Northern California is awash in spectacular state parks, many are home to a wide array of camping options. From the coast to the redwoods, along rushing rivers, and in steep mountainous terrain, you will find a Northern California state park campground to suit your particular needs and desires. Although many state park campgrounds are only open seasonally, there are those that welcome guests year-round. The following are four that should be listed on any state park campground bucket list.
- Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Google Raj Dixit
Google Vseveolod Plokhov The Sierra-Nevada foothills, located approximately 25 miles east of Sacramento, are one of the best places to enjoy the great outdoors. It is here that you will find the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. There are three campgrounds within the Recreation Area, but only Beal’s Point is open year-round. Resting near the shores of Folsom Lake, Beal’s Point encompasses 69 family campsites for use by RVers, folks pulling trailers, and those tent sleeping under the stars. Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, 7755 Folsom-Auburn Rd, Folsom, CA 95630, USA
- Burlington Campground
Jeremy Raff-Reynolds/Flickr
Google Simon Williams If soaring redwood trees are your thing, then you’re in for a real treat at Burlington Campground. It is situated within an awe-inspiring second-growth redwood forest along the Avenue of the Giants inside Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Here you will find 57 campsites for those arriving by motor vehicle (be forewarned – some vehicles may not be able to navigate the narrow access roads), as well as three “hike and bike sites” for those venturing into the campground via two-feet—whether hiking or cycling. Avenue of the Giants, Weott, CA, USA
- Castle Crags State Park
Thomas Shahan/Flickr
Google Tom One of California’s most picturesque state parks is Castle Crags State Park, located just 14 miles south of the City of Mount Shasta. The topography is magnificent, featuring steep, soaring, rugged, granite peaks believed to be over 170 million years old. Campers will find 76 campsites, each offering close access to the necessary bathing facilities, in addition to their own amenities including a food locker and for those cool evenings, a fire ring. Castle Crags State Park, California, USA
- MacKerricher State Park
Google Jiun Liu
Google Jelly Liu Officially opened in 1952, MacKerricher State Park, just a stone’s throw north of Fort Bragg, possesses a rich history. The Mendocino Indian Reservation was once sited here, and logging and shipping enterprises were for a time the dominant commerce entities in northern Mendocino County. Because the park is located along Highway 1, campers here have a unique opportunity to enjoy not just the campground, but diverse ecosystems including dunes, beaches, tide pools, wetlands, headlands, and bluffs. Mackerricher State Park Road, Mackerricher State Park Rd, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, USA
These four campgrounds simply can’t be beaten for year-round outdoor living fun! Have you camped at any of these amazing year-round spots? If so, we’d love to hear about your experiences.
Google Raj Dixit
Google Vseveolod Plokhov
The Sierra-Nevada foothills, located approximately 25 miles east of Sacramento, are one of the best places to enjoy the great outdoors. It is here that you will find the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. There are three campgrounds within the Recreation Area, but only Beal’s Point is open year-round. Resting near the shores of Folsom Lake, Beal’s Point encompasses 69 family campsites for use by RVers, folks pulling trailers, and those tent sleeping under the stars.
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, 7755 Folsom-Auburn Rd, Folsom, CA 95630, USA
Jeremy Raff-Reynolds/Flickr
Google Simon Williams
If soaring redwood trees are your thing, then you’re in for a real treat at Burlington Campground. It is situated within an awe-inspiring second-growth redwood forest along the Avenue of the Giants inside Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Here you will find 57 campsites for those arriving by motor vehicle (be forewarned – some vehicles may not be able to navigate the narrow access roads), as well as three “hike and bike sites” for those venturing into the campground via two-feet—whether hiking or cycling.
Avenue of the Giants, Weott, CA, USA
Thomas Shahan/Flickr
Google Tom
One of California’s most picturesque state parks is Castle Crags State Park, located just 14 miles south of the City of Mount Shasta. The topography is magnificent, featuring steep, soaring, rugged, granite peaks believed to be over 170 million years old. Campers will find 76 campsites, each offering close access to the necessary bathing facilities, in addition to their own amenities including a food locker and for those cool evenings, a fire ring.
Castle Crags State Park, California, USA
Google Jiun Liu
Google Jelly Liu
Officially opened in 1952, MacKerricher State Park, just a stone’s throw north of Fort Bragg, possesses a rich history. The Mendocino Indian Reservation was once sited here, and logging and shipping enterprises were for a time the dominant commerce entities in northern Mendocino County. Because the park is located along Highway 1, campers here have a unique opportunity to enjoy not just the campground, but diverse ecosystems including dunes, beaches, tide pools, wetlands, headlands, and bluffs.
Mackerricher State Park Road, Mackerricher State Park Rd, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, USA
If you’re traveling with the family and looking for an activity the entire family can enjoy, check out these 11 Amazing Northern California Hikes Under 2 Miles You’ll Absolutely Love!
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