131 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options around Freedom, California include several coastal and mountain sites within a short drive of the city. The Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday offers extensive facilities for tent camping, RV hookups, and cabin rentals with 235 sites available year-round. Nearby state beaches like Sunset State Beach and Manresa State Beach Campground provide oceanfront camping with varying amenities. Mount Madonna County Park, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, features tent sites, RV spots, and cabins among redwood forests, offering a contrast to the coastal options.
Many campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, particularly during summer months when coastal sites fill quickly. Full hookup RV sites with sewer, water, and electricity are most common at the KOA and private RV resorts, while state beaches offer more primitive facilities. "We stayed here for the max 21 days and they were kind enough to let us stay 23 days due to our new reservation being delayed," noted one visitor about Pinto Lake City Park. Bathroom facilities vary significantly between locations, with KOA receiving praise for cleanliness while some state parks have more basic facilities. Weather conditions typically include foggy mornings at coastal sites with afternoon winds, requiring campers to bring appropriate layers even in summer.
The proximity to beaches represents a key attraction for many campgrounds in the area. Sites at Manresa State Beach provide ocean views where "whales and dolphins can be seen cruising through the ocean around sunset" according to visitor feedback. Family-friendly amenities distinguish the Santa Cruz KOA, which includes features like a swimming pool, playground, climbing wall, and even a "jump pillow" that appeals to families with children. Several campers mentioned the raccoon population at various sites, advising proper food storage. The mixed camping environment offers both social settings at larger campgrounds and more private experiences at some state beach locations where vegetation between sites creates natural barriers, though most camping areas maintain relatively close spacing between neighbors.
"Camped with electricity and water, situated on a bluff near the ocean. Easy walking distance to the water, nice roomy campsites with fire rings and tables. Not too close to other campers."
"New Brighton is a jewel on the California coast. Camping is on a bluff above beach and you must walk down stairs to get to the beach. Camping in the woods with the beach below is perfect."
from $35 - $185 / night
Check Availability"Great spot if you're looking for a quick escape from the Bay Area with that classic California redwood experience."
"Mount Madonna County Park is located in the redwood covered hills between Gilroy and Watsonville."
"Dogs can be allowed on beach if you go to the right of the main entrance. No dogs to the left. Camp sites vary but the best loop is South Loop. Some with ocean views but those are hard to reserve. "
"Strawberry fields surround the campground and are next to the Hike and Bike area. The walk is not too difficult down to the beach."
"This is a nice campground in a great part of California with lots of hiking and beaches nearby. The bathrooms were clean and well kept."
"There were bigger sites that would've suited us better but it was a nice little tucked in site. The poison oak is prolific. Our site was literally surrounded by it."
from $7 - $35 / night
Check Availability"I would recommend booking away from the jump pillow or playground, unless easy playground access is important, because the spots are pretty noisy."
"There is also relatively quick access to Santa Cruz to the north and Monterey to the south. My only criticism is that it is not that woodsy. But hey, this is a KOA!"
"Park is well maintained easy access to sites several cool places to eat close by"
"Situated off highway 1 and surrounded by the marina is very appealing for us. Reservations were made over the phone with Liz. She did a nice job of getting us in for the following day."
from $69 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Short walk from parking to camp sites. Clean bathrooms. Water spigot at many sites, Wi-Fi is pretty variable at different place around the campsites."
"Beautiful views of the ocean just steps from your tent. During the summer months, whales and dolphins can be seen cruising through the ocean around sunset."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"They are a bit narrow, so much of the camp side you will have a close look at your neighbors utilities. When the park is full, it is close. Go on weekdays, not as busy and more room is likely."
"Do not take highway 9 from Santa Cruz as the RV park will tell you. Our car navigation changed our route even after we were approaching 17 north. Keep your eyes out for the highway signs."
"Uvas Canyon County Park https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/pages/uvascanyon.aspx is located about 15 miles west of Gilroy, on the east side of the Santa Cruz Mountains."
"This is a great spot for people looking to get away and camp but not trying to drive for 3-4 hours to do so."
from $34 / night
Check Availability"I will say, there is practically no service. which personally i enjoy because you get to be away from the world for a couple of days. the walk to the beach from the site i was in was also sort of a trek"
"Quick walk to scenic ocean views. Amazing sunsets! Great experience all around."
from $35 - $335 / night
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ScoutBeautiful campground located amongst the Redwoods and along the Big Sur River. Sounds quiet and tranquil. Nope! We came in July, park is incredibly alive with the sounds of children screaming and just having an amazing time. Don't come here for the quiet. If you have kids, this is the place. They will remember this place for the rest of their lives. We camped at Big Sur Campground& Cabins in a Travel Trailer.
