California Camping Lakes

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Hands down one of my favorite things to do is go lake camping each summer. A beautiful mountain setting and a lake that you can swim in makes it even better. I know that California is known for its beautiful beaches, but there are also lots of California camping lakes that make for perfect family camping destinations. These are some of my faves.

The Best California Camping Lakes

Lake Tahoe

• Location: Border of Northern California and Nevada
• Best for: Crystal-clear water, hiking, fishing, water sports, and incredible mountain views.

The most popular (and quite possibly the most beautiful) camping lake in California is Lake Tahoe. There are several campgrounds in Lake Tahoe, giving you lots of camping options. We’ve camped at Meeks Bay Resort a handful of times, which has a beautiful sandy beach area just steps away from the campsites. Other popular campgrounds include D.L. Bliss State Park and the Nevada Beach Campground (although this option is actually in Nevada, not California, but close enough.

Check out these Lake Tahoe campgrounds to find one that best suits your needs. Keep in mind that all Lake Tahoe campgrounds are very popular and book up months in advance during the summer months. You can also stay in one of the beautiful family resorts in Lake Tahoe as well.

Shasta Lake

• Location: Northern California, near Redding
• Best for: Boating, fishing, houseboating, and watersports

Shasta Lake is a popular California camping lake in Northern California. It’s known for its houseboating options, warmer water, and lots of swimming coves and beaches. You’ll find several campgrounds around Shasta Lake–some with full RV hookups and others best suited for tent campers. Popular campgrounds include Shasta Lake KOA, Antlers Campground, and Bailey Cove Campground.

Mammoth Lakes

• Location: The Sierra Nevada Mountains
• Best for: Proximity to popular hiking trails in the area, as well as various lake activities like boating and fishing

Mammoth Lakes, California is a popular California camping destination in the summer months. You’ll find multiple lakes you can camp at, although most of them do not allow swimming. It’s just a short drive to a popular swimming area at Horseshoe Lake. There are several popular Mammoth Lakes campgrounds including Lake Mary Campground and Twin Lakes Campground. If you find yourself in Mammoth, make sure to spend some time exploring the Village at Mammoth Mountain.

Just north of Mammoth Lakes, you’ll find another popular spot– June Lake. This is another excellent camping lake in California. June Lake has a few campgrounds to choose from, including Oh Ridge Campground. And the fact that this is a swimmable lake with stunning backdrops makes June Lake one of the best California camping lakes.

Bass Lake

• Location: Madera County, southeast of Yosemite Forks
• Best for: Watersports and swimming

Bass Lake is a 5-mile long lake that is very popular for watersports. There are many popular campgrounds surrounding Bass Lake, along with cabins and lodges. These include Spring Cove campground, The Forks Campground, and The Pines Resort.

Pinecrest Lake – One of our favorite California camping lakes

• Location: Stanislaus National Forest, north of Yosemite
• Best for: Swimming, fishing and family camping

Pinecrest Lake campground is a hidden gem, in my opinion. I came across it one year when we didn’t get campsites in Yosemite, and we instantly fell in love. This campground has a camp store, restaurant and coffee shop, an outdoor movie theater, hiking trails, boat rentals, fishing and more.

There’s a swimming area and multiple floating logs that the kids love trying to walk across. The campsites don’t have hookups, but some have beautiful lake views.

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