Carmel-by-the-Sea is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your California camping adventure.
$10 - $47 / night
"Nice spot right near downtown Monterey. I live in the area, but when friends or family come into town, we usually stay here."
"It’s adjacent to a day use area with a big playground and some little hiking trails. You can walk to downtown Monterey’s restaurants and shops from here, about 1-2 miles away."
"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."
"Overall a nice experience, dog friendly. A great private hiking trail, clean showers and toilets"
"we stayed here for two days while camping in california- it was sweet! we had the whole tent/dry camping campground to ourselves this time of year."
"Which had beautiful views, and got our Camper situated. The spots could be a bit updated in my opinion. The gravel was coming apart and the table and fir ring could use a bit of cleaning."
$50 - $75 / night
"No other sites behind us. It felt secluded and private. Close to the bathrooms. And the bathrooms were clean. We didn’t have a river site but the river was right across from us."
"On my way out I asked if they take walk ins and they do at $ 35. If we wanted to we would have been able to stay a second night, but we ended up driving North."
$110 - $235 / night
"Pet and kid friendly"
"Dog and kid friendly. Beautiful gardens. Will definitely come again"
"Sits next to a beautiful golf course, recently revamped parking spots, now cement vs. dirt. Staff is very polite and the camp host will go out of her way to make your stay a wonderful one."
"Pretty quiet with the exception of the Monterey Regional Airport next to it and even then it wasn’t very noticeable."
$70 / night
"Not much to this campground; however, the location is great as a base for exploring Monterey, Moss Landing, Carmel by the Sea and even Pebble Beach. It’s nice & quiet and clean."
"The fairgrounds RV park is located as the name suggests on the Monterey Fairgrounds."
$80 - $699 / night
"Fun for everyone especially the dogs. This time of the year the spaces next to the water are very shaded. Sunny across the street."
"Right near a river which is so much fun! Tubing there is great. Lots of other kids and dogs around."
"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!"
$69 - $80 / night
"Small space to walk dogs.
Campground is directly adjacent to the parking lot and marina from which multiple boats sail for whale watching trips."
"Park is well maintained easy access to sites several cool places to eat close by"
ScoutEasy peasy! Not much to this campground; however, the location is great as a base for exploring Monterey, Moss Landing, Carmel by the Sea and even Pebble Beach. It’s nice & quiet and clean. Bathrooms are good. One washer & dryer on site. Overall a good experience.
GuideA 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.
GuideIn 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.
TravelerThis park has mostly long-term residents. It was super quiet, though there was a somewhat noisy road next to us. We were on the first site next to the road, so I suspect it would be a non issue for most of the sites.
The dog park is extremely well-maintained. Beautiful grass, very nice fence, a bench to sit on, water for your pets and plenty of space to run.
There a really nice stream to hike along. And underneath a bridge there are bat houses. We went under there at sundown and watched the bats come out. Strongly recommended!
The lady who runs the place was extremely nice and helpful.
Full hook-ups and relatively large, gravel sites with some shade. However, I needed to raise one wheel about 5 inches and another 2 to get level.
Short drive to downtown Morgan hill or Gilroy. And there’s a Camping World as well.
ScoutWe visited the first week of December 2020. The staff was helpful and the grounds were well maintained. Flat easy pull through with full hook-ups. Definitely in a canyon around the corner from Thousand Trails. You can see the stars at night and it is a very quiet campground. We were surprised at all the high-end rigs there, some full-timers. A nice dog park area and a stroll along the creek - our dog loved it. They recycle and are very environmentally aware. No pool or playground but lovely nature away from the hustle and bustle of silicon valley. It is about 6 miles to shopping and many restaurants. A very easy drive off the highway if you take the Tennant Road exit.
Guidewe stayed here for two days while camping in california- it was sweet! we had the whole tent/dry camping campground to ourselves this time of year.
i couldn't find anything about rates online, so if you are trying to figure that out--- it's not the cheapest. dry camping ranges from 40-50$ and full hookup from 50$-60$, though i do think they have discounts for off season (november-....march? not sure.) waking up and watching the open track was super fun. lots of cool trails and viewpoints.
> good thing to mention, we showered on the third morning. my (male) partners shower was hot, and my (female) shower was so freezing. so maybe showers in the male bathroom, although way grosser, are the move!
TravelerAfter being on the road for 2 1/2 months this place was just what we needed for a stop over on our way NORTH on 101. Clean everything, perfect level cement pad, large very nice dog park with room for the pups to run and play and a friendly helpful staff. This would be a perfect place to explore Pinnacle National or Hearst Castle. There is nothing near buy, except a Shell station with the lowest diesel prices I’ve seen in California. We ordered dinner from Luigi’s (located in Gonzales) they delivered for free and the food was fantastic. We will definitely stay here again.
ScoutThe campsites specifically are nice, but the campground was very disappointing. Lots of freeway noise, amenities were disappointing (fitness center was only open until 9-5?), dog park was closed, beach requires a brutal walk through soft sand. It’ll work as a landing point for a couple nights, but don’t plan on this being a nice campground to enjoy your vacation at.
TravelerThis resort has two beautiful dog parks and a dog washing station! Not to mention, The beautiful and clean bathrooms for the humans!! The park overall is clean, spacious, and quiet! This was our last stop on our way home and we clearly saved the best for last! 
Discover the joy of camping with your furry friends near Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, where several campgrounds welcome pets and offer a range of amenities and activities for an unforgettable outdoor experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pet restrictions apply at Carmel-by-the-Sea camping areas?
Most campgrounds near Carmel-by-the-Sea require pets to be leashed at all times (typically 6-foot maximum). At Yanks RV Resort, pets must use designated dog parks for off-leash exercise, and they offer convenient dog washing stations. Coyote Valley RV Resort maintains strict pet policies to ensure a clean, orderly environment, with two separate dog parks and grassy areas for on-leash walks. Most campgrounds limit pets to 2-3 per site and prohibit aggressive breeds. Remember to bring proof of current vaccinations, as this may be required at check-in.
Are there any pet-friendly beaches near Carmel-by-the-Sea camping sites?
Carmel Beach is famously dog-friendly, allowing dogs off-leash if under voice control, making it a popular destination for campers with pets. The beach features a scenic mile-long stretch of white sand and is only minutes from downtown Carmel. Marina Dunes RV Park is located near beaches where dogs are permitted on-leash, though reaching them requires walking through soft sand. Nearby, Laguna Seca Recreation Area offers camping options with easy access to several pet-friendly coastal areas. Always check current regulations as beach pet policies may change seasonally.
Where are dog-friendly camping spots in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Saddle Mountain Ranch offers a relaxed, dog-friendly camping experience nestled in the Carmel Valley hills. It's a beautiful spot with easy access to Big Sur and features clean restrooms and a large pool. Another excellent option is Monterey County Fairgrounds, which provides a quiet, clean base for exploring Carmel-by-the-Sea with your four-legged friend. The location is convenient and serves as a great jumping-off point for adventures throughout the Monterey Peninsula.
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