Where can I go tent camping in Northern or Central California, with fire ring and kayaking and private site?

We wish to go camping this weekend with a tent. There are two of us and a dog, so it has to be pet friendly. Is there a website where I can put in search parameters and find all the campsites that fit them?

I suggest that you invest in a book called “Free Campgrounds of the West.” It’s a book that has $12 and under campsites west of the Mississippi River. (There’s also a book for the East.)

The whole reason behind free campgrounds is that they’re the most private and better especially if you’re bringing the dogs along. Usually there’s no running water or bathrooms, but also no one running generators at night, no radios or loud drunken rednecks either.

If you’re in a time crunch and cannot get the book, I suggest that you call the ranger station in the forest. Also, if you have time, all you have to do is cruise around in a national forest like Klamath, Lassen, Plumas, Modoc, Tahoe or Eldorado. You’ll easily see free places to camp along the side of gravel roads. I’d call the ranger station and see if you’ll need to pick up a campfire permit or anything else they may make you do. Remember, these places are free camping because you’re not paying for services like running water or restrooms.

Check out the National Forest web site:

http://www.fs.fed.us/

Good luck!

Kayaking California Central Coast

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