The Complete RV Guide to California National Parks

The Complete RV Guide to California National Parks

Are you planning to go on a trip using a Recreational Vehicle (RV)? Some of the best and most relaxing locations to visit are the national parks in California. Visiting with an RV is a great way to be comfortable during your stay and spend extended time in the parks—you won’t have to worry about where to sleep, especially if you don’t like sleeping in tents. This RV guide to California national parks offers great options for every park you might want to visit in the state. 

To get the most of your RV experience around the national parks in California, you have to make an itinerary and make reservations ahead of time. I’ll share all my best tips on visiting the national parks of California in an RV, along with information on where you can park them.

RVing around California’s national parks is the ultimate way to road trip through the Golden State. I’ll help you with the logistics below, but please remember to follow all park rules and check each park website for current information before you visit. Also: this post may include affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Best California National Parks to Visit in an RV

California is home to 9 of the nation’s national parks. The following are the must-see parks where you can take an RV. For even more information on each of the parks and what you can expect when you go, check out my complete guide on all 9 National Parks in California!

1. Redwood National Park

The Redwood National Park comprises four parks: Prairie Creek State Park, Jedidiah State Park, Redwood National Park, and Del Norte State Park. The best time to visit these parks is in the springtime to enjoy various activities, like mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking, with mild and gorgeous weather. 

Although entrance to the Redwood National Park is free, you need to pay a certain amount for the nearby campgrounds that welcome RVs, like Jedidiah Smith Campground and Mill Creek Campground. Camping fees are $35 per night and can be booked at Reserve California. Here’s what you need to know when you bring your RV to Redwood National Park’s campgrounds. 

Jedidah Smith Campground

• No water or electrical hookups
• Max RV length of 25 feet
• Max trailer length of 21 feet
• Open all year

Mill Creek Campground

• No water or electrical hookups
• 145 sites for RV’s
• Max RV length of 28 feet
• Max trailer length of 24 feet

Elk Prairie Campground

• No water or electrical hookups
• 75 sites for RV’s
• Max RV length of 27 feet
• Max trailer length of 24 feet

Since the campgrounds in Redwood National Park were built in the 1940s, the spots are small and are unable to accommodate today’s larger RVs. If you are looking for a campground that fits a larger RV and provides water and electrical hookups, consider one of the many private camp sites in the area.

Tips:
Use your National Park Pass at Del Norte Coast Redwoods, Jedediah-Smith Redwoods, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks—the only parks in the California State Parks system that accept the Federal Access Pass discount.

2. Lassen Volcanic National Park

You may visit Lassen Volcanic National Park at any time of the year. During summertime, you can go swimming, backpacking, and stargazing, while exploring the volcanic features, hot springs, and alpine lakes. During the winter, only the main park road is open and you may enjoy cross-country skiing or snowshoeing to some of the park’s boiling mud pots.

When you visit Lassen Volcanic, parking space for your RV will not be a problem. There are numerous campgrounds around the area that can be a perfect place to park your RV. You can choose either the Manzanita Lake Campground or one of the KOA locations, like Mt. Lassen/Shingleton, which is open from April to December.

Manzanita Lake Campground

This is the largest campground in the park, located just one mile from Manzanita Lake. It’s perfect for families and RV-goers.

• Cost: $26.00/night
• Max RV length is 40 feet
• No water or electrical hookups
• Not open in the winter months
• There is a camp store, boat rentals, and other amenities. Visit the park website for more information.

Butte Lake Campground

• Cost: $22.00/night
• Open from June to October
• Max RV length is 35 feet
• No water or electrical hookups

Tips:
RVs and trailers are best accommodated at Manzanita Lake, Butte Lake, and Summit Lake Campgrounds. There are no hook-ups in the park, but a dump station is available at Manzanita Lake. Southwest Campground is open year-round and changes to oversnow camping in the winter/spring snowy months. The other campgrounds are open approximately May/June through September/October, depending on the snow. Camping fees start at $22 per night.

