First-come, first-served camping in California

These campgrounds take no reservations — arrive early, claim a site. Every listing links to the full park page with trails, weather, and conditions.

Updated 2026-08-18.

Lassen Volcanic California

Juniper Lake Campground — Closed (checked 2026-06-18) · first come, first served · 6,800 ft
Southwest Campground - Summer/Fall — first come, first served · late May to November (tent sites close when snow covers the ground; self-contained vehicle camping available in the parking area) · $10–$16 · 6,700 ft

Death Valley Inyo County, California

Homestake Campground (Primitive) — first come, first served · Year-round · Free · 3,785 ft
Emigrant Campground — Closed (checked 2026-08-01) · first come, first served · Closed indefinitely due to storm damage to the water system · 10 sites · Free · 2,100 ft
Eureka Dunes Campground (Primitive) — first come, first served · year-round · Free · 2,880 ft
Sunset Campground — first come, first served · Late fall through mid-to-late April · $9–$18 · -142 ft
Mesquite Spring Campground — first come, first served · Year-round · $10–$20 · 1,800 ft
Texas Springs Campground — first come, first served · Late fall through mid-April · $10–$20 · -84 ft
Wildrose Campground — first come, first served · Year round · Free · 4,100 ft
Thorndike Campground (Primitive) — first come, first served · Mid-April through December, pending snowfall · Free · 7,400 ft
Saline Valley Campground (Primitive) — first come, first served · Year-round · Free · 1,375 ft
Stovepipe Wells Campground — first come, first served · Late fall through mid-to-late April · 190 sites · $9–$18 · -1 ft
Mahogany Flat Campground (Primitive) — first come, first served · Summer through fall; often closed in winter due to snow and ice · Free · 8,133 ft

Anza-Borrego Desert California

Arroyo Salado — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served
Blair Valley — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served
Bow Willow — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served · $20
Culp Valley — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served
Fish Creek — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served · $20
Mountain Palm Springs — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served · $20
Yaqui Pass — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served
Yaqui Well — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served
Sheep Canyon — Open (checked 2026-08-01) · first come, first served · Closed to the public June 1 – September 30 (Coyote Canyon summer closure) · $20

Humboldt Redwoods California

Bull Creek Trail Camp — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served. Register at any open campground entrance station before departing; $5 per person per night, 6 people per site. · $5/person
Burlington Campground Hike/Bike Camp — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served
Grasshopper Trail Camp — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served. Register at any open campground entrance station before departing; $5 per person per night, 6 people per site. · $5/person
Hansen Ridge Trail Camp — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served. Register at any open campground entrance station before departing; $5 per person per night, 6 people per site. · $5/person
Johnson Trail Camp — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served. Register at any open campground entrance station before departing; $5 per person per night, 6 people per site. · $5/person
Whiskey Flat Trail Camp — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served. Register at any open campground entrance station before departing; $5 per person per night, 6 people per site. · $5/person

Sequoia Tulare County, California

South Fork Campground — Closed (checked 2026-08-01) · first come, first served · Closed indefinitely; the campground and its access road were heavily damaged by floods and landslides · $6 · 3,600 ft

Joshua Tree California

Belle Campground — first come, first served · Year-round; closed in summer (typically June through late August) · $25 · 3,860 ft
White Tank Campground — first come, first served · Year-round · $25 · 3,822 ft
Hidden Valley Campground — first come, first served · Year-round · $13–$25 · 4,210 ft

Sinkyone Wilderness Whitethorn, California

Usal Beach Campground — first come, first served · Year-round, first-come first-served; backcountry camps $5/night
Bear Harbor Camp — first come, first served · Year-round, first-come first-served; backcountry camps $5/night
Wheeler Camp — first come, first served · Year-round, first-come first-served; backcountry camps $5/night
Anderson Gulch Camp — first come, first served · Year-round, first-come first-served; backcountry camps $5/night
Little Jackass Creek Camp — first come, first served · Year-round, first-come first-served; backcountry camps $5/night
Orchard Camp — first come, first served · Year-round, first-come first-served; backcountry camps $5/night
Railroad Camp — first come, first served · Year-round, first-come first-served; backcountry camps $5/night
Needle Rock Camp — first come, first served · Year-round, first-come first-served; backcountry camps $5/night
Streamside Camp — first come, first served · Year-round, first-come first-served; backcountry camps $5/night
Jones Beach Camp — first come, first served · Year-round, first-come first-served; backcountry camps $5/night

Shasta-Trinity National Forest Trinity Alps and Mount Shasta, Northern California

