Family Tent Camping in California
California is a spectacular place for camping. Having hundreds of parks and campgrounds available for camping, means there is no shortage of great locations all across the state.
Choosing a Campground:
How do you find the best campground for your family? First, you need to know what you want out of your camping vacation. All family members will have different tastes when it comes to a camping trip. There are many factors you need to consider for the ideal campground.
Cost is important, but most campgrounds are relativity inexpensive and this should be considered when planning your budget. Most campgrounds in California charge an admission fee or a camping fee. These range in price and discounts can sometimes be obtained for extended stays. Smaller campgrounds usually charge less depending on amenities. A larger campground may charge higher fees, but usually have more amenities and activities for family entertainment.
Popular Campgrounds:
While there is no shortage of campgrounds in the Golden State, we will look at a few of the most popular campgrounds.
#1. Big Basin Redwoods State Park – One of the most stunning landscapes with ancient giant redwoods, this park boast 18,000 acres of forest with over 2,000 feet of elevation change. A wide range of climates from sunny and warm ridge tops to foggy and damp at the ocean levels. Family and group camping is available along with tent cabins for rent. Activities include hiking and mountain biking trails, backpacking and equestrian trails. Over 80 miles of trails. This park is open year round.
#2. D. L. Bliss State Park – Enjoy this park on the shores of beautiful Lake Tahoe. This park has over 744 acres and features the Balancing Rock trail for hiking, boating and fishing on Lake Tahoe and family / group camping. The land was donated to the State Park system in 1929 by the he D.L. Bliss family.
#3. Joshua Tree National Park – This park turns 75 years old in 2011, visiting this park brings anniversary activities that will be held throughout the year. Normal activities include wildflower viewing, bird watching and anniversary activities such as the “Bio-Diversity Hunt” and the “National Junior Ranger Day” during National Park Week. Family camping and hiking through this desert park are likely to observe as many as 813 species of vascular plants, lizards and painted panoramas.
Seasonal Temperatures:
California has a wide range of temperatures depending on what area of the state you plan to camp and what time of the year you visit. Temperatures can range from the lower teens in winter mountainous regions to well over the century mark during summer months. Be sure and connect with the campground administrators for guidance on local temperatures and predicated weather.
Campground Activities:
Activities vary greatly from campgrounds to campground. Consider what your family likes to do while vacationing and look for these features when choosing where your camping holiday will be. Common activities include Hiking trails, bank fishing and boat rentals for leisure cruising. Larger parks may provide swimming pools and bike trails with rentals available.
Reservations:
Most campgrounds in California will take reservations and allow you to choose your camping spot. This is the best type of campground to choose if you are particular and prefer to pick out your own spot. Most reservations can be done online or by phone. Popular campgrounds and parks may be sold out well in advance, especially during holidays, so get your reservations as early as possible. For less crowded stays, you may wish to avoid holidays altogether.
What To Expect:
Almost all parks and campgrounds will incorporate the basic necessities such as water, restrooms, camp grills and trash disposal. Some larger parks may have a small store on-site that offers food, drinks and camping supplies.
What’s Next:
Now that your familiar with campgrounds and know what to look for, it’s time to do the research. Ask friends and family for recommendations, visit state and national parks websites or contact a local travel information center. This will help you learn what you need to know and allow you to compare several campgrounds to find the perfect one for you.
Be Prepared:
Download several camping checklist from the internet to help guide you. These list will help prepare you by showing almost every conceivable item you may need during a camping trip.
