After years of drought, California’s waterfalls are experiencing a revival thanks to a heavy snowpack.
This year, many of the state’s over 100 waterfalls are expected to flow fully, providing stunning natural beauty and attracting tourists. The timing couldn’t be better for private campground owners and operators, with some still struggling to recover from the pandemic-related restrictions on travel.
Dyana Kelley, the president and CEO of the California Outdoor Hospitality Association, which hosts Camp-California.com, a travel planning website, said, “2023 is going to be a great year for waterfalls throughout California.”
Kelley pointed out that while many waterfalls are hidden deep in the mountains and can only be accessed by trail, quite a few are easily accessible on foot.
In a press release, Camp-California.com has compiled a list of several lesser-known waterfalls along with campgrounds that can be used as base camps to access these beautiful destinations.
Kelley believes that the revival of the waterfalls will boost tourism for private campground owners and operators, especially those near these waterfalls. The website’s list includes a diverse range of campgrounds, ranging from RV and tent sites to cabins, yurts, and motel rentals, catering to a wide range of visitors.
The release lists Alamere Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls along the Northern California coast, as a must-visit destination. Located in Point Reyes National Seashore, this waterfall cascades over a cliff onto a beach and then runs into the ocean. Visitors can stay at the Olema Campground in Olema, which offers both RV and tent sites.
Other popular waterfalls listed include Burney Falls, located inside McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park, and McCloud Falls, a series of three waterfalls on the McCloud River. Visitors can stay at Hat Creek Resort and RV Park, Lassen RV Resort, and Fridays RV Retreat and Fly Fishing Ranch.
The website also highlights Rainbow Falls, a 100-foot waterfall located in Devils Postpile National Park, and Tahquitz Falls, a beautiful 50-foot waterfall hidden in a canyon on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation near the south end of Palm Springs. Visitors can stay at nearby campgrounds such as Mammoth RV Park and Emerald Desert RV Resort.
The waterfalls in the Big Sur area and San Diego County are also worth a visit, with 13 in the Big Sur area, including McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall that plunges from a forested cliff onto the beach below. Campgrounds in the area include Big Sur Campground and Cabins, Fernwood Resort, and Riverside Campground and Cabins. Cedar Creek Falls near Julian is another popular waterfall, with nearby campgrounds such as Pinezanita RV Park and Campgrounds.
For those who cannot secure a reservation at Yosemite National Park, several privately owned and operated campgrounds just outside the park offer RV and tent sites, cabins, yurts, and retro trailer rentals. These include High Sierra RV and Mobile Home Park in Oakhurst, Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging in Groveland, and Yosemite Lakes RV Resort in Groveland.
The waterfalls’ revival is a boon to private campground owners and operators, providing a much-needed boost to the tourism industry, which has been hit hard by the pandemic.
Visitors can now enjoy the stunning natural beauty of California’s waterfalls while staying at a diverse range of campgrounds catering to all tastes and budgets.