Looking for the best options for tent camping near Capitola? Find the best information on tent campgrounds near Capitola, including sites, reviews, and tips. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Capitola campsites are perfect for tent campers.
Jan 2025 - due to to extensive damage from wildfires, this campground will be closed indefinitely.
$35 / night
Welcome to Uvas Canyon County Park. This lushly wooded park of 1,147 acres, is nestled in upper Uvas Canyon on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz
Mountains. This mountain park offers hiking, camping and picnicking opportunities throughout most of the year. Enjoy your visit today and return often to experience the many features of Uvas Canyon County Park.
$34 / night
Manresa State Beach Camping is tents only, no RVs, mid-May through September. Parking for over 60 walk-in tent sites at Manresa Uplands is in a separate lot near the campground. Pets must not be left unattended in campsites. One vehicle is included in camping fees.
$35 / night
Castle Rock State Park is a land of sculpted sandstone, lush forests, and sweeping vistas. From one of the highest ridges in the Santa Cruz Mountains, park visitors enjoy hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. Rock climbers explore the park's caverns and rocks, including the namesake Castle Rock. Plant-lovers come for California black oaks, knobcone pines, and high-elevation coast redwoods. The park’s 34 miles of rugged trails conveniently connect to an extensive trail system that links the Santa Clara and San Lorenzo valleys to nearby Big Basin Redwoods State Park and open space preserves on the Skyline to the Sea Trail.
The Castle Rock Trail Camp is open year round on a first-come, first-serve basis. The campground is a 2.5 mile (4 kilometer) hike from the parking area and you will have to carry all of your equipment into the camp. Castle Rock Trail Camp has trash receptacles, bathrooms, and 20 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. Wood is available for sale during the wet season. Fires are not allowed during fire season.
Camping is permitted only in designated camps. Campers are required to be in their campsites from sunset to 6 a.m.
To register and pay your fees, check in at the Entrance Station at the Castle Rock parking lot. If you arrive when the station is not staffed, you can use the self-registration envelopes. Make sure you bring exact change or a check to use in case you must use the self-registration. Place your receipt on the dashboard in a visible place as proof of payment. Rangers will verify payment. For more information about camping and fire closure dates, please call Castle Rock State Park at (408) 867-2952. For more information and reservations for Waterman Gap Trail Camp, please visit the Santa Cruz Mountain State Parks Backcountry Trail Camp Page.
$8 / night
Hikers and equestrians have access to an extensive 51 mile trail system. Mountain bikes are permitted on over 75% of the park's trails as designated. The diverse trail system at the park makes this a popular place to stage large-scale organized trail events such as equestrian endurance rides, mountain bike events and foot races. Dogs are also allowed on the trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds as long as they are on a 6 ft. leash.
Shaded picnic areas are available on a first-come first-served basis. Campers can choose from almost forty (40) reservable family campsites. Hot showers are available with paid campsite use. Group picnic and youth camping areas are available by reservation. One large lake and several smaller ponds are accessible for warm water fishing. Fires are permitted in designated fire rings only. Do not gather wood. Extinguish fires when unattended. When posted "NO FIRES", only campstoves or gas grills are permitted. For further questions please call the park office: (408) 274-6121.
$15 - $400 / night
$2 / night
$40 / night
There is no access to the campgrounds, beach trail, or any trails on the South side of the Big Sur River due to storm and flood damage.
Andrew Molera Trail Camp is a hike-in campground. Campers park in the day use parking lot and hike about 1/4 mile to the campground. Trail Camp contains 22 standard tent sites and two (2) hike-and-bike campsites. The campground is situated in a meadow near the Big Sur River. Each site has a fire pit, picnic table and food storage container. Trail Camp offers potable water and restrooms with flush toilets. There are no showers.
Standard campsites are available for reservation. Reservations fill up six months in advance.
$50 / night
Scout
Enjoyed tent camping at mount Madonna. I was able to reserve a drive in tent campground one month out . Many miles of trails and excellent facilities.
Guide
Enjoyed my two night stay camping in a tent. Touring Big Sur and surrounding areas.
Scout
I have come here since I was a kid with my Dad. This was the cheapest way to stay with a family in Monterey/Carmel. You will drive through a country residential area that does not look like there would be a campground then all of a sudden you take a turn and you’re in a nice wooded, shady place on a hill. The best of both worlds in the hills outside of Carmel but still close to town and beaches. They have glamping tents, cabins, and small tent camping spots. There is not room for more than two small and medium tents. Camp sites are not very private but they are clean. Kids love the pool and game areas and begged to stay longer and come back. Bathrooms are very nice and clean with hot water. I recommend if you want to take a family trip to Monterey or Carmel to check this place out. Only downside was I missed seeing and hearing the peacocks that I remember as a kid.
