Top 5 National Parks from San Francisco

Are you ready to roll out from San Francisco in your trusty RV? You’re perfectly poised to dive into some of America’s most stunning landscapes, just a stone’s throw from the city’s busy streets. From the towering redwoods to volcanic remnants, a visit to nearby national parks from San Francisco is a road-trippers dream.

Pinnacles National Park 

Just over two hours south of San Francisco, Pinnacles National Park offers a strikingly rugged landscape formed by volcanic activity over 23 million years ago. This hidden gem, one of the youngest national parks in the United States, is a sanctuary for adventurers and nature lovers. 

With its towering rock formations, deep caves, and spring wildflowers, Pinnacles provides a dramatic backdrop for hiking, rock climbing, and bird watching—particularly for the endangered California condors that soar above. It is one of the few release sites for the California Condor Recovery Program. 

Pinnacles National Park in an RV

For those touring by RV, the East Entrance is the most accessible, with the Pinnacles Campground offering family-friendly camping options, including tent and group camping, along with RV sites. Although the campground does not offer hookups, it provides a range of amenities such as showers, a swimming pool, and a general store. It’s important to note that the campground is accessible from the east side of the park only, so plan your route accordingly.

Redwood National Park

If visiting the tallest trees on the planet has ever been on your bucket list, Redwood National Park is the place to be. But Redwood is so much more than just tall trees! The vast prairies, oak woodlands, and serene rivers cascading through the forests to eventually merge with the rugged coastline will leave you in awe. Redwood National Park is about 5.5 hours north of San Francisco. 

RV Camping in Redwood

There are several campgrounds suitable for RVs, each providing different amenities and experiences.

Gold Bluffs Beach Campground: Located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, this campground offers RV sites up to 24 feet with no hookups. The campground is notable for its beachfront location and close proximity to Fern Canyon. Amenities include solar showers, potable water, and restrooms. The area is known for its scenic views and opportunities to see wildlife like Roosevelt elk roaming the dunes. It’s open year-round, and reservations are required during the busy season.

Elk Prairie Campground: Also in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, this campground accommodates RVs up to 27 feet. There are no hookups, but the site offers hot showers, flush toilets, and potable water. It’s a fantastic spot for wildlife viewing, especially the local elk herds, and offers easy access to over 70 miles of hiking and biking trails.

Jedediah Smith Campground: This campground is located within the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and allows RVs up to 25 feet. It features a day-use area with picnic tables surrounded by old-growth redwoods and amenities like flush toilets and coin-operated showers.

Mill Creek Campground: Situated in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, this campground is open from May through September and offers 145 sites for tents or RVs with no hookups. Amenities include restrooms and showers, with access to hiking trails and a nearby visitor center.

For those seeking more developed RV facilities, nearby private RV parks like Klamath River RV Park and Mad River Rapids RV Park offer full hookups, including water, electricity, and sewer, along with additional amenities such as Wi-Fi and laundry facilities. These parks are excellent bases for exploring the Redwood National and State Parks and the surrounding areas.

Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak season, and can be made through Reserve California. Always check the latest park guidelines and restrictions before your visit to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. For more information on camping options and reservations, you can visit the official National Park Service website.

Here’s a map of Redwood National Park camping sites for RVs:

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

These two parks are adjacent and about a 4-hour drive south of San Francisco. They are known for their giant sequoia trees, including the General Sherman tree, one of the largest trees on Earth. A drive through the towering forests of Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks in an RV is humbling and exhilarating.

Touring Sequoia National Park Walking trails like the Congress Trail and Moro Rock provide panoramic views and close encounters with these ancient giants. Many of Sequoia’s campgrounds cater to RVs, offering spacious sites and hookups amidst the grandeur of nature.

Giant Trees and Mountain Scapes Beyond the giant trees, the park features stunning mountain vistas, deep canyons, and robust wildlife. It’s a fantastic spot for photography, hiking, and witnessing the majesty of nature.

Best Times to Visit Sequoia Spring through fall provides the most accessible weather conditions for exploring the park, though each season offers unique charms and challenges.

NOTE: Lassen Volcanic National Park is closer to San Francisco than some other national parks on this list. However, due to 2021 Dixie Fire recovery efforts, most campsites remain closed for overnight RV camping in Lassen Volcanic Park campgrounds.

As a replacement, we’ve included Death Valley as a great option, although it is further away in the opposite direction. Death Valley’s unique dramatic landscapes of sand dunes and salt flats are a sight to behold!

Death Valley National Park

Approximately 7 to 7.5 hours southeast of San Francisco, Death Valley offers some of the region’s most extreme and compelling landscapes. As one of the hottest places in the world, Death Valley offers extreme adventures within its dramatic landscapes of sand dunes and salt flats. You can experience the extremes of Death Valley with all the comforts of home in one of RVRentalsOfAmerica’s premium RVs.

