Best Glamping near Freedom, CA

Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday houses luxury glamping accommodations just minutes from coastal attractions near Freedom, California. Located in Watsonville, the KOA offers deluxe glamping options including well-appointed cabins and stylish Airstream trailers available for rent. Each glamping unit comes equipped with comfortable beds, quality linens, and private outdoor spaces with fire pits. The glamping accommodations provide a perfect blend of outdoor experience and modern comfort, with electricity, climate control, and convenient access to clean shower facilities and restrooms. Mount Madonna County Park also features glamping accommodations in a more secluded, wooded setting, with yurts available for those seeking a unique canvas tent experience. One visitor noted, "We stayed in one of the airstreams they have for rent there. The family loved it—it was the perfect size for us and everything worked and the outdoor patio had heavy duty tables and chairs along with fire pit and even a Weber grill."

The Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay area surrounds these luxury camping destinations with abundant activities and attractions. Glamping guests at the KOA enjoy access to a heated swimming pool, giant jump pillow, climbing wall, and pedal go-karts—amenities rarely found at traditional campgrounds. The location provides easy access to Santa Cruz beaches and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, perfect for day trips between comfortable nights in glamping accommodations. Sunset State Beach lies just minutes away, offering stunning coastal views and expansive shorelines for beachcombing and sunset watching. Special themed weekends, including Halloween events, enhance the glamping experience throughout the year. According to a camper, "We have been here a few times and can't wait to go back, any time of the year! We have a two and a half year old and it's perfect for us. Paved roads for bikes, huge playground, nice store, warm pool. It's perfect for families." Reservations are essential for these popular canvas tent camping and luxury accommodations, particularly during summer and holiday weekends.

Best Glamping Sites Near Freedom, California (27)

    1. Mount Madonna County Park

    32 Reviews
    Gilroy, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 842-2341

    "There's something for everyone here, RVers, tenters, and those who want to rent tent cabins. There are plenty of trails to hike, as well as equestrian trails. No bikes on trails though."

    "While it was nice to hear the other campers having a great time with their families and friends, the noise level from it was extraordinary.  The campground in the forest and beautiful."

    2. Sunset State Beach

    27 Reviews
    Watsonville, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 763-7063

    "Clean bathrooms with running water. Very very very safe. Lots of families but again, super safe and beautiful"

    "Close to the beach, hot showers, fire pits"

    3. Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday

    16 Reviews
    Freedom, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 722-0551

    "A short drive to Santa Cruz and Monterey. They have a heated pool, laundry facilities and on site store. There are however some large raccoons so use caution with your trash."

    "The family loved it- it was the perfect size for us and everything worked and the outdoor patio had heavy duty tables and chairs along with fire pit and even a Weber grill."

    4. Uvas Canyon County Park

    11 Reviews
    New Almaden, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 779-9232

    $34 / night

    "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."

    "A nice small campground nestled in the eastern side of Santa Cruz Mountains, west of Morgan Hill, easily accessible off of Highway 101."

    5. Seacliff State Beach

    7 Reviews
    Aptos, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 685-6442

    "All camping spots are adjacent to the 'boardwalk' beach path and the beach. Yes, your rig is within 20' of the beach at all campsites."

    6. Thousand Trails Morgan Hill

    8 Reviews
    San Martin, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "We got a nice spot close to the dump station near front. Their pool is huge and very very well kept. The spot was 30amp and back in however they have 50amp/pull through also."

    "Got propane filled, nice staff. No full hookups but dump station was convenient. Lots of nice activities going on."

    7. Salinas-Monterey KOA

    7 Reviews
    Castroville, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 663-2886

    "They have nice facilities and a heated pool although a hot tub would be nice also. The sites are a little small but very mature trees and they keep it clean."

    "The location is very secluded as bd far from stores but fairly close to the sea. Have visited a few time and enjoy the stay. Not many issues. I’m looking forward to the Upgrades!"

    8. Marina Dunes RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Marina, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 384-6914

    "There is a Best Western right next to this place were we ended up getting a room instead as that was less expensive. We did arrive there with no reservation and after hours."

    "We love the proximity to the beach and the beautiful dunes. The park was very clean and well-maintained. The staff was great and very welcoming. Thank you to Christy who made our stay extra fun!"

    9. Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park

    11 Reviews
    San Martin, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 842-7800

    $34 / night

    "The lake is closed to any and all water-craft because the water level is too low. It is very clean and well maintained for the most part. Cell phone service for Xfinity/Verizon is spotty at best."

