Close your eyes and imagine spending the night in a California state park. What did you see? Most visitors might picture cozying up in a tent or RV. That’s not surprising, as opportunities abound for drive-in camping across the state, and many parks also offer walk-in or bike-in sites. Did you know that California state parks also offer alternatives to tent camping? Whether you want more of a “glamping” experience, want a bit more distance from bugs or the dark, or just want to try something new, we have the dish on 25 state parks where you can sleep over without a tent (and one unique tent camping experience that’s anything but traditional)!
Reservecalifornia.com remains the go-to source for the most up-to-date information on park status (such as closures), lodging availability, rental pricing and policies, and reservations. Please note that for featured parks with an asterisk (*) next to their name, reservations are made via the concessionaire operating that property. Happy camping!
Sleep in a rustic family-style cabin
Sixteen state parks have cabins available to rent, making this the most abundant alternative to tent and RV camping in the California state park system. Visitors can enjoy cabins from as far south as Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, as far north as Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park, on the shores of California’s largest freshwater lake in Clear Lake State Park, overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the Steep Ravine section of Mount Tamalpais State Park, and near the beloved 129-foot Burney Falls at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. Visitors to Napa Valley’s famous wine country can stay in yurts as well as cabins at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. These cabins offer many of the trademarks of traditional camping as they often come with fire rings, picnic tables, and other amenities.
A full list of parks with cabins: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Bothe-Napa Valley State Park (cabins and yurts), Brannan Island State Recreation Area, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Clear Lake State Park, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Hendy Woods State Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, Mount Tamalpais State Park, Sue-meg State Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (Elk Prairie Campground), Richardson Grove State Park, Samuel P. Taylor State Park.
Rent a room at a hotel inside a park
Visitors who want a few more creature comforts during an overnight stay in a state park should look no further than these great options. At Big Sur Lodge* in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, guests can enjoy the classic features of a hotel stay (like comfortable beds, kitchenettes, and a pool) and can also hit the trails in the park right from their front door. The restaurant at the lodge also offers an alternative to campsite-cooked meals for lodge guests and campers alike.
Outside Monterey, guests can stay at Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds. This historic site was designed by Julia Morgan and built in 1913 to host the YWCA’s annual leadership camp for women. Now, visitors can stay overnight in a historic lodge to explore the park (and the famous Asilomar Coast Trail) or utilize a variety of meeting and conference room options for private events.
Farther up the coast, Marconi Conference Center State Historic Park hosts guests at Lodge at Marconi*, overlooking Tomales Bay in Marin County. Fun fact – California State Parks foundation originally purchased the property in 1984, remodeled it into a conference center, and transferred it to the California State Park system. Although it’s a hotel, it is operated as a non-profit facility!
Catch a magical sunset while staying at a lighthouse
Enjoying a coastal view can’t get any easier than it is at these two state park units. At the cottages* at Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park, visitors can stay in 100+-year-old cottages while exploring the scenic Mendocino coast. A few cabins allow pets to stay too!
The hostel* at Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park has shared and private rooms available for rent steps away from California’s tallest lighthouse. If that wasn’t enough of a draw, visitors can also explore tide pools, see redwoods, spot wildlife like elephant seals and gray whales, and go hiking or biking. Those in-the-know are sure to ask about this hostel’s famous cliff-side hot tub.
P.S. We have your scoop on work underway to restore the Pigeon Point Light Station.
Travel back in time with vintage accommodations
Visitors can immerse themselves in a snapshot of California history even if they don’t stay in one of the two lighthouses detailed above. Staying at a beach cottage in Crystal Cove State Park’s Historic District is a highly sought-after experience for a reason. These cabins were built between 1920 and 1940 and have been accurately and painstakingly restored, preserving both the structures and many stories about their past. They offer an affordable, accessible home base for enjoying the beach, hiking trails, interpretive events, on-site dining, and all that this park has to offer. A short drive down the coast, lucky campers can rent an on-site vintage trailer at San Clemente State Beach to camp in style without the high price tag of trailer ownership.
For visitors looking to go farther back in time, Columbia State Historic Park boasts three opportunities to spend the night in gold rush-era accommodations: the City Hotel, the Fallon Hotel, and the Columbia Cottages. This lodging is a great option whether you’re looking to explore the park, attend one of their many historic reenactment events and demonstrations, or stay in comfort while exploring the surrounding Sierra Nevada foothills.
Experience summer camp within a state park
Tucked in the redwood forest a short drive from the coastal town of Mendocino, Mendocino Woodlands State Park is specifically designed to provide group camping experiences. Mendocino Woodlands Camp Association operates three group camping areas built for groups of 30 to 200 that each contain cabins, showers, bathrooms, a kitchen, and a dining hall. Many groups use this property throughout the year for events such as organizational retreats, weddings, or school field trips and environmental education. Pro tip: if you’re not part of a group that uses this site, view the camp calendar as some groups hold events that have open registration!
Note that Asilomar State Beach & Conference Grounds offers conference rooms and other rentals for group events.
Pitch a tent in the middle of the water
Though you may still need to bring your tent, we couldn’t resist sharing that Lake Oroville State Recreation Area boasts floating campsites. Visitors boat up to these campsites in the middle of Lake Oroville and set up camp on a two-story barge complete with a restroom, picnic table, and propane barbecue grill.
