Tag Archives: hiking

Yosemite BLM Camping

merced BLM sign

BLM Merced River
Cheaper Camping
West of Yosemite NP

California Highway 140 (CA State Route 140) accesses Yosemite National Park from the west side @ Mariposa, CA. This not-so-secret camp spot is set in an ideal location, off the main highway and right on the river.

river road

Merced River crosses the highway near MidPines @ Briceburg Road, with 3 small BLM campgrounds located along the river. These river camps are open all year round, are dirt cheap and only available on a first come, first serve basis. There are numerous walk-in camp sites, where you must haul your gear and park a short distance away.

railroadflat

Briceburg River Road

BLM Briceburg Visitors Center
OPEN ONLY Saturday and Sunday 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Dirt road access w/ turn off at the Briceburg Information Center on California Highway 140. West of El Portal, CA and east of MidPines. Nearest grocery and services are 12 miles away to the west in Mariposa, California

BRING ALL YOU NEED for your overnight stay, as driving in and out on this (20 mph) dirt road can be an easy “half-day affair” with road conditions, passing traffic, potholes, stops for lunch, sightseeing and a gasoline stop. If you plan to do day-trips into Yosemite National Park – be aware that Yosemite Valley is ONE hour away from Briceburg, eastward via paved mountain roads.

Driving this non-paved route requires crossing a narrow suspension bridge, where big vehicles, RVs, trailers and rigs longer than 18′ are not recommended. The one-lane, dead-end dirt road hugs the cliff edge, above the river, is one lane in some spots, and mostly graded with a few pot holes; almost 5 miles long – ending at a locked gate with trailhead parking. Next to a vault toilet. (Not an ideal spot to be stuck at)

briceburg bridge
Briceburg Suspension Bridge
  • camping

  • fishing

  • hiking

  • kayaking

  • river rafting

  • swimming

  • wildflowers

campground full

Merced River Recreation Management Area

rare empty campsite

camp

BLM Campgrounds @ Merced River

vault toilet, picnic table, fire ring
and an overnight fee to go with

McCabe Flat Campground

Willow Placer Campground

Railroad Flat Campground

last camp view

BLM Hiking @ Merced River

This rugged canyon was the site of the historic railway called YVRR (Yosemite Valley Railroad), which hugs the Merced River for many miles. Now numerous hiking and biking trails. Dog friendly BLM campground. Walk-in campsites.

river_trail
The old Yosemite Valley Railroad Grade
wildflower merced
California milkweed

merced poppy patch

Active Outdoors California

Experience California, Outside

Above Convict Lake, CA
Above Convict Lake, CA

Go west young man. The left coast, the best coast. California is the state of vacation paradise. Zillions relocate to the golden state to experience the wonderful weather and more life out doors. It is one of the top US destinations in terms of number of people visiting.

Beautiful, fantastic and scenic; there is something for everyone, unique coastline, wild terrain, mountains, deserts. Camp for free, or find a luxury RV resort. We have accommodations listed for every type of traveler.

camping

Leisure

skies

Small towns, big cities, freeways, farms, and lots of mountains. Weather is always the biggest draw, attracting millions to the sunshine on the West Coast. Another major factor in the population is diversity. Come for college and never want to leave. Near perfect weather, locally grown food, great wine, alpine lakes, freeways and earthquakes too.

Whether you are out for a week long road trip, living on the road full time or just planning a one day escape from the city, you are bound to find it here in California.

emptycampsite
Sly Creek Reservoir Campground

Drastic desert landscapes, extreme mountain peaks, granite rock walls, raging rivers, volcanic landscapes, and plenty of adventures. Follow the images above and below to discover new spots & explore hidden secrets. We have thousands of pages just on California.

snowy bridges
Big California Winters?

snow

sledding

snowmo

truckcamper

Sierra Nevada Lakes
Mojave Desert
Anza Borrego
Boulder Gardens
Wildflowers
Sequoia Groves
Camping Redwoods
Shasta Cascades
Mill Creek California
Free Campgrounds Sierra

hiker

big sur jade cove
Big Sur Coast @ Jade Cove
kernrivertube
Kern River @ Fairview
Blue Lake, Modoc National Forest
Blue Lake, Modoc National Forest
Northeast California
Northeast California is Cattle Country

Soak in a primitive hot springs near Mammoth Mountain, snow ski the slopes @ Lake Tahoe or maybe antique shop in Virginia City, NV

US Hwy 395 runs up the eastern side of California, with the highest Sierra peaks towering on the west side of Owens valley. Fossil Falls, Mount Whitney, Alabama Hills and Death Valley NP, all easily accessible. This main artery, a north-south route from LA to Reno, offers some of the best sightseeing and outdoor recreation in the whole state.

