14 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Cabin camping near El Granada ranges from rustic, off-grid accommodations to modern cabins with electricity and heating. Cabin options near El Granada include rustic accommodations in the Steep Ravine Campground at Mount Tamalpais State Park, where cabins have built-in sleeping platforms, a table, and a wood-burning stove. Each cabin can sleep up to six people across three semi-private rooms. According to one visitor, "These cabins are well worth the cost. There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families." The Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA provides more modern cabin amenities, with electricity and beds provided, though specific furnishings vary by location.
Most cabins require visitors to bring their own bedding, pillows, and cooking supplies. While the Steep Ravine cabins feature rustic accommodations with no electricity, the cabins at Samuel P. Taylor State Park offer more comfort with electrical outlets and heating systems. A camper noted, "Cabins are incredible. They have electricity, outlets, and heating. All you need are sheets, pillows, and blankets." Pet policies differ by location—Olema Campground and Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA allow pets in cabins, while Steep Ravine prohibits them. Reservations are essential, especially for Steep Ravine cabins, which can book up to six months in advance.
Cooking facilities vary widely between cabin locations. Some sites provide only outdoor fire rings with grill covers, while others may include indoor wood stoves. The Big Basin tent cabins come with optional add-on packages that include "sheets and pillows for the beds, propane lanterns, and cooking items." Most cabins have nearby potable water and dish washing stations. Camp stores at larger facilities like KOAs stock basic supplies, but the selection is limited. Boulder Creek, approximately 20 miles from Big Basin, offers grocery stores and restaurants for more substantial resupply needs.
"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 stayed in a tent cabin at the Huckleberry campground which was nicer than we thought it would be. It had just the right amount of space for my wife and I, our two daughters and all our gear."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Bathrooms are clean. laundry room very large and has many washers and dryers. Subway close walk, MUNI is at the park entrance. A gas station and Grocery store are both across the street."
"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."
"Once we figured it out, the late check in paperwork was detailed on how to find our space."
from $100 - $200 / night
Check Availability"Site had a fire ring, picnic table, and a stone grill. The grounds had running water, flush toilets and quarter showers. Camped here at night and explored point reyes during the day."
"This campground is beautiful, set in the redwoods, with a creek and nature trails. It has all the amenities: flush toilets, showers, fire pits, running water, and grills."
from $35 - $225 / night
Check Availability"These cabins are well worth the cost. There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families."
"There are dish washing spigots scattered among the cabins. There are wheelbarrows for schlepping your stuff to the cabins and campsites; more on that later. And charcoal grills outside each cabin."
from $25 - $100 / night
Check Availability"My site had plenty of shade, fire pit, picnic table, and water nearby."
"Small store, full hookups in places (will bring our trailer back), tables, fire rings. Not much privacy but at least this weekend it was quiet (except for our group 🤣)"
"It’s a cozy place with boat rentals! Plenty of shade and bathrooms available. Only reason got 4 star is the constant blue-green algae, making the water unavailable for swimming."
"Our campsite (#139) could have used some shade, but we had plenty of space and the views were awesome. Almost every site was occupied, but luckily everyone respected the quiet hours."
from $15 - $200 / night
Check Availability"Park is rustic, but has a lot of amenities and is very close to Santa Cruz. We visit family and friends in the area often, but this was the first time we camped in the area."
"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."
from $60 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Was able to book the night before and get the last full hookup spot."
from $55 - $75 / night
Check Availability
TravelerHenry in the office is amazing. Bathrooms are clean. laundry room very large and has many washers and dryers. Subway close walk, MUNI is at the park entrance. A gas station and Grocery store are both across the street.
