Camping › California › Wildlife & birding
Camping for wildlife watching and birding in California
275 camps in California that list wildlife watching and birding or mention it in their description. The best camping months are May–Oct, judged from 30 years of weather at a typical camp: comfortable days, mild nights, little rain. In July expect highs near 85°F and lows near 54°F.
Best areas for wildlife watching and birding
- Around Mammoth Lakes26 camps for wildlife watching and birding within 25 miles
- Around Redding21 camps for wildlife watching and birding within 25 miles
- Around South Lake Tahoe18 camps for wildlife watching and birding within 25 miles
- Around Squaw Valley18 camps for wildlife watching and birding within 25 miles
- Around Lucerne Valley17 camps for wildlife watching and birding within 25 miles
Questions
How many campgrounds in California are good for wildlife watching and birding?
275 camps that list wildlife watching and birding or mention it in their description; 14 of them are free.
When is the best time to go?
The best camping months are May–Oct, judged from 30 years of weather at a typical camp: comfortable days, mild nights, little rain. In July expect highs near 85°F and lows near 54°F.
What else can you do there?
Of these camps, 89% also offer hiking, 76% also offer fishing, 55% also offer boating & paddling.
Every camp, with a 3D fly-over, weather, cell signal and the drive.
Open wildlife & birding in CaliforniaThis week's picks
A different handful each week.
Table Mountain (Angeles)Federal campground · Reservable · Cell signalTable Mountain, just a short journey northwest of the Los Angeles metro area, provides a beautiful escape from urban life. Campers will find hiking, mountain biking, birding and countless…
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Summit Lake SouthFederal campground · Reservable · Cell signalSummit Lake South Campground (elevation 6,700 ft.) is conveniently located on the main road of Lassen Volcanic National Park. The campground is within walking distance of the small but…
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Spring CreekFederal campground · Reservable · Cell signalSpring Creek Campground (5,800 feet) is just minutes away from the clear waters of the Frenchman Lake. The landscape provides a magnificent backdrop for a variety of recreational…
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SkylineFederal campground · Reservable · Cell signalThe Skyline Group Campground is a great place to enjoy an extended family or large group camping experience. It is close to a variety of wilderness trails and offers abundant fishing…
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Trimmer CampgroundFederal campground · Reservable · Cell signalTrimmer Campground is a small facility on the shore of Pine Flat Lake in central California.
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Bridalveil Creek CampgroundFederal campground · Reservable · No cell signalBridalveil Creek Campground is closed for the season.
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Boulder Creek (Ca)Federal campground · Reservable · No cell signalBoulder Creek Campground is located in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains, where ancient glaciers gave way to numerous mountain lakes and vast granite peaks. Year round, outdoor…
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Boise CreekFederal campground · Reservable · Cell signalBoise Creek Campground is nestled between Brush Mountain and Brannan Mountain in northern California's vast Six Rivers National Forest.
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Free camps for wildlife watching and birding
- Ash Creek CampgroundFederal campground · Free · Cell signal
The low elevation for the Ash Creek Campground allows it to open earlier in the season than others at higher elevations. Fishing is always good at Ash Creek as it is stocked by the…
View camp → - Sulphur Springs CampgroundFederal campground · Free · No cell signal
The Sulphur Springs Campground is the starting point for the Elk Creek Trail. This trail is a main route into the breathtaking beauty of the Marble Mountain Wilderness. One of the main…
View camp → - Selby CampgroundFederal campground · Free · Cell signal
Camping is available on a first come-first serve basis. Thirteen campsites with picnic tables, fire pits, horse corrals and a wheelchair accessible vault toilet. Electricity and drinking…
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