Best Glamping near Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Saddle Mountain Ranch in Carmel Valley boasts luxury glamping accommodations nestled into terraced platforms with spectacular valley views. The property includes deluxe gazebo tents equipped with queen beds featuring heated mattresses, private fire pits, and propane grills. Visitors can choose from various upscale outdoor lodging options, including glamping tents and yurts, all situated within a wooded hillside setting approximately 15 minutes from Carmel-by-the-Sea. The heated pool area features twinkle lights in surrounding trees, creating a resort-like atmosphere for glamping guests. Several glamping units offer panoramic views across Carmel Valley, with private outdoor spaces for enjoying the natural surroundings. "This place has everything you need to entertain yourself and the family. Pool, park and many games to play," noted one visitor about the comprehensive amenities at this luxury outdoor destination.

Located just a short drive from both Big Sur and Monterey, Saddle Mountain Ranch provides glamping guests with exceptional access to the region's attractions. The property features a hiking trail directly from the grounds that rewards adventurous visitors with stunning panoramic vistas after a moderately challenging climb. Beyond the comfortable glamping accommodations, guests appreciate the clean facilities, including hot showers and multiple communal areas with gas fire pits perfect for socializing or outdoor dining. The grounds include numerous recreational options such as foosball, ping pong, corn hole, and horseshoes, making it ideal for families seeking a glamping resort experience with entertainment options. According to a camper, "This is a fun little hideaway with a heated pool, but it still feels like camping. Bathrooms with showers, a sauna by the pool, some food all and communal fire pits/couches to lounge on." The property maintains a dog-friendly policy, allowing guests to bring pets to their glamping accommodations.

Best Glamping Sites Near Carmel-by-the-Sea, California (28)

    1. Saddle Mountain Ranch

    27 Reviews
    Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 624-1617

    "This place is nestled in the Carmel Valley and decently secluded. We booked a luxury gazebo situation which came with a queen bed (heated mattress) a fire pit and your own propane grill."

    "The vibe is relaxed, from the large pool with twinkle lights in the trees above, to the clean restrooms and friendly staff."

    2. Marina Dunes RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Marina, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 384-6914

    "There is a Best Western right next to this place were we ended up getting a room instead as that was less expensive. We did arrive there with no reservation and after hours."

    "We love the proximity to the beach and the beautiful dunes. The park was very clean and well-maintained. The staff was great and very welcoming. Thank you to Christy who made our stay extra fun!"

    3. Sunset State Beach

    27 Reviews
    Watsonville, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 763-7063

    "Clean bathrooms with running water. Very very very safe. Lots of families but again, super safe and beautiful"

    "Close to the beach, hot showers, fire pits"

    4. Fernwood Campground & Resort

    16 Reviews
    Big Sur, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 667-2422

    $60 - $100 / night

    "Fernwood is a unique campground because it has tent sites, RV spaces, canvas tents, cabins, a motel and even a restaurant."

    "So nice though, next a river, but close to other campers. The showers were nice and  clean bathrooms. The lady in charge was so nice and hospitable ready to help. She took us in without reservations."

    5. Ventana Campground

    23 Reviews
    Big Sur, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 667-2331

    $85 - $105 / night

    "We found it to be clean, in good repair, and the hosts were very warm and welcoming."

    "The setting is 10/10 and is probably one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring places I could think of pitching a tent."

    6. Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    91 Reviews
    Pinnacles, CA
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 200-1722

    $44 - $164 / night

    "We had a separate dome tent to keep out bugs. The site had two picnic benches, a fire pit and bear lockers for your food."

    "The campground loop we were in was full and the sites are fairly close to your neighbor but it wasn't bad. The main reason being absolutely NO generators allowed so it was peaceful."

    7. Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday

    16 Reviews
    Freedom, CA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 722-0551

    "A short drive to Santa Cruz and Monterey. They have a heated pool, laundry facilities and on site store. There are however some large raccoons so use caution with your trash."

    "The family loved it- it was the perfect size for us and everything worked and the outdoor patio had heavy duty tables and chairs along with fire pit and even a Weber grill."