Wheeling

 

Llama Pack Trips

Llama Packing Trips

Pack Animals for backcountry trips are not limited to only horses. Goats, mules, donkeys and llamas are also used for wilderness trekking and backcountry trips. Llama outfits can offer overnight lodging, as well as meals, on their beautiful, rural properties.

Llama Pack Camping California

Pack llamas for rent. At one time there were dozens of California llama outfitters, now-a-days there are only a few of these types of businesses left, as we display in the list below.

Fort Bragg, CA

Lodging and Llamas
18301 Old Coast Hwy
707-964-7191
2 fully furnished cottages,
hot tubs, fireplace, pet friendly

Julian, CA

Wikiup Bed & Breakfast Inn
1645 Whispering Pines Dr.
800-694-5487
Llama Petting Hours: 9am – 5pm daily

Grass Valley, CA

Highland Llama Trekkers
14223 Highland Dr.
530-273-8105
Llama sales & Pack trips

driftwood

skies

Many people confused llamas with alpacas, but they are indeed two different animals. Llamas are larger, growing to twice the size of alpacas and llamas belong to the camel family. Alpacas are very much herd animals, while llamas are more independent minded. Alpacas also tend to be a bit more skittish than llamas. Differences Between Llamas and Alpacas

As the number of pack animal outfitters within California have decreased, over the past 2 decades – alpaca farms have instead tripled.

alpaca farm tour

Alpacas farms may offer visitor tours, boarding and sales, breeding, but no wilderness treks; Sometimes they sell alpaca fiber (otherwise known as yarn), and they may have alpaca gifts and handmade items for sale.

Rayo LlamaTreck

Alpaca Farms in California

(visits by appointment only, call first to confirm)

Alba Alpacas
80 Feghali Rd.
Ramona, CA 92065
858-337-4656

A & M Ranch
Madera Ranchos
RV Camp sites
Madera, CA

Alpacas of El Dorado
4535 Boo Bear Lane
Somerset, CA 95684
530-642-8082

Alpacas of Somerset Farm
8226 Stoney Creek Rd
Somerset, CA 95684
530-620-6033
530-744-7474

Arapaho Rose Alpacas
10702 Arapaho Dr.
Redding, CA 96003
530-223-3364

Loomis Alpacas
3600 Holly Hill Lane
Loomis, CA 95650
916-768-0735

RockStar Alpacas
16440 Bonney Road
Royal Oaks, CA 95076
831-212-3695

Sierra Rose Alpacas
15895 Greenhorn Road
Grass Valley, CA 95945
530-272-1218

The Alpaca ​Hacienda
31755 Rancho Vista Road
Temecula, CA
951-440-9021
Tours, boarding & Sales only

 


Mountain Camping California

destination: outdoors

real pine forests, cedar, fir, spruce, & hardwood; higher elevation, sierra nevada, north state, streams, river & lakes, campgrounds, RV camps, tent camping, backpacking trailheads, mountain biking areas,  wilderness camps, hot springs

Hiking California
Vogelsang Pass, Yosemite Backcountry

camping

Agua Tibia Wilderness
Alabama Hills, Lone Pine
Algoma Campground @ McCloud
Almanor Lake
Almanor Resorts
American River California
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
Angeles Campgrounds
Angeles National Forest
Angeles Oaks, SoCal
Angels Camp, Gold Rush Country
Ansel Adams Wilderness
Aspendell, Bishop Creek
Armstrong State Park, NorCal
Arnold, CA, Sierra Nevada
Lake Arrowhead Camping
Aspendell, Lakes & Bishop Creek
Atwell Mill Campground, Mineral King
Auburn Camping, American River
Austin Creek SRA, Bullfrog Pond Campground

Balch Park, Sequoia Mountain Home SF
Bass Lake Camping
Bear Campground,  Angeles NF #7N23
Bear Meadow, Sequoia NF #23S64
Bear River, California
Belden Town, North Fork Feather River

Big Basin State Park, Santa Cruz Redwoods
Big Bear Lake, So Cal
Big Meadow Road #14S11, Sequoia
Blackrock Reservoir, Kings River

Blue Lakes Camping
Bucks Lake Campgrounds
Bucks Lake Wilderness
Burney Falls State Park Camping