    "Campsites are along the beautiful Coyote lake. The lakeside sites are mostly shaded as are the sites along the road. Sites 43, 44 and 45 would be the most secluded."

    10. Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED

    34 Reviews
    Boulder Creek, CA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 338-8860

    $35 / night

    "We got one of the tent cabins, which are just adorable and so cozy. The sites are nice and distanced from each other, bathrooms were in great shape and it was pet friendly."

    "We stayed in a tent cabin at the Huckleberry campground which was nicer than we thought it would be. It had just the right amount of space for my wife and I, our two daughters and all our gear."

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Glamping Reviews near Freedom, CA

382 Reviews of 27 Freedom Campgrounds


  • R
    Jul. 5, 2019

    Saddle Mountain Ranch

    Glamping Approved

    This place is nestled in the Carmel Valley and decently secluded. We booked a luxury gazebo situation which came with a queen bed (heated mattress) a fire pit and your own propane grill. There are areas for tents and RV’s as well and priced accordingly. The restrooms and showers are super clean and the staff is great. There is a heated pool and various hiking trails to keep you occupied. The only downfall is you’re a little close to other campers. You don’t get much space/privacy but it’s not too bad. I would come back for sure.

  • Natalie G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2020

    Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED

    Idyllic campground close to loads of beauty

    We stayed here with our 2 dogs last November as a nice winter getaway from L.A. We got one of the tent cabins, which are just adorable and so cozy. The sites are nice and distanced from each other, bathrooms were in great shape and it was pet friendly. We got a package with the tent cabin that came with bedding, cooking utensils and firewood, so were pretty much set once we got there. The beds are comfy and the wood burning stove (photo attached) is the only source of heat. It is neat but BE WARNED...it gets COLD on those winter nights so make sure you a) have enough wood; b) are good at keeping fires going throughout the night; and c) have lots of dry wood. The wood that was left for us as part of our package was really wet and wouldn't burn so we had a very chilly night even with loads of sleeping bags and blankets. Other than that, we had a great experience and got to take the dogs for a great walk on the paved trails in the State Park. Can't wait to go back!

  • Care B.
    Dec. 20, 2022

    Saddle Mountain Ranch

    Camp or glamp

    This is a fun little hideaway with a heated pool, but it still feels like camping. Bathrooms with showers, a sauna by the pool, some food all and communal fire pits/couches to lounge on. friendly staff on site who are helpful but not intrusive. Highly recommend going here, our site on the hill was breathtaking views and extremely private. Highly recommend!

  • Laura Q.
    Nov. 22, 2019

    Saddle Mountain Ranch

    .

    I have come here since I was a kid with my Dad. This was the cheapest way to stay with a family in Monterey/Carmel. You will drive through a country residential area that does not look like there would be a campground then all of a sudden you take a turn and you’re in a nice wooded, shady place on a hill. The best of both worlds in the hills outside of Carmel but still close to town and beaches. They have glamping tents, cabins, and small tent camping spots. There is not room for more than two small and medium tents. Camp sites are not very private but they are clean. Kids love the pool and game areas and begged to stay longer and come back. Bathrooms are very nice and clean with hot water. I recommend if you want to take a family trip to Monterey or Carmel to check this place out. Only downside was I missed seeing and hearing the peacocks that I remember as a kid.

  • r
    Aug. 4, 2021

    Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    Wonderful campground nestled in Pinnacles National Park

    Great camping spot with a small creek running by the site. Water = mosquitoes and this was no exception. Plenty of shade at this site, level ground and space was plentiful for our 14 x 15 tent. We had a separate dome tent to keep out bugs. The site had two picnic benches, a fire pit and bear lockers for your food. The potable water was just steps away and the parking area easily accommodated two vehicles (vans). The bathrooms were a short stroll away, along with the big trash dumpsters. They have a pool near the visitor’s center/camp store which was very popular. Staff was really nice and the sites are well-kept. The pool and showers are a longer walk from our site so we ended up driving to those accommodations. Pay showers and the water was generous and shower stalls were relatively clean. Pinnacles trail heads are close by. Lots of trails, but when we were there an excessive heat warning was in place. Definitely a place to return to!

  • A
    Aug. 16, 2019

    Fernwood Campground & Resort

    Magical Wooded Adventure with the Redwoods

    Fernwood is a unique campground because it has tent sites, RV spaces, canvas tents, cabins, a motel and even a restaurant. It’s situated on the river in Big Sur, and is surrounded by the majestic Redwood trees. If you don’t feel like cooking head up to the restaurant for a delicious meal. There’s also a small market to pick up necessities and ice.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 7, 2021

    Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    Crowded But Not Awful

    The park is amazing and there are so many great hikes, wildlife viewing and picturesque landscapes!