    8. Salinas-Monterey KOA

    7 Reviews
    Castroville, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 663-2886

    "They have nice facilities and a heated pool although a hot tub would be nice also. The sites are a little small but very mature trees and they keep it clean."

    "The location is very secluded as bd far from stores but fairly close to the sea. Have visited a few time and enjoy the stay. Not many issues. I’m looking forward to the Upgrades!"

    9. Mount Madonna County Park

    32 Reviews
    Gilroy, CA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 842-2341

    "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."

    "While it was nice to hear the other campers having a great time with their families and friends, the noise level from it was extraordinary.  The campground in the forest and beautiful."

    10. Cabana Holiday RV Park-cabins

    2 Reviews
    Castroville, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 663-2886

    "pull-ins are easy to access. the Wi-Fi here is good enough to check email but not for streaming or anything intensive. however you can get a good starlink connection and over 100 megabits per second. it is pet"

    "Part of the KOA franchise, this is a very clean, well positioned RV and Cabin park for exploring the Monterey, Salinas, Watsonville, Santa Cruz area."

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Glamping Reviews near Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

426 Reviews of 28 Carmel-by-the-Sea Campgrounds


  • R
    Jul. 5, 2019

    Saddle Mountain Ranch

    Glamping Approved

    This place is nestled in the Carmel Valley and decently secluded. We booked a luxury gazebo situation which came with a queen bed (heated mattress) a fire pit and your own propane grill. There are areas for tents and RV’s as well and priced accordingly. The restrooms and showers are super clean and the staff is great. There is a heated pool and various hiking trails to keep you occupied. The only downfall is you’re a little close to other campers. You don’t get much space/privacy but it’s not too bad. I would come back for sure.

  • Natalie G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2020

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

    Idyllic campground close to loads of beauty

    We stayed here with our 2 dogs last November as a nice winter getaway from L.A. 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 got a package with the tent cabin that came with bedding, cooking utensils and firewood, so were pretty much set once we got there. The beds are comfy and the wood burning stove (photo attached) is the only source of heat. It is neat but BE WARNED...it gets COLD on those winter nights so make sure you a) have enough wood; b) are good at keeping fires going throughout the night; and c) have lots of dry wood. The wood that was left for us as part of our package was really wet and wouldn't burn so we had a very chilly night even with loads of sleeping bags and blankets. Other than that, we had a great experience and got to take the dogs for a great walk on the paved trails in the State Park. Can't wait to go back!

  • Anna W.
    Feb. 21, 2021

    Saddle Mountain Ranch

    Amazing views

    A beautiful campground nestled in the Carmel Valley hills. The fog rolls in just barely touching the campground on most evenings. The vibe is relaxed, from the large pool with twinkle lights in the trees above, to the clean restrooms and friendly staff. Big Sur is just a short drive south and Monterey is just a short drive north. You can spend the day driving the 17 mile drive and seeing Pismo Beach or shop the quaint shops in Carmel by the sea.

  • Care B.
    Dec. 20, 2022

    Saddle Mountain Ranch

    Camp or glamp

    This is a fun little hideaway with a heated pool, but it still feels like camping. Bathrooms with showers, a sauna by the pool, some food all and communal fire pits/couches to lounge on. friendly staff on site who are helpful but not intrusive. Highly recommend going here, our site on the hill was breathtaking views and extremely private. Highly recommend!

  • Laura Q.
    Nov. 22, 2019

    Saddle Mountain Ranch

    .

    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.

  • Derek & Kristen A.
    Oct. 21, 2021

    Thousand Trails Morgan Hill

    Great for families!

    In mid October the campground is still running kids activities daily and they’re good! Great culture here - friendly, lots of things to do (pool, basketball, volleyball, horse shoes, playground, billiards, karaoke, tennis). We lost power twice here which was unfortunate but lasted 90 minutes once and 4-5 hours the other time. Lots to do in the area - we made 2 day trips to Monterey and Carmel by the Sea and spent time in Morgan Hill and Gilroy.