GuideLike most/all east bay parks, this is well appointed for the masses. It’s also surrounded by rolling hills and close to suburbia. For many, these are positives. As an east bay resident they are for me as well. Del Valle is a bit more removed than many east bay parks. From my location in Fremont, it’s a one hour drive. A pleasant drive for the most part. I camp to get away for a bit and almost always to mountain bike. As such, I seek parks that have trails. Del Valle has a map of many trails. They also appear on many of the mapping services used by mountain bikers. Review those and digest them if this is also your intention - these are east bay parka style trails. In other words, mostly steep and loose fire roads, with many “social trails” sprinkled between. If you are compelled to stay legit/legal trails, bring an ebike. Now on to the camping. I picked a spot as far removed from any booked spot on the map. I triple checked this up until the day before I arrived. I want solitude! When I arrived Thursday afternoon, I was surprised to see the sites just 3 spaces away, on both sides, occupied. This is a fairly compact area. And while I’m sure they’re lovely folks, this isn’t what I expected on a Thursday. Saturday? Sure. Anyway… be aware that these reservation services aren’t completely reliable in that regard. The bathrooms and showers are amazing! Clean, smell good, cared for. Noteworthy is the hot showers in the camp grounds are free and your one push of the button provides water for two minutes I'd guess. Very nice! The space, 135 for me, is okay. A couple trees for shade, a nice table and fire pit. It’s now dark and the noise is minimal - mostly from the group campsite just down the hill. I’ll update this with more details in the coming days since it’s a 4 day visit.
Update 1: it’s my first morning here. Using starlink as there is no cell signal to be found. What I noticed last night was that this park is directly below the flight path to the local airports. Every couple minutes last night, a plane would fly overhead. According to flight aware, they’re at about 10,000 feet. If this will ruin your getaway, you’ve been warned.
Update 2: On Friday night, the majority of the spots were filled. Many large groups of people with varying degrees of consideration, but to their credit almost all (except the barking German Shepard) were quiet by 10PM. It was a bit more crowded come Saturday morning. Some friends came to visit for a mountain bike ride, and we set off at about noon. I had been complimentary of the facilities and bragged that I'd be taking a nice shower after our ride. Unfortunately, upon our return, there was no hot water and no lighting in the showers. And, sadly, someone decided to remove the tags and hangers from their TJ Maxx haul and leave them all over the floor of two of the showers.
Verdict: I'd only come back here in the springtime when it's likely to be green and have some water in the arroyo and only during the week. The density and composition of the people here was akin to being at Costco on a Saturday, and I only did that once.
TravelerHad a late check in after scheduling in the same day, but the staff were so welcoming and helpful over the phone! The campsite is so clean you could walk around barefoot. the scenery is so beautiful with sheep, cattle, mountains and a stream surrounding/on the property. Would definitely recommend
GuideI came into Santa Cruz to visit family and needed a place to park my bus while there- this park was available and fit my needs perfectly. It’s a simple gravel parking lot set up - clean bathrooms / showers, full hookups. Not what I would call camping but a great place to stay with proximity to the things that matter.
ScoutA very nice and well kept spot to park and enjoy Santa Cruz. You are close enough to walk to the beach and several restaurants. The sites are very close together. We were pleased on how clean and neat the area is kept. The temperatures were amazing for July.
GuideI 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!
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.
GuideIt's a popular campground in the northern california that's relatively easy to book. We book 1-2 weeks before and still got a spot.
GuideThis campground is okay (3.5/5 stars) - the sites are close together and it seems to be very popular spot with a lot of families. Our section was fairly quiet but other areas were quite loud.
The campground is dog friendly and dogs are allowed on the paved roads. The bathrooms were pretty nice and the showers had hot water. You need to purchase a token for $1 from the park ranger when checking in and that will get you 5 minutes of hot water.
We stayed at site 49 and couldn't figure out where other folks put their tents. There was a slightly elevated area in the back left site of the campsite but it didn't look used, was on a slight hill, and looked directly into the campsite next to us so we opted to put our tent on the flat area right by the driveway.
Cabin camping near El Granada, California offers diverse overnight accommodations amid coastal redwood forests and marine terrains. The area sits at approximately 30 feet above sea level with a Mediterranean climate featuring summer fog and mild winters. Overnight temperatures typically drop into the 40s even during summer months, requiring campers to pack extra layers regardless of season.
