145 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The San Francisco Peninsula surrounding Stanford, California features a diverse range of camping environments within a short drive, from coastal bluffs to redwood forests. Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground offers oceanfront camping just 30 minutes west, while inland options like Sanborn County Park provide walk-in sites nestled among towering redwoods. The Santa Cruz Mountains, approximately 20-30 miles south of Stanford, contain several state parks with established campgrounds including Castle Rock State Park with its primitive hike-in sites. RV accommodations can be found at Trailer Villa RV Park in nearby Redwood City and Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay in Fremont, both offering full hookups within the urban perimeter.
Reservations are essential for most campgrounds in the region, particularly during summer months when coastal sites fill months in advance. As one camper noted, "California Beach Parks are usually filled up weeks or even months in advance," though last-minute cancellations occasionally open spots. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans common during dry summer and fall months. Coastal campgrounds experience cool, foggy conditions year-round, while inland sites can reach high temperatures in summer. Many redwood forest campgrounds have limited or no cell service, creating a true disconnect from urban life. Ticks and poison oak are common hazards in wooded areas, with several reviewers mentioning the need for appropriate precautions.
Campers consistently praise the region's natural diversity and proximity to urban amenities. The redwood forest campgrounds receive particularly high ratings, with one visitor describing Big Basin Redwoods State Park as "stepping into a whole other world." Coastal sites offer dramatic ocean views but tend to have closer spacing between campsites. Several reviewers mentioned the challenge of finding privacy, with one noting that sites can be "tightly packed at times with a neighbor's tent pitched just 20-30 feet away." Wildlife sightings are common throughout the region, with deer, turkeys, and raccoons frequently mentioned in reviews. Most campgrounds maintain clean facilities despite heavy use, with free hot showers available at several county parks.
"We rarely make reservations to camp in California Beach Parks, as they are usually filled up weeks or even months in advance."
"Beautiful beach walking distance from campground. Bike or walking trails to wonderful beaches and places to eat. Short drive to many other areas. small but good size sites for where it is."
from $35 - $165 / night
Check Availability"Not far from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area in California. When you arrive it's like stepping in to a whole other world. Huge redwoods blanket the mountain and line every site."
"So sad the devastation of last month's fires on the oldest state park in California, home to thr biggest redwoods south of San Francisco."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"What they do have are scores of hookup sites for $60 / night and three tent / drive-in no hookup water-only sites for $45 / night."
"Since it's a new campground, the trees are young and don't supply much shade, but since it's close to the SF Bay, the bay breeze helps."
from $45 - $65 / night
Check Availability"It's a great place to use as a basecamp for exploring the myriad of hiking trails that exist in the redwoods and nearby coastal hikes. "
"Given all that and its proximity to SF, I’ll be aiming to get reservations here every summer, and some winter seasons too."
from $35 - $50 / night
Check Availability"This is a nice camping away from the car experience. It's a short walk up a paved path from the parking to the campsites."
"Great walk-in campground so close to home in the South Bay Area (albeit walk is slightly uphill)."
from $33 / night
Check Availability"It is a smaller park than many of the other redwoods parks in Northern California, so it was very nice and peaceful. Butano is a bit off the beaten path to get to, but so worth it."
"Large, user-friendly campsites surrounded by redwood trees. Great ferny hiking trails for every level of camper/hiker. Very easy access to campsites and near Pescadero and Highway One."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"as usual some spots are better than others but most close to restrooms and/or water. lots of poison oak and star thistle right off trail. great deterrent for kids to stay out of tick areas but id worry"
"Midweek in June the park, which is fairly large, is still nearly empty."
from $25 - $200 / night
Check Availability"Clean, has some views from far border of the hills but the spots are tight and there is not much to do but hook-up."
"After-hours check-in was a breeze, as the checkin instructions were taped to the main door of the office at the park entrance."
"The parking lot for the trail head is just a bit further down Hwy 35. "
"There is a nearby shooting range and you can hear the gunshots during the daylight hours."
from $8 / night
Check Availability"But for a quick weekend jaunt for RV campers, this location slightly more than an hour from the Bay Area is hard to beat."
"There is a nice playground next to an equally nice café called the pinecone. The weather here is cold just a heads up be prepared for wind and overcast weather."
from $100 - $200 / night
Check Availability
TravelerGreat place to stop overnight. I spent one night. Great views (obviously). Plenty of parking away from the crowd, quiet and secure.