  • A
    Aug. 16, 2019

    Fernwood Campground & Resort

    Magical Wooded Adventure with the Redwoods

    Fernwood is a unique campground because it has tent sites, RV spaces, canvas tents, cabins, a motel and even a restaurant. It’s situated on the river in Big Sur, and is surrounded by the majestic Redwood trees. If you don’t feel like cooking head up to the restaurant for a delicious meal. There’s also a small market to pick up necessities and ice.

  • r
    Aug. 4, 2021

    Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    Wonderful campground nestled in Pinnacles National Park

    Great camping spot with a small creek running by the site. Water = mosquitoes and this was no exception. Plenty of shade at this site, level ground and space was plentiful for our 14 x 15 tent. We had a separate dome tent to keep out bugs. The site had two picnic benches, a fire pit and bear lockers for your food. The potable water was just steps away and the parking area easily accommodated two vehicles (vans). The bathrooms were a short stroll away, along with the big trash dumpsters. They have a pool near the visitor’s center/camp store which was very popular. Staff was really nice and the sites are well-kept. The pool and showers are a longer walk from our site so we ended up driving to those accommodations. Pay showers and the water was generous and shower stalls were relatively clean. Pinnacles trail heads are close by. Lots of trails, but when we were there an excessive heat warning was in place. Definitely a place to return to!

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 7, 2021

    Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    Crowded But Not Awful

    The park is amazing and there are so many great hikes, wildlife viewing and picturesque landscapes!

    The campground loop we were in was full and the sites are fairly close to your neighbor but it wasn't bad. The main reason being absolutely NO generators allowed so it was peaceful. The sites were semi private as the brush and trees have grown around most sites offering a little privacy. Other campers were friendly and considerate. Note that the RV side with the hook up does not offer any privacy and is near the main road. RVs are not confined to that area though.

    The spots are flat and include fire pit, picnic table and food locker. Raccoons apparently are a big problem here so keep your food locked up. There is a small general store/visitor center with a variety of food items, stove fuel, firewood, general camping supplies and souvenirs. WiFi also available for $10 for 7days per device. We paid, but our T-Mobile hotspot with Weboost won out in the end because the WiFi did not reach our spot. There is better reception for the WiFI in other spots. No cell reception with AT&T or Verizon.

    The hiking is great! and during the week pleasantly absent of tons of other hikers. Masks are required even on trails when 6 ft distance cannot be maintained, and people were very respectful of that on the trails. There is a lot of wildlife to see though sadly we did not see any condors on this trip. The caves are currently closed due to Covid. 

    Other amenities:

    Tent cabins

    RV only loop with 30amp hook up only (no sewer or water hook up)

    Showers

    Bathrooms

    Garbage and Recycling

    RV dump station (flush water only)

    Fresh water filler up (near RV camping area)

    Group camping

    Pool (currently closed)

    Pets allowed but NOT allowed on any trails

    Overall a great experience for a lesser known National Park, would come here again!


Guide to Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea sits adjacent to the northern end of the Santa Lucia Mountains where coastal redwoods meet the Pacific. At approximately 400 feet above sea level, the area experiences moderate temperatures averaging 57-65°F throughout the year with frequent morning fog during summer months. The terrain around luxury glamping sites in Carmel-by-the-Sea varies from densely wooded hillsides to open meadows with some campgrounds requiring navigation of steep access roads.

What to do

Hiking at Pinnacles National Park: Located about 60 miles east of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pinnacles Campground offers access to distinctive volcanic rock formations and caves. "First off the road coming to the campground is very steep, could be challenging for some rigs," notes Mike M. after tent camping here. For a rewarding experience, "take the steep hike out of the campground for a cardio workout that will reward you with stunning views," suggests Chris & from their experience at Ventana Campground.

Beach exploration: Just 25 minutes north of Carmel, Marina Dunes RV Park provides beach access through a short trek. "About a 5 min trek through sand and dunes and you'll find yourself at a beach not many people frequent. On Friday we were the only ones for as far as I could see. No exaggeration," shares James from his camping experience. The beach stretches for miles with relatively few visitors compared to more popular coastal spots.