TravelerReally wonderful spot to be. They have multiple camping options and day pass options. For RV setups your choices are parking, water only, and the works (water, electrical, waste dumping with fire pit and camping table).
Its a bit far from anything but if youre just looking to camp, charge, and relax then this is the spot for you. They have showes, bathrooms, and laundry on site.
Final notes, there are multiple hiking trails and wildlife to see, including a lovely group of Turkeys who don't mind you getting a little close for photo ops.
ScoutNice staff, hot clean showers, great location, good campsites
GuideCalled on 7/14/26, they said "we won't cancel any reservation due to arriving late or next day"
ScoutAll spots on the perimeter are full timers. VERY cluttered campsites all around you makes the park feel claustrophobic.
If that wasn’t enough the daily/weekly spots on the interior are right on top of each other. Expect your neighbor’s sewer connection to be right next to your stairs when you come out of your unit.
Never saw or interacted with any employees, the only interaction was an email with my spot number. Not a positive or negative, just a note. Daily/weekly campers seemed nice, however received dirty looks from pretty much every full timer just walking the dog or driving to/from my unit. I like to wave at folks as I go by, I guess they don’t like that.
Speaking of walking the dog, there’s a large grass area on the west side with big signs that say no pets. The only spot of grass I could find that wasn’t “forbidden for dogs” is a small patch between the entrance/exit lanes to the park, no fence and watch for vehicles coming and going.
Overall this place is probably fine to drop anchor for the night, we stayed a weekend to enjoy Gilroy Gardens and will definitely find somewhere else to go next time.
LegendGeneral: Many different options: pull-thru and back-in FHU sites, tent sites, bungalows, tent bungalows, cabins, and a lodge. Note that in early 2025, ownership changed and it is no longer a KOA.
Site Quality: As would be expected in an RV park, the sites are very close together with little to no foliage to separate them. The sites in the Eucalyptus loop where we were had back-in sites, with a paved driveway, and are level. The sites have a picnic table, a fire ring, and wood-fenced platforms. What is confusing is that the platforms and tables are not always directly behind the site. They are labeled with the site number, but again, they are close together, and if the campground is crowded, there is no privacy. Bath/Shower: There are two bathhouses for the RV sites. Each gender has one shower, three toilets, and two sinks with soap and paper towels. They were immaculate. I was lucky not to have to wait for a shower, but if full, I heard there are waits.
Activities/Amenities: There is a spa on site, but we did not check it out (not sure if you need to be a lodge guest to use). Other amenities include a restaurant (which was fantastic), general store, sauna, meeting space, playground, giant Jenga and chess board, and community fire pits. You can rent bikes, golf carts, and dune buggies. On weekends and in season, there are other activities and a bar cart that makes the rounds.
This is not our preferred type of camping, and it is expensive, but we enjoyed time here as we met family for a couple of days.
ScoutThis rv park is extremely clean and has a lot of wonderful amenities. The river is down a little path and has a lot of sweet little beaches. All of the campers were very respectful, polite and pleasant.
GuideThis rv park is also a public park for certain hours of the day. But you can pay to hook up to septic, water, and electric for decent price for a night.
The con goose poo is everywhere! And there are no showers or laundry facilities. But there is bathrooms with toilet stalls and sink.
Our spot was butted up against a tree. For our camper that was not an issue. But there is a camper next door that said he was put there first with a long camper and had to request to move. Also there are a couple spots where the camper trailers look like they came in and never left nor do they get taken care of properly.
ScoutThis is a peaceful serene place to get away to rejuvenate
Dispersed camping near Freedom, California provides access to both coastal beaches and mountain forests within a 20-mile radius. The region sits where the Santa Cruz Mountains meet Monterey Bay, creating a microclimate where summer temperatures average 70°F during the day but can drop to 50°F at night. Campers should prepare for morning fog that typically burns off by midday, especially at coastal sites where wind patterns intensify in late afternoon.
Hiking redwood trails: Mount Madonna County Park offers miles of hiking trails through dense redwood forests. "There is a redwood forest of the coastal range. Varied sites and multiple campgrounds make for a choice option for everyone," notes Patrick H. The park includes an archery trail with 28 targets for a unique outdoor activity.
Beach exploration: At Manresa State Beach Campground, the shoreline provides ample space for beachcombing. "Beach was clean and not crowded. Beautiful sunset views," reports Laura D. The beach access requires "an easy 5-7 minute walk down" from the campground.
