California

There is so much to explore in California. Most of these places are special because of trees (redwoods, Joshua trees). Lots more on the bucket list to come! My favorites are marked with an asterisk, and there are a lot of those on this page. Updated November 2025.

Reason to Visit:

Redwoods, ferns, and fog.

Where to Camp:

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park*
Campsites are surrounded by dense brush and trees (incl. massive redwoods). Site #37 is beautiful, packed dirt + gravel, near the visitor’s center, amphitheater and wheelchair-accessible restrooms. There is a nature trail in the campground, half of which is wheelchair accessible. It is fairly flat and terrain is packed soil. There are several other nature trails nearby that claim to be wheelchair accessible, but I have yet to check them out for myself.

Road Trip Stops:

Fern Canyon (Van Damme State Park) – Mostly flat, unpaved roll through a vegetated valley with a creek. Trail conditions may be dependent on recent floods, as the trail can wash out. The state park has two accessible tent sites, but I wouldn’t recommend staying here—they are located in the middle of a loop and aren’t very quiet/private.
Avenue of the Giants (Humboldt Redwoods State Park)* – I highly recommend taking this drive that parallels U.S. Highway 101. Make sure to stop at the Gould Grove Nature Trail. Beautiful, mostly level walk through the redwoods on a packed soil trail, and a nearby visitor center.

Reason to Visit:

Redwoods, museums, and wine country.

Where to Camp:

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park*
Campsite #37 was level on well-packed dirt. Near wheelchair-accessible, single-occupant restrooms and coin-op showers. At the entry to the campground there is a long bike trail, but it’s quite the climb back up to the camping area. Calistoga is very close, with a cute downtown and loads of wine-tasting options.

Portola Redwoods State Park*
Campsite #53 is awesome. Space for two cars, multiple tents, a picnic table and fire pit, and it’s all paved. It also has a direct paved path to the single-occupant restrooms/coin-op showers. Sleep right under the redwoods here.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park*
Campsite #17 isn’t quite as private as the other redwoods campsites, but the site is large (paved in parts, level compact dirt in others). The restrooms have grab bars, but not sure about the showers. What makes this place truly special is the nearby Redwood Grove Loop Trail. It is very level with a packed-dirt surface. It’s quite peaceful in the morning.

Things to Do:

Reason to Visit:

Seussian trees, cacti, and rock formations.

Where to Camp:

Jumbo Rocks Campground
Beautiful, but lacks accessibility. Site 122 is set between two “jumbo” rock faces. The parking area is paved but the rest of the site is sand, which is deep and tough to roll through. There is enough space for a car and a small tent on the paved parking pad. It’s located near the pit toilets (w/ grab bars), which is not ideal when the wind is headed the wrong way. Drive just a mile west to get amazing sunset silhouettes. Seussian trees, cacti, and rock formations.

Things to Do:

Cholla Cactus Garden* – A surreal garden of cacti, with a maze of trails. Most of the trails are level and made of well-packed sediment. On some of the trails there are small bridges with a step over washes, but you can avoid these for the most part.
Cap Rock Nature Trail* – Half-mile nature trail on well-maintained, level, packed sediment.
Keys View – Panoramic view over Coachella Valley.

* favorite activities and campgrounds