State Guide
Explore California Outdoors
California offers 7882 trails, 661 parks, and 7209 campgrounds worth planning a trip around. The trail mix runs 1395 easy, 2941 moderate, 2099 difficult, and 1446 expert-rated, so the state holds something for casual walkers and seasoned alpinists alike. Routes range from under a mile to 2,626 miles, with the toughest climbs gaining 328084 feet. Public lands worth knowing here include Channel Islands National Park, Death Valley National Park, and Joshua Tree National Park. Among the trails hikers return to: Pacific Crest Trail, Bishop Dual Sport Ride, and Six Pack of Peaks via PCT.
Plan a day hike
Shortlist routes by difficulty, length, and elevation.
Find a weekend basecamp
Compare park areas and access to trails.
Book a campsite
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Featured Trails in California
Hand-picked routes to start your trip planning.
Parks Worth Exploring
From iconic public lands to lesser-known local favorites.
Death Valley National Park
California
In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet…
Inyo National Forest
California
Home to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest with the oldest known living trees on Earth, Inyo spans the dramat…
Joshua Tree National Park
California
Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fas…
Redwood National and State Parks
California
Most people know Redwood as home to the tallest trees on Earth. But the parks also protect vast prairies, oak …
Sequoia National Park
California
Home to the General Sherman Tree, the world's largest tree by volume, Sequoia National Park also features the …
Shasta-Trinity National Forest
California
The largest national forest in California at 2.2 million acres, Shasta-Trinity encompasses the towering volcan…
Campgrounds in California
Easy-to-compare options for tent, RV, and cabin stays.
(Lake Alpine) Backpackers
California
(lake Alpine) Lodgepole Campground
Stanislaus National Forest
∴Primitive Freedom - Palm Springs
Palm Springs
19 Oaks Camp
Los Padres National Forest
20 Oaks Cottages and Resort
Clearlake Oaks
28 Palms Ranch
Twentynine Palms
29N22 Dispersed near Lassen NP
Lassen National Forest
2E04 - Elk Camp Ridge
Six Rivers National Forest
3 Gazing Stars
Idyllwild
44 Camp
Redwood National and State Parks
49er RV Ranch
Columbia
49er Village RV Resort
Plymouth
More Popular Trails
Strong options people open most often when researching California.
10 Peaks Challenge Griffith Park
Los Angeles, California
17-Mile Drive to Carmel Road Ride
Pebble Beach, California
2N10 to Bear and Silvertip Peaks
Big Bear Lake, California
2W07 Trail from Fishermans Group Campground
Running Springs, California
Start Planning California in 10 Minutes
Use this page as your launch point, then dive deeper with focused lists and details. We index 11,024 verified outdoor options across the state.
Explore California by activity
Pick how you want to play. Each link pulls the state's destinations for that sport.