Camping is a great way to spend time in nature and rough it a bit. Traditional tent camping is known to be low-cost, and you can spend even less to get out in nature if you know where to look. Luckily you don’t have to search since we did all the work for you. The average cost for overnight tent camping in Northern California is about $40, so these campgrounds are really bargains. See our list below to find out which campgrounds are 25 bucks and under. That way, you can take a vacation without breaking the bank.
- Big Lagoon Campground - Trinidad
Kevin Stewart/Google Images Where else can you stay that’s right on the beach? Campsites are $25 per night and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Campers will have access to coin operated showers and a camp host will be on-site.
- Centerville Flat Dispersed Campground- Markleeville
Claudia Horn/Google Images This free campground is open year round. Reservations are not required. There is no water, so you’ll have to bring your own. Campfires are only allowed with a permit.
- Hull Creek Campground- Long Barn
R.T./Google Images This first come, first serve campground is only $12 per night for tent camping. Open May through December, depending on the snow conditions. This campground is only a 2 hour drive east from Stockton.
- Crystal Springs Campground- Markleeville
Miguel Arenas Vasquez/Google Images Open April through September, this out-of-the-way campground is south of Lake Tahoe. Camping costs $18 per site. Reservations are not available for this campground.
- Pinnacles Campground- Paicines
Pinnacles Campground Store/Google Images Located southeast of Santa Cruz, there are so many must-see sites in this national park. There are 83 tent sites in the campground. Tent sites are $23. Reservations can be made by phone or website. Each tent site has a picnic table and fire ring. The campground also has a swimming pool, which can be accessed from mid-April through the end of September.
- Lake Concow Campground- Oroville
Lake Concow Campground Website About 40 minutes from Chico, Lake Concow Campground is a private campground for tent and RV camping. Tent sites are only $20 per night for eight people maximum.
- Lost Coast Basecamp- Shelter Cove
Lost Coast Basecamp Facebook Page This small campground has only 5 sites in total. It’s about a few miles from Shelter Cove– a perfect spot from which to explore California’s Lost Coast. Campsites have fire pits and there are toilets nearby. Book through HipCamp.
- Lake Camanche Campground- Ione, Valley Springs
Lake Camanche Website Campsites on both the north and south shores are about $24-$25, depending on the day and time of year. There are more than 550 tent camping sites on both the north and south shores of the lake. Primitive sites are available but most campsites include barbecue grills, tables, potable water, hot showers, restrooms, and laundry facilities. The campground is alcohol free to support a more family-friendly environment. Book through their website.
- Summit Lake Campground- Mineral
digital94086/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images This campground costs $24 per night. It has basic amenities such as potable water, flush toilets, and trash collection. The campsite is small– it can fit 6 people, 3 tents, and 2 RVs. Summit Lake Campground is located at 6,695 feet elevation. The snow typically melts by June. It is only open for a summer– from late June until mid-September. Reservations are required.
If you want more amenities, check out our post about glamping, a good alternative for people who don’t love camping. Are there any low-cost campgrounds we missed? Let us know in the comments.
Kevin Stewart/Google Images
Where else can you stay that’s right on the beach? Campsites are $25 per night and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Campers will have access to coin operated showers and a camp host will be on-site.
Claudia Horn/Google Images
This free campground is open year round. Reservations are not required. There is no water, so you’ll have to bring your own. Campfires are only allowed with a permit.
R.T./Google Images
This first come, first serve campground is only $12 per night for tent camping. Open May through December, depending on the snow conditions. This campground is only a 2 hour drive east from Stockton.
Miguel Arenas Vasquez/Google Images
Open April through September, this out-of-the-way campground is south of Lake Tahoe. Camping costs $18 per site. Reservations are not available for this campground.
Pinnacles Campground Store/Google Images
Located southeast of Santa Cruz, there are so many must-see sites in this national park. There are 83 tent sites in the campground. Tent sites are $23. Reservations can be made by phone or website. Each tent site has a picnic table and fire ring. The campground also has a swimming pool, which can be accessed from mid-April through the end of September.
Lake Concow Campground Website
About 40 minutes from Chico, Lake Concow Campground is a private campground for tent and RV camping. Tent sites are only $20 per night for eight people maximum.
Lost Coast Basecamp Facebook Page
This small campground has only 5 sites in total. It’s about a few miles from Shelter Cove– a perfect spot from which to explore California’s Lost Coast. Campsites have fire pits and there are toilets nearby. Book through HipCamp.
Lake Camanche Website
Campsites on both the north and south shores are about $24-$25, depending on the day and time of year. There are more than 550 tent camping sites on both the north and south shores of the lake. Primitive sites are available but most campsites include barbecue grills, tables, potable water, hot showers, restrooms, and laundry facilities. The campground is alcohol free to support a more family-friendly environment. Book through their website.
digital94086/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
This campground costs $24 per night. It has basic amenities such as potable water, flush toilets, and trash collection. The campsite is small– it can fit 6 people, 3 tents, and 2 RVs. Summit Lake Campground is located at 6,695 feet elevation. The snow typically melts by June. It is only open for a summer– from late June until mid-September. Reservations are required.
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Address: 12967 Concow Rd, Oroville, CA 95965, USAAddress: Hull Creek Campground, Long Barn, CA 95335, USAAddress: Cottonwood Creek Campground, CA-89, Sierraville, CA, USAAddress: Big Lagoon Campgrounds, A St, Trinidad, CA 95570, USAAddress: Crystal Springs Campground, Crystal Springs Rd, Markleeville, CA 96120, USAAddress: Centerville Flat Campground, Markleeville, CA 96120, USAAddress: Pinnacles Campground, 2400 Hwy 146 Pinnacles Area, Paicines, CA 95043, USAAddress: Lost Coast, CA 95536, USAAddress: Camanche Recreation Company _ North Shore, 2000 Camanche Rd, Ione, CA 95640, USAAddress: Summit Lake Campground, Lassen Peak Hwy, Mineral, CA, USA
