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Best Campgrounds near Carmel Valley Village, CA

978 Reviews

Several campgrounds near Carmel Valley Village give you access to California's diverse landscapes. Pinnacles Campground puts you close to the Bear Gulch Loop where you might spot California Condors flying overhead. The campground has electric hookups for RVs, water stations, and a dump station for longer stays. If you head to the Big Sur coast, Kirk Creek Campground sits right along the ocean with great views and hiking trails nearby. Remember to bring your own water since the sites are primitive. Many families choose Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground, where huge redwoods provide shade and the campground has flush toilets and showers. Wildlife is common throughout the area - you'll likely see raccoons and quail, and maybe even bobcats if you're lucky. Keep your food locked up to prevent unwanted visitors to your campsite. Spring and fall have the best camping weather with mild temperatures. The coast gets foggy in summer, and winter brings some rain. When you need a break from camping, the Big Sur coastline has amazing photo spots, and Carmel Valley Village has small shops and places to eat within a short drive of most campgrounds.

Map showing campgrounds near Carmel Valley Village, CaliforniaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Carmel Valley Village, California (107)

    1. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground

    67 Reviews
    Big Sur, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 667-2315

    $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."

    "I think it's a California State Park and Covid thing right now. There is some construction going on but it didn't effect our stay at all. We had a river site."

    2. Veteran's Memorial Park Campground

    43 Reviews
    Pacific Grove, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 646-3865

    $10 - $47 / night

    "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."

    "Pros: Secluded yet within walking distance of popular tourist areas. Can hear taps played at nearby Fort Ord at 10 pm. It’s magical! Pretty nice sites. Showers available."

    3. Laguna Seca Recreation Area

    25 Reviews
    Seaside, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 588-2267

    "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."

    4. Saddle Mountain Ranch

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

    "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."

    "Didn't bring the RV here but did tent camp, You need to carry your items in to the spots but that lets you spread out (get away) from other peeps if too noisy."

    5. Big Sur Campground & Cabins

    28 Reviews
    Big Sur, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 667-2322

    $80 - $699 / night

    "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."

    "Set 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."

    6. Carmel by the River RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 624-9329

    $110 - $235 / night

    "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, you can thank me later."

    7. Ventana Campground

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

    $85 - $105 / night

    "Great location for easy access to the state parks. Pricey but we fortunately didn’t have any neighbors (site 29)."

    "Luckily I was there with my son the first night and was able to pick a great site at 9:00 a.m. the next morning. the big downside is slit of the sites are walk in, you park your car and have to bring your"

    8. Fernwood Campground & Resort

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

    $60 - $100 / night

    "Close to the bathrooms but not too close that it was loud. The bathrooms were big and had free showers. There was a laundry room and also an area to dishes near the restrooms."

    "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."

    9. Monterey Pines RV Park - Military

    9 Reviews
    Monterey, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 656-7563

    "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."

    10. Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    90 Reviews
    Pinnacles, CA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 200-1722

    $44 - $164 / night

    "Per my rating system, this is very close to being 5 stars, meaning it's worth planning a trip from out of state just to visit this park and surrounding national/state forest for 3 days or more  The only"

    "It’s a beautiful park and has the largest population of California Condors in the world.

    The campground is situated about 2.3 miles from the main trailheads. There's tent and RV campsites."

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Recent Camping Photos near Carmel Valley Village, CA

379 Photos of 107 Carmel Valley Village Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Carmel Valley Village, CA

978 Reviews of 107 Carmel Valley Village Campgrounds

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Moss Landing KOA Express

    Beautiful beachside

    Easy access, level paved spots. Restrooms spotless. Check-in friendly and cookies a plus! Walk to the beach, feel the breeze.

  • A
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Sunset State Beach Campground

    Nice campground

    It was my first time beach camping so i didnt know what to expect. Was a bit breezier than im use to with the mountains. Not a lot of trees around. It is nice not dealing with a lot of bugs since youre by the beach and all. The bathrooms and showers were well maintained.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground

    Great state park site

    Nice state park camping! Tried a few rv sites on this road and most were $140-$170 per night!! This site was $50 and even more lovely! The showers are extra but seemed clean.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort

    Lovely RV site!

    Really lovely RV site. Nice toilets & showers. Lovely shady spots and really close to Santa Cruz

  • jay B.
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Sunset State Beach Campground

    Not the Best Fit for RV Campers

    We’ve camped all along the coast and had high hopes for this spot, but it didn’t quite meet expectations. The sites feel very close together and are a bit awkwardly arranged, making it a tight fit—especially for anything larger than a small camper. We're in a 22’ van/motorhome crossover and were fortunate to find a level spot, though most sites we saw were not level. The beach trails could use some maintenance as they’re currently in rough shape. This campground might be a better option for tent campers, but for RVs, it’s not ideal.

