Top Camping Spots Near Carmel Valley, CA: Explore Nature's Best in Monterey County
Nestled in the scenic foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains, Carmel Valley, CA, offers a variety of camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. For those seeking to enjoy the comforts of home while embracing nature, the nearby RV parks provide essential amenities and access to stunning vistas of vineyards and rolling hills. For traditionalists, tent camping can be found in picturesque spots such as Garzas Creek or Palo Corona Regional Park, where you can immerse yourself in the tranquility of oak woodlands and listen to the gentle sounds of nature. Adventurous souls can explore dispersed camping in the Ventana Wilderness, where primitive sites allow for an authentic experience surrounded by majestic redwoods and star-studded night skies. With a mild Mediterranean climate, Carmel Valley is perfect for year-round camping, making it an ideal destination for families, couples, and solo adventurers alike. Whether you choose to park your RV, pitch a tent, or venture into the wild, Carmel Valley promises unforgettable memories amidst its breathtaking landscapes.
White Oaks Campground is located in the Monterey Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (1 hr 8 min southeast of Seaside, CA) with an elevation of 4,013 feet. There are a total of 8 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Andrew Molera Campground is part of Andrew Molera State Park in California (44 min south of Seaside, CA) with an elevation of 89 feet. There are a total of 22 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of December. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, trash dumpster. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
China Camp is located in the Monterey Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (1 hr 20 min southeast of Seaside, CA) with an elevation of 4,311 feet. There are a total of 10 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground is part of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park in California (56 min south of Seaside, CA) with an elevation of 225 feet. There are a total of 157 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is open all year. 156 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 32 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $35.00 to $50.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, general store, accessible, laundry facility, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Arroyo Seco Campground is located in the Monterey Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (59 min south of Salinas, CA) with an elevation of 956 feet. There are a total of 39 campsites including 17 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 22 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $35.00 to $150.00. Some amenities include shower. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Valley View Campground is part of Fremont Peak State Park in California (51 min northeast of Salinas, CA) with an elevation of 2,722 feet. There are a total of 13 campsites including 5 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 8 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 25 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $25.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include hiking trails.
Oak Point Campground is part of Fremont Peak State Park in California (50 min northeast of Salinas, CA) with an elevation of 2,722 feet. There are a total of 11 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 25 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $25.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include hiking trails.
Escondido Campground is located in the Monterey Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (2 hrs 14 min southeast of Seaside, CA) with an elevation of 2,186 feet. There are a total of 9 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs between 25 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $38.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include biking, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Sunset Campground is part of Sunset State Beach in California (just 17 min southwest of Watsonville, CA) with an elevation of 132 feet. There are a total of 84 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 24 and 31 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, swimming, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Memorial Campground is located in the Monterey Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (2 hrs 1 min southeast of Seaside, CA) with an elevation of 2,102 feet. There are a total of 8 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs between 20 and 80 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Manresa Beach Campground is part of Manresa State Beach in California (just 16 min west of Watsonville, CA) with an elevation of 0 feet. There are a total of 60 campsites including 57 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of October. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, swimming, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Pinnacles Campground is part of Pinnacles National Monument in California (46 min southeast of Hollister, CA) with an elevation of 2,008 feet. There are a total of 134 campsites including 10 cabins. The campground is open all year. 109 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 16 and 90 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 34 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $40.00 to $129.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, dump station, general store, swimming, restroom, amphitheater, pay telephone, gift shop, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails, rock climbing.
Limekiln Campground is part of Limekiln State Park in California (3 hrs 26 min southeast of Seaside, CA) with an elevation of 105 feet. There are a total of 23 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 18 and 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, accessible, swimming, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Seacliff Campground is part of Seacliff State Beach in California (just 16 min east of Santa Cruz, CA) with an elevation of 100 feet. There are a total of 59 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 35 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 25 sites have full hookups (electric, water and sewer). Fees range from $55.00 to $65.00. Some amenities include shower, accessible, swimming, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Kirk Creek Campground is located in the Monterey Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (3 hrs 21 min southeast of Seaside, CA) with an elevation of 508 feet. There are a total of 32 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 26 and 56 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $45.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming, restroom. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
New Brighton Campground is part of New Brighton State Beach in California (just 12 min east of Santa Cruz, CA) with an elevation of 123 feet. There are a total of 106 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 26 and 36 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 10 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $35.00 to $50.00. Some amenities include shower, accessible, swimming, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Ponderosa Campground is located in the Monterey Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (about 47 miles from El Paso de Robles, CA) with an elevation of 2,084 feet. There are a total of 23 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. 22 sites can accommodate RVs between 15 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $37.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Plaskett Creek Campground is located in the Monterey Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (1 hr 32 min west of El Paso de Robles, CA) with an elevation of 386 feet. There are a total of 46 campsites. The campground is open all year. 23 sites can accommodate RVs between 20 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $45.00 to $200.00. Some amenities include flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Cowell Campground is part of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in California (just 9 min north of Santa Cruz, CA) with an elevation of 661 feet. There are a total of 104 campsites including 11 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of October. 92 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $7.00 to $35.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, accessible, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Coe Ranch Campground is part of Henry W Coe State Park in California (36 min northeast of Morgan Hill, CA) with an elevation of 2,623 feet. There are a total of 15 campsites including 5 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 10 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 22 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include hiking trails.
Sempervirens Campground is part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park in California (58 min southwest of Cupertino, CA) with an elevation of 998 feet. There are a total of 26 campsites including 20 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 6 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 18 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, accessible, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Blooms Creek Campground is part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park in California (59 min southwest of Cupertino, CA) with an elevation of 977 feet. There are a total of 48 campsites including 40 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, accessible, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Huckleberry Campground is part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park in California (1 hr southwest of Cupertino, CA) with an elevation of 1,054 feet. There are a total of 29 campsites including 14 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 15 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, accessible, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Wastahi Campground is part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park in California (1 hr 1 min southwest of Cupertino, CA) with an elevation of 1,080 feet. There are a total of 26 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Los Banos Creek Campground is part of San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area in California (just 24 min southwest of Los Banos, CA) with an elevation of 351 feet. There are a total of 14 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $25.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
San Luis Creek Campground is part of San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area in California (just 24 min west of Los Banos, CA) with an elevation of 546 feet. There are a total of 49 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric and water hookups. Prices start at $40.00 per night. Some amenities include dump station, boat ramp, restroom. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Portola Redwoods Campground is part of Portola Redwoods State Park in California (43 min southwest of Palo Alto, CA) with an elevation of 425 feet. There are a total of 49 campsites including 13 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the end of October. 36 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, accessible, restroom, amphitheater, pay telephone, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Ben Ries Campground is part of Butano State Park in California (1 hr 3 min southwest of Palo Alto, CA) with an elevation of 236 feet. There are a total of 35 campsites including 17 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 18 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $35.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom. Activities include hiking trails.
San Simeon Creek Campground is part of Hearst San Simeon State Park in California (45 min west of El Paso de Robles, CA) with an elevation of 45 feet. There are a total of 119 campsites including 5 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 114 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 19 sites have water hookups. Fees range from $10.00 to $35.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, dump station, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Washburn Campground is part of Hearst San Simeon State Park in California (45 min west of El Paso de Robles, CA) with an elevation of 195 feet. There are a total of 65 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include hiking trails.
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