Best Campgrounds near Felton, CA

Felton in the Santa Cruz Mountains combines redwood forests with nearby coastal camping options. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground draws many campers with its tall trees and hiking paths. New Brighton State Beach Campground has sites overlooking the ocean with quick walks to the water. Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort sits close to the San Lorenzo River and works well for families. The area has several kid-friendly campgrounds that make traveling with children easier. Mount Madonna County Park and other sites typically have good-sized campsites and well-maintained bathrooms. You'll need reservations for most places, especially during busy summer months. Fire bans happen regularly, so check current rules before you go. From Felton, you can easily drive to Santa Cruz to visit the Beach Boardwalk. Hikers can find trails throughout the state parks in the area. Most campgrounds have good roads leading to them, though a few might need vehicles with higher clearance. Book early for weekend and holiday camping trips. The weather stays mild year-round, but summer brings the biggest crowds. Spring and fall camping means fewer people and more peace. Felton has good camping choices whether you want to spend time at the beach or under the redwoods.

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Best Camping Sites Near Felton, California (115)

    1. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground

    44 Reviews
    Mount Hermon, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 438-2396

    $7 - $35 / night

    "Near downtown Santa Cruz and Felton."

    "This park is just outside of Santa Cruz about 15 minutes or so in Felton. It is pretty and the sites are private. There are very hot showers for and a buck of quarters gets you 5 minutes."

    2. New Brighton State Beach Campground

    44 Reviews
    Capitola, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 464-6330

    $35 - $185 / night

    "Camped with electricity and water, situated on a bluff near the ocean. Easy walking distance to the water, nice roomy campsites with fire rings and tables. Not too close to other campers."

    "New Brighton is a jewel on the California coast. Camping is on a bluff above beach and you must walk down stairs to get to the beach. Camping in the woods with the beach below is perfect."

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

    34 Reviews
    Boulder Creek, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 338-8860

    $35 / night

    "Not far from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area in California. When you arrive it's like stepping in to a whole other world. Huge redwoods blanket the mountain and line every site."

    "So sad the devastation of last month's fires on the oldest state park in California, home to thr biggest redwoods south of San Francisco."

    4. Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort

    21 Reviews
    Felton, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (831) 335-8312

    "It sits in the redwoods next to the San Lorenzo river in Felton Ca. Beautiful setting and great place for the kids to run around and have fun. Santa Cruz is only a 10 minute ride down Hwy 9."

    "Do not take highway 9 from Santa Cruz as the RV park will tell you. Our car navigation changed our route even after we were approaching 17 north. Keep your eyes out for the highway signs."

    5. Cotillion Gardens RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Felton, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (831) 335-7669

    "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."

    "The place is old, but it has a great location. There are great hiking trails assessable from the campground."

    6. Sanborn County Park

    19 Reviews
    Saratoga, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 867-9959

    $33 / night

    "This is a nice camping away from the car experience. It's a short walk up a paved path from the parking to the campsites."

    "Great walk-in campground so close to home in the South Bay Area (albeit walk is slightly uphill)."

    7. Sunset State Beach

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

    "Dogs can be allowed on beach if you go to the right of the main entrance. No dogs to the left.  Camp sites vary but the best loop is South Loop. Some with ocean views but those are hard to reserve. "

    "Strawberry fields surround the campground and are next to the Hike and Bike area. The walk is not too difficult down to the beach."

    8. Smithwoods RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Felton, CA
    1 mile
    +1 (831) 335-4321

    "I’m so glad we did because we were surrounded by these beautiful red wood trees and we could hear the train whistle in the daytime coming from Roaring Camp Railroad."

    "The location is mostly flat and surrounded with Redwoods. Shady and sunny locations; larger and small RV spots. No tent camping. It backs into Henry Cowell State Park and you can walk into it."

    9. Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday

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

    "I would recommend booking away from the jump pillow or playground, unless easy playground access is important, because the spots are pretty noisy."

    "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!"

    10. Mount Madonna County Park

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

    "We were happy to have the electric hook up since the redwood and oak tress surrounding all the sites are huge and block out the sun."

    "It has some privacy, we liked that it was in between two yurts away from others. The trail does go right behind the site but it wasn’t super busy."

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Showing results 1-10 of 115 campgrounds

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Recent Reviews near Felton, CA

787 Reviews of 115 Felton 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.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Lovely site, really close to San Francisco!