Denny Campground — first come, first served · 1,402 ft · reserve
Slide Creek Campground — first come, first served · 1,209 ft · reserve
Beegum Gorge Campground — first come, first served · 2,202 ft · reserve
Camp 4 Group Campsite and Day Use Area — first come, first served · 3,557 ft · reserve
Big Slide Campground — first come, first served · 1,233 ft · reserve
Castle Lake Campground — first come, first served · 5,256 ft · reserve
Ruling Creek Campground — first come, first served · 11 sites · reserve
Hawkins Landing Campground and Boat Launch — first come, first served · 10 sites · reserve
Madesi River Access and Dispersed Camping — first come, first served · 7 sites · reserve

Salton Sea California

Corvina Beach Campground — first come, first served · Open for day use and undeveloped shoreline camping.
Salt Creek Beach Campground — first come, first served

Lava Beds Tulelake, California

Indian Well Campground — first come, first served · Year-round (Loop A open year-round; Loop B closes after Thanksgiving weekend and reopens in spring) · $20 · 4,650 ft

Mount Diablo California

Junction Campground — first come, first served · Open year-round; 6 tent sites, first-come first-served

Mount Tamalpais California

Pantoll Campground — Open (checked 2026-08-03) · first come, first served · 16 sites
Bootjack Campground — Open (checked 2026-08-03) · first come, first served · 15 sites

Klamath National Forest Klamath Mountains, Siskiyou County, California

Hotelling Campground — first come, first served · 1,390 ft · reserve
Big Flat Campground — first come, first served · 5,023 ft · reserve

Big Bear Lake San Bernardino County, Big Bear Lake, California

Holcomb Valley Campground — first come, first served · 7,355 ft · reserve

Eldorado National Forest Central Sierra Nevada, El Dorado and Amador Counties, California

Northwind Campground — first come, first served · reserve
Caples Lake Campground — first come, first served · reserve
Moore Campground — first come, first served · reserve
Hell Hole Campground — first come, first served · 5,192 ft · reserve
Woods Lake Campground — first come, first served · 8,216 ft · reserve
Pleasant Campground — first come, first served · 6,435 ft · reserve
Silver Fork Campground — first come, first served · 5,519 ft · reserve
Airport Flat Campground — first come, first served · 5,378 ft · reserve
Lovers Leap Campground — first come, first served · 5,807 ft · reserve
Kirkwood Campground — first come, first served · 7,666 ft · reserve
Sugar Pine Point Campground — first come, first served · 5,873 ft · reserve
Mokelumne Campground — first come, first served · 3,262 ft · reserve
White Azalea Campground — first come, first served · 3,266 ft · reserve
Pardoes Point Campground — first come, first served · 5,951 ft · reserve
Middle Fork Cosumnes Campground — first come, first served · 5,187 ft · reserve
Wentworth Springs Campground — first come, first served · 6,155 ft · reserve
West Point Campground — first come, first served · 4,963 ft · reserve
China Flat Campground — first come, first served · 4,788 ft · reserve
Sand Flat Campground — first come, first served · 3,892 ft · reserve
Northshore Campground — first come, first served · 6,468 ft · reserve
Dru Barner Campground — first come, first served · 3,227 ft · reserve
Big Meadows Campground — first come, first served · 5,361 ft · reserve
Camino Cove Campground — Open (checked 2026-08-02) · first come, first served · 4,847 ft · reserve
Azalea Cove Campground — first come, first served · 4,871 ft · reserve
Jones Fork Campground — first come, first served · 4,914 ft · reserve
Strawberry Point Campground — first come, first served · reserve

Six Rivers National Forest North Coast, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, California

Aikens Creek West Campground — first come, first served · reserve
E-Ne-Nuck Campground — first come, first served · 380 ft · reserve
Nordheimer Main Campground — first come, first served · 1,123 ft · reserve
Bailey Canyon Campground — first come, first served · 2,703 ft · reserve
North Fork Campground — first come, first served · 902 ft · reserve

Cleveland National Forest Peninsular Ranges, San Diego and Riverside Counties, California

Wildomar Campground — first come, first served · 2,451 ft · reserve
Cibbets Flat Campground — first come, first served · 4,153 ft · reserve
Indian Flats Campground — first come, first served · 3,617 ft · reserve
Bobcat Meadow Campground — first come, first served · 3,799 ft · reserve
Corral Canyon Campground — first come, first served · 3,421 ft · reserve

San Bernardino National Forest San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains, Southern California

Applewhite Campground — first come, first served · 3,312 ft · reserve
Horse Springs Campground — first come, first served · 5,743 ft · reserve
Pinyon Flat Campground — first come, first served · 4,022 ft · reserve
Holcomb Valley Campground — first come, first served · reserve

