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
- USA Road Trip- The Best of Cali
- Yosemite Classic Summits Half Dome and Clouds Rest
- Alpine Lakes of the Ansel Adams Wilderness
- High Sierra and the Western Divide
- Mount Whitney Ascent with Horsepack Support
- John Muir Trail Expedition Backpack
- John Muir Trail: Florence Lake to Yosemite
- Palisade Glacier Trek
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 up to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From
- NZ$1,779
Three nights in California's wilderness span from Death Valley's Mesquite Dunes to Yosemite's Tuolumne Meadows. Full-service campsites near Bridalveil Falls offer hot showers. All camping gear, meals, and guided hikes to Half Dome and El Capitan included.
Duration 4 days Destinations Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park, Bishop, Yosemite National Park, San Francisco Age Range 7 to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From
- NZ$1,895+$108 local payments
USA Road Trip- The Best of Cali
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This trip to California has, once again, provided an amazing experience to visit new, beautiful places.”
Marta, traveled in June
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 18 to 39 year olds Operator G Adventures From $3,719
25% Off- NZ$2,789You save $930
Mountain camps sit near pristine lakes and along Sunrise Creek. Professional guides craft gourmet meals at backcountry sites, ideally located for summit attempts of Half Dome and Clouds Rest in Yosemite's high country.
Duration 5 days Destinations Yosemite National Park Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Wildland Trekking From
25% Off- NZ$3,415
Stars shine bright at Bass Lake and high-alpine camps in Ansel Adams Wilderness. California's backcountry opens up with provided tents and sleeping gear, while guides prepare meals between evening swims in crystal-clear mountain lakes.
Duration 5 days Destinations Fresno, Bass Lake, Ansel Adams Wilderness Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Wildland Trekking From
25% Off- NZ$2,783
The wilderness beckons at Hamilton Lake beneath towering granite walls. Backcountry camps at 9-Mile Creek and Bear Paw Meadow feature premium tents while professional guides prepare meals under starlit Sierra skies.
Duration 5 days Destinations Fresno, Sequoia National Park Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Wildland Trekking From
25% Off- NZ$3,190
The Sierra wilderness unfolds over 5 nights of camping. Sites include Chicken Springs Lake, Rock Creek, and Crabtree Meadows. Pack animals transport premium camping gear during the 56-mile trek to Mount Whitney's summit.
Duration 7 days Destinations Fresno, Lone Pine, Sequoia National Park Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Wildland Trekking From
25% Off- NZ$8,940
Sierra peaks tower above Clark Lakes and Evolution Lake during this 23-day expedition. Premium backcountry tents await near Reds Meadow and Edison Lake resupply points, concluding with a final night's lodging in Lone Pine.
Duration 23 days Destinations Fresno, Yosemite National Park Age Range 12 to 80 year olds Operator Wildland Trekking From
25% Off- NZ$9,596
Sierra Nevada's peaks tower over campsites at Chief Lake and Cathedral Lakes. Premium gear and bear canisters support wilderness camping. Shadow Creek and Half Dome frame guide-prepared meals, with the first night at Wyndham Garden Fresno.
Duration 13 days Destinations Fresno, Yosemite National Park Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Wildland Trekking From
25% Off- NZ$8,300
Turquoise waters of Second Lake and glacier views at Fourth Lake frame your camps in California's Inyo National Forest. Top-tier camping gear and guide-prepared meals enhance scenic alpine sites as you trek between five pristine mountain lakes over 5 days.
Duration 5 days Destinations Bishop Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Wildland Trekking From
25% Off- NZ$3,249
What people love about Camping Tours in California
- Yosemite Escape Camping - 3 Days
Lots of fun, gorgeous landscapes and Kate is great!
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."