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Camping options around Ben Lomond, California include several established campgrounds nestled among towering redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The area features a mix of developed campgrounds like Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground and Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort, which accommodate both tent and RV camping with varying levels of amenities. These sites are predominantly located within 10 miles of Ben Lomond, providing convenient access to the San Lorenzo River and nearby state parks with their impressive old-growth redwood groves.
Campground availability remains relatively consistent throughout the year in this moderate coastal mountain climate, though reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when facilities reach capacity. Most established campgrounds in the region provide drinking water, toilets, and fire pits, while RV resorts offer additional hookups including electric, water, and sewer connections. The proximity to Santa Cruz (approximately 10 miles south) makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations. Road access varies, with Highway 9 presenting challenges for larger vehicles. As one camper noted, "Don't use Highway 9 south from Santa Cruz when towing. The road is too winding and narrow. Use Highway 17 to Mount Herman Road instead."
The region's campgrounds receive particularly high ratings for their redwood settings, offering a distinctive camping experience beneath ancient forest canopies. Sites along the San Lorenzo River are especially prized but tend to be limited in number. "Sites surrounded by redwoods, friendly helpful staff, close to attractions," noted one visitor to Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort. Many campgrounds feature tight spacing between sites, creating a community atmosphere but limiting privacy. Several reviews mention the trade-off between convenience and solitude, with most developed areas prioritizing amenities and accessibility over spaciousness. The combination of redwood forest camping with proximity to Santa Cruz beaches creates a versatile base camp for exploring both mountain and coastal environments in a single trip.
"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"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"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"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."
"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."
from $60 - $100 / 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"The location is mostly flat and surrounded with Redwoods. Shady and sunny locations; larger and small RV spots. No tent camping. It backs into Henry Cowell State Park and you can walk into it."
"I’m so glad we did because we were surrounded by these beautiful red wood trees and we could hear the train whistle in the daytime coming from Roaring Camp Railroad."
"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"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."
"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
RangerGreat spots, awesome views, but even if there’s no “event” there may be cars on track 8am-5pm, and it ain’t quiet. Check the community calendar as well. Oh, the water has too much arsenic to drink, so be prepared on that front.
ScoutStayed here for 2 nights. Staff was very nice and the restrooms looked great and worked perfectly fine. Very quiet.
ScoutObviously a long term lot with a very “wrong turn” kind of vibe. Website on apple is blocked for deceptive practices . There was but link from here works. Never got confirmation e,ail so I called.. 800 number, no answer.. local number answered said I wouldn’t get confirmation until noon tomorrow. Then told me to come on as a walk in. We pulled up, pulled through, left quickly.. bad decisions unless you are on hard times.
ScoutThey clean the bathrooms daily, there's trash cans everywhere, a couple water spouts, 2 play grounds, trails, beautiful trees, and more! Fires are not allowed during fire season and you cannot stay for more than 3 days but it's still a very fancy campground in my opinion. Reasonably priced too!
ScoutGreat camp hosts and relaxing quiet site
TravelerNice level sites, not too close together….nice trees provide shade. Excellent beach for strolling. A dump station with potable water is $10.
TravelerJessica helped as to reserve the site 10a but when we went there it was so hard to access the site with our car .so we did call her and explain the situation she proposed a refund .we left the area waiting for the promised refund we called her the same night she didn’t answer and she send a message saying she will refund the day after .we called her the day after she said I will do when I get internet after that she said because of your behavior (calling her and asking for our money) she said I will not refund and go to the police
GuideReservations and check-in were very easy. Stay at site 5 and and site 4 was right next us. Their house door was face our house door (see picture) and very little privacy. Otherwise, it is a very nice campground and everyone we met were so friendly. Their house door bathrooms and laundry room were very clean.
TravelerStayed here for one night and enjoyed it! I liked being close to the beach and walking distance from food. There is a store onsite with essentials. Could hear the sea lions barking and birds all night, so cool.
There is absolutely no privacy and spaces are close together, which I knew ahead of time.
Ben Lomond sits at approximately 800 feet elevation in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where the coastal influence creates mild temperatures averaging 50-75°F throughout camping season. The San Lorenzo Valley's microclimate supports a mix of old-growth redwoods and riparian habitats, with evening temperatures typically dropping 15-20 degrees from daytime highs. Campers often note the stark temperature difference between sunny exposed sites and densely shaded redwood groves.
Hiking to waterfalls: Short driving distance from Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground where multiple trail options lead to seasonal water features. "Plenty of hiking trails. Hike into the redwoods or go a few miles down the road and take a ride on the Roaring Camp Big Trees Railroad," notes Nona A.
Steam train adventures: Located just minutes from several campgrounds, the historic Roaring Camp Railroad offers excursions through redwood groves. A camper at Smithwoods RV Park mentions, "We could hear the train whistle in the daytime coming from Roaring Camp Railroad."
River swimming: Access the San Lorenzo River from multiple points near local campgrounds. At Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort, "There is a little trail that goes down to the River where you can find a neat little beach. It's a goofy little descent/climb to get there and out but worth it," according to Jaime C.
