Finding and Reserving a Campsite
Use one of the following to research camping options and/or reserve a campsite.
- California State Parks: Go to the California State Parks Website then use their Find A Park tool to enter criteria, pick a geographic area, or search for available dates. Each campsite that accepts reservations has a link to www.reserveamerica.com and a calendar to show available dates and sites. Read park descriptions carefully – some campsites are walk-in (non-reservation) only.
- National Park Service: Go to the National Park Service Website then use their Find A Park tool to enter criteria, pick a geographic area, or search for availability. There are links to www.recreation.gov for reservations. Read park descriptions carefully – some campsites are walk-in (non-reservation) only.
- U.S. Forest Service: Go to the US Forest Service Website then click the link for Web sites of the National Forests of California, parks of interest, then Recreational Activities and Developed Campgrounds. Reservations can be made through links to www.recreation.gov. Read descriptions carefully – some campsites are first-come (non-reservation) sites.
- Private Campgrounds through California Travel Parks Association (Camp-California): Go to the California Travel Parks Association Website then search through the lists provided. Usually direct communication with the campground is the only way to make a reservation.
- Search county websites for the county you are interested in. Parks and Recreation Services for the county may provide a list of parks and associated facilities. Calling the parks of interest may be the best way to get information about campsite availability, but many parks do not reserve sites – they are available on a walk-in basis.
- Search a detailed map or a camping book for the area of interest.
- Enter an Internet search with your region or county, and “camping.”
- Contact the Chamber of Commerce in the area you would like to camp in and ask for recommendations.
Keep in mind that even sites that take reservations may offer some first-come campsites as well. Call the ranger at the site to ask about this!
In all camping cases, call a ranger and mention that you will have an infant or toddler camping with you – rangers will know what areas are not safe for little ones, be it due to steepness or proximity to water hazards.
Camping Recommendation Chart
Use this chart to find a location that meets your needs. Got a great site that you’d like to recommend? E-mail a recommendation.
Location | Address | Contact Information | Facilities | Reservations |
---|---|---|---|---|
Uvas Canyon County Park |
8515 Croy Road, Morgan Hill |
408-779-9232Uvas Canyon County Park Website |
Tents, flush toilets. Dogs allowed on leash. |
408-355-2201Reservations for County Parks |
Sanborn-Skyline County Park |
408-867-9959Sanborn-Skyline County Park Website |
Tents with 100 foot walk in, RV hookups, American Youth Hostel, flush toilets. No dogs allowed. |
408-867-9959American Youth Hostel: 408-293-3787Camping Reservations |
|
Memorial County Park (near Pescadero/Loma Mar/La Honda) |
9500 Pescadero Creek Road, Loma Mar |
650-363-4021Memorial County Park Website |
Tents, RV hookups, showers, flush toilets. No dogs allowed. |
650-363-4021County Park Reservations Site |
Big Basin Redwoods State Park |
21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek |
831-338-8860Big Basin Redwoods SP Website |
Tents for car camping and walk in, RV hookups, showers, flush toilets, store. Dogs allowed on leash in developed areas only. |
800-444-PARKReserve America Website |
Portola Redwoods State Park |
9000 Portola Redwoods SP Road, La Honda |
650-948-9098Portola Redwoods SP Website |
Tents, RV hookups, showers, flush toilets. Dogs on leash allowed on pavement only. |
800-444-PARKReserve America Website |
Anthony Chabot Regional Park |
9999 Redwood Road, Castro Valley |
888-EBPARKSChabot Webpage |
Tents, RV hookups, showers, flush toilets. Dogs allowed on leash. |
888-EBPARKS |
Henry Coe State Park |
9000 E Dunne Avenue, Morgan Hill |
408-779-2728Henry Coe SP Webpage |
Tents for car camping and backpacking (1+ mile hike) |
Reserve America Website |
Olema Ranch (Point Reyes) |
10155 Highway 1, Box #175, Olema |
415-663-8001Olema Ranch Website |
Tents, RV hookups, showers, flush toilets, coin laundry. Dogs allowed on leash. |
800-655-CAMP |
Samuel P. Taylor State Park (Marin/San Rafael) |
Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Lagunitas |
415-488-9897Samuel P Taylor State Park Website |
Tents, RV hookups, flush toilets. Dogs allowed on leash. |
800-444-PARKReserve America Website |
Pantoll Campground (Mount Tamalpais State Park) |
Panoramic Highway and Pan Toll Road, Mill Valley |
415-388-2070Mount Tamalpais SP Website |
Tents with a 100-foot walk in. |
First come only (no reservations) |
Steep Ravine Rustic Cabins and Campsites (Mount Tamalpais State Park) |
Highway 1, 1 mile S of Stinson Beach |
415-388-2070Mount Tamalpais SP Website |
Tents, Barren Cabins. No dogs allowed. |
Reserve America Website |
China Camp State Park (Marin/San Rafael) |
N San Pedro Road, on San Pablo Bay |
415-456-0766China Camp State Park Website |
Tents with a 150 to 900 foot walk in, showers, flush toilets. Dogs allowed on leash. |
800-444-PARKReserve America Website |
Sunol Regional Wilderness |
1895 Geary Blvd, Sunol |
925-862-2244888-EBPARKSSunol Webpage |
Primitive camping with 3+ mile walk in. Very hilly. |
888=EBPARKSReserve America Website |
Del Valle |
7000 Del Valle Road, Livermore |
925-373-0332888-EBPARKSDel Valle Webpage |
Tents, RV hookups, showers, flush toilets. Dogs allowed. |
888-EBPARKSReserve America Website |
Butano State Park |
Cloverdale Road, Pescadero |
650-879-2040Butano SP Website |
Tents for car camping and walk-in, RV hookups, flush toilets. Dogs allowed on leash. |
800-444-PARKReserve America Website |
Mount Madonna County Park |
7850 Pole Line Road, Watsonville |
408-842-2341Mount Madonna Website |
Tents, RV hookups, group areas, and yurts. Flush toilets. Dogs allowed on leash at camp only. |
408-355-2201 (call for groups and yurts)Reserve through Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation |
Marin Headlands |
Marin Headlands Visitor Center at Fort Barry Chapel at intersection of Field and Bunker Roads, Marin |
415-331-1540Marin Headlands WebsiteGolden Gate/National Park Service Webpage about Camping and Backpacking |
Tent camping, from carside to about 3 miles in (backpacking).
|
415-331-1540Recreation.gov |
Point Reyes |
Bear Valley Visitor’s Center
|
415-464-5100Point Reyes Camping Information |
Hostel and backpacking camps |
877-444-6777Recreation.gov |
Black Mountain |
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
|
Monte Bello Website |
Backpacking (about 2 miles in, or more, depending on route) |
Permit Information |
Making the Decision to Camp
- There are several types of camping. See Camping Defined to understand your options.
- What considerations should be addressed when camping with a baby? Read about these at Considering Baby Needs in Camping.
Packing and Reservations
- You’ve decided to camp, so now it’s time to put some gear together and pick your camping location.
Read about things to pack at Camping Gear and Advice and our Backpacking List