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Camping opportunities near Bonny Doon in the Santa Cruz Mountains include established campgrounds within redwood forests and along the coastline. The area features a range of accommodation options including Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground, New Brighton State Beach, and several RV resorts like Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort. These locations offer various camping styles from tent sites to RV hookups, with some properties providing cabin rentals and glamping experiences. Most campgrounds in this region are situated within 30 minutes of Santa Cruz, providing access to both mountain and coastal environments.
Campgrounds in the Bonny Doon area typically operate year-round due to the moderate coastal climate, though seasonal considerations affect availability and conditions. Many state park campgrounds require reservations months in advance, especially during summer weekends and holidays. The region experiences cool, foggy conditions along the coast while inland areas can be significantly warmer. Fire restrictions are common during the dry summer and fall months, with complete bans possible during high-risk periods. Cell service varies considerably throughout the mountainous terrain, with better coverage near populated areas and limited connectivity in more remote locations. A visitor to Butano State Park noted, "The park is so green and lush, shaded, with a nice moderate temperature. There are plenty of hiking trails, and a creek nearby."
The redwood forest camping experience represents a key attraction for visitors to this region. Several campgrounds feature old-growth redwood groves providing natural shade and a unique atmosphere. Campers frequently mention the tranquility of sleeping beneath towering trees, with one reviewer describing Henry Cowell as "a nice campground in a great part of California with lots of hiking and beaches nearby." Coastal campgrounds like New Brighton State Beach offer different but equally appealing experiences with ocean views and beach access. Site sizes and privacy vary considerably across properties, with some reviewers noting that certain campgrounds have sites positioned quite close together. Most established campgrounds provide basic amenities including restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings, though water quality and shower availability differ between locations.
"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"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"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"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."
"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."
TravelerI loved my stay here! I had a lot of tasks and couldn't have asked for a better place to accomplish them. I particularly appreciated the close coastal access, the birds and the clean, comfortable surroundings. Staff was welcoming and friendly throughout my stay. Highly recommend this gem!
GuideVery nice for a one night stop. Very windy road to get to the park. Sites are well kept and have a solid amount of room. Super clean bathrooms and good free showers. Lots of wildlife to see and hear (coyotes). Didn’t get 5 starts cause it was quite busy with loud neighbors!
GuideI pulled in at 5pm on a Friday and there were several spots open. I picked #6 by the park and it was wonderful. Super quiet at night. The grassy area was perfect for my dog.
The site is $50+10 for a RV or van. I had to leave and get more cash. $5 discount for veterans. You leave the cash in an envelope in a slot at the entrance. Very easy and straight forward.
As a single woman I felt safe. I slept well, it was quiet. Close to restrooms and showers which you can pay for.
TravelerReally wonderful spot to be. They have multiple camping options and day pass options. For RV setups your choices are parking, water only, and the works (water, electrical, waste dumping with fire pit and camping table).
Its a bit far from anything but if youre just looking to camp, charge, and relax then this is the spot for you. They have showes, bathrooms, and laundry on site.
Final notes, there are multiple hiking trails and wildlife to see, including a lovely group of Turkeys who don't mind you getting a little close for photo ops.
ScoutNice staff, hot clean showers, great location, good campsites
GuideCalled on 7/14/26, they said "we won't cancel any reservation due to arriving late or next day"
ScoutAll spots on the perimeter are full timers. VERY cluttered campsites all around you makes the park feel claustrophobic.
If that wasn’t enough the daily/weekly spots on the interior are right on top of each other. Expect your neighbor’s sewer connection to be right next to your stairs when you come out of your unit.
Never saw or interacted with any employees, the only interaction was an email with my spot number. Not a positive or negative, just a note. Daily/weekly campers seemed nice, however received dirty looks from pretty much every full timer just walking the dog or driving to/from my unit. I like to wave at folks as I go by, I guess they don’t like that.
Speaking of walking the dog, there’s a large grass area on the west side with big signs that say no pets. The only spot of grass I could find that wasn’t “forbidden for dogs” is a small patch between the entrance/exit lanes to the park, no fence and watch for vehicles coming and going.
Overall this place is probably fine to drop anchor for the night, we stayed a weekend to enjoy Gilroy Gardens and will definitely find somewhere else to go next time.
LegendGeneral: Many different options: pull-thru and back-in FHU sites, tent sites, bungalows, tent bungalows, cabins, and a lodge. Note that in early 2025, ownership changed and it is no longer a KOA.
Site Quality: As would be expected in an RV park, the sites are very close together with little to no foliage to separate them. 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. What is confusing is that the platforms and tables are not always directly behind the site. They are labeled with the site number, but again, they are close together, and if the campground is crowded, there is no privacy. Bath/Shower: There are two bathhouses for the RV sites. Each gender has one shower, three toilets, and two sinks with soap and paper towels. They were immaculate. I was lucky not to have to wait for a shower, but if full, I heard there are waits.