California Fire Lookouts
NFS Cabins Rentals

Calaveras Big Trees, Gold Country
Camp Nelson, Giant Sequoia
Canyon Creek Campground, Sierra Nevada
Carson River, California
Lake Castaic Camping L.A.
Castle Crag State Park, W of Shasta
Cave Campground, Hat Creek
Cleveland NF, Laguna Mtn, San Diego
Convict Lake, Eastern Sierra
Courtright Reservoir, W Sierra
Coyote Lake, 4×4 Camp, W Sierra
Lake Crowley, Eastern Sierra
Crocker Campground, Lake Davis
Lake Cuyamaca Camping, E San Diego
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, San Diego

Dardanelle, Sonora Pass
Lake Davis Loop, Plumas NF #24N10
Deanes Valley Campground, Plumas NF
Desolation Wilderness, Tahoe
Dick Smith Wilderness, Los Padres NF

Dinkey Creek Camping, Sierra NF
Dinkey Lakes Wilderness

Dolomite Campground, Vegas
Dome Land Wilderness, Sequoia NF
Dome Springs Campground, Los Padres
Donner Memorial State Park, Truckee

Douglas City Campground, Trinity River

Eastern Sierra Camping

El Dorado Campgrounds, Gold Country
El Dorado Camping
El Dorado National Forest

Faucherie Lake, Donner Pass
Feather River, North Sierra
Forks of the Kern, Sequoia NF #22S82

South Yuba Campground BLM
South Yuba Campground BLM

Gold Lake California
Grant Grove, Kings Canyon NP
Green Creek Road, Eastern Sierra
Green Valley Lake, Big Bear

Grover Hot Springs State Park, S Tahoe
Gurnsey Campground, Lassen NF

Happy Camp, Klamath River
Hat Creek Campground NFS, Lassen Fishing
Huntington Lake, Sierra Nevada
Hoover Wilderness, Eastern Sierra
Hope Valley Camping, Tahoe
Horse Meadow Campground, Eastern Sierra
Hume Lake Camping, Sequoia
Huntington Lake, W Sierra

Inyo Back Roads Camping
Inyo National Forest, Eastern Sierra
Isabella Lake Camp, Kern River

Jackson, Gold Country Foothills
Jennie Lakes Wilderness, Sequoia
John Muir Wilderness
Julian, San Diego Mountains
June Lake Loop Campgrounds
Juniper Lake, Lassen NP
Lake Kaweah, South Sequoia NP

Kaiser Wilderness, W Sierra
Kennedy Meadows, Kern

Kern Flats Free Camping
Kern River California
Kern River, Southern Sierra
Kern River Campgrounds
Kern River Camping
Kern River Hot Springs
Kernville, California – Southern Sierra
Kings Canyon National Park
Kings River Camping
Kirch Flat Campground, Kings
Lower Kings River Road #12S01

Kirkwood Lake, Carson Pass
Klamath National Forest
Klamath Lakes, California

Klamath River, Northern Cal

Water

Laguna Hanson, Baja California
Sierra Juarez Mountains

Lake Hemet, Idyllwild
Lake Oroville SRA
Lake Tahoe Campgrounds
Lake Tahoe Towns

Lakes Basin Recreation Area

Lassen Forest Roads

Lassen Lakes, Fishing Camping
Lassen National Forest
Lassen Volcanic NP

Lily Pad Campground, Wishon
Little Grass Valley Reservoir
Long Valley Campground, Kern

Los Padres Camping
Los Padres Group Campgrounds
Los Padres National Forest

Lundy Lake, Eastern Sierra

Mahogany Flat Campground, DVNP
Mammoth Lakes, Eastern Sierra
Mammoth Pool Reservoir, W Sierra
Marble Mountain Wilderness
Markleeville, Sierra Nevada
McArthur-Burney Falls Campground
McCloud Camping, Shasta NF
McCloud River & Falls
McGee Creek Campground, Eastern Sierra
McKinley Sequoia Grove, Western Sierra

Meadow Valley, Plumas NF
Mendocino National Forest
Merced River California
Mineral King Canyon, Sequoia NP
Mill Creek California
Modoc National Forest
Mono Hot Springs, Sierra NF
Mono Lake California
Mt Abel, Camp-O-Alto @ Cerro Noroeste
Mount Charleston, Vegas
Mount Laguna, E San Diego

Mount Pinos Campgrounds
Mountain Home State Forest, Sequoias

cabinicon

National Forest Cabins
Nettle Springs Campground, Los Padres
New Bullards Bar Reservoir, Gold Country
New Melones Reservoir, Gold Country Foothills
North Bloomfield,  Gold Country
North San Juan, Gold Country

