The Bureau of Land Management oversees many popular recreation areas on the West Coast, such as Alabama Hills (shown here). Photo: BLM California/Jesse Pluim
Getting a reservation for the best West Coast camp sites involves navigating a variety of reservation systems, since there are multiple land managers and federal and state agencies involved.
The most straightforward reservation system to navigate is for national parks, like those in Olympic National Park in Washington. All national park reservations are managed through Recreation.gov, overseen by the National Park Service (NPS). Though the reservation windows and timelines can vary from campground to campground, every site has tons of information and booking details on its Recreation.gov page, as well as the ability to book it in advance online. Most campgrounds or tent sites in land managed by the US Forest Service also use Recreation.gov.
Many West Coast camp sites are managed by the Bureau of Land Management, or BLM. The BLM has both developed campgrounds (which usually have a fee, and sometimes require reservations), as well as dispersed camping opportunities. In most areas, you don’t need a permit for dispersed camping (though that can vary), and you shouldn’t expect much in the way of facilities or potable water. You also have to follow rules that can vary from site to site, like choosing previously used tent sites when possible and camping at least 200 feet away from water sources.
When it comes to camping within state parks and recreation areas, all three states have different systems, with reservation and regulatory systems that can differ from campground to campground.
In California, CalParks manages numerous campgrounds, running most reservations through the California State Parks reservation system. Some parks require you to make reservations, while others will allow for first-come, first-served access of any available sites. Most Oregon campgrounds are overseen by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. While reservations are not mandatory in most cases, they’re recommended, and managed via the Oregon State Parks reservation portal. In Washington, state park campgrounds are booked via the Washington State Parks reservation system.
Beaches in the Pacific Northwest are among the most beautiful in North America — but chilly weather and ocean breezes are the norm, not the exception. Photo: Suzie Dundas
Don’t make the mistake of thinking camping on a California beach means warm weather. Coastal weather on the West Coast can be unpredictable. Even during the summer, coastal fog and cooler temperatures are common, especially in areas that aren’t protected from wind. Layered clothing is always best.
However, if you go inland, temperatures can skyrocket, and it’s not uncommon to have temperatures in the 80s and 90s Fahrenheit if you’re camping in the summer in Oregon or Washington. If you’re camping at high elevations, be sure to look at the low temperature as well as the high, as massive temperature swings between day and night are common.
On the West Coast, it’s critical to stay on top of wildfire policies and conditions. Wildfires are a recurring concern throughout the West Coast, particularly during the dry summer and early fall months. Many backcountry and dispersed campsites on the West Coast have full fire bans (both for campfires and cooking), and sometimes, sections may be temporarily closed for fire mitigation (or, unfortunately, fire recovery). It’s your responsibility to know what regulations are active at any given time.
It’s also important to stay aware of any active wildfires anywhere near your planned campsite, as fires can start and spread unbelievably quickly. A good resource to bookmark is the government’s InciWeb fire map website.
Wildcat Campground, CA | Van Damme State Park, CA | Sahale Glacier Camp, WA | Thousand Island Lake, CA | Hoh Campground, WA | Jedediah Smith Campground, CA | Cape Lookout State Park, OR | Naked Falls, WA | Parsons Landing, CA | Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness, OR
Photo: Point Reyes National Seashore/NPS/Public Domain
Wildcat Camp in Point Reyes National Seashore offers stunning views of the rugged Pacific coastline, rolling coastal bluffs, and the iconic Alamere Falls, which cascades directly onto the beach. The small number of sites (eight), combined with vibrant wildflower-covered meadows and dramatic sunsets over the water, make this secluded walk-in campsite an unforgettable experience. You’ll need to hike at least 5.5 miles each way, depending on which trailhead you start from. Reservations are required all year and should be made in advance online. If you visit during whale migration season, you may be lucky enough to see whales breaching off the coast.
Photo: Ethan Daniels/Shutterstock
Forest View Campground just outside of Mendocino is proof that you don’t need to be a long-distance hiker to get a gorgeous backcountry hiking experience. While the park does have beautiful drive-in sites, the most magical camping experience is available by booking one of the remote sites beyond the paved roads in the redwood forest along the Fern Canyon Scenic Trail. They’re near the park’s Little River, and though it’s only a two-mile hike to reach the five sites, the dense forest and sounds of the river make it feel like you’re miles away from everyone else. It’s one of the few places you can camp under redwoods and see almost no one, but be close enough to your car that you don’t need to be an experienced backpacker to enjoy it. Reservations are available online sell out quickly.