Mendocino National Forest Northern Coast Ranges, Glenn and Lake Counties, California

Sugar Spring Campground — first come, first served · 5,473 ft · reserve
Letts Lake Campground — first come, first served · 4,549 ft · reserve
Howard Meadows Campground — first come, first served · 3,889 ft · reserve
Green Springs Campground — first come, first served · 5,974 ft · reserve
Fuller Grove Campground — first come, first served · 23 sites · reserve
Navy Camp Campground — first come, first served · 20 sites · reserve
Oak Flat Campground — first come, first served · 12 sites · reserve
Pogie Point Campground — first come, first served · 44 sites · reserve
Sunset Point Campground — first come, first served · 53 sites · reserve
Dixie Glade Campground — first come, first served · reserve

Plumas National Forest Northern Sierra Nevada, Plumas County, California

Grizzly Forebay Campground — first come, first served · 7 sites · reserve

Ventana Wilderness California

Barlow Flat Camp — first come, first served
Ventana Camp — first come, first served
Terrace Creek Camp — first come, first served
Sykes Camp — first come, first served

Sequoia National Forest Southern Sierra Nevada, Tulare and Kern Counties, California

Horse Meadow Campground — first come, first served · 7,363 ft · reserve
Convict Flat Campground — first come, first served · 3,112 ft · reserve
Evans Flat Campground — first come, first served · 6,081 ft · reserve
Leavis Flat Campground — first come, first served · 3,058 ft · reserve
Horse Camp Campground — first come, first served · 7,646 ft · reserve
South Fork Rec Campground — first come, first served · 2,624 ft · reserve
Hobo Campground — first come, first served · 2,247 ft · reserve
Troy Meadow Campground — first come, first served · 7,795 ft · reserve

Angeles National Forest San Gabriel Mountains, Los Angeles County, California

Streamside Campground — first come, first served · 2,255 ft · reserve
Zuni Campground — first come, first served · 1,848 ft · reserve
Upper Shake Campground — first come, first served · 4,450 ft · reserve
Peavine Campground — first come, first served · 6,099 ft · reserve
Southfork Campground — first come, first served · 4,560 ft · reserve
Sawmill Campground — first come, first served · 5,196 ft · reserve
Coldbrook Campground — first come, first served · reserve

Los Padres National Forest Coast Ranges, Santa Barbara and Monterey Counties, California

Horseshoe Springs Campground — first come, first served · 1,438 ft · reserve
Rancho Nuevo Campground — first come, first served · 3,498 ft · reserve
Upper Oso Campground — Open (checked 2026-08-02) · first come, first served · 19 sites · 2,330 ft · reserve

Stanislaus National Forest Central Sierra Nevada, Tuolumne County, California

Clark Fork Campground — first come, first served · 6,151 ft · reserve
Mosquito Lakes Campground — first come, first served · 8,072 ft · reserve
Herring Creek Campground — first come, first served · 7,332 ft · reserve
Niagara OHV Campground — first come, first served · 6,951 ft · reserve
Brightman Flat Campground — first come, first served · 5,695 ft · reserve
Pines Campground — first come, first served · 3,265 ft · reserve
Sand Flat Campground — first come, first served · 6,170 ft · reserve
Mill Creek Campground — first come, first served · 6,262 ft · reserve
Fence Creek Campground — first come, first served · 5,626 ft · reserve
Eureka Valley Campground — first come, first served · 6,085 ft · reserve
TeleLi puLaya (Black Oak) Campground — first come, first served · 4,973 ft · reserve
Pigeon Flat Campground — first come, first served · 5,948 ft · reserve
Lumsden Bridge Campground — first come, first served · 1,592 ft · reserve
Fraser Flat Campground — first come, first served · 4,778 ft · reserve
Hull Creek Campground — first come, first served · 5,509 ft · reserve
Beardsley Dam Campground — first come, first served · 3,511 ft · reserve
South Fork Campground — first come, first served · 1,487 ft · reserve
Niagara Creek Campground — first come, first served · 6,596 ft · reserve
Baker Campground — first come, first served · 6,224 ft · reserve
Stanislaus River Campground — first come, first served · 6,216 ft · reserve
Dardanelle Campground — first come, first served · 5,731 ft · reserve
Cascade Creek Campground — first come, first served · 6,074 ft · reserve
Sand Bar Flat Campground — first come, first served · 2,741 ft · reserve
Deadman Campground — first come, first served · 6,279 ft · reserve
Sand Flat Campground (4wd only) — Closed (checked 2026-08-02) · first come, first served · 6,165 ft · reserve