Hiking to waterfalls: At Big Basin Redwoods State Park, trails lead to impressive cascades. "Best thing about this campground is proximity to the Berry Creek Falls... a huge series of water falls on a super long and strenuous hike," notes Andrew D. The park's extensive trail system winds through ancient redwood groves.
Beach exploration: From Mount Tamalpais State Park, cabin campers can access secluded beaches. "It's also a great base camp for exploring Bolinas and the Pt. Reyes area by vehicle," explains Adam. The coastal location provides opportunities for tidepooling at low tide.
Wildlife watching: Forest and coastal wildlife sightings are common in the region. Francisco N. from Big Basin Redwoods reports, "Look out for the slugs please don't step on them." At Del Valle Campground, campers observe "deer and turkeys roaming the campground" according to Uriel S.
Rustic cabin experiences: The cabins at Samuel P. Taylor State Park provide more amenities than most. "Cabins are incredible. They have electricity, outlets, and heating. All you need are sheets, pillows, and blankets," explains a camper. The cabins offer comfort while maintaining a wilderness feel.
Coastal views: Many cabins provide ocean vistas from elevated positions. At Steep Ravine Campground, Adam notes, "Bolinas, Stinson, The Farallon Islands, fishing boats, the night sky, raptors, seals, all manner of water fowl…that's why you're here. The views."
Cabin alternatives: Cotillion Gardens RV Park offers cabin stays in a redwood setting. "Sites can get a bit tight, but there are definitely some gems hidden in the redwoods," explains Tim & Cleo D. The park includes amenities like "a pool, hiking trails, a little river," according to Ariya B.
Weather fluctuations: Coastal weather patterns demand preparation. "Bring layers of functional clothes since the weather on the coast of the SF bay can be anything from roasting to foggy frigid cold during the day and night year round," advises Patrick O. from Mount Tamalpais State Park.
Reservation challenges: Securing cabin reservations requires planning. "Extremely hard to get a reservation. Can get very windy!" says Kelly S. about Steep Ravine cabins. Most popular cabins book 6-7 months in advance.
Wildlife considerations: Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA offers comfortable cabins but wildlife encounters require caution. "There is a convenient dog park," notes Andrea A., though larger parks have more restrictions on pets in cabins.
Variable facilities: Bathroom and shower access differs between locations. Joseph F. reports that at Samuel P. Taylor, "On our first visit, there was no running water or showers, but they did have portapotties. On our second visit, water was available, but it was not potable."
Family activities: Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA offers organized programs for children. "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," shares Daniel D.
Kid-friendly creek access: Samuel P. Taylor State Park features safe water play areas. "This campground has a creek that runs through it that the kids loved playing in all day," writes Adventure M. The shallow creek provides natural entertainment.
Nature education opportunities: Olema Campground serves as a good base for family nature exploration. "Every year with and without grandkids. Clean and friendly staff. The kids love the playground and try their hand at shuffleboard," explains Outdoordude D.
Evening preparations: Families should prepare for cool nights. "It can get cold at night in the redwoods so the wood stove was great at night," notes Kim P. about Big Basin cabins. Evening temperatures regularly dip into the 40s, requiring warm sleeping bags and extra blankets.
Site selection strategy: RV sites vary significantly in size and privacy. At Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA, Andrea A. advises, "The pull through spaces are extremely tight to the point that our slide out was hitting vegetation and our neighbors awning was about two feet from our Rv. But, if you expect that, it's a great place to stay."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies throughout the region. "Wifi like always is iffy and ATT is limited. 1 bar at site 30," reports Rowan B. from the Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA. Most cabin areas have limited or no cell service.
Off-site dining options: Several campgrounds offer nearby dining alternatives. At Olema Campground, Maureen F. shares, "We nestled our Sprinter between to large pine trees and took the dog for a walk. Then headed down the road for our first dinner indoors... It was excellent and the cocktails and desserts were excellent too."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near El Granada, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near El Granada, CA is Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED with a 4.7-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near El Granada, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 cabin camping locations near El Granada, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
