Best Campgrounds near Aptos, CA
Looking for the best campgrounds near Aptos, CA? Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Aptos. Find the best campgrounds near Aptos, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
Best Camping Sites Near Aptos, California (124)
1. New Brighton State Beach Campground
44 ReviewsCapitola, CA2 milesWebsite+1 (831) 464-6330$35 - $185 / night
"This beautiful campground is right on the beach and very close to the touristy areas of Capitola and Aptos. "
"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."
2. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
42 ReviewsMount Hermon, CA8 milesWebsite+1 (831) 438-2396$7 - $35 / night
"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."
3. Sunset State Beach
27 ReviewsWatsonville, CA8 milesWebsite+1 (831) 763-7063"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."
4. Mount Madonna County Park
31 ReviewsGilroy, CA11 milesWebsite+1 (408) 842-2341"We were happy to have the electric hook up since the redwood and oak tress surrounding all the sites are huge and block out the sun."
"It has some privacy, we liked that it was in between two yurts away from others. The trail does go right behind the site but it wasn’t super busy."
5. Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
16 ReviewsFreedom, CA6 milesWebsite+1 (831) 722-0551"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!"
6. Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort
19 ReviewsFelton, CA10 milesWebsite+1 (831) 335-8312"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."
"Sites surrounded by redwoods, friendly helpful staff, close to attractions."
7. Uvas Canyon County Park
10 ReviewsNew Almaden, CA9 milesWebsite+1 (408) 779-9232$34 / night
"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."
8. Manresa State Beach Campground
9 ReviewsFreedom, CA6 milesWebsite+1 (831) 761-1795$35 / night
"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."
9. Cotillion Gardens RV Park
13 ReviewsFelton, CA9 milesWebsite+1 (831) 335-7669"Entrance is a little nerve racking on your first visit, but once your at your site you can relax. Bathrooms are a little dated, no cell service but good WiFi if your close to the office."
"The place is old, but it has a great location. There are great hiking trails assessable from the campground."
10. Moss Landing KOA Express
18 ReviewsMoss Landing, CA15 milesWebsite+1 (831) 633-6800$69 - $80 / night
"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."
Recent Camping Photos near Aptos, CA
269 Photos of 124 Aptos Campgrounds
Michael M.
New Brighton State Beach Campground
The Dyrt
Tentrr Signature Site - Avocado Grove C
The Dyrt
Tentrr Signature Site - Redwood Grove A
Carina B.
Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
Fiona W.
Manresa State Beach Campground
Mauriel O.
Santa Cruz Ranch Campground
Kate L.
Sunset State Beach
Aidan P.
Van Life Campgrounds @ Enchanted Forest
Sarah J.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
Darin D.
Uvas Canyon County Park
Elizabeth S.
Sunset State Beach Campground
susan R.
Smithwoods RV Park
Recent Reviews near Aptos, CA
767 Reviews of 124 Aptos Campgrounds
Erika V.
GuideMedeiros Primitive Campsites — San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area
Down by the river
Last minute overnighter on a Friday night in July. First come first serve camping. We stayed right next to the river, which was nice. Open area with nice spots with a table, shade and a fire ring. Very windy, but tolerable. Overall a chill place though cars kept driving through into the evening, though it settled down around 11pm. Slept well! Great spot if passing through.
- AAthena J.
ScoutUvas Canyon County Park
Uvas
Super clean and maintained. Especially the bathrooms and showers. The sites are spaced out nicely and there is a water faucet and trash bins plus recycle every couple of sites. On the trails theres quite a bit of poison oak so keep dogs close. Not every site is able to car camp due to rocks blocking off the parking area but every campsite is pretty nice.
Stephanie B.
TravelerManresa State Beach Campground
Beautiful!
I stayed in site 5 and the walk from my car was not far. I enjoyed this campground!
- SStefan K.Scout
Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park
Usable, but narrow
Positiv: 50 $, full hooked, warm showers Negativ: Our slot 170 was very narrow, other spots had more space. You could not see that on the onlinemap. No bench or table belonged to the spot. My neighbour had a slide-out. There was only one meter to my van. I found two showers, the free one had a damaged, sliced curtain, so everybody could have seen my body while taking a shower. There was no separation and all my clothes on the bench got wet. The shower for handicapped persons didn't have any curtain at all.
- JJamie R.Scout
Valley View Campground — Fremont Peak State Park
Pretty and quiet, but mostly not suitable for trailers or vans or RVs
Beware coming here with anything other than a tent! All sites have a nice level tent pad area.
We camped two nights at Fremont Peak State Park with our pop-up tent trailer. We stayed in Valley View site #2 and were lucky that the paved driveway levelled out at the top (mostly). Some people came to site #3 with a camper van and ended up leaving because they were at such a sharp angle.