    On visiting San Francisco we were looking for a site that wasn’t a car park. This really met the mark! Beautiful place with great sites. Nice picnic tables & fire pits! Was very quiet

  • 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. 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.

  • T
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Nice location and activities, but a bit cramped

    I just needed/wanted a short getaway without driving hours from home. Since I'm used to this place for mountain biking, I figured I'd try camping here for a couple nights. 

    I did a recon ride previously on my mountain bike, so knew which spots I'd prefer and booked site 35 for a Thursday and Friday night. 

    Arrived at about 5PM and found my spot. The ranger booth was closed, but I didn't feel the need to chat with them anyway. The place was largely unoccupied at this point. Maybe a dozen or so spots appeared taken. 

    The weather, though hot in the Bay Area at this point, was quite nice. The breeze and shade of the park made for a very comfortable setting. I believe it was 88 in Castro Valley, but felt about 78 at the campground. I don't have AC for the van, but didn't feel I needed any. 

    I got setup and then headed out for a short ride, followed by a warm shower, cold beer and dinner. It was quiet that evening and I slept well. 

    I worked through the morning Friday, though the Starlink suffered some interruptions due to the tree cover. Early afternoon more people started to show up, as I expected. I went for a long ride and when I returned the place was much more occupied and people were setting up tents, starting their bbq's, etc. Though a bit close to the neighbors, none of them were obnoxious. 

    My advice would be to know the spot you're selecting and know that in the summer months the grass isn't green :) 

    I'd score the individual aspects as follows (1-5):

    Bathrooms: 4

    Location: 5

    Activities: 5

    Privacy: 3

    Cleanliness: 4

  • 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 Felton

Camping near Felton, California, offers a fantastic escape into nature with beautiful landscapes and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do

What campers like

What you should know

  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Big Sur Campground & Cabins advised, "You will need to book a few months in advance."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A visitor at California Veterans Memorial Park Campground mentioned, "Simple campground with a decent shower and bathroom."
  • Wildlife Caution: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. One camper at Anthony Chabot Regional Park shared, "We had two new types of visitors... a couple of wild turkeys came to pick up the dropped food on the ground."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. A reviewer at Big Sur Campground & Cabins mentioned, "The playground was well maintained and modern."
  • Plan Activities: Keep kids entertained with planned activities. One camper at New Brighton State Beach Campground suggested, "Beachcombing, sunbathing, swimming, horseback riding, and skimboarding."
  • Check for Safety: Ensure the campground is safe for children. A visitor at California Sunset State Beach said, "Very very very safe. Lots of families but again, super safe and beautiful."

Tips from RVers

Camping near Felton, California, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're in a tent or an RV. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a memorable experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there open space camping sites in Felton?

Felton and the surrounding Santa Cruz Mountains offer several open space camping opportunities. Castle Rock Trail Camp in nearby Castle Rock State Park provides a more primitive camping experience in an open space setting. For a peaceful redwood experience, Mount Madonna County Park offers camping in a beautiful open forest setting not far from Felton. These campgrounds typically provide basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets while maintaining the natural open space environment. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak season.

What RV camping options are available in Felton, CA?

Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort is located right in Felton alongside the San Lorenzo River, offering a beautiful setting among the redwoods. This resort caters primarily to RVs with full hookup sites, though they do have some tent sites available. The location is convenient, just 10 minutes from Santa Cruz via Highway 9. Another excellent option is Smithwoods RV Park, which offers a peaceful setting under redwood trees where you can even hear the whistle from the nearby Roaring Camp Railroad. Both parks provide easy access to Felton's attractions and the surrounding area.

Are there cabin rentals available in Felton for campers?

While traditional cabins are limited in Felton itself, nearby options provide alternatives. Cotillion Gardens RV Park near Felton offers some cabin accommodations for those who prefer not to camp in tents or RVs. For a broader selection, Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday offers various cabin rentals approximately 30 minutes from Felton. These range from basic camping cabins to deluxe cabins with more amenities. During peak seasons, advance reservations are essential as cabin accommodations fill quickly in the popular Santa Cruz Mountains area.

Where can I find camping near Felton, CA?

Felton offers excellent camping opportunities in the beautiful redwood forests of Santa Cruz County. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground is just outside Felton with clean facilities, hot showers, and numerous hiking trails through majestic redwoods. The campground features private sites and is a perfect base for exploring the area. Another option is Sanborn County Park, which offers a unique walk-in camping experience with gear carts provided to help transport your equipment from the parking area to your campsite. Both parks provide easy access to Felton's local attractions.