek flows past, and 2 miles away is trout-filled Lake Sabrina. Trails lead into the John Muir Wilderness with access to mountain lakes and the Sierra crest. Insider tip: Dine alfresco on hamburgers and homemade pie on the patio of the Lake Sabrina Boat Landing Cafe ($; 760/873-7425). Best for: Stargazing Info: $21; no reservations; 760/873-2500

14. Saddlebag Lake Campground, Inyo National Forest, East of Yosemite National Park
At 10,000 feet, this is the highest drive-to campground in the state and has a dramatic, above-the-treeline feel. Insider tip: Just ¼ mile from the campground, you can hop a water taxi ($10 round-trip) across Saddlebag Lake for an easy hike into the stunning 20 Lakes Basin. Best for: Hiking Info: $19; no reservations; 760/924-5500

15. Summerdale Campground, Sierra National Forest, South of Yosemite National Park’s Southern Entrance
This campground is spread out under the shade of cottonwoods and pines less than 20 minutes from Yosemite ($20 park entrance fee per vehicle) and its Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias. Insider tip: Have breakfast at the park’s historic Wawona Hotel ($; 209/375-1425). Best for: Hiking Info: $20; 559/877-2218 Book it:  recreation.gov

16. Summit Lake South Campground, Lassen Volcanic National Park
Smack in the middle of the park, this campground lies at the southern edge of the tiny but picturesque Summit Lake. Insider tip: Reserve early to snag site D9 or D10; both have great views and lake access. Best for: Hiking Info: $16 (plus $10 park entrance fee per vehicle); 530/595-4480 Book it:  recreation.gov

17. Big Lagoon County Park, North of Trinidad
Camp on a huge lagoon bordering the Pacific Ocean. The brackish water is relatively warm, and rich with river otters, shorebirds, and steelhead trout. Launch your canoe right from your campsite. Insider tip: Rent a kayak from Kayak Zak’s (from $15/hour) and paddle up to the sand spit to search for agate. Best for: Fishing and boating Info: $18; no reservations; co.humboldt.ca.us or 707/445-7651

18. Butano State Park, South of Pescadero
The Bay Area’s best quickie escape is a forest-fairy redwood grove that also happens to be 15 minutes from the beach. Insider tip: Soul-warming artichoke soup and olallieberry pie are a short drive away at Pescadero’s famous Duarte’s Tavern ($$; 650/879-0464). Best for: Beating the heat Info: $25; parks.ca.gov or 650/879-2040 Book it: reserveamerica.com

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