California has a lot more to offer than just ocean beaches. Tucked in from the coastline line is some absolutely amazing California lake camping destinations.
We’ve gone ahead and dug through all of the beautiful lake camping spots in California and picked out some of the absolute best for you to enjoy.
No matter if you choose to head up North, down South, East, or West, many fantastic California lake camping spots await you! Let’s get started!
21 Places In California To Camp Along the Lakes
Big Bear Lake
First on our list of the best California lake camping is Big Bear Lake.
Big Bear Lake is located in California near the San Bernardino National Forest and along Big Bear Lake.
On Big Bear Lake, you’ll enjoy many activities as it’s known for its excellent fishing locations, snowboarding, and skiing.
Spend the day hiking along the trails, mountain biking, and so much more!
Camping Along June Lake
Check out the available camping and RV Parks along June Lake. June Lake is found in California near the Inyo National Forest in the County of Mono.
Activities change depending on the season. In the winter, it’s the state’s favorite family ski and snowboard resort with free admission for children 12 and younger! Experience ski chairlifts, equipment rentals, and even take a class in snowboarding school!
In warmer seasons, find a world-class trout fishing lake. Enjoy swimming, sailing, boating, canoeing, hiking, biking, rock climbing, and scenic drives.
You’ll also find shopping, galleries, several restaurants, and a local craft brewery.
https://junelakeloop.org/welcome_june_lake_california
Camping at Lake Isabella
Another of our favorite places for California lake camping is Lake Isabella.
This beautiful lake, located in California, runs along the impressive Sequoia National Forest.
It’s known as California’s best-kept secret, so you can enjoy fishing, hiking, camping, windsurfing, skiing, or just relaxing along the lake.
This location is unique as they have various celebrations, such as Whiskey Flat Days and the Isabella Lake Fishing Derby.
Mammoth Lakes Camping
Mammoth Lake is located along the Mammoth Lake National Park and near Inyo National Forest.
Explore Mammoth Cave National Park, the most comprehensive cave system on Earth and home to cave wildlife. This cave was discovered 4,000 years ago below the Green River Valley. Unfortunately, explorers have still yet to find an end to it, even with mapping out more than 400 miles of passageways
https://www.npca.org/parks/mammoth-cave-national-park
Lake Nacimiento
You will find Lake Nacimiento in California, about 30 miles from Paso Robles.
Lake Nacimiento is a fantastic place to boat, enjoy water sports, and fish along the lake. In addition, this location offers a swimming pool during the late Spring and Summer months.
When you arrive at Lake Nacimiento, you will find an entrance fee, but this fee will include the use of horseshoe pits, the swimming pool, a basketball court, and a volleyball court.
http://www.californiasgreatestlakes.com/nacimiento/lake_nacimiento.html
Clear Lake State Park Camping
Next, in Kelseyville, California, Clear Lake State Park is an attractive water sport and recreation location. This state park offers 149 developed campsites, four campgrounds, and two camping sites.
Clear Lake provides a swimming beach complete with showers and a marina with available boat launches for activities. This lake has a comprehensive “no wake” zone along the Cole Creek area and the nearby shorelines. It’s an excellent lake to go kayaking and canoeing on as this lake covers 590 acres.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_Lake_State_Park_(California)
Shasta Lake Camping
Another amazing spot for California lake camping is Shasta Lake.
In Redding, California, Shasta Lake offers a few popular campground locations.
Antlers Campground and Lakeshore East Campground run along the Sacramento River section of Shasta Lake in Lakehead, California.
You can check out Bailey Cove Campground if you want to make reservations. This small campground is near Holiday Harbor Resort (marina) and is another excellent choice to explore.
Yosemite National State Park Camping
At Yosemite National Park in San Fransico, California, experience guided trails with park experts during any season. They will even allow you to design your own custom experience! Experience a challenging journey during the winter and stay at a historic lakeside hut.
You can watch some theatrical presentations at Yosemite National State and even sign up for one of their art classes.
Lake Campground
Lake Campground, located in California, is near the Angeles National Forest, which includes beautiful views of this National Forest.
Lake Campground offers an excellent location in the country and is only a short drive to the Los Angeles metro area.
Along Jackson lake, you will find relaxing fishing spots, swimming, and canoeing. Next, Explore the Angeles Crest Scenic Byway with views of oak thickets and desert landscapes, and finally, the pine forest.
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233734
Silver Lake Campground
Silver Lake Campground runs along June Lake near the Inyo National Forest.
Silver Like is an excellent base for classic camping activities such as lake fishing, boating, hiking, and horseback riding at this campground.
Love photography? This location offers many scenic areas to photograph. The campsite also has creekside camping with a boat ramp and pack station nearby so you can boat along Silver Lake!
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234330
Holcomb Valley Campgroun
Nestled along Big Bear Lake in California is the Holcomb Valley Campground.