Ojai Camping, Los Padres NF
Onion Valley Campground, Eastern Sierra
Oroville Camping, Feather Rivers Recreation

PCT – Backpacking the High Sierra
Pacific Crest Trail Maps & Guide Books
PCT Highlights in California

Palomar Mountain, N San Diego
Palomar Mountain State Park

Pine Creek Wilderness, E San Diego
Pinecrest Lake Camping
Pine Flat Reservoir, Kings River
Pine Mountain, Mount Pinos

Plumas Campgrounds
Plumas Fishing Camping
Plumas National Forest
Pyramid Lake, N Los Angeles
Ponderosa, Giant Sequoia

Primitive Camping California

Quatal Canyon, Los Padres Rd #9N09
Quincy Camping, Plumas NF

Red Lake, 4×4 Camp, W Sierra
Redinger Lake, Western Sierra
Remington Hot Springs, Kern
Reyes Peak, N Ojai, Los Padres NF

Rock Creek, California
Rock Creek Campgrounds
Rock Front Ranch, 4×4 Camping
Ross Camp, Jamison Creek

rentalswithtrails

Saddlebag Lake Campground, Tioga
Salmon River, NorCal
San Bernardino NF, Big Bear

Sand Pond, Lakes Basin
San Diego Mountains
San Diego Group Camping

Salmon River, Northern Cal
Samuel P Taylor Campground, Redwoods SF

San Gorgonio Wilderness, Big Bear
San Joaquin River, Sierra Nevada
Mount San Jacinto Camping
San Jacinto Wilderness, Idyllwild

San Mateo Canyon Wilderness
San Rafael Wilderness, Los Padres NF

Santa Lucia Camping, Central Coast
Santa Lucia Wilderness

Sardine Lake, Lakes Basin
Sawmill Lake, Sierra Nevada
Scott River, California

Sequoia Lakes
Sequoia National Forest Camping
Sequoia National Park
Sequoia OHV Camping

Sespe Hot Springs
Sespe Wilderness
Shasta-Trinity Forest, NorCal
Lake Shasta Campgrounds

Shaver Lake Camping
Sierra Buttes, Lakes Basin
San Madre Ridge, Los Padres NF
Sierra National Forest
Sierra NF Rd #9, Big Creek


Sierra Nevada Lakes
Sierra RV Parks

Silver Lake California (more than one)
Silver Peak Wilderness, Big Sur
Silverwood Lake SRA, Los Angeles
Silver City, Mineral King, Sequoia NP
Sinkyone Wilderness, Lost Coast
Siskiyou Wilderness, Klamath

Six Rivers National Forest

Smith Lake, Lakes Basin
Smith River NRA

Snag Lake Campground, Lakes Basin
Snake Lake Campground, Quincy
Snow Mountain Wilderness, Mendo NF

Snow Towns in California

South Warner Wilderness, Modoc
South Yuba River Camping
Stanislaus & Sonora Pass, Sierra Nevada
Stanislaus River California 
Stanislaus Sonora Camping

Sugarloaf Ridge, Sequoia NF 23N16
Susan River, California mtnbikeforest

Tahoe Camping
Tahoe Lake Campgrounds
Tahoe National Forest

Tent Cabins in California

Thorndike Campground, DVNP

Three Rivers, Sequoia NP
Toiyabe National Forest
Topaz Lake, Eastern Sierra
Trinity Lake Campgrounds
Trinity Alps Wilderness, NorCal
Trinity River, Northern Cal

Truckee River California
Tule River California 
Tuttle Creek Campground, Eastern Sierra
Twin Lakes, Eastern Sierra

Valle Vista Campground, Los Padres
Ventana Wilderness, Big Sur
Virginia Lakes Camping

Walker Lake, Inyo Rd #1S23
Weaverville Camping, Trinity River
Weed, California, Mount Shasta
Whiskeytown Reservoir, W Redding
Wishon Lake, Western Sierra

Wrightwood, Angeles Crest

Yolla Bolly Wilderness
Yosemite Lakes
Yosemite National Park
Yuba River California

horsepacks

Animals

see also –

All Lake Campgrounds in California
Autumn Colors Camping in California
Bear in California
Free Campgrounds in Sierra
Free RV Camping

Horse Pack Camping Trips
Primitive Camping California 

RV Parks Northern California
RV Park Klamath River
Sierra Lakes California
Sunrise at Camp
Tent Cabins in California
Walk-In Camp Sites
Yellow Post Campsites
4×4 Camping California 

 