Photo: Panpilas L/Shutterstock
Sahale Glacier Camp is a remote backcountry site surrounded by the best of North Cascades National Park: high-elevation peaks, dramatic ridgelines, and the immense expanse of the Sahale Glacier itself. From the tent platforms, you can see the Cascade River and distant forests to the west, while the east offers views of the glacier shimmering in the sun. From your tent, you’ll likely be able to watch mountain goats clamber across ridges, watch snowmelt turn into waterfalls, and relax as the alpenglow at sunset gives way to amazing night sky viewing. The campground requires a strenuous hike up the Sahale Arm Trail, and reservations are required in the form of a backcountry lottery system held every March.
Photo: Suzie Dundas
Camping at Thousand Island Lake is a quick offshoot of the 213-mile John Muir Trail, and offers one of the most striking alpine experiences in the Sierra Nevada. The lake sits in front of 12,900-foot-high Banner Peak, offering a picture-perfect reflection when the lake is still. Tent sites are scattered on hillsides around the shore, and nearly all have unobstructed views of the clear water dotted with hundreds of rocky islets that give the lake its name. Instead of a site reservation, you’ll need an Inyo National Forest backcountry permit, which must be reserved in advance online. Make sure to be bear aware and follow fire and wildlife best practices.
Photo: Zack Frank/Shutterstock
Camping at the Hoh Rainforest Campground in Olympic National Park offers the chance to be totally immersed in the lush, verdant scenery of the temperate rainforest. All 72 campsites are spread among thick moss, blankets of ferns, and old growth trees, but campsites in the A and C loops are extra scenic, thanks to their location along the Hoh River. There are three hiking trails starting from the campground visitor center: two short loop trails (.8 miles and 1.2 miles) and one out-and-back trail (18.5 miles). Amenities are basic and include flush toilets and potable water, but no showers. And if you think a swim in the river is a good way to clean up, think again: the current can be very fast and you need to watch for drifting logs. Reservations are required between June and September, but sites are first-come, first-served outside of that window.
Note that a construction project in 2025 may mean a later start to the camping season, so keep an eye on the reservations page to see when it will open for the year.
Photo: Roman Khomlyak/Shutterstock
Jedediah Smith Campground is without a doubt one of the prettiest campgrounds in California – which makes sense, as Jedediah Smith Redwoods is one of the prettiest state parks in California. Most sites are tucked beneath colossal redwoods, many of which are well over 300 feet tall and more than 1,000 years old. Sites on the west side of the campground (closest to the river) are the quietest and have the biggest redwoods. Sites in the northern part of the campground also have large trees, but are a little closer to the road. Reservations are required as the campground fills almost every day.
Photo: Unexceptional Adventurer/Shutterstock
Cape Lookout State Park sits on a narrow stretch of land sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and Netarts Bay, creating a gorgeous Pacific Northwest coastal camping experience. The campground has 170 tent sites, all with varying levels of privacy and views. The western edges of loops A and B have immediate beach access and unobstructed ocean views, while sites on the eastern side are in denser foliage, and a little more private. Even if you’re in a non-coastal site, the proximity to the beach ensures that the sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean are just a short walk away. Reservations are highly recommended.
Photo: Tiennek/Shutterstock
Naked Fall on Washington’s Washougal River is one of the few places you can legally camp next to a cascading waterfall — and it’s gorgeous. There are only 17 sites, split between raised views of the falls and sites closer to the falls at water level. Aside from the sheer beauty of the sites, campers also have access directly from their tent flaps to everything the site offers, including cliff jumping, natural rock slides into the river, and a relaxing swimming hole (best reserved for warmer months). Reservations are required.
Photo: The Dyrt/Camper Lacie G.
Parsons Landing Campground is on remote Catalina Island, about 45 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. Each site is situated directly on the sandy beach, providing unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean – and very little noise from other campers, as there are only eight sites. The remote location (accessible only by a seven-mile hike) ensures minimal light pollution, allowing for exceptional stargazing opportunities. There are primitive toilets at the site but no running water, though you can have firewood and two gallons of water added to the cost when you make your reservation. Securing a reservation in advance is essential, and the coveted site #8 (sheltered in a semi-cove) books up quickly. Read more at The Dyrt.
Photo: Suzie Dundas
Camping in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness near Mount Hood is a truly immersive Pacific Northwest experience. This area is a lush, rainforest-like escape, where towering Douglas firs, moss-draped maples, and dense huckleberry bushes create a vibrant green canopy overhead. The trails wind through misty forests and fern-covered slopes, giving the whole place a mystical, almost prehistoric feel. Dispersed camping is the name of the game in the woods, with some areas large enough to easily fit half a dozen tents. The Salmon River Trail is an especially great place for beginners, with relatively easy trails to riverside clearings in a deep green forests, creating the sense of being in a human-sized terrarium. No reservations are needed, but you’ll need to get a self-issued backpacking/wilderness pass at the trailhead. 