State Parks near Merced, 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.

Angel Island is currently one of the largest islands in the San Francisco Bay, and along with its neighbor Alcatraz, is one of the most visited in the state. The island can only be accessed via ferries that run daily from both San Francisco and Tiburon. Unfortunately, cars aren’t allowed on the island, so you’ll want to find somewhere to park up your RV rental close to the ferry terminal, or find a nearby campground.Along with its outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, and boating, the island’s rich history is one of the main draws to the island. Once inhabited by Coast Miwok for more than 100 years, the island was later used as an immigration station and …

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.

Auburn State Recreation Area is located on the western edge of California near the state’s border with Nevada. This 42,377-acre area was once a sought-after place for gold panning and still is thanks to its abundance of minerals. During the 1950s, a dam was to be built on the grounds, but this plan was soon abandoned due to fears of its construction causing an earthquake.Numerous people still flock to Auburn State Recreation Area to enjoy its beautiful scenery or to attend one of its many endurance races. The area tends to have very mild temperatures year-round, with summers being cool and winters being somewhat warm.

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 …

Butano State Park immerses you in the untouched wilderness of the Santa Cruz Mountains. A haven for local wildlife such as bobcats, bald eagles, and coyotes, the park is set in a whimsical canyon filled with towering redwoods. It occupies almost 5,000 acres and has been welcoming nature lovers since 1956. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the fresh air, whether you're hiking scenic trails, admiring rare flora, or gazing up at coastal redwoods, the largest trees in the world.At just 50 miles from the Golden Gate City, Butano State Park offers a unique opportunity to camp in an RV near San Francisco. You're also an hour and a half from San Jose and less than three …

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 …

China Camp State Park is situated on California’s central coast and is located near major cities such as San Francisco and Oakland. The park was once a shrimp-fishing village for Chinese-Americans during the 1800s, something that it’s named after. However, before this, numerous Native American tribes lived on the land. In the 1970s, California designated the land as a state park.China Camp State Park is known for its beautiful salt marshes and views of the San Pablo Bay. It has also been showcased in various films and TV shows. Visitors to the park will find that the area has very comfortable weather, including during the summer, with average temperatures being around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

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 …

Long before the European settlers arrived, the region was used by Washoe Native Americans, who are known to have lived and hunted in the Great Basin (the area near Tahoe Lake) for at least 6,000 years. Due to the harsh terrain and arid conditions, the settlers nicknamed it Devil’s Valley. It was used primarily for cattle grazing for much of the 19th century. Around the turn of the century, alarmed by development creeping in, the US Forest Service began purchasing land and started the process of turning it into a federally-managed park. It was initially established as Desolation Valley Primitive Area in 1939 and later recategorized as Desolation Wilderness in 1964.The small town of South Lake Tahoe, CA, …