Nature offers and will always end up being for me, one of the best things that this life has to offer you. I often have an appreciation for the great outdoors, camping, and discovering nature. You would never think how wonderful your own estate or even your backyard really is! More than the previous 10 years, I have spent virtually every calendar year camping with a team of family and friends throughout California. Nothing at all comes close to the level of friendship and camaraderie that camp provides to our friends.
Being the big, boisterous, and thunderous group indicates that sound is generally a major concern for all of us. While in more recent years, we’ve muted the sound, we’ve had more in the past, we’ve gotten our reasonable talk about complaints (of course, looking back now, it just blows my mind…but I’m glad I did). grown as an individual) Over the years we have discovered some useful ideas while camping. Whether you’re a seasoned recreational camper or just getting started, we’ve got a list of some great spots, as well as guidelines for camping during first term. We fully understand and appreciate camping etiquette, and with that in mind, here are some of our favorite spots, the best places to camp in California, as well as some of the best backpacking hikes in Ca.
Henninger Flats, Alta Dena, CA
This is our current favorite backpacking trip and one of the best backpacking trails in Southern California if you’re looking for something for the beginner-intermediate level. This will typically be the journey we start with for friends just starting out.
The hike to the campgrounds starts from the front gate about 3 miles down an extremely easy fire road. We found that parking on Pinecrest Ave and then walking to the driveway is quick and easy and there is usually enough parking for cars. Once the ride begins, the elevation totals to around 1400′ and is reached via a steady but reasonable incline in about 2 hours or less (with several rest breaks of course). The biggest problem with this hike is definitely the hard-to-find protection along the hike. If you plan to do this hike during the summer, I recommend starting in the evening and earlier to avoid high temperatures. Although this is not necessarily a hike in rec area ease wise quality is definitely simple more than enough and there are 4 benches about 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 way up the trail and after that one last correct counter before the Henninger Flats Campground sign if you want to shed the excess weight and catch your breath.
Once you help get to the camp there are usually 3 levels of campsites spread out with lots of shade, trees and bushes and places to set up your hammock. Every website has its personal box stove (although fire restrictions are usually “higher danger” meaning gas stoves are generally the type of open fire source allowed – a fireplace permit is required. For trash and recycling cans are usually provided scattered everywhere.The upper level is definitely considerably the most remote and the views that can be seen from this level are usually just spectacular.The wedding reception is definitely erratic but not too poor this is a dog friendly leashed campground there are several trails up and beyond henninger flats and this campground will generally be used as a getaway base for longer and longer backpacking and hiking trails.
Camp Nylen, Joshua Tree, CA
If you are looking for Joshua Tree Camping or camping in a wilderness, I highly recommend this private team camp. This will be one of many secluded campgrounds I have been to in Joshua Tree and the site itself is just fantastic. I recommend an AWD or 4WG car as the road to get to the place is definitely very bumpy and unpaved (a normal vehicle should do fine as long as you go calmly and go slowly) As soon as you arrive you will see the pergola will be quite big and there is now usually various picnic furniture set up, as well as a large barbecue and cooking range. No trash available – pack it up, pack it up. There are usually well-maintained, personal porta-potties and free drinking water provided (be sure to refill – instructions will eventually be offered)
There is a gas fire pit set up near the large rock range which makes for a great evening gathering place. The rocks at night provide a beautiful backdrop by the fire hole and during the day they are fun to climb and we spend a fair amount of time hanging out best riding a kite (it will be quite windy up there). Numerous shooting stars can be seen from here, as well as the Milky Way and a few other constellations. There is hardly, if any, reception here. This will be a dog-friendly campground, but beware of the critters. There have always been little or no creepy crawlers every time we’ve been here.
One thing to watch out for is snakes (since this is a desert setting, it’s usually good to have some knowledge regarding the types of things you’ll encounter). So you may notice a lot of celebrities here and there is no light pollution to interrupt the view. There are usually noise limitations at night, but as long as you keep it to a reasonably lower degree, it’s good. With locations in Joshua Tree, this is effortlessly my #1 group camping spot in Southern California.
Mustang Horse Ranch, Lake Hughes, CA
If you are looking for a campground with amazing sunsets and like to hike some of the best hiking trails in California, this campground will meet or exceed your expectations. This will be like an ideal and perfect place for camping. It is a mix of deserts and hills with numerous hiking, quad biking and equestrian trails. The site is definitely large and right in the center of the farm, near the horses. You usually catch the racehorses just prancing around happily and if you’re lucky you get to snap some perfect team photos with them in the story.
The hostess Daniela is wonderful and very kind. The first time we stayed here was for a surprise suggestion group camping trip for my girlfriend-turned-fiancee. You can also find very open latrines and a gasoline fire. There will be more drinking water available. Daniela offers guided RV tours by request for an additional fee, but she is very nice and well worth it. This will be a dog-friendly campsite. It’s not too far from Orange County, but be sure to download the instructions for the offline setup, as there will be no wedding reception here (many of our team left out the first part because it can be difficult with GPS navigation) weather can get incredibly windy so be prepared just in case.
Kirch Flat Campground, Tollhouse, California
By far my favorite group camping spot in Southern California within each ranking. There is a mix of first come first serve camps here as well as a lottery won big team camp. Although this is still further into the main part of California, this place will exceed your expectations even with the drive. The drive takes around a hefty 5.5 hours from Orange County, but it’s relatively simple to generate to the bottom of the hillside. There will be quite a bit of canyon driving (I personally love traveling through canyons) and as soon as you get to the campgrounds you should find it pretty simple on the side of the highway.
There is a beautiful and refreshing river, the King River, which flows through here from runoff from the hill. During the summer months, the heat can get up to triple, so hanging out near the river closest to the group camp region is definitely the best place to be. There is a large coastal area and there will generally be a fair amount of space, although it can be quite exciting.
There are several outhouses around and they could be a bit clean, but they’re not horrible like some of the LA County hiking trails we’ve been on. There is a fire ring at each site and several areas sit right along the banks of the river, so the rushing water muffles a lot of sound. If you’re lucky enough to win the team camp, you arrive with a fairly quiet region at the back of the camps near the water along with several open fire bands and a large chimney band (I talk a lot!)
There is ample space to park cars and put up tents and plenty of picnic tables for food and supplies. The landscapes around each path can change very significantly and can offer various background scenes and locations. There are a lot of frogs near that audio that make a rather funny croaking sound like a cow is sizing you up (“hmm?!” – you have to hear it to realize it) the first time we were here we thought there had been cows out of our stores. This will be a dog friendly camp and our group offers several canines that definitely like it here. There is no air pollution from lighting and again most of the sound will be muffled by running water so the team camp will be ideal if you have a rowdy group like ours.
There was a whitewater rafting company here almost all summer every year, but as a result of Covid they may have sadly closed for good. There are usually different places to go around here to enjoy some amazing landmarks and views. You can discover some trekking spots and many areas to continue fishing. This is one of the many lovely campsites I’ve been to before, and best of all, it’s completely free. If you had to pick just one place in Southern California to relocate to camp, the beauty of Kirch Flat Campgrounds would totally blow you away.
While there are many amazing walks and trails in California now, these would be some of my favorite recommendations based on location, views, and amenities. With the tens of hundreds of reviews, it seemed easier to go through everything and offer what we found to have been the best overall. Whether you’re looking to go hiking, camping or team camping, any of these areas will provide you with the perfect camping destination, you won’t end your trip unsatisfied!