Biking opportunities: Several parks offer paved roads suitable for family cycling. "If you have littles the roads are paved so a scooter or bike could be fun," says Chesney S. about Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground.
Redwood setting: The ancient trees create distinctive camping environments with natural shade and privacy between some sites. At Cotillion Gardens RV Park, "Clean, quiet campground nestled in the big trees. Friendly staff and a quick drive into the Santa Cruz beach communities," reports Kevin.
Year-round accessibility: The moderate coastal mountain climate makes most campgrounds usable even in winter months. "We camped in the winter and had no reservations, but got a good spot anyway. Winter can be a very nice weekend!" shares a camper at Sunset State Beach.
Short drives to attractions: Campers value the proximity to both forests and beaches. At Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort, one visitor notes, "Short distance drive to Santa Cruz wharf and boardwalk," while another points out it's "Only 10 miles from Santa Cruz."
Scenic river views: Several campgrounds offer prime spots overlooking the San Lorenzo River. David H. from Smithwoods RV Park mentions, "We were in site J, on the point. It was nice and big. Full hook ups. We had a great view of the San Lorenzo River and Henry Cowell State Park."
Cell service limitations: Most redwood campgrounds have poor to nonexistent cellular coverage. "Be ready for no cell or WiFi. We occasionally got 1 bar of cell service in our site if we stood in a certain spot. (AT&T)," notes a Smithwoods RV Park reviewer.
Road access challenges: Highway 9 presents significant driving challenges for larger vehicles and trailers. A visitor at Costanoa KOA warns: "Getting there takes some attention. Do not take highway 9 from Santa Cruz as the RV park will tell you."
Early booking essential: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer months. "Hard to find a spot here these days but a great camping spot above the beach," says a reviewer about New Brighton State Beach.
Wildlife encounters: Yellow jackets, raccoons, and other wildlife are common in local campgrounds. "The park has a bit of a yellow jacket problem that they don't really seem too concerned about addressing. Yellowjackets on trails, in campsites and near bathrooms," notes one Henry Cowell camper.
Supervised swimming spots: The San Lorenzo River offers safe wading areas with proper supervision. "There is a short nice beach by the river. Easy flat trails to walk," mentions a visitor at Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated facilities for children. Costanoa KOA offers "great activities for kids that they occasionally bring on site, such as a climbing wall and nature talks with live animals," according to Daniel D.
Educational programs: Several parks offer ranger-led activities that engage children. "We attended a presentation on the wild birds in the area that an employee provided, and then he took us on a hike through Costanoa and over to the ocean. He was awesome," reports a senior camper at Costanoa KOA.
Banana slug hunting: Children enjoy spotting the bright yellow slugs that inhabit redwood forests. "The slugs were hanging out in trees all around us and it was so much fun looking for them," shares Adventure M. from Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Limited size compatibility: Many campgrounds have tight turns and low clearance issues. "Our site was on the smaller side, but it accommodated us all," notes Queenie M. about Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
Hookup availability: Full hookups are limited and often at premium prices. At Cotillion Gardens RV Park, "Spots are way too small. My slide almost sat on the neighbors table. Do not come here, sites are more suited for a tent," warns Mike W.
Extended stay considerations: Limited WiFi availability can affect work-from-camp options. "We'd love to stay for weeks if we could log into work!" mentions a Summer E. at Smithwoods RV Park.
Premium site selection: When available, riverside or corner sites offer significantly more space. "If I were to come back and want two large sites to connect, I would choose either 6 and 8 or 10 and 13," advises a visitor to Ben Ries Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the designated campgrounds near Ben Lomond?
Several excellent campgrounds are located near Ben Lomond in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground offers sites nestled among towering redwoods with hiking trails nearby. Just a short drive away, Sanborn County Park provides a walk-in camping experience with gear carts available to help transport equipment from the parking area to your site. Other nearby options include Smithwoods RV Park in Felton and San Mateo Memorial Park, both offering various amenities for campers wanting to explore the Ben Lomond area.
What is the best time of year to go camping at Ben Lomond?
The best time to camp near Ben Lomond is late spring through early fall (May-October) when weather conditions are most favorable. New Brighton State Beach Campground offers a pleasant coastal option during summer months with roomy campsites featuring fire rings and tables, though evenings can be cool due to ocean proximity. Laguna Seca Recreation Area is notably quiet during fall months, with campers reporting having entire sections to themselves in November. Winter camping is possible but prepare for cooler temperatures and potential rain. For the most comfortable experience, aim for June through September.
What amenities are available at Ben Lomond camping areas?
Camping areas near Ben Lomond offer a range of amenities to enhance your outdoor experience. San Mateo Memorial Park provides clean facilities with staff keeping the grounds spotless, making it an excellent basecamp for exploring redwood and coastal hiking trails. Castle Rock Trail Camp offers more primitive amenities for those seeking a more rustic experience near Ben Lomond. Most campgrounds in the area provide picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restrooms. Some sites also feature storage boxes for food, water spigots, and well-maintained bathroom facilities.
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