Holcomb Valley Campground is a family-based campsite with a handful of single-family campsites but act fast as they will not allow reservations.
The family campsites offer accommodations for eight people. Included amenities are picnic tables, a fire ring, bear boxes, and vault toilets. These campsites are open to the public from May through October.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recarea/?recid=26385
Serrano Campground
Another fantastic camping option located near Big Bear lake is Serrano Campground.
Serrano Campground is a gorgeous place for campers to come to enjoy Big Bear Lake.
Here you will find scenic and modern campgrounds. These campgrounds provide access to various outdoor recreational opportunities for all camper enthusiasts.
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232250
Lake Berryessa Camping
In California, near San Francisco Bay, you will find Lake Berryessa, a fun and unique camping location.
You can take your houseboat out and enjoy the scenic views along the lake! Other popular activities include fishing, waterskiing, jet skiing, boating, kayaking, and canoeing.
Enjoy hiking, road bicycling, motorcycle biking, birding, wildlife observation, and swimming on dry land.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Berryessa
Lake Don Pedro Camping
Located near the Sierra Nevada Foothills along Lake Don Pedro, you will find many scenic camping locations!
While camping, you can explore Lake Don Pedro, which has a shoreline 160 miles in length and includes 13,000 surface acres of water to enjoy.
Alongside these vast lake areas, you can go boating, fishing, swimming, waterskiing, windsurfing, sailing, and even houseboating!
Alpine View Campground- Trinity Lake
You will find Alpine View Campground along Trinity Lake and nearby the Trinity National Forest.
This campground, unlike others, has well-developed trails and is furnished with a picnic table and fireplace.
A helpful perk is the included bear-proof food lockers. Located near the Bowerman, this campground ranks in popularity for boaters.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/stnf/recarea/?recid=6474
Lake Alpine Recreation Are
Lake Alpine Recreation, located in Bear Valley, California, runs close to State Highway 4. Here you will find the natural attraction pointing to Lake Alpine, covering 180 acres.
Summer is the best time to plan your visit camping if you prefer swimming, boating, hiking, camping, fishing, picnicking, and biking. In addition, you will also find some interpretive programs!
The winter season on the lake becomes part of the Lake Alpine SNO-PARK. It’s here that you can enjoy snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/stanislaus/recarea/?recid=14871
Blue Lakes Campgrounds
Along the Blue Lake located in California, near the Eldorado National Forest, experience the beautiful Blue Lakes Campgrounds!
Due to the easy access, RV campers, anglers, hikers, kayakers, and disabled travelers prefer the paved parking and campground amenities offered through the Blue Lakes Campgrounds.
Make reservations for group campgrounds, picnic areas, group campsites, and fire rings! Additionally, they offer piped water, bear boxes, and vault toilets; however, these will not include RV hookups, dump stations, and showers.
If you bring a boat along with you camping, ramps are available at the upper and lower Blue Lakes only.
http://www.totalescape.com/outside/hikes/blue-lakes-california
Lassen Campgrounds
Lassen Campgrounds around the Lassen National Park and the Lassen National Forrest are neat places to camp!
These developed campgrounds lie along scenic Hat Creek. Lassen Campgrounds include on-site fire rings and barbeques, perfect for cooking on your camping trip. This specific campground also has day-use parking and included access to the Fishermen’s Trails.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lassen/recarea/?recid=11418
Sierra Lake Campgrounds
Sierra Lake Campgrounds can be found along the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California.
The lakes of the Sierra National Forest offer some excellent camping opportunities to explore that are right on or surrounding the Sierra Lake. You can enjoy many lake activities during your trip to Sierra Lake and much more!
https://www.californiasbestcamping.com/sierra_lakes/sierra_lakes_camping_map.html
North Shore Campground
North Shore Campground includes over a mile of shoreline to enjoy at Lake Almanor in California.
North Shore Campgrounds has everything you could imagine and more for a perfect camping vacation! Their peaceful and relaxing resort has plenty of fun activities ready for your visit.
It has recently been renovated and changed management and is open and willing to accommodate you and make sure your trip is unforgettable!
https://www.northshorecampground.com
Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort
Last, but not least for some California lake camping, you can camp along Lake Siskiyou at the Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort located in California.
This resort is located on the southwest side of Lake Siskiyou and is complete with panoramic views of Mount Shasta and the Shasta Trinity National Forest.
When you camp here, you can look forward to relaxing, fishing off the docks, time with your family on the lake, or enjoying the views of your cabin deck.
Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort is a fantastic way to take a break, step away, and enjoy the great outdoors!
Wrapping Up The Best Places For California Lake Camping
After looking at all these California lake camping locations, I bet you’re ready to pack up and head out on your next adventure! But, how will you even choose with all these fantastic camping options along the lakes of California?
Do you have a favorite park from this list? Tell us about it!
Leave us a comment below and tell us your top options for camping on the lakes across California!
Happy Trails, Campers!
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- 40 Best Places to go Camping in California