35 Best Spots for RV Camping in Northern California

LOOKING FOR THE BEST RV CAMPSITE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA?

You are in the right place because the 35 best RV camp spots in northern California are all featured here. How do we know they are the best?  We have traveled in our RV since 2010 and bring you the best information, guides and products for your RV.

Camping in Northern California is a great experience. There are loads of easy-access RV sites that are a short drive from the best cities in the Golden State and some great National Parks and State Parks (like Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park). The sites for RV camping in Northern California all have a great picnic area, many are dog friendly with a dog park, golf courses, or tide pools.

We have scoured through some of our favorite Northern California RV park areas to make it easy for your to find some great outdoor recreation.

If you’re going to be renting an RV for your trip to Northern California, we highly recommend renting an RV through Outdoorsy. They offer a wide variety of RV rentals in the area and have fantastic customer service.

>>Click Here to Look for RV Rentals on Outdoorsy!<<

RV Camping in Northern California

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We have arranged with The Dyrt to give the CS Ginger viewers a FREE-30 Day Trial using the code “csginger.” Normally the trial is 7 days!

1. Marina Dunes RV Park

Marina Dunes RV Park is one of the best if not the best RV campgrounds in Monterey. It is close to the ocean and has beachfront access. You can get to this RV park from Route 1. There is the Fort Ord Dunes State Park close to where you can hike and walk on the beach.

You have very close access to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the top aquariums in the country. There are many close shopping and dining options. We always love visiting this part of the California Coast. It is very family-friendly with lots of fun things to do.

This is a wonderful RV park that also offers glamping if you are interested in a little different and fun variety.

2. Cava Robles

Cava Robles Resort was built to provide an RV park for those who want to relax in the great wine region of California. There are supreme amenities with a spa, multiple pools, fire pits, wellness center, trails, and dog parks. This is an RV park that provides a great location for a relaxing RV vacation.

Be sure to remember your camping chairs and RV grill to make the most of your camping experience here.

3. Carmel by the River RV Park

Carmel by the River RV Park is a wonderful family-owned boutique-style RV park next to Carmel by The Sea. They have great lounges and privacy hedges. Some of the sites have a private patio with a private lounge area that is great to relax in the wonderful California weather.

If you don’t have an RV but want to experience the RV life to get away, they offer multiple options for RV rentals in their RV park. You will love this pet-friendly park, its beautiful grounds, and its clean facilities.

Carmel by the Sea is such a beautiful area of California and a place we love to visit. The beach there is gorgeous. It is also a great place to stay when exploring Point Lobos National Preserve and Big Sur.

Read More: 9 Best Point Lobos Hikes

4. Yosemite Pines RV Resort

Yosemite Pines RV Resort has many camping and recreational options. You can stay in your RV and enjoy many amenities and their close proximity to Yosemite National Park or you can stay in one of their cabins, and yurts, or enjoy a stay glamping in their Conestoga Wagons.

They can also accommodate big rigs with their large site options. They can accommodate lengths of up to 70 feet.

We took our RV to Yosemite as part of our RV road trips and we had a great time. Campsites near Yosemite do fill up so it’s a good idea to make your reservations ahead of time.

5. Tahoe Valley Campground

The Tahoe Valley Campground is a Thousand Trails campground near all of your Tahoe adventures. We stayed at this campground when we visited Lake Tahoe and loved our time here.

This campground is just one of many places for camping in Lake Tahoe. It’s very clean and has everything you need for a good time. They are in South Lake Tahoe and have so many fun activities like their karaoke, movie nights, ice cream socials, pancake breakfast along with their swimming pool, basketball court, playground, and many other activities.

It is just minutes from all of the fun things to do in South Lake Tahoe. And there are some amazing attractions in North Lake Tahoe too! If you want to visit Lake Tahoe during your RV camping in Northern California trip, this is a great place to stay.

6. Vineyard RV Park

Vineyard RV Park is a great Good Sam camping option in Vacaville. They are near so many places like Napa Valley, San Francisco, and Sacramento and you cannot forget the sandy beaches. You will not run out of activities and close-by adventures because of the great central location. Check out all the great tours and activities nearby

Anheuser-Bush Brewery Tour, Jelly Belly Factory, Vacaville Premium Outlets, Old Sacramento, Suisun Valley, the City of Winters, Benicia Historical Museum, six flags Discovery Kingdom, San Francisco, and Napa walking tours.