Clean restrooms and trash cans everywhere.
ScoutThis is not a dispersed campsite , the locals are yuppies that think they run shit, we are supposed to be able to camp here 2 weeks at a time , I’m being ran off after 12 hours . I’m indigenous to north , ga being ran off public land in California
GuideI came into Santa Cruz to visit family and needed a place to park my bus while there- this park was available and fit my needs perfectly. It’s a simple gravel parking lot set up - clean bathrooms / showers, full hookups. Not what I would call camping but a great place to stay with proximity to the things that matter.
ScoutMany said this particular location is large and nice. It’s just ok along with many other locations. I guess it comes down to what individual preferences are. I have no negative things to say, the experience here was good to visit.
TravelerI liked this Thousand Trails resort because it’s more like camping. The staff is amazing. The facilities are great amazing big pool. The only problem I had is they didn’t have any sewage hook up, but I have a tote so it wasn’t that big of a deal.
ScoutGood spot, but I was waken up by a cop in a car at 2am asking me to leave.
GuideWe stayed at Francis Beach Campground, we snagged a spot the week of since they release a few throughout the week. I’m so glad they do that for locals!
Campground is well maintained, there was an individual picking through the trash though so we made sure to lock up some stuff.
Sites are easy to get in and out of, pretty spacious. The middle sites aren’t too great, but the ones bordering the beach and the bike trail are very nice. We loved our spot, we had a trail right behind our trailer onto the beach!
Dump station is $10. Fresh water smelled a bit off, but we filled up and just used it for washing up.
TravelerI love this place and have been coming here for 50 years. It is dry camping nestled between a strawberry farm and the ocean. Get rest among hills of dirt and sand, but the sites are paved. Sunset beach campground consist of three sections. The south is the best, followed by the north campground. The center section is basically an overflow campground with little pavement and lots of sand. There are many trees to create shade. It is a short walk down a staircase to the beach with lots of beach to explore and enjoy. Dogs are not allowed on the beach. Be aware that sometimes thefts occur from people walking through and taking advantage of opportunities. But in all the years, as long as you are aware, your equipment is safe. For simple, enjoyable camping Sunset beach is unsurpassed.
TravelerKoa’s in this area are typically expensive and this is no exception. But, for families it may be worth it. Playground, jumping, bouncing area, dog yard. Lots to do. It has good shower facilities, bathrooms are clean. For retirees and older folks, it may not be worth it. Not much room between sites and lots of kids for the nervous folks. My site (35) was electric and water only with a dry creek behind us. My only beef (and it was not only with the campground, but with irresponsible dog owners) was the piles of poop I had to pick up before I could safely walk around. Come on people! If you own a dog, please take care of them and pick up after them. Otherwise, the location was convenient, the place was clean (exception noted) and I will likely return.
The Stanford area provides transitional terrain between the San Francisco Peninsula and the Santa Cruz Mountains, creating diverse camping environments with elevations ranging from sea level to 3,000 feet. Temperature variations are significant, with coastal areas experiencing regular fog patterns while inland mountain camps can reach 90°F during summer days. These microclimates allow for year-round camping options despite seasonal fire restrictions.
Mountain biking on ridge trails: Castle Rock State Park offers excellent mountain biking opportunities along scenic ridge trails. "Great hike a short 2.5mi to get to the campsite. 20 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings (when allowed)... Very green and lots of great vistas along the ridgeline on the hike in," notes one visitor at Castle Rock Trail Camp.
Creek exploration with children: Memorial Park's accessible creek provides natural entertainment for families. "There is a little creek that's only about a quarter mile hike down a trail. The campground is only a 10 minute drive down to Pescadero State Beach so we went there after we broke camp. The kids all loved it," shares a camper at San Mateo Memorial Park.
Wildlife observation: The area's diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. "Lots of birds and wildlife—beware says the sign...all the signs, but I mostly only saw turkeys and a few water birds," mentions a visitor to Anthony Chabot Regional Park, which offers extensive hiking trails throughout the park.
Convenient access to beaches: Many campgrounds provide quick access to coastal areas. "The campground is very close to PCH/Highway 1 and the beaches are lovely. PCH is also dotted with farms and fruit stands, artisan pies, etc. The closest town is Pescadaro, and has a tiny main street with an excellent coffee shop," reports a visitor to Butano State Park.
