Camping options near Ben Lomond, California include several forested campgrounds within the Santa Cruz Mountains at elevations ranging from 300 to 2,600 feet. The region's Mediterranean climate creates mild temperatures year-round, with summer highs rarely exceeding 85°F and winter lows seldom below 40°F. Most campgrounds in the area stay open throughout winter months, though seasonal closures for maintenance can occur in late fall.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: Access hiking routes directly from several campgrounds in the area. Cotillion Gardens RV Park provides direct trail access with "lots of hiking and exploring right from the campsite," according to one visitor who stayed with young children.
Railroad excursions: Take a steam train ride through redwood forests from Roaring Camp Railroad in Felton. A Smithwoods RV Park camper mentioned they "could hear the train whistle in the daytime coming from Roaring Camp Railroad" and noted the "beautiful red wood trees" surrounding their site.
River activities: Enjoy the San Lorenzo River which flows through the region. Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort offers access points, as one camper described: "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."
Beach day trips: Drive approximately 10 miles to Santa Cruz beaches from most Ben Lomond area campgrounds. A visitor at Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort noted the convenience: "Santa Cruz is only 10 miles away. The campground is all natural! Trees and nature all around."
What campers like
Redwood forest setting: Most campgrounds in the area feature old-growth redwood trees providing natural shade and scenery. A visitor at Cotillion Gardens RV Park described "beautiful sites among mature redwoods" and valued "being nestled in the redwoods" despite noting "sites are a little tight."
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and showers rank highly in visitor feedback. At Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort, one camper praised the "well maintained, super clean restrooms," mentioning that while there weren't "much in the way of extras like a well stocked store, trails, or a fancy playground," the "cleanliness and professionalism of the staff makes up for it."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Several campgrounds offer dedicated recreation areas for children. According to a Cotillion Gardens RV Park visitor: "Kids liked the pool and clubhouse. Look forward to our next visit." Another camper at the same location mentioned "lots of activities for everyone" with a "nice laid back area" where "people are friendly."
Community spaces: Many RV parks offer common areas for socializing. A visitor at Smithwoods RV Park highlighted "a heated pool (90 degrees), clean shower and restroom, plus laundry room" and mentioned that "kids could ride bikes freely."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Mobile reception varies significantly, often requiring specific spots to get signal. Beyond the limited cell service at Smithwoods mentioned in the existing description, visitors to other parks report similar issues. At Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort, a camper noted: "No WiFi provided, however it would go out late at night after 10 pm until the morning time."
Narrow access roads: The approach to several campgrounds requires careful navigation. For Carmel by the River RV Park (about 45 minutes from Ben Lomond), one reviewer warned: "The road in is basically a one lane road. Pray you don't encounter oncoming traffic" but still rated it highly, noting it was "nice for an RV Park" with "nice hedges between the sites."
Site spacing concerns: Many RV campgrounds have limited space between sites. A visitor to Cotillion Gardens RV Park acknowledged "sites can get a bit tight, but there are definitely some gems hidden in the redwoods," recommending visits to nearby Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
Limited tent camping: Options for tent campers are more restricted than for RV users. A visitor to Santa Cruz Ranch Campground reported: "This place is not the best for tent camping in my opinion. They had a small plot to the side of the rest of the rv slots with a little grass to pitch a tent. Not secluded at all from the hustle and bustle."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Several campgrounds maintain heated swimming pools, providing recreation when river conditions aren't ideal. A Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort visitor noted the family-friendly environment: "The camp host went above and beyond! Happily told us things to do with our kids and how close places were. Santa Cruz is only 10 miles away."
Safety considerations: Most campgrounds enforce slow driving rules to protect children. The same visitor reported feeling "safe, with my young kids, that everyone was driving slowly and respecting the rules."
Kid-friendly facilities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas and recreation rooms. Cotillion Gardens RV Park received positive feedback for its "games room" which one visitor called "a lovely treat" while noting the owners "helped us with all our hook ups."
Quiet hours: Campgrounds typically enforce noise restrictions starting around 9-10pm. At Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort, quiet hours run from "9:30 pm - 8:00 am" according to a visitor who also noted the clubhouse hours (9 am - 9 pm) and its amenities including "TV, couch, dining tables, fridge, microwave, board games."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request specific spots when booking at RV parks near Ben Lomond. A visitor to Santa Cruz Ranch Campground noted that while sites are "well set up" they found "the sites are on top of each other" with some long-term residents "growing plants, collecting stuff."
Hookup positioning: Be prepared for unconventional utility connection locations. At Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort, a visitor mentioned: "I had to use a 6 foot extension on the sewer hose. Shore chord was fine as was the water spigot."
Navigation advice: Avoid certain routes when driving larger rigs to the area. One visitor to Carmel by the River RV Park warned: "Unless you're driving a sports car, definitely DO NOT drive on Lorales Grade! It's a narrow, windy, dark road with a 17% grade. It is well worth driving around."
Leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks as many sites require adjustment. At Morgan Hill RV Resort (about 30 minutes from Ben Lomond), a visitor observed: "Sites are not level" though they appreciated the "beautiful mature trees all over campground."