7. Marin RV Park

Marin RV Park is the closes RV park to San Francisco. It is only 10 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge. This park will keep you comfortable no matter how long your stay.

They are very knowledgeable about the area so make sure to ask the staff questions about where to go for the best or most popular spots to visit. They are also within walking distance of public transportation if you don’t have a way around the city. You will also enjoy the heated pools after or before your adventures.

8. San FranCisco RV Resort

This resort has one of the best views around. You will love the views from your RV kitchen windows. It overlooks the ocean, and it is on a 60-foot bluff making for fantastic sunset views.

They have all the amenities you need and friendly staff.

9. Yogi Bears Jellystone Park

Yogi Bears Jellystone Park is the best RV park for families in California. They are very family-oriented and one of the best places to go RVing with a baby. You don’t need to leave to have a wonderful time but the surrounding is also great.

They have some of the best family amenities an RV park can offer. They have water slides, splash pads, hot tub, pools, and even a lazy river. If you want to add some outdoor adventure you can spend plenty of time in Lodi’s historic downtown. You can hike, bike, swim, or fish in Lodi Lake. There are also more than 85 Lodi wineries.

10. Lake of the Springs RV resort

Lake of the Springs RV Resort is another Thousand Springs Campground with exceptional views. This RV park is known for being one of the best campgrounds in Northern California. They have a private lake for fishing and camping. You can rent a boat if you don’t have one with you.

11. Gold Bluffs BEACH campground

If you want a secluded stay in nature this is the place for you. Gold Bluffs Beach Campground is part of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. They are located 6 miles off Highway 101 at the end of an unpaved road.

You can have your dog in this park, but they are not allowed on any of the park trails.

This Northern California Campground is for smaller recreational vehicles or tent camping with a length limit of 24 feet. They do not have full hook-ups but do offer showers, restrooms, fire pits, and picnic tables.

Our family loved playing camping games around the fire pit and other outdoor games around the site.

12. Manzanita Lake Campground

Manzanita Lake Campground is a very popular campground and is the largest in Lassen Volcanic National Park. They are a short walk to Manzanita Lake which is a great fishing and family destination.

There are impressive views of Lassen Peak which is the largest volcano in the park. The great location close to the south entrance and proximity to popular hiking trails makes this a great campground.

13. agate campground (Patrick’s point)

This is one of three campgrounds in the Sue-meg State Park. It is 25 miles north of Eureka. This campground has views of the ocean and has different site options with some premium sites available.

We stayed in this campground when we visited Redwoods National Park. We had a very nice and large campsite and the campsites are filled with lots of vegetation. There is a beautiful trail that goes down to the ocean where we enjoyed playing on the beach and the ocean views.

Make sure to know your camper length. The max length is 31 feet. This is also very close to the famous Patrick’s Point with spectacular ocean views as pictured above. Hot showers and a dump site (don’t forget your RV dump gloves) are also available inside the park.

You will want to make sure your RV batteries are charged because there are no hookups here. An RV outdoor rug would be helpful to keep things tidy too.

14. Candlestick RV Park

If you are looking for a budget-friendly RV park that gives you a place to stay close to San Francisco this is a reasonable option.

We stayed here during our west coast road trip because we wanted to visit San Francisco. The park is asphalt with small parking spaces. We weren’t overly impressed with the RV park but it was a great place to stay to explore San Francisco.

They are close to public transit and the city. Don’t have high expectations with this one other than it gives you a location close to San Franciso that is lower cost than other locations.

Read More: Best Things to Do in San Francisco

15. Indian flat RV Park

If you are looking for the closest campground to Yosemite National Park that is not in the park this is where you want to be. Indian Flat RV Park will meet your needs to visit Yosemite. If you want to visit Yosemite during your RV camping in Northern California, this is a great place to stay.

We stayed at this campground during our last visit to Yosemite and really enjoyed our stay. It is just up the road from a restaurant and convenience store. There is a community fire ring that we loved relaxing at and cooking tasty camp breakfasts in the morning. And of course smores later on, after hiking in Yosemite National Park.

Read More: Best Things to Do in Yosemite National Park

16. Upper Stoney Creek campground

Upper Stoney Campground offers 11 campsites that you can reserve along the creek in the Sequoia National Forest. It has lots of space between campsites that provide for a great feel. We stayed here when we visited the national parks in the area and loved the large campsites and natural vegetation in the campground.