It was not clear from reading other reviews or the park website, but this campground has plenty of potable water spigots around all the sites. We found the vault toilets clean and well maintained. Although dogs are not allowed on the trails, there is a service road up to the communication tower that you can hike part way on.
We observed the carpet of valley fog below us in the mornings and evenings, while mid-day you can see out to Moss Landing. We also got to enjoy one of the Fremont Peak Observatory Association (https://fpoa.net/) programs which was amazing! The views of the stars and the Milky Way are unbelievable and the volunteers were awesome. - KKebe L.Traveler
Del Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District
bathrooms very clean
The sites in the campground are very close to each other, so there is not much privacy and space. The neighbors nearby were very noisy during the two days I was there, but the bathrooms and toilets are very clean.
Tim F.ScoutSaddle Mountain Ranch
Kid Friendly grounds
Lots of activities for younger kids. Convenient location, lots of amenities.
Cabin was super nice to stay in after a week of car camping! Kitchenette, bathroom, hot water. Perfect.
- ccourtney A.Scout
Marina Dunes RV Park
It’ll work..
The campsites specifically are nice, but the campground was very disappointing. Lots of freeway noise, amenities were disappointing (fitness center was only open until 9-5?), dog park was closed, beach requires a brutal walk through soft sand. It’ll work as a landing point for a couple nights, but don’t plan on this being a nice campground to enjoy your vacation at.
- DDenise F.Scout
Saddle Mountain Ranch
Noise, Noise, Noise ... did not get any sleep
We have stayed here in the past and the experience was great, but this visit was a disappointment. There was a group campsite that violated the noise curfew until 1:00am!!! We did not get any sleep and decided to cut our short trip, forfeit a paid campsite, and leave the next morning knowing that the same group was there another night. Multiple campers reported the noise throughout the night, but the campers would not keep quiet. We did report our dissatisfaction the next morning and asked for the staff to visit the site. Hoping it was resolved and wishing the other campers a better night.
Guide to Aptos
Camping near Aptos, California, offers a fantastic mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
What to do:
- Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Great location to base out of when exploring the central coast," highlighting the park's accessibility to various hiking routes.
- Wildlife Watching: At Pinnacles Campground, you can spot diverse wildlife. A camper noted, "Seen a ton of wildlife and overall wasn’t very crowded," making it a great spot for nature lovers.
- Star Gazing: The dark skies at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground are perfect for star gazing. One visitor shared, "We saw a lot of wildlife and shooting stars on the clear nights."
What campers like:
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Big Sur Campground & Cabins. A review stated, "The bathroom/showers were cleaned regularly and stocked with shampoo conditioner and shower gel."
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many families enjoy the amenities at New Brighton State Beach Campground. One camper mentioned, "Rangers were helpful and accommodating. Great views and easy access to the beach."
- Privacy: Campers at Mount Madonna County Park appreciate the privacy of the sites. A review noted, "While the sites are a little close to each other, those on the outside of the loop had a great deal of privacy."
What you should know:
- Heat in Summer: If you're camping at Pinnacles Campground, be prepared for high temperatures. One reviewer warned, "It is WICKED hot in the summer."
- Limited Amenities: At Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground, there are no electric hookups. A camper noted, "It does get a little crowded and you will need to book a few months in advance."
- Wildlife Caution: Campers at Anthony Chabot Regional Park have encountered yellow jackets. One visitor shared, "We reported the experience to the attendant at the gate when leaving."
Tips for camping with families:
- Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly spots like New Brighton State Beach Campground, where kids can enjoy the beach. A reviewer said, "Lots of families and lots of kids."
- Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities planned. One camper at Big Sur Campground & Cabins mentioned, "You can go down and walk by the river float the river with the complimentary tubes."
- Check for Amenities: Ensure the campground has the necessary facilities. A visitor at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground appreciated the clean restrooms, saying, "Restroom is very clean."
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Size: When booking at Mount Madonna County Park, make sure your RV fits the site. One reviewer noted, "Site 211 was listed as 30' trailer but that was definitely not the case."
- Dump Station Availability: RVers should be aware of dump station locations. A camper at Anthony Chabot Regional Park mentioned, "The dump station was in good working order."
- Be Prepared for Limited Hookups: At Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground, there are no electric hookups. A visitor advised, "If you rely on solar power, you may need to get creative."
Camping near Aptos, California, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're hiking, enjoying family time, or relaxing in nature, there's something for every camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Aptos, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Aptos, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 124 campgrounds and RV parks near Aptos, CA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Aptos, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Aptos, CA is New Brighton State Beach Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 44 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Aptos, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Aptos, CA.
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