California lakes with camping

122 places · Updated automatically · Last reviewed October 29, 2026

California lakes and reservoirs with a campground on the shore or nearby, so you can boat, paddle or fish for more than a day. Campgrounds, seasons and booking rules differ by lake.

#1
Lake Del Valle
Lake · Livermore
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
Why it's here: “Family campground with RV hookup sites, cabins and group camps; hike-in group camps”
#2
Huntington Lake
Lake · Lakeshore
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Nine Forest Service campgrounds, including Catavee”
#3
New Hogan Lake
Lake · Valley Springs
- Boat launch
- Fishing
- Sailing
Why it's here: “207 reservable sites at Acorn, Oak Knoll and Deer Flat”
#4
Camanche Reservoir
Lake · Wallace
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “500+ campsites, 200 RV hookups, cottages and motel rooms”
#5
Twin Lakes (Bridgeport)
Lake · Bridgeport
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
Why it's here: “Resort campgrounds and Lower Twin Lakes Campground”
#6
Lake Almanor
Lake · Chester
- Boat launch
- Swimming
- Fishing
Why it's here: “$18/night single sites, generally Memorial Day–Labor Day”
#7
Whiskeytown Lake
Lake · Whiskeytown
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Oak Bottom campground with 92 tent sites and 22 RV sites run by the concessionaire”
#8
Puddingstone Lake (Bonelli Park)
Lake · San Dimas
- Boat launch
- Swimming
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Bonelli Bluffs RV Resort and Campground, 909.599.8355”
#9
Millerton Lake State Recreation Area
Lake · Friant
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
Why it's here: “North Shore has six camp loops, two group sites and a horse camp”
#10
Diaz Lake
Lake · Lone Pine
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
Why it's here: “100-site county campground”
#11
Grant Lake
Lake · June Lake
- Boat launch
- Fishing
- Boat rentals
Why it's here: “70-site campground and RV park”
#12
Bucks Lake
Lake · Quincy
- Boat launch
- Swimming
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Forest Service campgrounds, Memorial Day to Labor Day”
#13
Pinecrest Lake
Lake · Pinecrest
- Boat launch
- Swimming
- Fishing
Why it's here: “About 300 sites at Pinecrest and Meadowview campgrounds”
#14
Spring Lake (Santa Rosa)
Lake · Santa Rosa
- Boat launch
- Swimming
- Fishing
Why it's here: “31 campsites, three with sleeping cabins”
#15
Lake McClure
Lake · Snelling
- Boat launch
- Swimming
- Fishing
Why it's here: “plus fuel, a store, rentals, campsites”
#16
Santa Margarita Lake
Lake · Santa Margarita
- Boat launch
- Fishing
- Boat rentals
Why it's here: “60 primitive campsites with no hookups”
#17
Lake Tulloch
Lake · Jamestown
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
Why it's here: “Campsites and lodging at the South Shore campground and marina”
#18
Lake Mendocino
Lake · Ukiah
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “300+ campsites around the lake”
#19
Success Lake
Lake · Porterville
- Boat launch
- Fishing
- Fuel dock
Why it's here: “Tule Campground: 103 sites with showers, flush toilets and a dump station”
#20
Trinity Lake
Lake · Trinity Center
- Boat launch
- Fishing
- Boat rentals
Why it's here: “Some Forest Service campgrounds are reachable only by water.”
#21
Lake Sonoma
Lake · Healdsburg
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Primitive sites on the Warm Springs and Dry Creek arms, reserved on Recreation.gov”
#22
Lake Piru Recreation Area
Lake · Piru
- Boat launch
- Boat rentals
- Jet skis allowed
Why it's here: “RV, trailer and tent camping; reserve through the lake's campground system”
#23
Big Lagoon
Lake · Trinidad
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “25 first-come campsites”
#24
Hume Lake
Lake · Hume
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Hume Lake Campground (Recreation.gov)”
#25
Florence Lake
Lake · Lakeshore
- Boat launch
- Kayak & SUP
- Fishing
Why it's here: “Jackass Meadow Campground, 35 sites”