Death Valley Camping and Accommodations: Several campgrounds and lodges within the park offer basic to comfortable accommodations. Due to the clear, dark skies, stargazing is particularly spectacular here. 

Seasons and Camping Options

Summer (May – September): During the summer, extreme temperatures (sometimes over 100 degrees at midnight) mean few campgrounds are open, and they can get very crowded, especially over holiday weekends like Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day. Higher elevation campgrounds may be full most weekends. All open campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis and are unmanned. Payments can be made at automated self-service kiosks using a credit or debit card. Due to the heat, camping is advised only in developed areas to avoid the risks associated with primitive roads, such as vehicle breakdowns and limited cell service.

Consider higher-elevation campgrounds like Mesquite Spring, Emigrant, or Wildrose for cooler conditions.

Winter/Spring (October – April): Furnace Creek Campground accepts reservations from October 15 to April 15 and often fills up during this busy season. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance at recreation.gov. Furnace Creek and Texas Springs campgrounds usually reach capacity on weekends and holidays, while Sunset Campground typically has availability even during peak times.

Choose from RV-specific sites that provide the necessary amenities to handle the harsh environment, ensuring a safe and comfortable base from which to explore the vastness of Death Valley. There are some restrictions in place for RVs in Death Valley:

• Mahogany Flats, Thorndike, and Wildrose Campgrounds: Max 25 feet.
• Emigrant Campground: Only tents, no RVs.
• Texas Springs and Mesquite Springs Campgrounds: Up to 35 feet.
• Furnace Creek Campground: Sites accommodate up to 100 feet (not all sites).
• Sunset Campground and Stovepipe Wells Campground: No RV length restrictions.

Extreme Weather and Survival Tips: Visiting Death Valley requires preparation, especially regarding hydration and sun protection. Winter offers the most pleasant temperatures.

Must-See Attractions in Death Valley: The Racetrack Playa, Zabriskie Point, and Badwater Basin are must-visit locations that showcase the park’s unique geological features.

Yosemite National Park

At just about 3.5 hours away from San Francisco, Yosemite is one of the most famous and visited national parks in the United States. It is known for its waterfalls, valleys, meadows, and giant sequoias. The iconic landscapes of Yosemite are best enjoyed with the flexibility and comfort of traveling in an RV.

Securing a Yosemite National Park Day Pass

Due to its popularity, entering Yosemite often requires a reservation, especially during the peak summer months. Day passes can be booked online ahead of your visit.

Yosemite Highlights and Must-Visit Sites 

Iconic sites like El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls are essential stops for any first-time visitor. The park’s extensive trail system caters to hikers and nature enthusiasts of all levels.

RV and Trailer Camping in Yosemite

Yosemite is an ideal destination for a long weekend getaway. Book one of the many RV-friendly campsites in Yosemite, which offer complete facilities and stunning views. Stay close to nature without sacrificing comfort.

Yosemite offers ten campgrounds suitable for RVs and trailers of various sizes, including fifth wheels. Overnight stays with RVs are allowed only in designated standard or RV campsites—not in parking lots, roadsides, or tent-only sites.

Reservations: These campgrounds are often fully booked from April through September. It’s advisable to reserve a spot as early as possible. Information on non-reservable camping is available for those without reservations.

Utilities: Yosemite has no electrical, water, or sewer hookups. However, dump stations with fresh water are accessible at Upper Pines Campground year-round, near Wawona Campground during summer and near Tuolumne Meadows Campground (which will reopen in summer 2024). Generators can be used only during specific hours: 7–9 a.m., 12–2 p.m., and 5–7 p.m.

RV and Trailer Sizes: The largest RVs allowed in Yosemite Valley are 40 feet, and the largest trailers are 35 feet, but only eight such spots are available. Many other sites can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet and trailers up to 24 feet. Sites typically have different maximum lengths for RVs and trailers due to the varied sizes of parking pads and turning spaces. Overextending site size limits are not advised, as alternative accommodations cannot be guaranteed if your vehicle doesn’t fit.

Food Storage: Food can be stored inside hard-sided RVs and trailers if it is out of sight and the unit is sealed (windows, doors, vents closed) when not present. Due to safety regulations, soft-sided campers like pop-up trailers must not be used for storing food.

Note: While the park is open, a reservation is required from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. on some dates through October 27, 2024. April 13–June 30: weekends and holidays only. July 1–August 16: Daily. August 17– October 27: weekends and holidays only.

Frequently Asked Questions About National Parks From San Francisco