The forest is over a million acres and has a wide range of elevation changes creating large canyons, streams, amazing waterfalls, and giant sequoias. This has been one of our favorite places to go RV camping in Northern California.

The campsites here are pretty big and have great natural vegetation. We also saw some wildlife at the campground. It was a very convenient place to stay when exploring Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

17. Monterey county fairgrounds

The Monterey County Fairgrounds is a very convenient RV park in the heart of Monterey. There is shopping close, and it is only blocks from the beach. This is a great place to stay. It does not have lots of frills or amenities, but it is a great clean environment.

We stayed here when we visited this area and had a wonderful time. It is also a great place to stay if you are making day trips to Big Sur, Carmel by the Sea, and Point Lobos.

18. Casini Ranch Family Campground

Casini Ranch Family Campground is full of nature, pet friendly, and family-friendly. They have lots of amenities and accommodations in the Town of Duncan Mills, CA. You will love being next to the river and the beautiful property. People love to visit the horses and feed the geese.

You can save 50% off the nightly reservation at this campground by joining Passport America.

19. The Rambling Redwoods Campground and RV Park

Ramblin’ Redwoods Campground is in the Northern California forest making it a great base camp for visiting the spectacular trees. If you are in a tent, RV, or want a luxury cabin this park is your perfect choice. They have a great location and competitive rates.

20. Klamath River RV park

Klamath River RV Park on the Klamath River is close to the California National Redwoods State parks. You will see gorgeous ocean beaches with an abundance of hiking and biking trails.

You will have a very comfortable stay at Klamath River. If you are looking to add a fishing trip to your stay the Lower Klamath River is a steelhead and salmon paradise. Book a fishing tour if you have an extra day to spend on the ocean.

You can save 50% on the nightly camping rate at this RV park by joining Passport America.

21. Antlers RV Park and campground

Antlers RV Park and Campground is located on Shasta Lake providing a serene camping experience. They offer many wonderful amenities such as a convenience store, grill, and a Sunday Pancake Breakfast. If you are looking for a beautiful RV park in Northern California on Lake Shasta, you will be impressed with Antlers.

22. Jedediah Smith Campground

This is a great reservable campground in Jedediah Smith State Park. It can be reserved from May to October. Outside of that it is first come first serve.

Here you get to camp under old-growth redwoods. It is the best Campground in this Northern California area that has big redwoods right in the camp. It is very close proximity to Stout Grove which has the best redwood hikes in the area. If you can get sites 47 to 58 these are the best ones. You get little to no road noise.

Not every site sits beneath the redwoods so make sure you take a look at the map if camping under the redwoods is what you are looking for.

23. Rim Campground

Rim Campground is in McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park. Pioneer Camp and Rim Camp are the two campgrounds in the park and they are next to each other.

You can stay in a cabin, tent, or RV. They can only fit a length of 32 feet long and have limited spots that are pull-through. This is the closest campground to the rim of the falls.

If you want to camp here, you need to make your reservations far in advance. It is a popular camp spot in Northern California with many great waterfalls.

24. Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground

Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground is a beautiful destination campground and because of this reservations will fill up far in advance even in the winter months. This is a very popular place for RV camping in Northern California. You can make reservations online or over the phone.

We always recommend online reservations. They are the fastest and easiest way to make sure you get a campground. Especially in campgrounds that can be harder to get. These great campsites are next to the Big Sur River, and you will love the beautiful scenery.

Read More: 25 Things to Do in Big Sur

25. Olema Campground

Olema Campground is located very close to the Point Reyes National Seashore. If you are trying to camp inside Point Reyes, they are tent-only sites.

This is a great Good Sam campground. Olema Campground is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors. This is a great place for watching birds, hiking, kayaks, or some relaxing time at the beach. You will enjoy this great family campground.

26. Trinity River Resort and RV Park

Trinity River is a rustic campground only 35 minutes from Redding. This is a beautiful private part that is great for families. It is party free campground. If you are looking for a place to smoke marijuana or have a party, you will be asked to leave.

Fishermen love this park. It is a great spot for catching steelhead, salmon, and brown trout. Their location is great. They are only 1 mile from Lewiston Lake and close to great bass fishing at Trinity Lake.

27. Manchester Beach KOA Journey

Manchester Beach is an ideal campground for visiting the Mendocino Coast. They have an access trail that leads you to the Pacific Ocean where you can spend hours walking on the beach or tide-pooling.