Archery practice: Mount Madonna County Park features a dedicated 28-target archery course through woodland terrain. "There is an archery trail with 28 targets on a trail through the woods. We were there 3 days in a row and did 20 of the 28. It's really pretty and a cool challenge," reports April N. after staying in the park's redwood forest campground.

What campers like

Redwood forest camping: Mount Madonna County Park provides extensive shade beneath towering redwoods. "Almost all the sites were fully shaded by the big redwoods," writes Weston W. The unique forest environment creates its own microclimate: "This is the only place I've seen the redwood trees harvest the fog and make their own rain, which is pretty cool. In the morning it's raining under the redwood trees but not under the madrone or tan oak trees, which is wild," observes April N.

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities despite high usage. "Bathrooms are great," states Tanya B. about Mount Madonna, while at Fernwood Campground, "The bathrooms were big and had free showers. There was a laundry room and also an area to dishes near the restrooms," according to Christina L.

River access: Several campgrounds feature water features for cooling off. At Fernwood Campground, Tim J. enjoyed site #66 which "was large and had River access." The property includes "a river that runs though the site," notes Candice M., providing natural white noise for sleeping and opportunities for wading during warmer months.

What you should know

Temperature variations: Coastal campgrounds experience significant climate differences compared to inland areas. At Mount Madonna, "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose," warns April N. Similarly, the Carmel Valley area can experience fog and wind: "sometimes the fog whistles through on a stiff breeze so not only is it cold but also clammy wet."

Wildlife encounters: Multiple campgrounds report active wildlife. At Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday, Michael P. cautions: "There are however some large raccoons so use caution with your trash." Pinnacles Campground also has significant nocturnal activity: "raccoons….everywhere…. seriously leave your car locked, these little buggers were not afraid of humans," warns Theresa N.

Site privacy concerns: Many campgrounds feature closely spaced sites. At Ventana Campground, Andre V. notes: "The sites are also pretty close together." Similarly, Nathan S. at Fernwood describes: "The sites are very close to each other. It's like a hotel room without walls." Some areas offer more spacious options, but generally expect relatively close quarters at most established campgrounds.

Tips for camping with families

Consider amenities: Sunset State Beach provides extensive family-friendly features. "Nice place to take a stroll and relax. Not far from Santa Cruz, maybe 25-30 minutes depending on traffic," writes Mauriel O. At Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA, facilities include "huge bouncy pad, a climbing wall, ping pong tables, a swimming pool, pedal go karts, the list goes on and on," according to Daniel D., making it ideal for entertaining children.

Choose shaded sites: For summer camping with children, select campgrounds with natural shade coverage. At Mount Madonna, "This is a great campground for hot weather (if you can get a site). Almost all the sites were fully shaded by the big redwoods," recommends Weston W. The park also offers "Nice hikes right from the site or you can drive up to where the old homestead was and see some ruins. Great campground for the kids to bike at but there are a few big hills so make sure they know how to use their brakes."

Book well ahead: Popular family-friendly campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer and holidays. Kate L. advises about Sunset State Beach: "If you can get a reservation here (which is VERY difficult) you will have the best time." Many campgrounds open reservations 6 months in advance, with prime summer weekends often booking within minutes of availability.

Tips from RVers

Site selection considerations: At Saddle Mountain Ranch, Tim F. appreciated the cabin option after extended travel: "Cabin was super nice to stay in after a week of car camping! Kitchenette, bathroom, hot water. Perfect." For those with larger RVs at Marina Dunes RV Park, Tonya C. cautions: "This place is okay it's just small and loud. It's hard to get bigger Rv's into spots also. We have a 35' 5th wheel and there are only some spots that will fit it."

Weather preparation: RVers should prepare for significant temperature variations. At Mount Madonna, April N. emphasizes: "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose. We weren't prepared & had to drive into town & buy more clothes!" Bring appropriate clothing for both day and night conditions, as coastal areas can experience temperature swings of 30+ degrees within 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA is Saddle Mountain Ranch with a 4-star rating from 27 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 28 glamping camping locations near Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.