    The campground loop we were in was full and the sites are fairly close to your neighbor but it wasn't bad. The main reason being absolutely NO generators allowed so it was peaceful. The sites were semi private as the brush and trees have grown around most sites offering a little privacy. Other campers were friendly and considerate. Note that the RV side with the hook up does not offer any privacy and is near the main road. RVs are not confined to that area though.

    The spots are flat and include fire pit, picnic table and food locker. Raccoons apparently are a big problem here so keep your food locked up. There is a small general store/visitor center with a variety of food items, stove fuel, firewood, general camping supplies and souvenirs. WiFi also available for $10 for 7days per device. We paid, but our T-Mobile hotspot with Weboost won out in the end because the WiFi did not reach our spot. There is better reception for the WiFI in other spots. No cell reception with AT&T or Verizon.

    The hiking is great! and during the week pleasantly absent of tons of other hikers. Masks are required even on trails when 6 ft distance cannot be maintained, and people were very respectful of that on the trails. There is a lot of wildlife to see though sadly we did not see any condors on this trip. The caves are currently closed due to Covid. 

    Other amenities:

    Tent cabins

    RV only loop with 30amp hook up only (no sewer or water hook up)

    Showers

    Bathrooms

    Garbage and Recycling

    RV dump station (flush water only)

    Fresh water filler up (near RV camping area)

    Group camping

    Pool (currently closed)

    Pets allowed but NOT allowed on any trails

    Overall a great experience for a lesser known National Park, would come here again!

  • C
    Sep. 10, 2020

    Ventana Campground

    Camping Under Giants

    The was our first visit to Ventana Campgrounds and we found it to be very nice. All of the sites are under beautiful big Redwood trees which gave it a magical feel! We found it to be clean, in good repair, and the hosts were very warm and welcoming. We were incredibly fortunate when we camped as all of the National Parks had been closed due to the Dolan fires, and Highway 1 was closed just after the campground turnoff, so there literally was no traffic on the Coastal road which is unheard of! Fortunately for us, Ventana had reopened a few days prior to our reservation and I’d say that 75 percent of the reservations had been canceled so the campground was quiet and quite private which we loved! I imagine when it is filled to capacity the scene could be quite different as campsites are very close. The campsites had a fire pit with a grill but unfortunately fires were prohibited with the fire risks. Water spigots were convenient as were toilets and showers ( pay showers). Recycling and trash receptacles were also conveniently located around camp. Because most sites were empty we were able to scope out all the sites. It should be noted that all sites are tent only sites and some are very small or have very steep elevation changes which could be problematic for larger tents or those with mobility restrictions. Some sites are hike in only and should you choose those you had better pack extremely light as the climbs up were incredibly steep and the task of getting down without falling was a challenge for us being hands free and nimble let alone being older, or carrying a cooler, child, or larger tent. Just be aware! Once you got to the hike in sites they were much more private and quite nice, but I could see that it could bring some challenges. Be sure to pick a site with your tent size in mind as some of the sites literally could only hold a two man tent. It should be noted that while we were there, there was construction of some type going on in one part on the campground and the workers started quite early. We were well away so it was not too bad where we were located but if you were close you would have hammering and sawing as your alarm. Ventana also offers glamping tents which are adorable! If you wanted an easy turn key experience that is the way to go. Those tents have running warm water, a propane fire pit and a grill. Some even had hammocks. They are in a loop that is much more private and spread out than the tent sites. Overall, we had a great experience and would love to return. Crowds are not our thing, so I am not sure we will ever be able to duplicate the lovely quiet experience we had, but we are thankful that we got to experience it that way!

  • A
    Sep. 22, 2016

    Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED

    Summer Family Fun at Big Basin

    We visited the Big Basin Redwoods State Park late July this year with a large group of friends and their families and it was such an awesome experience. We stayed in a tent cabin at the Huckleberry campground which was nicer than we thought it would be. It had just the right amount of space for my wife and I, our two daughters and all our gear. The entire campground is loaded with trees so there was plenty of shade everywhere. There's also a few decent hiking trails close to the campground which is really cool and convenient. My daughters enjoyed every minute from the hiking, riding their bikes, campfires as well as all the other great things to do when camping. We also explored the Visitor Center to see some of the most magnificent dinosaur-like redwoods including what they call the 'Father of the Forest' and 'Mother of the Forest' trees. The guide was an encyclopedia of information on the massive trees which he shared with us along the tour. If you're at all interested, then you must go on the short tour. The only complaint I have is about the one night there were what seemed to be very loud college students, probably from UC Santa Cruz or another nearby college, who were in the cabin at the site next to ours and were partying way too hard. We had to tell them to keep it down since they had woken us up. I'm all for a little partying, but damn, they were loud and no one came around to tell them to keep it down besides us. Other than that, all in all, we had a great tent cabin campsite and did notice some even better in the campground, so we will definitely be going back again.