Get the latest RV updates at the Bayside RV. Visit www.baysiderv.com for more updates and RV trends.

3. Yosemite National Park

You should never miss visiting Yosemite National Park when you visit the national parks in California in an RV! Many people enjoy the fantastic view of the waterfalls and the tranquil meadows. The best time to visit Yosemite National Park in the springtime to witness the beautiful waterfalls and blooming trees in the park.

Yosemite features 10 campgrounds that can accommodate RVs. Reservations are required and can be made on their website. Here are two of the most popular options:

Pines Campgrounds

• Consists of three separate campgrounds: Upper, Lower, and North Pines
• Cost: $26.00/night
• Upper Pines is open all year long
• Lower and North Pines are closed in the winter
• Upper Pines max RV length: 35 feet
• Lower and North Pines max RV length: 40 feet
• No water or electrical hookups
• Dump station available at Upper Pines

Wawona Campgrounds

• Consists of three separate loops: A, B, and C.
• Cost: $26.00/night ($18.00/night in the winter)
• Loop A is open all year long. B and C are open from April to September
• Max RV length: 35 feet
• No water or electrical hookups
• Dump station available during the summer months only

Tips:
Yosemite National Park is extremely popular and can get very busy during the summer months. Try to visit in the fall or spring when there are less crowds. If you must visit in the summer, arrive at off-peak times to avoid traffic congestions .

4. Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles National Park is known for its extraordinary rock formations, a result of volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. The spring season is a great time to visit the park to catch various birds during their seasonal migration. Pinnacles is a great park to explore for those looking for rock climbing and unique hiking routes.

Pinnacle Campgrounds are the only campgrounds at the park. Morgan Hill RV Resort is a private, offsite option that is also nearby.

Pinnacle Campgrounds

• Cost: $45.00/night with electric hookup and $35.00/night without
• Open year-round
• Electrical hookups available at most spots
• Dump station available
• There is a camp store onsite

5. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park

If you love adventures, you must explore the Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. Here you can see the world’s largest trees set amongst dramatic landscapes and viewpoints. The parks also offer great trails for hikers, beautiful rivers and waterfalls, and blooming wildflowers.

There are 14 campgrounds between the two parks. Three of my favorites are the Princess Campground, the Azalea Campground, and Dorst Creek Campground.

Princess Campground

• Cost: $29.00/night
• Open year-round
• Max RV length: 22 feet
• No water or electrical hookups
• Dump station is available

Azalea Campground

• Cost: $18.00/night
• Open year-round
• Max RV length: 30 feet
• No water or electrical hookups
• No reservations – spots are given on a first-come, first-served basis

Dorst Creek Campground

• Cost: $22.00/night
• Open during the summer only
• There are sites available to fit RVs of any size
• No water or electrical hookups
• There is a dump station available

6. Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is a popular choice for RVers in southern California. This park has become known for its desert aesthetic and peculiar trees. The park is open all year round, however, the best time to visit the park for rock climbing is in winter. In the springtime, you may do ranger-led activities and the summer is the best time for stargazing. The nearest campgrounds around the park are Black Rock Campground and Belle Campground.

Black Rock Campground

• Cost: $25.00/night
• Max RV length: 35 feet
• Reservations are required during the summer months
• No electrical hookups
• A dump station is available year-round

Belle Campground

• Cost: $15.00/night
• Max RV length: 35 feet
• First, come, first-served
• No electrical hookups or water available

Tips:
Remember that temperatures in the desert can drastically change overnight, and in the winter months temperatures can drop below freezing. Be sure to pack enough warm layers and blankets for sleeping at night time. 

Take the RV Guide to California National Parks on the Road

There is so much to discover when you follow this RV guide to California national parks! Traveling with an RV makes your trip so much more comfortable while still letting you experience the beauty of the parks overnight. To make the most out of your trip, be sure to create an itinerary ahead of time and check if reservations are required before you go. Also, keep in mind any fees you will need to pay so you will be ready once you get there.

Now, get ready to fuel up, get on the road, and explore all that California has to offer!

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