Wildlife viewing: The Elkhorn Slough near Moss Landing KOA Express offers excellent wildlife spotting. "You can easily walk to the marina area or onto the beach," Patrick J. explains, while other visitors note you can "see sea otters and tons of birds" either on foot or by renting kayaks from nearby outfitters.
Waterfall exploration: Uvas Canyon County Park features multiple small cascades accessible via short hikes. "There are hiking trails that wind through the redwoods and along the ridgetops," notes a visitor. The Waterfall Loop trail provides access to several falls and requires minimal elevation gain, making it suitable for most skill levels.
Privacy between sites: At New Brighton State Beach Campground, many campers appreciate the natural separation. "It's a nice relatively quiet campground on a bluff, above a fairly calm ocean beach," explains Keith B. The campground is "very wooded" which provides natural screening between many sites.
Clean facilities: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park maintains well-kept restrooms and showers. "Every site had a picnic table, fire pit and bear box. Bathroom was clean and we liked that they sold firewood on site," reports Kelly. The park also offers trails that start directly from the campground, allowing for immediate nature access.
Family amenities: Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday provides extensive activities for children. "TONS of activities on site- huge bouncy pad, a climbing wall, ping pong tables, a swimming pool, pedal go karts, the list goes on and on," Daniel D. explains. The campground also sends daily activity updates via text message to keep campers informed.
Natural settings: The redwoods at Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort create a forest atmosphere. "This campground is covered entirely by redwoods with plenty of shade for a cool vacation," notes one camper. The San Lorenzo River runs behind the park with viewing areas and paths for closer exploration.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Freedom require advance booking, especially during summer months when coastal sites fill up to capacity. At Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, reservations are essential as the campground "was at capacity" even on a Thursday in March according to one visitor.
Temperature variations: Coastal fog creates significant temperature drops, particularly in evenings. A Mount Madonna visitor warns: "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose. We weren't prepared & had to drive into town & buy more clothes!"
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons are common visitors at most campgrounds in the area. "We awoke to a family of raccoons raiding the box" when a bear locker wouldn't close properly at Sunset State Beach, reports Austin C. Proper food storage is essential at all locations.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. At Uvas Canyon County Park, "Verizon cell service worked at the campground," while at Sunset State Beach Campground, campers report "practically no service" at campsites but "on the beach the reception was great."
Off-peak visits: For quieter family camping, schedule midweek trips when possible. "Uvas Canyon County Park is my favorite camping site. The site has a lot of space. The bathroom is clean," notes Yaqi W., while another visitor recommends "a week day get away where you can enjoy more quiet surroundings and its nature sounds."
Biking options: Mount Madonna County Park offers good terrain for children's cycling. "Great campground for the kids to bike at but there are a few big hills so make sure they know how to use their brakes," advises Weston W. The paved roads throughout the campground provide safe riding areas.
Shower preparation: Many campgrounds require quarters for showers. At Manresa State Beach, showers cost "$0.25 per minute" and one visitor noted that "one shower ate my 2 quarters and didn't work, but the next one worked fine and had hot water!" Bringing plenty of quarters avoids trips to town for change.
Playground access: When selecting campsites near playgrounds, consider noise levels. At Santa Cruz KOA, campers recommend "booking away from the jump pillow or playground, unless easy playground access is important, because the spots are pretty noisy."
Site leveling: Many campgrounds have uneven parking areas requiring leveling equipment. At Uvas Canyon, a camper notes: "If you plan to sleep in your car, you may want to take leveling blocks as I found the car parking spot to be not leveled at all." Similarly, at Sunset State Beach Campground, "it's hit or miss if you get something level" according to Laura M.
Sewer hookup locations: Check utility placement when setting up. At Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort, a visitor had to "use a 6 foot extension on the sewer hose" to reach connections. Site layouts vary considerably even within the same campground.
Dump station timing: Plan for potential waits at dump stations during peak checkout times. "The line for the dump station wound through nearly the entire park," warns Alma L. about New Brighton State Beach, suggesting early or late use to avoid delays.
Tree clearance: Measure your RV height before booking. At Henry Cowell Redwoods, one camper with a 22-foot trailer noted "if it was any higher it would be hitting tree limbs." Low-hanging branches can restrict larger rigs at many of the forested campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Freedom, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Freedom, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 131 campgrounds and RV parks near Freedom, CA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Freedom, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Freedom, CA is New Brighton State Beach Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 45 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Freedom, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Freedom, CA.
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