  • Emily W.
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    Wildlife Wonders

    I had a great time at the Pinnacles Campground. I saw a bunny (pictured) and hordes of quail. The tent-only sections of the campground were very pretty too. The only downside of our site (130–134) is that there was not a lot of privacy — it would have done better as a group camp. Fortunately, our neighbors were awesome so the forced company was not a downside! But if I go again, I am going to try to get spot 129, which seemed really secluded. The other nice thing about the little area we were in is that it is right at the trailhead for the Bench Trail. Raccoons were REALLY bold — they stole our neighbors' food while they were at their campsite! So keep the area crumb clean for sure.

  • A
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Uvas Canyon County Park

    A ton of wasps near 25

    Second time at the campground. Love this campground still but im pretty sure there is a wasp next near 25. We were here about 2 weeks ago at a different site and didnt have any wasp issues. It probably didnt help that it looked like previous people left trash and food on the floor. We will be coming back soon to a different site. Campground is gorgeous. Bathrooms are super clean.

  • Brittany F.
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort

    Redwoods galore

    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. The campground is all natural! Trees and nature all around. Viewing areas that allow all to enjoy the stream, at the back of the resort, and paths to take a closer look. A safe and quiet location. I felt safe, with my young kids, that everyone was driving slowly and respecting the rules.

Guide to Carmel Valley Village

Camping near Carmel Valley Village, California, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a cozy tent spot or a full RV setup, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are amazing trails nearby. At Pinnacles Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "The trails are wild, like a moonscape." This is a great spot for those who love to hike and explore unique terrains.
  • Wildlife Watching: Many campers have spotted wildlife. One camper at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground noted, "Seen a ton of wildlife and overall wasn’t very crowded." Keep your eyes peeled for local critters!
  • Star Gazing: The dark skies around these campgrounds make for excellent star gazing. A visitor at Kirk Creek Campground shared, "Great views. Very dark at night which is great for star gazing."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. One happy camper at Limekiln State Park Campground said, "There aren't very many sites but you're right off the water."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds pride themselves on cleanliness. A reviewer at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground mentioned, "Showers and toilets looked clean, showers are coin-operated."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like New Brighton State Beach Campground are popular with families. One visitor noted, "Lots of families and lots of kids. Cool weather along the beach, can't ask for much more."

What you should know:

  • Heat in Summer: If you're camping in summer, be prepared for heat. A camper at Pinnacles Campground warned, "It is WICKED hot in the summer."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Kirk Creek Campground, have few amenities. One reviewer said, "Not even drinking water. Make sure you have what you need."
  • First-Come, First-Serve: Many sites operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. A visitor at California Veterans Memorial Park Campground advised, "Your best bet to get a site is to show up a day or two early."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly spots like Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground. One camper said, "The Big Sur community, chill and awesome without all the tourist pressure."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities planned. A reviewer at Big Sur Campground & Cabins mentioned, "You can go down and walk by the river float the river with the complimentary tubes."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep the kids happy with snacks. A visitor at New Brighton State Beach Campground noted, "Bathrooms are clean for camping standards. Good experience here!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Size Restrictions: Some campgrounds have size restrictions. A camper at Mount Madonna County Park mentioned, "The RV sites have both water and electric hookups which was great!"
  • Book Early: Popular spots fill up fast. A visitor at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground said, "You will need to book a few months in advance."
  • Be Prepared for Wind: Some campgrounds can get windy at night. A reviewer at Kirk Creek Campground advised, "Can get very windy at night, so secure down your tent tightly."

Camping near Carmel Valley Village, California, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it’s a perfect getaway for families and adventurers alike!

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Carmel Valley Village camping areas?

Camping areas near Carmel Valley Village offer a range of amenities to suit different preferences. Saddle Mountain Ranch provides water hookups, toilets, and reservable sites. For those seeking more developed facilities, Monterey County Fairgrounds offers centrally-located RV camping with convenient access to town via public transportation, though spaces are tightly arranged. Many campgrounds in the region typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and restroom facilities. Some locations offer water and electrical hookups for RVs, while others focus on more rustic, natural camping experiences with basic amenities for tent campers.

Where are the best campgrounds in Carmel Valley Village?

While Carmel Valley Village itself has limited camping options, the surrounding area offers excellent choices. Carmel by the River RV Park provides a peaceful riverside setting with convenient access to Carmel Valley Village. For those willing to venture slightly further, Laguna Seca Recreation Area offers both tent and RV camping with expansive views. The area between Monterey and Big Sur also features numerous highly-rated options within a short drive of Carmel Valley Village, making it an ideal base for exploring the region's natural beauty, wineries, and coastal attractions.

When is the best season for camping in Carmel Valley?

Spring and fall are ideal for camping in Carmel Valley, offering pleasant temperatures and less crowded conditions. Late spring (April-May) brings wildflowers and comfortable daytime temperatures, while fall (September-October) offers warm days and cool evenings. Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park is particularly beautiful during these shoulder seasons. Summer can be quite warm inland, though coastal areas like New Brighton State Beach Campground stay cooler with potential morning fog. Winter camping is possible with fewer crowds, but prepare for cooler temperatures and occasional rain. Always check seasonal road conditions and campground closures before planning your trip.

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