California River Maps

There are many gorgeous rivers in California that are perfect for camping and fishing, but none are located in Southern California. None! Yep, you read that right. If you think about it, Cali is half desert! The majority of our natural water in our state is coming from the north – so take this as a warning: you might need to drive a few hours to find your ideal river camp.

The easy-to-access waterways are found mostly along highways in the Sierra Nevada – or way up in NorCal. Deep granite gorges carved out by glaciers, surrounded by forested peaks is only half the appeal. High elevation lakes, waterfalls, big trees, abundant wildlife, and the alpine villages are all part of the Sierra Nevada experience.  Raft, kayak, fly fish, hike, bike or just camp out next to a big, rushing, flowing river. Our selection of California maps will get you narrowed down to a specific region, so you can find that perfect river campground, or explore and discover the back roads – for the most seclusion.

NorCal Rivers:

EEL RIVER
KLAMATH RIVER – Klamath NF Map
MATTOLE RIVER
NAVARRO RIVER
6 RIVERS NATIONAL FOREST
RUSSIAN RIVER
SALMON RIVER
SMITH RIVER Recreation Map
TRINITY RIVER – Trinity Alps Map

Sierra Rivers:

AMERICAN RIVER – El Dorado NF Map
FEATHER RIVER Recreation Map
FEATHER RIVER – Plumas NF Map
CONSUMNES RIVER – Stanislaus NF Map
KERN RIVER – Sequoia NF Map
KINGS RIVER – Sierra NF Map
KINGS RIVER – Sequoia Kings Canyon Map
KINGS RIVER – Kings Cyn NP
MERCED RIVER – Sierra NF Map
MERCED RIVER – Yosemite NP
MOKELUMNE RIVER – El Dorado NF Map
OWENS RIVER – Inyo NF Map
STANISLAUS RIVER – Stanislaus NF Map
S YUBA RIVER Recreation Map
YUBA RIVER – Tahoe NF Map

LOCAL TIPS

KERN RIVER: The Kern River is the most popular of all the rivers due to it’s proximity to SoCal. Hurried, stressed-out, Angelinos can be at this destination in under 3 hours which makes it a very busy place in summer months. So, let it be told, that summer is not the best time to enjoy the Kern. If you do plan a summer outting, make sure you head for the Upper Kern (10+ mi N of Kernville) or the North Fork of the Kern (out in Monache Meadows) where 4×4 is often needed. The Lower Kern River has only 2 developed campgrounds: Hobo (closed for winter) and Sandy Flat (open all year). Numerous primitive camp spots are available along Old Kern Canyon Rd, which parallels the Hwy 178 on the south side. None of which are located at the rivers edges. Fire danger is great in this area, so pay extra close attention to signs and fire restrictions.

YOSEMITE RIVER: Take note, this is the most popular park in the whole state. The majority of campers want to stay right on the river when they visit Yosemite National Park, but that is just plain old impossible, since reservations go fast and there is only so much room for everyone in this enclosed, narrow, precious valley. This particular park has some major floods (recently 1997 & 2005) that wipe out bridges, the road ways, all the old wooden cabins (at Yosemite Lodge) are gone and only half of the campgrounds are still available. Yosemite has had 11 winter floods since 1916 that have caused substantial damage to property.

3 Yosemite Campgrounds are located next to the Merced River (inside Yosemite Valley)

• Lower Pines Campground
• North Pines Campground
• Upper Pines Campground

Way up in the Yosemite high country (which is only open a few months outta the year) the Tuolumne Meadows Campground is located next to lush meadows and the scenic Tuolumne River.  All these Yosemite campsites must be reserved well in advance!

STANISLAUS RIVER: This area is the Sonora Pass and the fishing is very decent way back in this granite gorge. The highway 108 is only open a few months outta the year, due to snow & rock slides – so time is of the essence. Summer time that is. Several campgrounds are located right on the river, or on the major feeder streams. Or you can opt for secluded primitive camping on the back roads. Find Sonora camping in Stanislaus National Forest.

YUBA RIVER: The biggest play time river in the northern Gold Country, this runs along Hwy 49 near Downieville and also has a major South Fork for the best swimming holes and primitive camping in this region. Tubing, rafting, kayaking, fishing, camping, gold panning, you name it, Yuba has it. Look for more on the South Yuba Recreation map, or Plumas National Forest map.

FEATHER RIVER: The top fishing river in the Lassen area. Close to Chester and Lake Almanor. High Bridge Campground is located is an awesome forested spot where you can fish 2 rivers on the same day. A Lassen Topo Atlas or Lassen National Forest map would be quite helpful for this region.

