T
Tamatha B.
Traveler
TravelerSanta Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
This is a great camp ground. Plenty of activities. Showers are clean, laundry room takes tap pay.
Cabin Camping near Ben Lomond, CA
3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Cabins near Ben Lomond provide rustic to modern accommodations with varying amenities. Mount Madonna County Park offers tent cabins with wood-burning stoves for heat during cooler months. Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday features furnished cabin rentals with electricity and basic kitchen facilities. "The small cabins are nice and I quite like them. This is a good place for hiking, but unfortunately there is not a lot more to do," noted one visitor about the KOA cabins. Cotillion Gardens RV Park in Felton provides cabin options with access to shared facilities including showers, restrooms, and a clubhouse with games for families.
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Big Basin Redwoods State Park (currently closed) previously offered tent cabins with double beds, tables, and wood stoves. Each cabin site included a fire pit with grill cover for cooking meals. Saddle Mountain Ranch provides more upscale cabin accommodations with kitchenettes and private bathrooms. A camper described their experience: "Cabin was super nice to stay in after a week of car camping! Kitchenette, bathroom, hot water. Perfect." Most cabins require reservations, especially during summer months when facilities reach capacity quickly.
Most cabin rentals include beds but require visitors to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Some locations offer add-on packages that include bedding, cooking equipment, and firewood for an additional fee. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "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." Kitchen facilities vary significantly between properties—from simple fire pits with grill grates to full kitchenettes with basic cookware. Nearby towns like Boulder Creek and Watsonville provide grocery stores and restaurants for additional supplies. Firewood is available for purchase at most cabin locations, though some restrict wood burning to manufactured logs only.
Best Cabin Campgrounds near Ben Lomond (20)
1. Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $35 / night
2. Cotillion Gardens RV Park
"Park is rustic, but has a lot of amenities and is very close to Santa Cruz. We visit family and friends in the area often, but this was the first time we camped in the area."
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $60 - $100 / night
3. Costanoa Coastal Lodge & Campground
"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."
"Once we figured it out, the late check in paperwork was detailed on how to find our space."
Check Availabilityfrom $100 - $200 / night
4. Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
"General: So many options, including full hookup back-in or pull-thru sites, sites with just w/e, pet sites, nine different types of cabins, and tent sites."
"The small cabins are nice and I quite like them. This is a good place for hiking, but unfortunately there is not a lot more to do. You can go to Monterey and do things there though."
5. Mount Madonna County Park
"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."
"Location & Safety: Conveniently located between San Jose and Monterey - easy access off Highway 152. Felt completely safe throughout the stay."
6. Seacliff State Beach
"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."
7. Redwood Resort RV Park & Campground
"Was able to book the night before and get the last full hookup spot."
Check Availabilityfrom $55 - $75 / night
8. Beach RV Pleasure Point
"I 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."
"A very nice and well kept spot to park and enjoy Santa Cruz. You are close enough to walk to the beach and several restaurants. The sites are very close together."
4 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $95 - $180 / night
9. Thousand Trails Morgan Hill
"Great culture here - friendly, lots of things to do (pool, basketball, volleyball, horse shoes, playground, billiards, karaoke, tennis)."
"Dog park, nice showers, nice bathrooms, trails to walk your dog, nice people, quiet. I loved it here."
10. Marina Dunes RV Park
"The campsite is RV only with a few cottages and yurts. It's right by the dunes and with very quick access to the beach."
"Nice rv park by the beach. Bathrooms and showers are great. Downside is the store is closed on Sundays. Also, $190 a night plus $20 to choose your spot is wild."
Drive Time
- 12 min from Santa Cruz, CA
- 40 min from San Jose, CA
- 50 min from Salinas, CA
- 1 hr 15 min from San Francisco, CA
Recent Cabin Photos near Ben Lomond, CA
9 Photos of 20 Ben Lomond Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Cabin Reviews near Ben Lomond, CA
235 Reviews of 20 Ben Lomond Campgrounds
- TTamatha B.Traveler
Treasure Island MH and RV Park
Henry in the office is amazing. Bathrooms are clean. laundry room very large and has many washers and dryers. Subway close walk, MUNI is at the park entrance. A gas station and Grocery store are both across the street.
