It's no secret that California's landscape is among the best in the US, meaning you won't be short of opportunities to step off the beaten track during your stay. Breathtaking forests, pristine beaches, vast deserts, and much more await anybody road-tripping across California.
Yosemite National Park is regarded as one of the most beautiful national parks in the country, covering nearly 750,000 acres of rugged cliffs, picturesque waterfalls, and lush valleys high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Hike to the top of iconic El Capitan and take in panoramas of Yosemite Valley. Birdwatchers will want to along their binoculars to spot some of the 165 bird species that call the park home, including mountain chickadees, American dippers, and peregrine falcons. If you'd prefer to relax, there are several lakes and rivers where you can spend the day fishing surrounded by serene woodlands. Yosemite also provides 10 basic campgrounds with RV sites so you can spend the night.
Campers staying in Southern California won't want to miss out on a woodland walk through Sequoia National Forest, home to the largest concentration of giant sequoias globally. One of the most famous sights at Sequoia National Forest is General Sherman, the tallest tree in the world at around 275 feet tall. You should also plan ahead and book a guided tour of the dazzling marble Crystal Caves. If you're planning to camp at Sequoia National Forest, there are a handful of campgrounds with basic sites for RVs. The city of Bakersfield is only 20 minutes away if you'd prefer to stay at a modern campground with full hookups.
Southern California is home to several stunning landscapes, and another worth discovering is at Joshua Tree National Park. Named after the massive yuccas that cover the Mojave, Joshua Tree National Park is among the most popular parks in the US, with around 3 million visitors each year. Hike or bike through the best of the Mojave and Colorado deserts on over 300 miles of trails. Then, park up at a Joshua Tree campground to spend a night stargazing under one of the clearest skies in California. Joshua Tree National Park is also only two hours from LA if you'd prefer a day trip to camping overnight.