CamperWatch

California State Park Campgrounds

California's state park system offers some of the most spectacular camping in the country — from Big Sur redwoods to Lake Tahoe shoreline to Anza-Borrego desert. Most California state park campgrounds book through ReserveCalifornia.com, opening 6 months in advance. The most popular parks — Pfeiffer Big Sur, Emerald Bay, Crystal Cove — sell out within hours of opening. Below are the best campgrounds, what each costs, and how to get a site when they're full.

California state park campground redwood forest coastal camping

Top California State Parks

Reserve through ReserveCalifornia

Best California State Park Campgrounds

State Park100 sites$35–$55/night

Emerald Bay State Park

Most dramatic view campground in California — perched above a glacier-carved bay on Lake Tahoe. Boat-in sites available. Books out in minutes when reservations open 6 months ahead.

State Park201 sites$35–$55/night

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Coastal redwoods and the Big Sur River — the most sought-after campground on the California coast. No hookups. Max RV 32ft. Check-in noon, check-out noon.

State Park138 sites$35–$65/night

Leo Carrillo State Park

LA's best beach camping — sea caves, tidepools, and surf 35 miles from downtown. Electric hookups available. Dogs allowed on leash on the beach.

State Park32 sites$25–$75/night

Crystal Cove State Park

Walk-in tent sites with unobstructed Pacific views — books out 6 months in advance every single time. No RVs. Backcountry sites for hikers. Orange County.

State ParkDispersedFree–$25/night

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Largest state park in California — 600,000 acres. Free dispersed camping anywhere off established roads. No reservation required. Best October–April; summer temps exceed 110°F.

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Browse California State Parks

How to book California state park campgrounds

  1. Browse campgrounds above and click through to view each campground's details and location
  2. Check current conditions, cell signal, and trip intel on the campground page
  3. Click "Reserve" to go directly to ReserveCalifornia to complete your booking
  4. Set a CamperWatch alert for any site that's full — get emailed the moment a cancellation opens
Go to ReserveCalifornia

California State Park Camping FAQ

When can I book California state park campgrounds?+
ReserveCalifornia opens reservations 6 months in advance for most campgrounds. Popular sites like Pfeiffer Big Sur and Emerald Bay sell out within hours of opening. Set a calendar reminder and book the moment your 6-month window opens.
Which California state park campground is hardest to book?+
Emerald Bay State Park on Lake Tahoe and Pfeiffer Big Sur are consistently the hardest to book. Both sell out within minutes on the day reservations open (6 months out). Crystal Cove in Orange County is similarly competitive.
How much do California state park campgrounds cost?+
Developed sites run $35–$65/night depending on hookups and location. Leo Carrillo with electric hookups is $55–$65/night. Basic tent sites at Pfeiffer Big Sur are $35/night. Anza-Borrego dispersed camping is free.
Can I get a California state park campsite last minute?+
Yes — cancellations happen daily, especially 1–2 weeks before arrival when the 72-hour cancellation window closes. Set a free CamperWatch alert and get emailed the moment a site opens at any sold-out California state park.
Are there first-come-first-served California state park campgrounds?+
Several California state parks have walk-in or first-come sites alongside reservable ones. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park allows dispersed camping throughout the park with no reservation required. Arrive weekdays for better odds at partial first-come campgrounds.
What is the best California state park for RV camping?+
Leo Carrillo State Park accommodates RVs up to 60ft with hookups. Emerald Bay accepts RVs at selected sites. Pfeiffer Big Sur has a 32ft RV limit and no hookups — not ideal for large rigs.
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