- DDoug O.Traveler
Marina Dunes RV Park
Our favorite place. We have stayed here 14 times. Always clean.
- TTwindaddy
GuideDel Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District
East Bay Parks - IYKYK
Like most/all east bay parks, this is well appointed for the masses. It’s also surrounded by rolling hills and close to suburbia. For many, these are positives. As an east bay resident they are for me as well. Del Valle is a bit more removed than many east bay parks. From my location in Fremont, it’s a one hour drive. A pleasant drive for the most part. I camp to get away for a bit and almost always to mountain bike. As such, I seek parks that have trails. Del Valle has a map of many trails. They also appear on many of the mapping services used by mountain bikers. Review those and digest them if this is also your intention - these are east bay parka style trails. In other words, mostly steep and loose fire roads, with many “social trails” sprinkled between. If you are compelled to stay legit/legal trails, bring an ebike. Now on to the camping. I picked a spot as far removed from any booked spot on the map. I triple checked this up until the day before I arrived. I want solitude! When I arrived Thursday afternoon, I was surprised to see the sites just 3 spaces away, on both sides, occupied. This is a fairly compact area. And while I’m sure they’re lovely folks, this isn’t what I expected on a Thursday. Saturday? Sure. Anyway… be aware that these reservation services aren’t completely reliable in that regard. The bathrooms and showers are amazing! Clean, smell good, cared for. Noteworthy is the hot showers in the camp grounds are free and your one push of the button provides water for two minutes I'd guess. Very nice! The space, 135 for me, is okay. A couple trees for shade, a nice table and fire pit. It’s now dark and the noise is minimal - mostly from the group campsite just down the hill. I’ll update this with more details in the coming days since it’s a 4 day visit.
Update 1: it’s my first morning here. Using starlink as there is no cell signal to be found. What I noticed last night was that this park is directly below the flight path to the local airports. Every couple minutes last night, a plane would fly overhead. According to flight aware, they’re at about 10,000 feet. If this will ruin your getaway, you’ve been warned.
Update 2: On Friday night, the majority of the spots were filled. Many large groups of people with varying degrees of consideration, but to their credit almost all (except the barking German Shepard) were quiet by 10PM. It was a bit more crowded come Saturday morning. Some friends came to visit for a mountain bike ride, and we set off at about noon. I had been complimentary of the facilities and bragged that I'd be taking a nice shower after our ride. Unfortunately, upon our return, there was no hot water and no lighting in the showers. And, sadly, someone decided to remove the tags and hangers from their TJ Maxx haul and leave them all over the floor of two of the showers.
Verdict: I'd only come back here in the springtime when it's likely to be green and have some water in the arroyo and only during the week. The density and composition of the people here was akin to being at Costco on a Saturday, and I only did that once.
- CColeen B.Guide
Monterey Pines RV Park - Military
Nice small military RV park
RVs only. No tent camping. Some sites have partial hookups and some have full hookups. This is at the edge of the Monterey Pines Golf Course. In fact you check in at the golf course office. Sites 1-14 have a view of the course. Mature shade trees, picnic tables and bbq’s in each site. No fire rings.
The bathrooms are nice and clean and have heaters! Laundry is free! Four washers and eight dryers.
As of Sept 2026 they’re actively building a new dog park.
It’s right next to a private airport and there are 2-3 planes (jets and smaller planes) taking off each hour. It stopped at 10pm and started up again at 5am. Suggest earplugs at nighttime.
Verizon service is pretty poor. They have free Wi-Fi but it didn’t reach to site 1.
- JasonGuide
Monterey Pines RV Park - Military
Amenities are great, Navy wives not so much.
Great park. Monthly rates are the most expensive in the country, for a military camp, but still about 2/3 of what it is off base. Watch out for golf balls, stay in spots 7-10. Whatever you do, do not let the door open and let your dog run out by accident...the Navy Knives, err Wives club is always watching. Anyway, close to all Monterey, Big Sur, Salinas, Carmel Valley. Really nice, clean Park. Bathhouses are very clean. Laundry requires quarters, but they work well. Shaded spots, so if you need Starlink stay on the east side row to point north.
David W.GuideBeach RV Pleasure Point
Convenient spot in Santa Cruz
I 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.
Tim P.TravelerThousand Trails Morgan Hill
Great Campground
I 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.
