Airport Camping
Overview
For the more outdoors/adventurous/budget-minded pilots and passengers, camping is available at or near a number of airports in Northern California, and beyond. One of my clients graciously wrote-up his camping experiences at a number of airports, and his write-ups serve as the genesis of this page. But now that it is started, I will add some of my own information, and that of others. If you have information to contribute, please send it to me by email and I will add it (possibly in edited form) as seems appropriate.
California Airports with, or near, camping
Pine Mountain Lake, E45
E45 Pine Mountain Lake - (37.8744, -120.1676) Trailhead, (37.8844, -120.1488) campsite. Just went this weekend 6/12-14/20, had a really amazing backpacking trip to the Tuolomne River. From tie-downs, walk across runway, through neighborhood to trailhead. 4 miles on trail and 2000' down canyon (2.5 hours hike). I stayed 2 nights camping, swimming at sandy river mini beach. Can wade/swim across some areas, others are strong flowing rapids. Nice shaded woods, free camping, lots of firewood, sunshine, an abandoned mine, and amazing stars at night. Bring iodine water treatment for river, sunscreen, and bug spray, there are some ticks and critters, lots of poison oak. Challenging hike back uphill took 4 hours, mostly smooth uphill with occasional rockslides, fallen trees, and ladder/rock climbing with backpack can be tough. Airport $5/overnight box, has fuel, lounge, tap water, restrooms. Would definitely go again.
Trinity Center, O86
O86 Trinity Center - (41.0035, -122.6963) Camped here twice. Pretty lakeside free camping, orange/red dirt. Swimming in cool lake, kayak/boat rentals on Trinity Lake through KOA, walk into town, hiking. KOA 530.266.3337 has paid campsites and free ride from airport, but free lakeside camping with tree shade is nicer, 2 miles hike if by foot north of airport along lakeshore. Can drink lake water with iodine treatment. Dennis Roberts 530.859.0051 is a kind local airplane fan happy to give a truck ride. $3/overnight box.
Kern Valley, L05
L05 Kern Valley - (35.7300, -118.4206) Camped here 3 times. No reservation easy camping $20/night. Big grassy patch immediate to tie downs. Manager Rick Lach 661.345.7755 for ride into town, or small fee car rental. Hot showers, tap water spigot, fire pits and some firewood is around, porta pottie, cafe is at south end. Lake Isabella, kayak or rafting on Kern river can be booked. Small town is a shuttle/ride away for brewery/restaurants. Can walk 5 minutes west from campsite to swim in cold river, hiking trails.
Furnace Creek, L06
L06 Furnace Creek - (36.461, -116.868) camping at Furnace Creek or Sunset campground (check reservation or open for first come - I saw lots of room). Resort 760.786.2345 for a free ride for lunch. Farabee jeep rental 760.786.9872 http://farabeejeeps.com/recommended-trails/ with pricy reservation 2 or 4 persons, but makes a cool trip with lots of dirt trails around.
Columbia, O22
O22 Columbia - (38.0317, -120.4168) Camped here 8 times. Easy $10/overnight includes camping. Hot showers, restrooms, firepits, picnic tables, horseshoes/volleyball. 15 min walk into town for lunch/cafe/pizza/bar, antique shops, goldrush style preserved streets, blacksmith/museum, candles/candy shops.
Catalina, KAVX
KAVX Catalina - pricey camping with advance (2-3 months prior) reservation, no cancellations/reschedule in case of poor weather. Black Jack (33.385, -118.406) site is 4 miles (2 hours) hike and a nice spot and views. Suggest 2 nights stay, tap water spigot, cold shower, firewood and fire pits. Restaurant on field, buffalo and fox on island.
Shelter Cove, 0Q5
0Q5 Shelter Cove - restaurant, cafe/shop on field, tent/RV reserved sites immediately south. Nice spot with trails, free overnight on field, water and hiking trails. Black sand beach to north, access to Lost Coast trail.
Alpine County, M45
M45 Alpine County - just stopped there for 10 minutes on 6/14/20. Free overnight and basic camping with lots of room immediate to 10 tiedowns. I saw 2 horse riders and 1 van camper. 40 min hike to Markleeville Creek downhill, and reservoir near Indian Creek campground.
Airports Outside of California with, or near, camping
Sedona Arizona, KSEZ
Sedona is pretty, nice perimeter hike right around airport, restaurants in town, more hikes with ride out. Check out the meteor crater by overflying 37nm NE, grand canyon VFR route.
Page Arizona, KPGA
Page had courtesy car - took to Antelope Canyon tour, very scenic narrow slot canyon formed by wind/water and vertical sunrays. Can overfly Horseshoe Bend just W of KPGA, and Rainbow Bridge to E.
Monument Valley Utah, UT25
UT25 Monument Valley - got the 4 hour native led truck tour, super scenic, petroglyphs, restaurant/lodge/camping at Goulding's