Camping Tours & Trips in California
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10 best camping California tours
Compiled by
MelissaCalifornia travel expert at TourRadar
- California Dreaming: Yosemite, Death Valley & Coastal Camping
- Death Valley & Yosemite (Camping) - 4 days
- Womens Death Valley Basecamp Tour
- USA Road Trip- The Best of Cali
- Backpacking Point Reyes National Seashore
- Best of Lassen Volcanic Basecamp
- Yosemite High Country Basecamp Tour
- High Sierra Loop
- Womens Yosemite Valley North Rim
- Ansel Adams Wilderness High Sierra Camp
California Dreaming: Yosemite, Death Valley & Coastal Camping
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Such an amazing tour! The itinerary was perfect. I would recommend this to everyone I come across.”
Molly, traveled in July
Nights under sequoias at Tuolumne Grove and beside Merced River near El Portal await. Starlit camping from Santa Margarita to Bishop comes with all gear provided except sleeping bags. A perfect introduction to California's diverse landscapes.
Duration 7 days Destinations Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Simeon, Yosemite National Park, Bishop, Tuolumne, Death Valley National Park, Las Vegas Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From
- NZ$1,939
Duration 4 days Destinations Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park, Bishop, Yosemite National Park, San Francisco Age Range Ages 7+ Operator On The Go Tours From
- NZ$1,975+$109 local payments
Starlit skies illuminate premium sites near Furnace Creek Ranch, complete with warm springs pools access. Golden Canyon's Badlands, 9,000-foot Wildrose Peak, and Mesquite Sand Dunes highlight the journey. Campfire-cooked meals complement Death Valley's diverse landscapes across 22+ miles of trails.
Duration 4 days Destinations Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Wildland Trekking From
- NZ$3,266
USA Road Trip- The Best of Cali
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I loved my experience with G Adventures. Will definitely travel with G again.”
Sophie, traveled in July
The 5-night adventure camps under California stars, from sites near Yosemite's El Capitan to coastal spots near Santa Cruz. Group meals come with valley views, while morning hikes lead to Vernal Falls and evening campfires glow under sequoia trees.
Duration 9 days Destinations Los Angeles, Santa Margarita, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Hermosa Beach Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator G Adventures From
- NZ$4,119
Duration 3 days Destinations Oakland, Point Reyes National Seashore Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Wildland Trekking From
- NZ$2,085
Best of Lassen Volcanic Basecamp
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Parts of the park at Lassen were inaccessible, but we managed to do and see a lot. Meals were very good.”
Russell, traveled in June
Manzanita Lake Campground serves as home while discovering California's volcanic terrain. Premium gear supports 4 nights of camping, with guide-prepared meals following daily visits to Bumpass Hell's thermal features and Fantastic Lava Beds.
Duration 5 days Destinations Sacramento, Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Wildland Trekking From
- NZ$4,087
Yosemite High Country Basecamp Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The magnificent scenery, the delicious meals, quality equipment - everything was top notch!”
Ann, traveled in July
Private campsite above California's Mono Lake provides the perfect base, with quality camping gear included. Daily adventures explore Yosemite's terrain, from Vernal Falls to Cathedral Lake, before returning to camp for hot showers and gourmet meals under Sierra stars.
Duration 4 days Destinations Yosemite National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Wildland Trekking From
- NZ$3,811
High-altitude camps await at Vogelsang Lake (10,300 feet) and along Ireland Creek in California's Sierra Nevada. Professional camping gear provided for mountainside sites. The pristine alpine setting offers swimming and peak climbing opportunities.
Duration 5 days Destinations Yosemite National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Wildland Trekking From
- NZ$3,283
Wilderness beckons along Snow Creek and beneath North Dome in California's Sierra Nevada range. Premier camping gear and gourmet meals await while guides share stories under Yosemite's star-filled skies.
