Camping Tours & Trips in California
Explore a wide diversity of camping tours through California. We have 22 adventures that vary from 3 days to 13 days. With the greatest number of departures in July, this is also the most popular time of the year.
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
- Yosemite High Country Basecamp Tour
- Backpacking Point Reyes National Seashore
- Alpine Lakes of the Ansel Adams Wilderness
- Yosemite Classic Summits Half Dome and Clouds Rest
- John Muir Trail: June Lake to Tuolumne Meadows
- Death Valley Basecamp Tour
- Womens Yosemite Valley North Rim
- Womens Death Valley Basecamp Tour
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, Santa Margarita, San Luis Obispo, San Simeon, Yosemite National Park, Bishop, Death Valley National Park, Las Vegas Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From $1,099
15% Off- US$934You save $165
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 Ages 7+ Operator On The Go Tours From $1,120
10% Off- US$1,008+$80 local paymentsYou save $112
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, Sierra Nevada Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Wildland Trekking From
10% Off- US$2,275
Two nights of backcountry camping in Point Reyes National Seashore come with quality tents and clean synthetic sleeping bags. Daily 4-6 mile hikes lead to hidden beaches and Alamere Falls, where a 30-foot waterfall drops straight onto the Pacific coastline.
Duration 3 days Destinations Oakland, Point Reyes National Seashore Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Wildland Trekking From
10% Off- US$1,280
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 Ages 12+ Operator Wildland Trekking From
10% Off- US$1,725
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 Ages 12+ Operator Wildland Trekking From
10% Off- US$2,115
Scenic Clark Lakes provide camping grounds beneath 12,936-foot Mount Banner. Individual premium tents await at wilderness sites along the John Muir Trail. Mule support enhances comfort in California's pristine High Sierra backcountry.
Duration 4 days Destinations Agnew Meadows, Ansel Adams Wilderness, Yosemite National Park, Fresno Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Wildland Trekking From
10% Off- US$2,915
Death Valley Basecamp Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“I enjoy the environment and the time that I spend with her and the group, thanks Jennie, i would like to go another trip with her in the future.”
Dian, traveled in March
Luxury camping unfolds at Furnace Creek Group Campground with full amenities and daily access to warm springs pool. Fireside dinners under pristine starlit skies follow days at Mesquite Sand Dunes and historic Charcoal Kilns. Death Valley's rugged beauty surrounds this four-day basecamp adventure.
Duration 4 days Destinations Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Wildland Trekking From
10% Off- US$2,010
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
10% Off- US$1,600
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
10% Off- US$2,010
What people love about Camping Tours in California
- Death Valley Basecamp Tour
Our tour guide Jennie did a great job. she took care of me very well. She is so knowledge about the area and her cooking was fantastic. I enjoy the environment and the time that I spend with her and the group, thanks Jennie, i would like to go another trip with her in the future/
- Yosemite Escape Camping - 3 Days
Lots of fun, gorgeous landscapes and Kate is great!
- 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.
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."