Guide to Freedom

Mount Madonna County Park offers cabin and yurt camping in redwood-covered hills just 11 miles from Freedom, California. Located at elevations between 1,100 and 1,800 feet, the park provides a cooler climate than the nearby valley floor, sometimes 40 degrees colder than Gilroy or San Jose. The region experiences fog that creates its own microclimate, where redwoods can harvest moisture directly from the air.

What to do

Hike through diverse ecosystems: Mount Madonna County Park contains multiple trail systems running through redwood forests and along ridgetops. "Beautiful county park in the redwood forest of the coastal range. Varied sites and multiple campgrounds make for a choice option for everyone," notes Patrick H. from Mount Madonna County Park.

Practice archery: The park maintains a dedicated archery range with 28 targets along a forest trail. "There is an archery trail with 28 targets on a trail through the woods. We were there 3 days in a row and did 20 of the 28. It's really pretty and a cool challenge," reports April N.

Beach access from campgrounds: Sunset State Beach offers camping just 15 minutes from Freedom with immediate beach access. "Nice campsite within driving distance on the Bay area on a 1 night stop on the way down to Big Sur," states Austin C. from Sunset State Beach. "You can walk down to the beach, take a trip to the henry cowel redwoods, go ride bikes in santa cruz."

What campers like

Secluded yurt options: Mount Madonna County Park offers dog-friendly yurts for glamping close to Freedom, California. "Our friends stayed in one of the yurts and it was great, albeit a little cold for them at night. I believe there are 2 dog friendly yurts," reports Lori T.

Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the maintenance standards at local parks. "Absolutely soo clean and a great place to camp without having to travel so far. Bathrooms are constantly cleaned and showers are free and clean," notes Carolina M. from Mount Madonna County Park.

Wildlife viewing: Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch provides opportunities to see diverse wildlife near your campsite. "We saw lots of wildlife - deer, wild pigs, turkeys, frogs just to name a few," mentions Kate L. from Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park. Another camper adds, "Beautiful view of the preserve with wild pigs off in the brush and the call of turkeys in the a.m. a nice refresh from the city."

What you should know

Weather considerations: The coastal mountain climate can change drastically with elevation. "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," warns April N.

Campsite selection matters: At Uvas Canyon County Park, site placement affects your experience. "If you have a roof top tent, we scoped out a few sites which are more flat, and also have the picnic table near the parking spot. They are: 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 12," advises Kyle H. from Uvas Canyon County Park.

Seasonal flooding effects: Some campgrounds in the Freedom area face seasonal closures. "Campground has been closed since winter storms washed most of it away in 2023," notes Chip C. about Seacliff State Beach, indicating the need to check current conditions before planning.

Tips for camping with families

Biking-friendly options: Some parks offer better biking experiences for children. "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," suggests Weston W. about Mount Madonna Park.

Playground access: Thousand Trails Morgan Hill offers extensive recreation facilities. "Cute place. Very large. The kids loved the resident cats. The pool was huge and well loved. Lots of recreation," shares Jennifer H. from Thousand Trails Morgan Hill.

Waterfall explorations: Uvas Canyon provides family-friendly waterfall hikes. "This place is clean and family friendly. There were many families with small children. Many waterfalls along the trail," states xi C. who also notes the camp host is "super friendly and helpful."

Tips from RVers

RV site selection: At Mount Madonna, certain campground sections accommodate RVs better than others. "Valley View 1, site 106. There was really no road noise at our site, though a few sites further around the loop did have noise. The RV sites have both water and electric hookups which was great," shares Lori T.

Dump station availability: "There is a very convenient FREE dump station just inside the entrance to the park that we used as we departed," notes Lori T. about Mount Madonna County Park, providing essential information for self-contained camping near Freedom.

Water level effects: Some RV parks have seasonal changes to consider. "The lake is closed to any and all water-craft because the water level is too low," advises Toni R. about Coyote Lake, indicating that campers should check current conditions before planning water activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Freedom, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Freedom, CA is Mount Madonna County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 32 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Freedom, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 27 glamping camping locations near Freedom, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.