State Parks near Porterville, CA

Located in the town of Carpinteria, only 12 miles south of Santa Barbara and shrouded by the towering hills of Santa Ynez, lies a modest 62-acre recreation area with more than 4,600 feet of beachfront. The original inhabitants of the land were Chumash peoples, who called the area mishopshnow, which roughly translates to “correspondence.” The Chumash used the area’s resources for crafts, such as bowls, effigies, and beads.

The area also boasts rich tar deposits that were utilized for multiple purposes, one of which was paving the roads of Santa Barbara County. Santa Barbara campers and Carpinteria campers love to come here to beat the summer heat, but the park’s beauty beckons visitors from all across the state as …

Welcome to one of the most magnificent reservoirs in the U.S., with 12,658 acres to enjoy. These waters feed the local communities and attract campers and adventurers from near and far. One of the most popular reasons for visits to this dam, besides the 29 miles of shoreline, is the epically tall 425-foot Castaic Dam. The park's two bodies of water provide a bevy of options for water sports.

Castaic Lake State Recreation Area caters to families, with playgrounds for children and tent and RV camping facilities. Fishing, hiking, boating, biking, and picnicking for groups as large as 600 people are a few of the other highlights at the park. The Angeles National Forest is around a two-hour drive from …

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 …

Death Valley is one of the most biodiverse national parks in the United States. Covering more than three million acres – most of it designated wilderness – it’s the largest national park in the contiguous United States. Death Valley is located in Southern California on the border with Nevada, roughly three hours north of Los Angeles and two hours west of Las Vegas.

Driving through Death Valley will also take you to the lowest point in the United States at 282 feet below sea level, not too far from mountains towering past 11,000 feet. Death Valley presents its visitors with fascinating geology, a hardy ecosystem of plants and wildlife, and interesting history.

The park earned its name after countless …

Set on the Santa Barbara Channel, Emma Wood State Beach lures sunseekers with golden sand, rolling waves, and stunning views of the Channel Islands. Spend the day soaking up the Golden State sunshine or throw on your hiking boots and hit one of the coastal trails. Dolphins splashing offshore and great blue herons soaring overhead add to the postcard-perfect atmosphere.

Planning a spell in Southern California? Rent a camper in Ventura County and you can stay the night at Emma Wood State Beach, as well as other local gems like Crystal Cove, Leo Carillo, Thornhill Broome, and Point Mugu. The City of Angels is an hour and a half away, which makes Emma Wood State Beach a great place to …

Fort Tejon State Historic Park resides on what was once a 1800s California Army fort. The fort was originally built as a way to help protect local citizens from attacks. A few years after it was constructed, the fort survived a massive earthquake, which is now known as the Fort Tejon earthquake.

Today, Fort Tejon State Historic Park still contains many of its historic structures, including barracks. There are also exhibits located around the grounds that tell more about its history and contain artifacts found on the land, such as uniforms and weapons.

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 …

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 …

Inyo National Forest immerses you in a two-million-acre wonderland of rugged peaks, towering pines, and shimmering lakes. It's set in California's Eastern Sierra region and is a fantastic place to hike, camp, fish, and enjoy the natural beauty of the Golden State. The park is made up of nine wilderness areas and boasts some of the tallest peaks in the United States, including Mt. Whitney. As you explore Inyo National Forest, you can discover natural wonders like the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, home to the oldest trees on the planet. Mono Lake will wow you with dramatic calcium-carbonate spires, while Mammoth Lakes Basin is a favorite with hikers, anglers, and mountain bikers.

The park was named after the Native American …

In Northern California, about four hours south of Sacramento on the southernmost portion of the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains, you’ll find one of the most breathtaking natural parks in the state. Three Rivers is home to the entrance of Kings Canyon National Park, located three hours southeast of San Jose and an hour east of Fresno near the Nevada border.

In 1890, President Benjamin Harrison signed Sequoia National Park, the nation’s second national park, into construction and protection. Fifty years later, President Roosevelt established General Grant National Park, which eventually became Kings Canyon National Park.

For those unfamiliar with the Sierra Nevadas, Kings Canyon National Park erupts with giant mountain peaks, glacially carved canyons, rushing rivers, calm lakes, and lush …

Los Padres National Forest stretches over 1.75 million acres in central California. The impressive size of this area covers various ecosystems. The magnificent landscape is composed of the coast on the west that changes into small deserts, grassland, canyons, and deep oak forests as you go to the east. This national forest is home to 23 endangered animal species, including California condors. The outdoor opportunities here are endless thanks to the mild Mediterranean climate from the ocean.

This national forest was established in 1936 and named after Catholic missionary priests who lived in the area back in the 18th and 19th centuries. Visitors frequent Los Padres National Forest because it is an excellent location for hiking, swimming, picnicking, climbing, and …

Millerton Lake State Recreation Area lies in central California, close to the towns and cities of Fresno, Madera, and Clovis. As the name suggests, Millerton Lake State Recreation Area straddles the northern shores of Millerton Lake. Millerton Lake covers an area of nearly 5,000 acres and was created when a dam was built across the San Joaquin River. The lakeside location of this recreation area makes it the perfect weekend escape for the people of Fresno. From the great boating and fishing, Millerton Lake State Recreation Area offers to the hiking and nature watching; there is something for all.

The long list of recreational possibilities, combined with the closeness to many mid-Californian cites, makes Millerton Lake State …

Montana De Oro State Park is situated toward the southern portion of California and has stunning coastal views of the Pacific Ocean. Spanning over 8,000 acres, this state park features an interesting mixture of forests and beaches for visitors to explore. During the spring and summer, the park explodes with golden wildflowers. The thousands of yellow flowers blooming here is what inspired its name, which means “gold mountain” in Spanish.

The grounds were first inhabited by Native Americans before it eventually was taken by Spanish explorers. When it became part of California, the area was used for farming and lumber. In 1965, the land became Montana De Oro State Park.