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Eastern Sierra, Mono and Alpine Counties, California

Lower Virginia Creek Primitive Campground — first come, first served · reserve
Obsidian Campground — first come, first served · reserve
Centerville Flat Campground — first come, first served · 5,946 ft · reserve

Lassen National Forest Southern Cascades, Lassen and Plumas Counties, California

Potato Patch Campground — first come, first served · 3,456 ft · reserve
Roxie Peconom Campground — first come, first served · 4,936 ft · reserve
Butte Meadows Campground — first come, first served · 4,307 ft · reserve
Warner Creek Campground — first come, first served · 5,025 ft · reserve
Bogard Campground — first come, first served · 5,681 ft · reserve
Soldier Meadows Campground — first come, first served · 4,710 ft · reserve
Rocky Knoll Campground — first come, first served · 6,450 ft · reserve
Domingo Springs Campground — first come, first served · 5,076 ft · reserve
Battle Creek Campground — first come, first served · 4,830 ft · reserve
Elam Campground — first come, first served · 4,373 ft · reserve
Hole-in-the-Ground Campground — first come, first served · 4,278 ft · reserve
Silver Bowl Campground — first come, first served · 6,486 ft · reserve
High Bridge Campground — first come, first served · 4,901 ft · reserve
Dusty — first come, first served · 9 sites · reserve

Modoc National Forest Warner Mountains and Modoc Plateau, Modoc County, California

Lassen Creek Campground — first come, first served · 5,327 ft · reserve

Sierra National Forest Western Sierra Nevada, Fresno and Madera Counties, California

Gigantea Campground — first come, first served · 6,326 ft · reserve
Black Rock Campground — Closed · first come, first served · reserve

Tahoe National Forest Northern Sierra Nevada, Nevada and Placer Counties, California

Carr Lake Campground — first come, first served · 11 sites · reserve
Rucker Lake Campground — first come, first served · 7 sites · reserve
Big Reservoir Campground — first come, first served · 4,061 ft · reserve
Frenchy Point Campground — first come, first served · 1,957 ft · reserve
Sagehen Creek Campground — first come, first served · 6,480 ft · reserve
Blue Lake Dispersed Camping — first come, first served · reserve
Upper Rock Lake Dispersed Camping — first come, first served · 4 sites · reserve
Sterling Lake Campground — first come, first served · 6 sites · reserve

San Gabriel Mountains California

Coldbrook Campground — first come, first served · April to October · $20 · 3,345 ft · reserve

Topanga California

Musch Trail Camp — first come, first served · Year-round, first-come first-served; about a mile hike in from Trippet Ranch

Berryessa Snow Mountain California

Dixie Glade Campground — first come, first served · Unknown · Free · 3,011 ft · reserve

Humboldt Lagoons California

Stone Lagoon Boat-In Campground — first come, first served · May 1 through September 30; register at the Stone Lagoon Visitor Center self-pay station · $20

Wilder Ranch California

Wilder Ranch Horse Camp — Open (checked 2026-08-01) · first come, first served · Open year round; call the park for access to the Dimeo Lane staging area · 6 sites

Caples Lake Kirkwood, California

Caples Lake Campground — first come, first served · 7,826 ft · reserve

Don Pedro Reservoir La Grange, California

Don Pedro Dispersed Shoreline Camping — first come, first served

Navarro River Redwoods State Park Mendocino County, California

Paul M. Dimmick Campground — first come, first served · Open June through October; closed November–May due to river flooding
Navarro Beach Campground — first come, first served · Open year-round, subject to storm/flood closures

King Range National Conservation Area Lost Coast, California

Mattole Campground — first come, first served · reserve
Tolkan Campground — first come, first served · reserve
Honeydew Campground — first come, first served · reserve

Hensley Lake near Raymond, Madera County, California

Hidden View Campground — first come, first served · 536 ft · reserve

Lake Nacimiento San Luis Obispo County, California

Quails Roost — first come, first served · 60 sites
Eagles Ridge — first come, first served · 60 sites
Pine Knoll — first come, first served · 120 sites
Over Flow Beach — first come, first served

Imperial Sand Dunes Imperial County, California

Gecko Campground — first come, first served · 262 ft · reserve
Keyhole Campground — first come, first served · 280 ft · reserve
Midway Campground — first come, first served · 194 ft · reserve
Roadrunner Campground — first come, first served · 262 ft · reserve

Picacho State Recreation Area Imperial County, near Winterhaven, California

Picacho Main Campground — first come, first served · Year-round, first-come first-served; no online reservations
4-S Beach Campground — first come, first served · Year-round, first-come first-served; no online reservations
Outpost Campground — first come, first served · Year-round, first-come first-served; no online reservations
Taylor Lake Boat-In Campground — first come, first served · Year-round, first-come first-served; no online reservations
Carrizo Boat-In Camp — first come, first served · Year-round, first-come first-served; no online reservations