Guide
This campground has large open sites for tent camping. It was covered in trees and had some options for better more private spots, but sadly the campground was almost to capacity when we went. The options for tent camping was limited. I know for our next visit to reserve ahead of time, and to request cliff side tent camps. Cliff side tent camps are separate and have full vista views.
Legend
Often booked so you’ll want to get a reservation. $35/night for tent camping plus 7.99 reservation fee. No electric for tent camping but there is water. Safeway is just a mile away. Super cute town close by with fun shops and restaurants. The wind in the afternoon can be annoying but the views are worth it. I love staying here after working in Burlingame which is only 30 minutes away. Super easy to get to Mavericks, San Francisco etc.
Scout
The staff was amazing. Tent site was spacious. Not too crowded. Clean bathroom and shower. Several trails to walk. Close to town in case we forgot something.
ScoutMy husband and doggos have been to big sur three times now. It is our favorite spot to go. Good size lots, we have only been tent camping. Right near a river which is so much fun! Tubing there is great. Lots of other kids and dogs around.
ScoutThis place is great! Well kept and clean! Pool area was awesome! Tent site was perfect too! Bathroom/showers were clean as well! Wish we had time to do the trail but will come back again and do it.
GuideFirst I would give no stars really. We did not stay here (but did drive thru the property Oct 2020) We would have preferred a rest stop on the hwy (although we did find a better campground another hour down the road). 90% of the sites were full with what appeared to be full time residents. The RV spots were extremely packed together. And there were a ton of cars parked in any available area. There were a few actual tent sites - without parking, but other “tent sites” were really just a strip of grass. I found the website photo misleading as the lake was fenced off, and it really just felt like a parking lot next to the highway. There was a little market with food and fishing supplies but it looked like you also had to pay to fish. Friendly staff.
TravelerSet amidst some amazing redwoods adjacent to a bubbling creek. Clean and well maintained facilities. Has cabins, rv sites, and tent sites. Many trails nearby along with some great restaurants. There is no wifi and no verizon cell service.
TravelerGreat for kids and very clean. Sites are close together but the terrace makes for a little space from each tent site. Very close to Carmel makes a morning walk on the beach and back in the pool by lunch very manageable.
Ranger
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. The premium spots seem super worth it with panoramic views of the Pacific. Warning: the line for the dump station wound through nearly the entire park.
There is a BMX park a short drive away.
Scout
Security guy was awesome, kind, friendly, helpful! We arrived at 11:30 pm - exhausted, with no reservation, asking for a tent site. No problem! He quickly got us registered and put us in a site with empty sites on each side of ours. In no time we had our tent set up, and we were comfortable and fast asleep. Felt VERY safe!
ScoutNew ownership, who reportedly paid $28 mill for the campground, immediately doubled their prices to $225 per night for a standard tent site. No site improvements, just a 100% price increase. They are hopeful people will just pay because it’s Big Sur, after all. Don’t support this business model.
Guide
Came here last minute on a surf trip to Santa cruz so its partially our fault, but 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 which to me is a major part of the allure for camping. Otherwise the place was nice and looked great for rvs
Ranger
This is a great stop along highway 1 with trails to the ocean. The tent sites are in a nice open field so you see the other campers but most are quiet and respectful. it is possible to share a campsite with others if it's full and you are willing to make friends.
ScoutThis campground is tucked away between Watsonville, CA and Gilroy, CA in a small stand of second growth redwwoods. They have one loop of rv sites and three other loops of gorgeous tent sites. They have redwood trees, showers, restrooms, archery, hiking trails, Henry Miller's vacation home ruins, camp fire programs and a pen of exotic white deer.
I've been camping here my entire life in every season and I never get tired of it.
TravelerSo, if you’re looking to be in nature and have a proper camping experience, this ain’t it. If you want a resort style vacation, this isn’t it either… yet somehow it’s a little of both. I wouldn’t recommend tent camping because you’re literally right next to your neighbor camping and isn’t really in the “woods”. Suggest you get a delux tent which includes a bed, fire pit and bbq. That’s why I’ve rated it high because it’s what I needed for one night. Plus the pull and games (corn hill, ping pong) are nice additions. Just know what you’re in for.