There are multiple lighthouses nearby, magnificent redwoods, and Anderson Valley wineries. They can fit good-sized RVs in this Northern California camping destination. It can fit up to 65 feet in length. They also have great group options if you are going with your friends and family.

28. Francis beach campground

With 52 campsites and ocean views just steps from the sandy California beaches you will love camping at Francis Beach Campground. This Northern California RV campground has lots to offer.

Half Moon Bay State Beach provides excellent whale watching so make sure you bring your binoculars and fishing poles, however, swimming is not recommended because of the rip currents. This is a beautiful place to go RV camping in Northern California.

29. Elk Country RV resort and campground

Elk Country RV Resort and Campground is a great Northern California campground. It has nearly 200 acres of the best RV camping in Northern California. They have their own private lake, hiking trails, and creek.

Previously this campground was Redwood Lake Resort and Stone Lagoon Campground but is now conveniently Elk County Resort and Campground. It is located on Hwy 101 and you can check out the local elk herd that roams nearby.

This fabulous park is a great option if you are interested in experiencing the beach and the Redwood National Park.

There are so many outdoor activities within 5 min. You can fish, swim, horseback ride, fish or go kayaking. The Roosevelt elk are seen in the campground every day. You will be very pleased with Elk Country RV.

30. Albee Creek campground in the Humbolt Redwoods

This is the best Humbolt Redwoods campgrounds and is the most likely of the campgrounds to be full so make sure to make reservations early. It is a small quiet campground, in a quiet place, and does not fit large RVs. There is little to no traffic noise.

This campground has great views of the redwoods and is one of the best places for a scenic drive. The campground is not super level since it is on a little bit of a hillside. The best sites are 40 and 39. They are the most private and near the creek. If those are not available, you will want sites 1 and 2.

The campground is a little bit off the beaten path making it great for hiking but the drive-in is one of the most impressive Northern California redwoods drives off the avenue of the giants. This is a great redwood campsite if you are looking to see the giant redwoods in Northern California in your RV or camper.

They can fit a 33 ft RV and a 24-foot bumper pull camper. This campground is not open year-round.

31. Burlington Campground

Another great campground off the Avenue of the Giants in Northern California is Burlington Campground. This is a very pretty scenic byway near the Redwoods and we loved it. It is such a scenic drive and very doable with a large RV.

This camp is open year-round and is near the visitor center on the Avenue of the Giants. There are close hiking trails and it is also close to the South Fork of the Eel if you are interested in fishing or swimming.

32. Golden Pine RV Park

This is a great campground for Northern RV camping. Golden Pine RV Park is along the June Lake Loop with full hookups, picnic tables, and a fire ring. They have everything you need including showers and fish cleaning facilities.

There is an easy walk to Gull Lake or you can head over to the Village of June Lake. They have 26 sites available, and they make for a great outdoor family experience.

33. Sierra Skies RV Park

Sierra Skies has one of the best swimming locations on the North Fork of the Yuba River. There are several restaurants close by in Sierra Skies. This RV Park is a perfect Northern California RV destination.

There are many outdoor activities you will enjoy here. Swimming in the North Fork and Bassetts, the gateway to the Lake Basin Recreation area are some of the favorites.

34. Camp Edison on shaver lake

Camp Edison was built in 1963 on Shaver Lake and is a favorite vacation spot for many RV travelers in Northern California. The campground is large with over 250 campsites available. You can find everything you are looking for here from a romantic adventure to a family getaway they have a campsite that is going to fit what you are looking for.

This area is great for horseback riding, fishing, and water sports. You will enjoy Camp Edison and the surrounding areas.

35. Indian well campground at the lava bed national monument

Indian Well Campground is the only campground in the Lava Bed National Monument. It is a first come-first-serve-campground and they can fit an RV up to 30 feet in length.

They have 43 sites available, but loop B closes for the winter. You can camp here for only $10 a night. If you have questions, you can call the visitor center. This is a great place for RV camping in Northern California.

If you’re going to be renting an RV for your trip to Northern California, we highly recommend renting an RV through Outdoorsy. They offer a wide variety of RV rentals in the area and have fantastic customer service.

>>Click Here to Look for RV Rentals on Outdoorsy!<<

Map of RV Camping in Northern California

FAQ – RV camping in northern California

Can you park anywhere with an RV in California?

If you are looking to park for a night, you cannot park anywhere in California with your RV, but there are lots of places where you can park overnight.