Duration 4 days Destinations Yosemite National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Wildland Trekking From
- NZ$2,680
Alpine lakes serve as scenic campsites after 6-mile daily treks in California. Premium tents and pro-grade gear provided, with mule support for comfort. Guide-prepared meals under Sierra stars complement the remote wilderness setting.
Duration 5 days Destinations Fresno, Bass Lake, Ansel Adams Wilderness Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Wildland Trekking From
- NZ$4,489
What people love about Camping Tours in California
- California Dreaming: Yosemite, Death Valley & Coastal Camping
Such an amazing tour! my guide was one of the coolest people I've ever met, itinerary was perfect. I would recommend this to everyone i come across travelled alone, 19 years old, female, I felt safe the whole time.
Great experience. This may have been our guide's (Sassy) first official trip, but she did a great job. We all got along very well and Sassy handled some adversity with aplomb. Parts of the park at Lassen were inaccessible, but we managed to do and see a lot. One of our guests tested positive for Covid but we found creative and safe ways to make it all work. Meals were very good. I have booked another trip with Wildland.
Best of Lassen Volcanic Basecamp
This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Yosemite is incredible and we got to see so much of it! This tour is an extremely efficient and stress free way to see everything
Yosemite Escape Camping - 3 Days
What our customers ask about Camping Tours & Trips in California
What are the must-see highlights on a California camping tour?
A California camping tour takes visitors through some of the state's most notable natural landmarks. In Yosemite visitors experience the towering faces of Half Dome and El Capitan. The route continues to Sequoia National Park where ancient Giant Sequoias stand guard and through the high elevations of Sierra Nevada. Popular hiking routes lead to Sentinel Dome at 8,127 feet Cathedral Lakes and the spray-filled Mist Trail with its views of Vernal and Nevada Falls. As one TourRadar traveler described: "Hiking in Yosemite was absolutely incredible - from the thundering waterfalls on the Mist Trail to the jaw-dropping views from North Dome every day brought new amazing sights."
When is the best time to go camping in California?
Peak camping season runs from May through October across most of California's regions. Yosemite Valley sees ideal conditions during summer with temperatures ranging from 70-90°F. For Death Valley spring months of March and April offer milder temperatures for comfortable camping. As one TourRadar traveler noted about their September Yosemite trip: "The weather was perfect for camping and hiking and our guide helped us choose the best activities for the conditions." The coastal regions near Santa Barbara welcome campers year-round though June often brings morning fog.
What camping gear is provided on California camping tours?
Tour operators supply essential camping equipment on most California expeditions. At locations like Yosemite's Manzanita Lake Campground tours provide two-person tents with insect nets and self-inflating mattresses along with cooking equipment. As a TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The camping equipment was top quality and our guide showed us how to set everything up properly on the first day." Travelers need to bring sleeping bags or rent them for about USD 40 plus personal items such as headlamps and water bottles.
What food arrangements are available during camping tours?
Food service varies by tour with many including guide-prepared meals at camp. Yosemite tours often feature hot breakfasts and dinners at camp while providing packed lunches for trail exploration. Some groups use a shared food kitty system costing around USD 20 daily. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "Our guide's cooking was fantastic - we had everything from breakfast burritos to grilled salmon all prepared right at our campsite at Furnace Creek."
How do bathroom and shower facilities work at California campgrounds?
Established sites like Yosemite's North Pines and Death Valley's Furnace Creek provide modern amenities. Visitors find flush toilets hot showers (USD 1-3 per use) drinking water stations and secure bear-proof storage units. A TourRadar reviewer mentioned: "The facilities at the campgrounds were well-maintained with clean showers and restrooms available at Manzanita Lake Campground - much better than we expected for camping."
What wildlife might I encounter while camping in California?
California's varied landscapes support diverse wildlife populations. Yosemite's Tuolumne Meadows area offers sightings of black bears mule deer and numerous bird species. Death Valley visitors might spot bighorn sheep or coyotes in the desert terrain. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "We saw a black bear from a safe distance near our campsite at Yosemite's North Pines and our guide gave us excellent safety instructions for wildlife encounters."