State Parks near Madera, CA

Located on central California’s coastline is Andrew Molera State Park. This stunning state park covers 4,766 acres and is filled with trails and beaches for visitors to explore. The park was once a large ranch before the family sold the land to The Nature Conservancy in the 1960s. However, the family had one exception during the sale - the park was to be named after a prominent family member.

Today, Andrew Molera State Park is a sought-after destination for wildlife lovers and surfers. The area tends to have very comfortable temperatures year-round, although winters can be a little chilly.

Anthony Chabot Regional Park is located in central California, close to the towns and cities of Oakland, Pleasanton, and San Leandro. Covering over 5,000 acres, Anthony Chabot Regional Park encompasses a vast area of green rolling hills of the bay area. This idyllic surrounding makes it an attractive place to visit for those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of cities such as Oakland. The park’s rugged terrain is ideal for hiking, nature watching, and cycling. Its closeness to Lake Chabot also makes it the perfect place to go boating and fishing in central California.

All of this makes Anthony Chabot Regional Park the ideal place to take an RV rental. Accessing the park with a …

Situated on central California’s coastline, Asilomar State Beach covers over 107 acres and was established in the early 1950s. This state beach offers breathtaking views of the coast and is filled with historic structures, including the Asilomar Conference Grounds.

Asilomar State Beach was once home to the Rumsen people and gets its name from a Spanish word meaning “asylum.” Because of its unique landscape, hundreds of rare birds live on the beach. This state beach is situated near cities such as Monterey and Carmel-By-The-Sea.

Situated in Santa Cruz County, Big Basin Redwoods State Park was formed in 1902 and is considered to be one of the oldest state parks in California. This California Historic Landmark runs over 18,000 acres long and is known for its massive redwoods. It’s also home to various other trees, like conifers and oaks.

This state park contains numerous waterfalls and is home to many different species of birds, like egrets and acorn woodpeckers. Amphibians also enjoy the shady groves in the park, and visitors will find quite a few scurrying around. Because of its unique look, the park has been featured in many films, including Vertigo.

Set in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Big Basin Redwoods State Park gets you up close with the tallest trees on the planet. It's the oldest state park in California and protects more than 18,000 acres of ancient coast redwood forest. The sheer size and scale of the trees is mindboggling, with some of the living giants towering almost 300 feet tall and estimated to be more than 1,800 years old.

Want to get up close with California's majestic redwoods? Book an RV in Santa Cruz County and you'll enjoy the freedom to explore Big Basin Redwoods at your own pace. Spend a few nights sleeping among the redwoods, then venture further afield to gems like Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park …

Brannan Island State Recreation Area is a 329-acre park located on the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Located around four miles away from the town of Rio Vista, this lovely area consists of sloughs, marshes, levees, rivers, and channels. It's no surprise that fishing, swimming, and boating are among the most popular activities for campers and day-use visitors here.

Thanks to its habitat and diverse wildlife, the park always has a lively atmosphere, even during the off-season. The park has amazing RV campgrounds as well, so book an RV in Sacramento County to make the most of your Brannan Island State Recreation Area camping trip.

Whether you want to unwind with the sounds of nature in the background, have a …

The spectacular and majestic giant sequoias bring tourists from around the world to Calaveras Big Trees State Park northeast of Arnold and Stockton, California. The park was established in 1931 to preserve the giant sequoias, including the Discovery Tree, or Big Stump, the first sequoia discovered by Augustus T. Dowd in 1852. Bring your own motorhome or book an RV in San Joaquin County and discover the majesty of these amazing trees.

While camping at Calaveras Big Trees State Park take some time and explore Lodi, the home of the World of Wonders Science Museum, where you can stock on camping supplies before you head into the park for the weekend. Tracy offers great restaurants and shopping for all …

Castle Rock State Park is an outdoor oasis tucked away within the scenic Santa Cruz Mountains. The park falls predominantly in Santa Cruz County but also stretches into Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. The geography of the region alone attracts an exceptionally wide range of visitors. The lush forests and vibrant flora make it a top destination for nature lovers, while the epic peaks and dips attract hikers.

Caves, rocks, and winding trails make it ideal for those seeking a new and challenging hiking trail as well as rock climbers of various experience levels. The area is dotted with unique rock formations, canyons, and hiking trails. For the most part, the natural environment has been left untouched, giving visitors …

Located between Tipton and Delano, only a few miles away from Earlimart, is Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. This 3,700-acre park was established to preserve Allensworth, a town that was founded and led by African Americans back in 1908. The central figure behind that initiative was Colonel Allen Allensworth, former slave, Union Army officer, and doctor of theology.

After Allensworth's tragic death, the town was hit by drought, and in 1966, arsenic was discovered in the town’s water supply. All of these events led to the decision to demolish the town, but luckily, citizens rallied to protect Allensworth, despite the fact that it was uninhabitable. The land then became a state park in 1974.

History buffs, bikers, and …

The Giant Sequoia National Monument is located near the small town of Porterville, CA, which is almost smack-dab in the middle of this very long state. The nearest larger town is Visalia, at around 60 miles to the west. The park also sits about equidistant from the two large cities of San Jose and the Los Angeles metro area, at around 250 miles from each.

This part of the country is mountainous, forested, and known for being very scenic. The prime draw in this area is the outdoor recreational opportunities it makes available throughout the year. Hiking, camping, and scenic drives throughout the local forests are the main activities people enjoy engaging in here. The very large and very …

Hugging Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, Grover Hot Springs State Park sits outside the town of Markleeville. The park is 553 acres and lies approximately 35 miles away from South Lake Tahoe. It was designated in 1959 and is a popular destination for the great outdoor lovers. The park is named for its two hot springs, which are its major attractions. One of the hot spring pool water temperatures is slightly over 100 degrees while the other one is kept at about 70 degrees. The hot springs get their waters from mineral springs located within the alpine valley, which is then treated and piped to the pool complexes. Besides the pools, the park has many wonderful natural attractions, including …

Centrally located between San Jose and Los Angeles, California, you’ll find the sprawling Hearst San Simeon State Park. Just under two and a half hours west of Bakersfield, this park is over 3,000 acres of country land that holds over twenty miles of Pacific Coastline and the famous historical monument, Hearst Castle.

In the 1860s, George Hearst, thriving from his gold mining enterprise across the Californian coast, purchased land and eventually built Hearst Ranch. In the 1920s and '30s, the park grew substantially with the addition of over 500 acres of beach and then another 1,131 acres in 2005.

If you enjoy horseback riding, hiking, or wildlife viewing, this park is a must-visit for your next RV camping …