Free hot showers: Unlike many wilderness camping areas, several county parks offer quality shower facilities. "The showers were great. Hot and FREE!" notes a camper at Anthony Chabot Regional Park, a significant benefit after hiking or biking activities.
Off-grid experience minutes from urban areas: Campers appreciate the quick transition from city to wilderness. "No cell service. Miles of Great hiking," explains a visitor to Sanborn County Park, highlighting how quickly one can disconnect despite proximity to urban centers.
Reservation requirements vary seasonally: Planning ahead is crucial during peak seasons. "This is a great getaway for being so close to the megalopolis that is the San Francisco Bay Area. As the crow flies, you're probably only about 25 miles from San Jose. But you'll feel like you're a lot further away," explains a visitor to Castle Rock State Park.
Water availability challenges: Some campgrounds have unreliable water sources. "Although there is a communal water source at the campsite entrance, the water was deemed not safe to drink when I was there, and that had been the case for a while. The water tank apparently needs to be decontaminated," warns a Castle Rock Trail Camp visitor.
Tick and poison oak prevalence: These natural hazards require preparation. "If you walk the single track trails with your dogs, you'll be spending some quality time with them later picking off ticks. Be aware of the poison oak as well," cautions a camper at Dumbarton Quarry Campground.
Accessible hike-in options for kids: Some of the best places to camp near Stanford, California offer manageable hike-in experiences. "This is a nice camping away from the car experience. It's a short walk up a paved path from the parking to the campsites. The park provides carts to help with hauling gear," shares a visitor to Sanborn County Park.
Family-friendly hiking trails: Many parks feature trails suitable for various ages. "Family friendly, easy hiking, creek running through, clean but old bathrooms, spacious sites, only 2 bathrooms with showers, a few steep hills, rangers and small camp store on site," notes a San Mateo Memorial Park camper.
Campfire programs and nature activities: Seasonal ranger-led programs enhance family experiences. "There are a few toilet blocks which were pretty chilly but clean... They even have summer ranger programs but we didn't see many kids here," reports a camper at Dumbarton Quarry Campground.
Limited RV sites with strategic advantages: Trailer Villa RV Park offers convenient access to the entire peninsula. "The park is clean, in a nice area and close to San Jose and San Francisco. We really enjoyed our stay. I really liked how our site was level and easy to get to," notes a visitor to Trailer Villa RV Park.
Hookup availability varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer partial or full hookups. "We did have to hike in to our site, but the campground provides big carts to take your stuff. The only issue is they didnt have a lot of the carts available, so we had to wait for someone to return theirs," shares a Sanborn County Park visitor, highlighting the need to plan accordingly.
Urban RV options with wilderness access: RV sites near Stanford provide both urban convenience and nature access. "There are many many trails for hiking and biking, and wildlife is plentiful. It is in the Coyote hills regional Park. Our RV is small and we used the showers and bathrooms quite a bit. They are cleaned daily and we're always in great shape," explains a Dumbarton Quarry Campground visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping sites near Stanford University?
Several excellent camping options exist within a 30-45 minute drive of Stanford University. San Mateo Memorial Park offers a peaceful setting among redwoods and serves as an ideal basecamp for exploring numerous hiking trails. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Sanborn County Park provides a walk-in camping experience with gear carts available to help transport equipment from the parking area to campsites. Each site includes a storage box and picnic table. Other nearby options include Castle Rock State Park for backpackers and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park for those willing to drive a bit further south toward Santa Cruz.
What are the costs for camping options around Stanford?
Camping costs near Stanford University vary by location and amenities. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground charges standard California State Park fees, typically ranging from $35-45 per night for developed sites. Anthony Chabot Regional Park offers more affordable options with family campsites available at around $25-35 per night. Most state beach campgrounds in the region (Half Moon Bay, New Brighton) charge premium rates of $45-60 per night, especially for sites with hookups or ocean views. Reservation fees typically apply to all bookings, and many parks offer reduced rates for seniors or disabled visitors.
Are there RV parks available near Stanford University?
Yes, several RV parks are available near Stanford University. Half Moon Bay RV Park offers pull-through sites with helpful staff who assist with reservations and site assignments. Located about 25 miles from Stanford, it provides a coastal option for RV travelers. Closer to campus, Trailer Villa RV Park in Redwood City offers convenient access with full hookups, including water and electric connections. For those willing to drive a bit further, several state beaches like New Brighton and Sunset also accommodate RVs, though advance reservations are highly recommended as these popular locations often book up months in advance.
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