If you are looking to park for a short time period of an hour or two, you can park just about anywhere the same as you would a car if you are not blocking an area or are parked where it says no parking. The rules would apply the same as if you are parked with your car.

Overnight Parking Ideas

All of the rest areas in California and many vista points all allow for overnight parking. They do not allow for camping. If you have an RV, you can sleep in it, or you can sleep in your car. You cannot set up a tent. If you set up a tent, it is considered camping. If you are in your motorhome, camper van, or other RV and you stay for 8 hours, and it is considered parking.

California Rest Areas and vista points are the same unless posted otherwise. Camping is not allowed in tents.

You can see a map of the rest areas in California here. You can read about the California rest area rules here.

Hospitals are another possible option if you are in need of somewhere to stay for a night. Many hospitals allow this because the parking lot is sufficiently large and some families may need to be there in their camper for a couple of days to be with a loved one at the hospital.

If the parking at the hospital is limited, you are loud or you are there for more than 8 hours the hospital security may ask you to leave. Most of the time the hospital parking lots are managed by the security there and not the local police department. If there is signage prohibiting overnight parking, you will most likely be asked to leave.

Walmart is another reasonable location that can allow you to park overnight. However, this is becoming increasingly challenging. We have traveled extensively through California and many Walmart locations there are not allowing overnight parking any longer. You need to call ahead to verify you can stay there. Some Walmarts have signage but will tell you that you will not be bothered if you are just there for a night.

Where can I park my RV for free in California?

There are multiple locations where you can park your RV in California for free. Where you are wanting to stay and the length of your stay will play a factor in how easy or difficult it is to find a place to park for free.

Overnight Only free parking

If you are only looking to stay one night, there is a wide range of options. Overnight parking is allowed in all rest stops in California. They only allow you to stay for 8 hours.

Another similar option that is a great option is vista points. At many of the Vista points, you can stay overnight just like rest stops. There are some Vista Points with signage stating overnight camping is not allowed.

If the vista point has a sign stating, no overnight camping then you are not allowed to stay there.

Most all public lands in California are open to dispersed free camping. On these public lands, you can camp for up to 14 days at a time within a 28-day period. This means if you are in a spot for 10 days but come back to the same spot 5 days later you can only stay for 4 more days until 28 days have passed from your first night of camping.

You can stay at a spot for 14 days, but you cannot return until 28 days have passed from your initial night of camping. After those 14 days, you can camp in another public land location if it is 25 miles or more away.

Boondocking or dispersed camping is typically not marked. You should be aware that some areas on public land can be posted with no camping signs. You should not camp in an area where you block authorized uses.

The best and easiest way to know if you are on public land is to use Onx Hunt. They keep a compilation of landowners and public land. Most of this information is public records but Onx makes it all accessible with a simple easy-to-use phone app. There is a monthly charge to use their application.

Where can I take an RV in California?

In California, you can take your motorhome almost anywhere. The main limiting factor is your height and length. There are certain bridges and overpasses that only allow for certain heigh vehicles to pass under them. You must know the height of your RV or you could end up running into something.

We have taken our motorhome through many parts of California without issue. We have traveled through almost all the national parks in California and the major cities. Be aware that some locations have roads with length and height limits.

This is because the roads are not big enough to allow for larger vehicles. If you are traveling through cities like San Fransisco pay attention to the road signs and limit how much driving, you are doing in the city. While you can drive through San Fransisco there are some roads in the area with length and height limits.

Can you live in an RV park year-round in California?

Yes, You can live in an RV park year-round in California but not in all of the RV parks is this possible. In order to live year-round in an RV park in California, the specific RV park needs to have the necessary amenities that will make this possible.

You cannot live year-round in campgrounds, public lands, or even private land. In general, if you live in your RV on private land as long as no one complains no one will care and you will be fine until there is a complaint filed or the local authorities decide to pursue the issue.

If you have specific questions, it is best to call the RV park where you are wanting to stay or talk with your local city to determine the specific rules for living in an RV on private land.

Conclusion: RV camping in northern California

We hope you find a great campground for your Nothern California Camping adventures. Northern California has so much to offer. The Sequoia National Park, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Sierra Nevada Mountain, Santa Cruz Mountains, Yosemite Valley, and the Pacific Crest Trail are just a handful of the popular attractions of Northern California in the United States.

After you have enjoyed RV camping in Northern California don’t forget to check out Southern California, San Diego, and the great surrounding area.