- TTom H.Guide
Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
Great place for kids, lots to do.
Koa’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.
Guide to Ben Lomond
Cabin accommodations near Ben Lomond, California range from basic wooden structures to deluxe lodging options across several campgrounds within Santa Cruz County. Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains at approximately 800 feet elevation, Ben Lomond's Mediterranean climate creates mild year-round camping conditions. Winter temperatures typically drop to the 40s, while summer averages hover in the 70s, making cabin stays comfortable throughout the seasons.
What to do
Archery trail experience: Mount Madonna County Park features a 28-target archery trail through the woods, providing a unique alternative to hiking. "We were there 3 days in a row and did 20 of the 28 [targets]. It's really pretty and a cool challenge. Now my daughter's asking to put a target in the back yard," notes one visitor.
Explore redwood trails: When staying at Cotillion Gardens RV Park, hiking access directly from camp provides convenient forest immersion. "Lots of hiking and exploring right from the campsite. Kids liked the pool and clubhouse. Look forward to our next visit," reports one family who camped there with young children.
Beach day trips: Cabins near Ben Lomond provide convenient access to coastal attractions. A camper at Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday noted it's "close to the boardwalk and the aquarium," making it ideal for alternating between forest cabin stays and beach recreation.
What campers like
Tent cabin conveniences: Tent cabins at Big Basin Redwoods State Park offer substantial amenities. "We camp here every year in May or June. It's always fun. The tent cabins are super convenient," shares a regular visitor, highlighting their practicality for those who prefer structure but want a forest setting.
Weather considerations: Cabins provide shelter from the region's variable mountain climate. "In the morning it's raining under the redwood trees but not under the madrone or tan oak trees, which is wild. It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40 degrees colder than Gilroy or San Jose," advises a Mount Madonna camper.
Family recreation options: Campgrounds with cabin rentals frequently include additional amenities. A family staying at Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA appreciated that "there is an on site restaurant and outdoor bar, and there is close proximity to multiple beaches and tide pools. The resort also has great activities for kids that they occasionally bring on site, such as a climbing wall and nature talks with live animals."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Most cabin locations have limited connectivity. At Mount Madonna, "you can actually get a cell signal if you walk to the dump station!" according to one resourceful camper.
Cabin types vary: Yurt accommodations offer alternative cabin-style options. "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," notes a visitor who stayed in an RV site adjacent to the yurt area.
Reservation timing: Cabins fill quickly during peak seasons. At popular locations like Thousand Trails Morgan Hill, advance planning is essential. "We got a nice spot close to the dump station near front. Their pool is huge and very very well kept," reports a satisfied guest who secured a reservation.
Tips for camping with families
Activity centers: Cabin locations with recreation facilities help entertain children. "This is a great campground for families as well as seniors! Observed great activities for kids! This is a great place!" reports an older visitor impressed with the multi-generational appeal of Costanoa KOA.
Natural exploration: Encourage kids to discover local wildlife. At Big Basin, one family noted: "The slugs were hanging out in trees all around us and it was so much fun looking for them. The sites were very spacious and this has probably been one of my favorite campgrounds!"
Seasonal preparation: Pack appropriate clothing regardless of season. As one Mount Madonna visitor warned: "We weren't prepared & had to drive into town & buy more clothes! Also, sometimes the fog whistles through on a stiff breeze so not only is it cold but also clammy wet."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When booking at campgrounds that offer both cabins and RV sites, location matters. A Cotillion Gardens visitor advised, "Sites can get a bit tight, but there are definitely some gems hidden in the redwoods."
Local attractions: Use cabin locations as base camps for regional exploration. "We drove 9 miles to Boulder Creek and found an epic swimming hole by Cafe to help cool us in the 95 degree heat," reports a camper who explored beyond their Big Basin accommodations.
Seasonal considerations: Winter cabin stays require different preparation than summer visits. "It can get cold at night in the redwoods so the wood stove was great at night," explains a Big Basin visitor who appreciated the cabin heating option during cooler months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin
campsite near Ben Lomond, CA?
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Ben Lomond, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Ben Lomond, CA is Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED with a 4.7-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find
cabin camping near
Ben Lomond, CA?
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Ben Lomond, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 cabin camping locations near Ben Lomond, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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