Desert Camping California

destination: outdoors

high desert mountains, mining camps, ghost towns, 4×4 trails, low elevations, hot springs & desert resorts

Free Camping US 95

camping

Afton Canyon Campground BLM, Mojave
Alabama Hills, Eastern Sierra

Angeles National Forest
Ancient Bristlecone Pines
Anza Borrego State Park

Baja California, Mexico
Barker Ranch, Panamint & DVNP
Benton Hot Springs
Bodie Ghost Town State Park
Borrego Springs California
Box Canyon BLM, Mecca

Calico Ghost Town, Mojave
California Poppy Reserve, Antelope Valley
Canon Sin Nombre Slot Canyons, Anza
Carrizo Gorge Goat Trestle, Anza
Cerro Gordo Ghost Town, Inyo Mts
Chimney Creek Campground
Chimney Peak Backcountry Byway
Chumash Wilderness, Los Padres NF
Colorado River RV Camps

Death Valley Charcoal Kilns
Death Valley California
Death Valley National Park
Dove Springs OHV Camping

Goler Wash, DVNP
Great Overland Stagecoach Route of 1849
Guadalupe Canyon Hot Springs, Baja

Horse Canyon, N Mojave

Inyo Forest Roads, Eastern Sierra
Inyo National Forest

Jawbone Canyon, N Mojave
Johnson Valley BLM, Mojave
Joshua Tree Campgrounds
Joshua Tree National Park

Kelbaker Road, Mojave NP
Kelso Dunes, Mojave NP
Kelso Valley, Kern County

Desert Lake County Park
Lake Cahuilla Park, La Quinta
Lake Havasu
Lake Mohave Camping Fishing

Mahogany Flat Campground, DVNP
Mojave Desert Camping
Mojave National Preserve
Mojave Road Map
Mojave RV Campgrounds

Mono Lake, California
Montgomery Ghost Town
Mortero Wash, Anza Borrego

Newberry Springs, Mojave
Nipton, California

Panamint Springs, California
Panamint City Ghost Town
Panamint Springs Resort & RV Camp
Panamint Valley Camping
Pichacho Peak SRA
Pioneertown, Yucca Valley
Providence Mountains SRA, Mojave
Quatal Canyon, Los Padres Rd #9N09
Randsburg Ghost Town
Red Rock Canyon SP, N Mojave

boys at alabama hills

Alabama Hills
Alabama Hills @ Lone Pine, CA

Saddleback Butte State Park, L.A.
Saline Valley Hot Springs, DVNP
Salton Sea Camping
San Bernardino Forest (eastside)
Sequoia National Forest (eastside)
Silverwood Lake SRA
Split Mountain Anza Borrego

Thorndike Campground, DVNP
Topaz Lake, Eastern Sierra
Trona Road
Turtle Mountain Road, Needles
Tuttle Creek Campground BLM, Lone Pine

Wildrose Campground, DVNP

Yucca Valley, California

desert escapes

DESERT CAMPING – AZ, NV, UTAH

Arches National Park, Utah
Bryce National Park, Utah
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Capital Reef National Park, Utah
Cedar Breaks National Park, Utah
Dolomite Campground, Vegas
Grand Canyon National Park
Lake Mead NRA, Vegas
Moab, Utah
Mount Charleston, Vegas
Red Rock Canyon, Vegas
Vegas Camping, Nevada
Yuma AZ Camping
Zion National Park, Utah

Smith River Camping California

Panther Flat

Forests & Parks near
Smith River California

Del Norte Redwoodspinetree
Florence Keller Park
Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP
Siskiyou Wilderness
Six Rivers National Forest
Smith River NRA

camp

Campgrounds along the Smith River

listed from north to south

Patrick Creek Campground (open May – Sept)

Grassy Flat Campground (open May – Sept)

Panther Flat Campground (open all year)
coin operated showers; walk to town, Gasquet, CA

North Fork Campground (open all year)

Jedediah Smith Redwoods
State Park Campground
(open all year)

Big Flat Campground (open May – Oct)
remote location, off County Road 405

Florence Keller Park
County Park & Campground
@ US Hwy 101

Panther Flat CG

camptruck

Dispersed Camping on River

Water

NFS Cabin Rentals

bycounty

PDF Smith River Map & Guide
6.5  MB download
20 page river guide w/ trailheads mileage and information, navigable runs detailed, campgrounds, picnic sites, fire lookout tower, plus cabin rentals

USDA Smith River page

Smith River NRA Visitor Center
10600 Highway 199
Gasquet, CA 95543
707-457-3131

Epipactis gigantea-1-lg

towns near the Smith River: