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Best Campgrounds near Ben Lomond, CA

779 Reviews

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.

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Best Camping Sites Near Ben Lomond, California (116)

    1. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground

    44 Reviews
    Mount Hermon, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +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."

    2. New Brighton State Beach Campground

    44 Reviews
    Capitola, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 464-6330

    $35 - $185 / night

    "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."

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

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

    $35 / night

    "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."

    4. Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort

    21 Reviews
    Felton, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +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."

    5. Cotillion Gardens RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Felton, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +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."

    6. Sanborn County Park

    19 Reviews
    Saratoga, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 867-9959

    $33 / night

    "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)."

    7. Smithwoods RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Felton, CA
    3 miles
    +1 (831) 335-4321

    "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."

    8. Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park - CLOSED INDEFINITELY

    18 Reviews
    Pescadero, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (650) 879-2040

    $35 / night

    "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."

    9. Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA

    16 Reviews
    Pescadero, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (650) 879-7302

    $100 - $200 / night

    "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."

    10. Sunset State Beach

    27 Reviews
    Watsonville, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Ben Lomond, CA

256 Photos of 116 Ben Lomond Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Ben Lomond, CA

779 Reviews of 116 Ben Lomond Campgrounds

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Veteran's Memorial Park Campground

    Cash on arrival $53 for RV

    This campground requires cash or cheque payment. It’s at the top of a hill so make sure you’re prepared before arrival. Also not suitable for RV’s over 20ft. No hook ups but decent bathrooms. Nice and quiet.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Moss Landing KOA Express

    Beautiful beachside

    Easy access, level paved spots. Restrooms spotless. Check-in friendly and cookies a plus! Walk to the beach, feel the breeze.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Lovely site, really close to San Francisco!

    On visiting San Francisco we were looking for a site that wasn’t a car park. This really met the mark! Beautiful place with great sites. Nice picnic tables & fire pits! Was very quiet

  • A
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Sunset State Beach Campground

    Nice campground

    It was my first time beach camping so i didnt know what to expect. Was a bit breezier than im use to with the mountains. Not a lot of trees around. It is nice not dealing with a lot of bugs since youre by the beach and all. The bathrooms and showers were well maintained.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort

    Lovely RV site!

    Really lovely RV site. Nice toilets & showers. Lovely shady spots and really close to Santa Cruz

  • jay B.
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Sunset State Beach Campground

    Not the Best Fit for RV Campers

    We’ve camped all along the coast and had high hopes for this spot, but it didn’t quite meet expectations. The sites feel very close together and are a bit awkwardly arranged, making it a tight fit—especially for anything larger than a small camper. We're in a 22’ van/motorhome crossover and were fortunate to find a level spot, though most sites we saw were not level. The beach trails could use some maintenance as they’re currently in rough shape. This campground might be a better option for tent campers, but for RVs, it’s not ideal.

  • T
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Nice location and activities, but a bit cramped

    I just needed/wanted a short getaway without driving hours from home. Since I'm used to this place for mountain biking, I figured I'd try camping here for a couple nights. 

    I did a recon ride previously on my mountain bike, so knew which spots I'd prefer and booked site 35 for a Thursday and Friday night. 

    Arrived at about 5PM and found my spot. The ranger booth was closed, but I didn't feel the need to chat with them anyway. The place was largely unoccupied at this point. Maybe a dozen or so spots appeared taken. 

    The weather, though hot in the Bay Area at this point, was quite nice. The breeze and shade of the park made for a very comfortable setting. I believe it was 88 in Castro Valley, but felt about 78 at the campground. I don't have AC for the van, but didn't feel I needed any. 

    I got setup and then headed out for a short ride, followed by a warm shower, cold beer and dinner. It was quiet that evening and I slept well. 

    I worked through the morning Friday, though the Starlink suffered some interruptions due to the tree cover. Early afternoon more people started to show up, as I expected. I went for a long ride and when I returned the place was much more occupied and people were setting up tents, starting their bbq's, etc. Though a bit close to the neighbors, none of them were obnoxious. 

    My advice would be to know the spot you're selecting and know that in the summer months the grass isn't green :) 

    I'd score the individual aspects as follows (1-5):

    Bathrooms: 4

    Location: 5

    Activities: 5

    Privacy: 3

    Cleanliness: 4

  • A
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Uvas Canyon County Park

    A ton of wasps near 25

    Second time at the campground. Love this campground still but im pretty sure there is a wasp next near 25. We were here about 2 weeks ago at a different site and didnt have any wasp issues. It probably didnt help that it looked like previous people left trash and food on the floor. We will be coming back soon to a different site. Campground is gorgeous. Bathrooms are super clean.

Guide to Ben Lomond

Camping near Ben Lomond, California, offers a fantastic escape into nature with beautiful landscapes and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails in the area. Many campers rave about the beautiful hiking opportunities. One visitor at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground said, "Great location to base out of when exploring the central coast."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A camper at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground mentioned, "We saw a lot of wildlife and shooting stars on the clear nights."
  • Beach Activities: Enjoy the nearby beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. A reviewer at New Brighton State Beach Campground noted, "Great views and easy access to the beach."

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at New Brighton State Beach Campground advised, "You have to book a few months in advance."
  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell reception in some areas. A camper at Mount Madonna County Park mentioned, "You can actually get a cell signal if you walk to the dump station!"
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be cautious of wildlife, especially during meal times. A camper at Anthony Chabot Regional Park noted, "We had two new types of visitors... aggressive yellow jackets."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and family-friendly trails. A reviewer at California Veterans Memorial Park Campground mentioned, "If you have little ones, they’ll have fun on the playground."
  • Plan for Comfort: Choose campsites that offer amenities like clean restrooms and showers. A camper at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground appreciated, "Restroom is very clean."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids during hikes. A visitor at Big Sur Campground & Cabins suggested, "The welcome package is a nice touch, 2 mugs, a deck of cards, flashlight and bundle of firewood."

Tips from RVers:

Camping near Ben Lomond, California, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a memorable experience!

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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