Top Camping Spots Near Van Allen, CA: Explore Nature's Best in Southern California
Nestled in the picturesque foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Van Allen, CA, offers a diverse range of camping options for outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure in nature's embrace. Tent camping is abundant at nearby hotspots like Van Allen Campground, where shaded sites alongside crystal-clear streams provide an ideal backdrop for a rustic escape. For those traveling in style, the area features several RV parks such as Sierra Pines RV Resort, which offers full hookups and amenities, including pools and recreational facilities, allowing for a comfortable stay while immersing in the beautiful surroundings. If you crave solitude, explore the pristine dispersed camping sites off the scenic Mammoth Peak Road, where you'll find secluded locations with breathtaking vistas and opportunities for hiking and wildlife observation. The region's varied geography, from rolling hills to rugged mountain trails, presents endless exploration possibilities, catering to both novice campers and seasoned adventurers. Experience the captivating local flora and fauna as you unwind beneath the starlit sky, creating unforgettable memories in the heart of California’s wilderness near Van Allen.

















Caswell Campground is part of Caswell Memorial State Park in California (just 14 min southeast of Manteca, CA) with an elevation of 53 feet. There are a total of 55 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, swimming, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Coyote Point Campground in Calaveras County is located 44 min northeast of Manteca, CA with an elevation of 240 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. Prices start at $130.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Turlock Campground is part of Turlock Lake State Recreation Area in California (39 min northeast of Turlock, CA) with an elevation of 312 feet. There are a total of 37 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $36.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, boat ramp, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Carnegie Campground is part of Carnegie SVRA in California (just 16 min southwest of Tracy, CA) with an elevation of 658 feet. There are a total of 23 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 40 feet. All sites are currently first-come first-served. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include ohv trails nearby, ohv allowed from campsite.
Acorn Campground in Calaveras County is located 46 min east of Lodi, CA with an elevation of 737 feet. There are a total of 126 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is open all year. 125 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, dump station, boat ramp, swimming, fish cleaning station, restroom, trash dumpster, amphitheater, firewood, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, water skiing, floating sports.
Oak Knoll Campground in Calaveras County is located 45 min east of Lodi, CA with an elevation of 732 feet. There are a total of 49 campsites including 2 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the beginning of September. 47 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 37 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include dump station, swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Glory Hole Rec Area in Calaveras County is located 1 hr 24 min northeast of Modesto, CA with an elevation of 1,140 feet. There are a total of 144 campsites including 20 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 122 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 65 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $18.00 to $22.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, boat ramp, swimming, marina, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
McConnell Campground is part of Mcconnell State Recreation Area in California (just 18 min southeast of Turlock, CA) with an elevation of 111 feet. There are a total of 19 campsites including 4 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 15 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, accessible, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Tuttletown Rec Area in Tuolumne County is located 1 hr 18 min northeast of Modesto, CA with an elevation of 1,158 feet. There are a total of 164 campsites including 50 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 111 sites can accommodate RVs between 18 and 65 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $18.00 to $150.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, boat ramp, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Brannan Island Campground is part of Brannan Island State Recreation Area in California (just 22 min north of Oakley, CA) with an elevation of 32 feet. There are a total of 112 campsites including 13 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 99 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 36 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 7 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $31.00 to $121.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, boat ramp, swimming, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, floating sports.
San Luis Creek Campground is part of San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area in California (just 24 min west of Los Banos, CA) with an elevation of 546 feet. There are a total of 49 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric and water hookups. Prices start at $40.00 per night. Some amenities include dump station, boat ramp, restroom. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Juniper Campground is part of Mount Diablo State Park in California (38 min northeast of Danville, CA) with an elevation of 2,892 feet. There are a total of 30 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 2 sites have water hookups. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include accessible, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Live Oak Campground is part of Mount Diablo State Park in California (just 27 min northeast of Danville, CA) with an elevation of 2,892 feet. There are a total of 18 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include accessible, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Indian Grinding Rock Campground is part of Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park in California (56 min southeast of El Dorado Hills, CA) with an elevation of 2,375 feet. There are a total of 22 campsites. The campground is open all year. 20 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 27 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include accessible, restroom, pay telephone. Activities include hiking trails.
Coe Ranch Campground is part of Henry W Coe State Park in California (36 min northeast of Morgan Hill, CA) with an elevation of 2,623 feet. There are a total of 15 campsites including 5 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 10 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 22 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include hiking trails.
North Grove Campground is part of Calaveras Big Trees State Park in California (1 hr 52 min southeast of El Dorado Hills, CA) with an elevation of 4,680 feet. There are a total of 59 campsites including 2 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 57 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $35.00 to $70.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, accessible, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Pines Group Campground Stanislaus is located in the Groveland Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest (1 hr 27 min northeast of Merced, CA) with an elevation of 3,260 feet. The site is normally open from the end of April to mid October. Prices start at $125.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, rock climbing.
Oak Hollow Campground is part of Calaveras Big Trees State Park in California (1 hr 58 min southeast of El Dorado Hills, CA) with an elevation of 4,455 feet. There are a total of 49 campsites including 8 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. 41 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, accessible, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include biking.
Lost Claim Campground is located in the Groveland Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest (1 hr 29 min northeast of Merced, CA) with an elevation of 3,009 feet. There are a total of 10 campsites including 7 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to mid October. Max equipment length is 55 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $23.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Los Banos Creek Campground is part of San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area in California (just 24 min southwest of Los Banos, CA) with an elevation of 351 feet. There are a total of 14 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $25.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Pipi Campground is located in the Amador Ranger District, Eldorado National Forest (1 hr 29 min east of El Dorado Hills, CA) with an elevation of 4,271 feet. There are a total of 48 campsites including 26 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to mid October. 22 sites can accommodate RVs between 25 and 35 feet. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $24.00 to $72.00. Some amenities include drinking water, accessible, restroom. Activities include ohv trails nearby, fishing, hiking trails.
Pioneer Trail Campground is located in the Summit Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest (1 hr 44 min northeast of Merced, CA) with an elevation of 5,861 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $105.36 to $145.54. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Cherry Valley Campground is located in the Groveland Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest (2 hrs 24 min northeast of Merced, CA) with an elevation of 4,887 feet. There are a total of 45 campsites including 14 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to mid October. 31 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 70 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $29.00 to $58.00. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Pinecrest Campground is located in the Summit Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest (2 hrs 23 min southeast of El Dorado Hills, CA) with an elevation of 5,602 feet. There are a total of 196 campsites including 2 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. 193 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $32.14 per night. Some amenities include swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.
Beals Point Campground is part of Folsom Lake State Recreation Area in California (just 13 min northwest of Folsom, CA) with an elevation of 469 feet. There are a total of 50 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 31 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 14 sites have electric and water hookups. 1 site has electric hookups. Fees range from $28.00 to $48.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, general store, accessible, swimming, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Dimond O Campground is located in the Groveland Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest (1 hr 47 min northeast of Merced, CA) with an elevation of 4,706 feet. There are a total of 26 campsites including 4 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to mid October. 22 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 22 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $30.00 to $60.00. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports, rock climbing.
Hodgdon Meadow Campground is part of Yosemite National Park in California (1 hr 46 min northeast of Merced, CA) with an elevation of 4,900 feet. There are a total of 104 campsites including 65 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 39 sites can accommodate RVs between 18 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $28.00 to $75.00. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom, pay telephone, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Peninsula Campground is part of Folsom Lake State Recreation Area in California (55 min north of Folsom, CA) with an elevation of 447 feet. There are a total of 78 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 31 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, dump station, accessible, boat ramp, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Dirt Flat Campground is located in the Bass Lake Ranger District, Sierra National Forest (1 hr 28 min northeast of Merced, CA) with an elevation of 1,601 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is open all year. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night.
Big Meadow (Arnold) Campground is located in the Calaveras Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest (2 hrs 11 min east of El Dorado Hills, CA) with an elevation of 6,532 feet. There are a total of 72 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from mid June to the beginning of September. 3 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $19.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.