KINGS RIVER: This one particular river is the longest in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, pulling snow melt from the upper reaches of the High Country and Mount Whitney. The river area just to the West of the National Park, over to Pine Flat Reservoir, is all prime for outdoor recreation. Several river rafting companies work this stretch of river.

You relocated to California for your career and to enjoy the outdoors more, but you ended up in the Los Angeles Basin instead, breathing smog daily. You will need to escape – soon, for sanity sake. This is your new favorite web site on California outdoors. Bookmark it dude. And be proud to love nature!

• Cucamonga Wilderness
• Dick Smith Wilderness
• Hikes in the Angeles National Forest
• LA’s Best Trails by LA Inc
• Los Angeles Hikes
• Los Padres Sierra Club
• Mount Baldy Hikes
• Mount Pinos Recreation Area
• Naturalist for You
• Ojai Hikes
• Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
• Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
• Quatal Canyon
• Hike San Jacinto Page
• Sespe Wilderness

PCT hikes – Pacific Crest Trail
the infamous hiking trail that runs the length of the entire West Coast
EASY MAPS: Pacific Crest Trail Map #2 (Traverse Ranges)

Los Angeles Hiking Maps

Angeles Front Country Map
Angeles High Country Map
Angeles National Forest Map
Channel Islands Map
Cucamonga Wilderness Map
Dick Smith Wilderness Map
Joshua Tree Park Map
Los Padres National Forest Map
Los Padres Forest Topo Atlas
Malibu Creek Map
Mojave Preserve Map
Mount Baldy Map
Mount Wilson Trail Map
Pacific Crest Trail Map
Point Mugu Map
San Bernardino National Forest Map
San Bernardino Forest Atlas
San Diego Backcountry Map
San Gorgonio Wilderness Map
San Jacinto Wilderness Map
Sespe Wilderness Map
Topanga Trail Map
Verdugo Mountains Trail Map
Zuma / Trancas Canyons Map

Yosemite Park in California’s Sierra Nevada is the most visited of all the National Parks. Tourists and campers fill the main valley all year long, with the crowds peeking in mid summer. Autumn is gorgeous, winter is snowy, spring is glorious and summer is grand.

The park has numerous alpine lakes, granite domes, meadows, Sequoia groves and a snow ski resort. Backpacking is popular here, bike rentals and big wall climbing. Waterfalls and granite cathedrals tower above the lush river carved valley. Sightseeing and hiking should be part of your visit. Stay away from the crowds and take the back roads, with our great selection of Yosemite backcountry maps.

Topographic maps for Yosemite National Park – and outlying regions:

• Yosemite Topo by NatGeo
• Ansel Adams Map
• Half Dome Map
• Hetch Hetchy Map
• Inyo National Forest Map
• Inyo Forest Topo Atlas
• Mono Lake Map
• Tuolumne Meadows Map
• Yosemite High Country Map
• Yosemite National Park Map
• Yosemite Valley Trail Map

Teneja Lake, Hwy 120. Yosemite National Park

Orange County. North of San Diego & south of LA.

OC hikes

maps for local weekends, local hikes:

• Angeles National Forest (aka Angeles Crest)
• Cleveland National Forest (aka Ortega Highway)
• Cucamonga Wilderness
• OC hikes & trails
• OC towns
  
• Mount Baldy Map
• San Berdu, Big Bear
• San Berdu, Idyllwild
• San Diego Back Country Map
• San Gorgonio Wilderness
• San Jacinto Wilderness
• Santa Rosa Wilderness

USGA topo maps California

Tahoe Topo Atlas

The United States Geological Survey team has been working hard since 1897 to research and create the maps you might need to enjoy the great outdoors. Government produced maps include – USDA, NFS, USGS

California Mountains Maps
Topo Maps CA
River Maps California

California National Forest maps, Wilderness maps, Topographical atlas

The USGS is a agency of the United States government. The scientists study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology, geography, geology, and hydrology.

• Map Wilderness
  a selection of wilderness areas and recreation routes
• National Forest Maps
  all individual California National Forest maps
• Regional Map Sets
  bundled map packages for specific region in CA
• CA Map Topo Atlases
  spiral book of topographical data plus satellite images in CA NF
• Recreational Maps California
  detailed maps for popular peaks, parks, rivers & forests

Dome Lands Wilderness

Interesting California map links -
Recent Earthquakes CA & NV
USGS.gov
Science In Your Backyard: California
Topographic Maps of California
Broer Map Library – California

Sequoia Map, #1 seller on Total Escape