Ice House Reservoir Pollock Pines, California

Northwind Campground — first come, first served · 5,443 ft · reserve
Strawberry Point Campground — first come, first served · 5,483 ft · reserve

Lake San Antonio Monterey County, California

Lake San Antonio South Shore Campground — first come, first served
Lake San Antonio North Shore Campground — first come, first served

Pine Flat Lake Sanger, California

Pine Flat Campground — first come, first served · 580 ft · reserve

Portola Redwoods State Park Santa Cruz Mountains, San Mateo County, California

Huckleberry Hike and Bike Campsites — first come, first served · 4 sites

Silverwood Lake San Bernardino Mountains, San Bernardino County, Southern California

Mesa Hike and Bike Campsites — first come, first served

Fort Ross Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California

Reef Campground — Open (checked 2026-08-01) · first come, first served · Tent camping only and no water while Reef restoration work continues; check in at the Fort Ross Visitor Center · 20 sites · $40

Pescadero Creek Park Pescadero, California

Shaw Flat Trail Camp — first come, first served
Tarwater Trail Camp — first come, first served

Hollister Hills SVRA San Benito County, California

Radio Ridge Campground — first come, first served
Bee Campground — first come, first served
Walnut Campground — first come, first served · October through May; closed June 1 through September 30
Lodge Campground — first come, first served
Madrone Campground — first come, first served
Sycamore Campground — first come, first served
Obstacle Course Campground — first come, first served

Saddleback Butte State Park Antelope Valley, Los Angeles County, California

Joshua Tree Campground — Open (checked 2026-08-03) · first come, first served · 40 sites

Manchester State Park Mendocino County, California

Manchester State Park Campground — first come, first served · Seasonal, typically open late May through early September (e.g., May 22–Sept 2, 2026); closed rest of year

Success Lake near Porterville, Tulare County, California

South Tule Campground — first come, first served · 688 ft · reserve
North Tule Campground — first come, first served · 709 ft · reserve

Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park Shasta County, California (near Fall River Mills, Northern California)

Horr Pond Campground — first come, first served · Year-round; boat-in access only
Crystal Springs Campground — first come, first served · Year-round; boat-in access only
Ja She Creek Campground — first come, first served · Year-round; boat-in access only

Rainbow Basin Barstow, California

Rainbow Basin/Owl Canyon Campground — first come, first served · reserve

McCain Valley Boulevard, California

Cottonwood Campground — first come, first served · reserve

Hungry Valley SVRA Gorman/Lebec, Tejon Pass, Kern/Los Angeles County line, California

Aliklik Campground — Open (checked 2026-08-01) · first come, first served · $10
ATV Campground — Open (checked 2026-08-01) · first come, first served · $10
Circle Canyon Campground — Open (checked 2026-08-01) · first come, first served · $10
Cottonwood Campground — Open (checked 2026-08-01) · first come, first served · $10
Edison Canyon Campground — Open (checked 2026-08-01) · first come, first served · $10
Lower Scrub Oaks Campground — Open (checked 2026-08-01) · first come, first served · $10
Smith Forks Campground — Open (checked 2026-08-01) · first come, first served · $10
Sterling Canyon Campground — Open (checked 2026-08-01) · first come, first served · $10
Upper Scrub Oaks Campground — Open (checked 2026-08-01) · first come, first served · $10

Chimney Peak Recreation Area Kennedy Meadows, California

Chimney Creek Campground — first come, first served · reserve
Long Valley Campground — first come, first served · reserve
Walker Pass Campground — first come, first served · reserve

Sawtooth Canyon Lucerne Valley, California

Sawtooth Canyon Campground — first come, first served · reserve

Pit River Fall River Mills, California

Pit River Campground — first come, first served · reserve

San Joaquin River Gorge Auberry, California

Equestrian Campground — first come, first served · reserve
Ya-Gub-Weh-tuh Campground — first come, first served · reserve

Samoa Boat Ramp County Park Samoa, California

Samoa Boat Ramp and Campground — first come, first served · 38 sites

Wiley's Well Recreation Area Blythe, California

Coon Hollow Campground — first come, first served · reserve
Wiley's Well Campground — first come, first served · reserve

Ramhorn Springs Termo, California

Ramhorn Springs Campground — first come, first served · reserve

Campground status on Explore is checked against official booking calendars, not reviews — 129 campgrounds carry a checked date. Sources.

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