Activities/Amenities: There is a spa on site, but we did not check it out (not sure if you need to be a lodge guest to use). Other amenities include a restaurant (which was fantastic), general store, sauna, meeting space, playground, giant Jenga and chess board, and community fire pits. You can rent bikes, golf carts, and dune buggies. On weekends and in season, there are other activities and a bar cart that makes the rounds.
This is not our preferred type of camping, and it is expensive, but we enjoyed time here as we met family for a couple of days.
ScoutThis rv park is extremely clean and has a lot of wonderful amenities. The river is down a little path and has a lot of sweet little beaches. All of the campers were very respectful, polite and pleasant.
Camping near Bonny Doon provides access to diverse ecosystems where coastal fog often blankets the lower elevations while higher areas remain sunny. The Santa Cruz Mountains create microclimates throughout the region, with temperatures varying by as much as 15 degrees between coastal and inland campgrounds. Many sites require advance planning, with reservations filling 3-6 months ahead for summer weekends.
Hiking at Butano State Park: The trail system offers routes ranging from easy creek-side paths to challenging ridge climbs with ocean views. "This park has great hikes, thick with Redwoods, immediately you feel like you are in Ewok territory. Lots of varying levels as well," notes Kathleen C. about Ben Ries Campground.
Explore the San Lorenzo River: Several campgrounds provide river access for swimming and wildlife viewing. "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," shares Jaime C. who stayed at Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort.
Visit local farms and artisans: The coastal route features strawberry fields, cheese farms, and artisan food stops. "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, and grocery store with fresh baked pies," explains a visitor to Ben Ries Campground.
Redwood forest immersion: Tall trees provide natural shade and cooler temperatures. "We tent camped here but most people had a trailer. Translation: the bathroom was empty. Quiet with quick access to the beach via a steep paved path," mentions Alma L. about New Brighton State Beach Campground.
Beach proximity: Several campgrounds offer direct beach access or short drives to coastal areas. "We stayed here for three nights and it was beautiful! You can walk down to the beach, take a trip to the henry cowel redwoods, go ride bikes in santa cruz," shares Tiffany W. who stayed at Sunset State Beach.
Family-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds offer kids' activities and common spaces. "The park has a bit of a yellow jacket problem that they dont really seem too concerned about addressing. Yellowjackets on trails, in campsites and near bathrooms," warns Megan B. about Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground.
Campsite spacing varies significantly: Some locations offer privacy while others place sites close together. "The sites are close together. The place is old, but it has a great location. There are great hiking trails assessable from the campground," explains Linda S. about Cotillion Gardens RV Park.
Wildlife encounters: Proper food storage is essential in this region. "We were camping for 1 night and boy, was it crowded! Each and every group was fighting for the 'wagons' to haul stuff up the hike-in campsites," reports Pranj D. who visited Sanborn County Park.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely throughout the area. "Do not expect cell service, with better reception near populated areas. "We didn't get service if our family members needed to contact us since they were staying in town. They need to put access points around for a better wifi connection," notes Christina R. about Smithwoods RV Park.
Look for campgrounds with play areas: Some locations offer dedicated recreation facilities. "This is a great campground for families. Hiking and biking trails, nature walks, showers, flush toilets, it has it all for the not so campy campers," mentions J.d. E. about Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground.
Check for kid-friendly trails: Short hiking loops with interesting features keep children engaged. "This is an awesome spot to camp with your family. Lots of things for kids to do and families to do, firepit level, clean spots will definitely come back!" shares susan R. who stayed at Smithwoods RV Park.
Consider cabins for easier family camping: Several parks offer cabin options for less gear-intensive trips. "We stayed in a cabin in the huckleberry campground. The cabins were nice, and each cabin has 2 double beds, a table, and a wood stove. It can get cold at night in the redwoods so the wood stove was great at night," shares Kim P. about Lower Blooms Creek.
Plan your route carefully: Some roads to campgrounds have tight turns and low clearances. "Getting there takes some attention. 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," advises Patrick J. about Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort.
Book full hookup sites in advance: Utility connections are limited at many campgrounds. "Very nice place. We stayed 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," shares David H. about Smithwoods RV Park.
Prepare for tight spacing: Many RV parks position sites close together. "Not a bad place to stay. It's just very crowded with zero privacy. All big Rv, there's a pool hall and a river. It's super close to a few bars and about a mile away from the Henry Cowell entrance," reports Corrie G. who visited Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Bonny Doon, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bonny Doon, CA is Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 43 reviews.
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