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Camping sites in Southern California While camping in California is an amazing experience overall with thousands of picture perfect settings to pitch your tent, camping in SoCal definitely has it's limitations. The primary reasons are.... Camping in SoCal is - 1. crowded (half the population is located in the lower third of the state) 2. dry terrain (minimal rivers, dry seasonal streams, few waterfalls) 3. wildfire prone (with average rainfall of only 10") 4. costly (all developed campgrounds charge fees) 5. not secluded (with suburbia spread into foothills, busy roads nearby) With the California population nearing 40 million, you will need to do your research in order to find a good, secluded, scenic camping area. Coastal camp sites are the most popular on the list and you should seek advanced reservation w/ the State Park system. City camping is mostly RV parks and a few county parks. Beyond the neighborhoods, countryside camping in the coastal footh

Winter months in California is prime desert camping time. The perfect time to plan your desert trip is November thru April. If a seasonal storm is not in the forecast, the weather is usually sunny and mild, wind is always a given & wildflowers bloom as early as February. Go enjoy the Mojave Desert , Death Valley , Anza Borrego Desert , Joshua Tree , the Lancaster Poppy Fields or the Eastern Sierra lava flows. California Desert Camping Ideas Surreal Box Canyon near Mecca, California is free camping BLM land located perfectly in between Anza Borrego Desert and Joshua Tree National Park .  This area is totally worth a hike, stretch break, or sightseeing visit, if not for an over night stay. Many superb camp spots tucked in near the cliff edges. Be prepared for late night traffic noise as semi-trucks from Interstate 10 use Box Canyon Road as a frequent through route. desert destinations Anza Borrego Desert SP Ballarat Benton Hot Springs Bodie California Borre