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.

Best Camping Sites Near Felton, California (115)

    1. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground

    42 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

    43 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

    19 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

    13 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

    31 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

Recent Reviews near Felton, CA

751 Reviews of 115 Felton Campgrounds



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

Which is the most popular campground near Felton, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Felton, CA is Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 42 reviews.

What parks are near Felton, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Felton, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.