GuideWe stay at this KOA 3-4 times a year. We especially enjoy the Halloween and other theme weekends they have. They have made tons of improvements over the last 10 years we have been going. Sites range from tent sites, RV sites, to full size cabins. They even rent out Airstream trailers. The staff is wonderful. Fun place. A little expensive but what you would expect for all the amenities offered. Beautiful pool but the kids kind of take it over. All the rest of the stuff KOA offers plus super clean bathrooms and sites.
GuideShort walk to the beach. You can walk for miles on the beach or on the bluff trails. Everyone is laidback which makes for a peaceful experience. Great sunsets!!
Tenting camping and RVs. Limited electrical hookups.
TravelerThis place rocked and saved our honeymoon when no one else would. Unfortunately during peak Covid, everything was fcfs or absolute expensive or closed, and we were losing daylight heading up the coast. Made it just before dusk and we were able to get a tent camping spot for about 70 a night which was not a problem, cuz a roadside parking ticket was waaay higher. Quaint accomodations, free coffee in the morning, mess shop sells fresh food stuffs and wood for fire at a reasonable price too. Highly recommend if you're stopping through for a night or two while exploring the surrounding area. They clean the facilities like 4 times a day or more and sanitize it too.
GuideThis KOA is great for a family getaway. TONS of activities on site- huge bouncy pad, a climbing wall, ping pong tables, a swimming pool, pedal go karts, the list goes on and on. There are also Plenty of options on how to stay- RV sites, cabins, tent sites, you can even book one of the campgrounds Airstreams! There is also relatively quick access to Santa Cruz to the north and Monterey to the south.
My only criticism is that it is not that woodsy. But hey, this is a KOA! If you want to camp in the woods, go to a national park!
Legend
This is a hidden gem. A little bowl full of redwoods, a creek and great hiking. Lots of great tent sites but pick your site wisely so you are not too close to your neighbors. Also have some good back country hike in sites.
There is a nature trail along the creek.
If you hike up to the ridge on a clear day you can see the ocean. There is also an old landing strip on the hill you can hike to as well. Great hike along the ridge where you can bakcpack into a trail camp. Little streams along the way to get access to water.
Guide
Yes, this is a KOA, so if you are into tent camping or an immersive forest setting, you might want to look elsewhere. But for a quick weekend jaunt for RV campers, this location slightly more than an hour from the Bay Area is hard to beat. Full hook-ups are available, 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. The sites at the bottom of the first loop with awesome sunset views are my favorite. Very grassy and “outdoorsy” for a KOA.
LegendThis is one of the most enchanting places I have ever been to. Just wow! There is only 4 tent sites, but they are huge! Plenty of RV spots as well. ADA accessible site are limited but they are #17, 23, 24, 109, 112. This is near a 40 acre redwood grove with so much old growth. The trees are towering above you! It is kind of pricey but well worth it. you can see an amazing view of the night sky and hear the sounds of the waves from the nearby ocean.
You do have to be bear aware here, there are food lockers though.Also, watch out for the poison oak... so much. Each site also has a fire ring and picnic table. They have clean bathrooms with flush toilets and showers that are $0.25 per 2 minutes.
I love this campground and miss it, as I have moved out of California.
Legend
This is sweet hike in trail camp. We have used it for two purposes. First when were were climbing in Castle Rock State Park and this was our hub and second when we were doing the Skyline to the Sea Trail and wanted a easy first day. This is primitive. There is a shelter with tables in the event there is rain. Then there are scattered sites, some with tables for you to find a tent site. If busy - you will be sharing.
Shaded, though hike down can be in the open. Primitive restrooms. Water available. Picnic Tables.
Great home base for climbing - good trail camp for the march to the sea.
GuideWe’ve tent camped here several times, each time in a different spot. Some sites are much more private than others & many share a driveway with neighbors; some have spectacular views of Carmel Valley (like site 35). The bathrooms & showers are nice & well maintained. They offer free Wi-Fi.
As other reviewers have mentioned it is a VERY steep, narrow drive up to and inside the campground. The campsites are cut into the side of the hill - many have privacy walls so you aren’t looking at your neighbors campsite.
TIPS: Definitely take the steep hike out of the campground for a cardio workout that will reward you with stunning views.
For other, milder hikes check out nearby Garland Park ,a lovely regional park that has hiking, biking & equestrian trails along the Carmel River.
Tent camping near Capitola, California offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the beautiful coastal scenery. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you'll find options that cater to different preferences and needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Capitola, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Capitola, CA is Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park - CLOSED INDEFINITELY with a 4.8-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Capitola, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near Capitola, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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