Felton, California sits at approximately 300 feet elevation in a valley surrounded by coastal redwood forests. The climate remains moderate year-round with summer temperatures averaging 75°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 40°F. Winter camping requires preparation for rainfall, as the area receives about 49 inches annually, mostly between November and April.
What to do
Hiking through redwoods: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park offers multiple trails starting directly from the campground. "Great spot to camp, close to grocery stores and gas stations," notes Willow M., who appreciates the convenient location. The park features "a few trails that started from the campground, which was nice," according to Queenie M.
Train rides: Visit Roaring Camp Railroad near Smithwoods RV Park for steam train excursions through the forest. "We could hear the train whistle in the daytime coming from Roaring Camp Railroad. This location isn't too far from Santa Cruz and Felton if you want to go into town and do activities," Christina R. shares about her stay.
River access: Visit the San Lorenzo River from Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort via a short trail. "There is a little trail that goes down to the River where you can find a neat little beach. It's a goofy little descent/climb to get there and out but worth it," reports Jaime C. The resort provides viewing areas and paths to enjoy the stream.
What campers like
Peaceful setting: Mount Madonna County Park offers quiet camping in redwood forests. "Beautiful county park in the redwood forest of the coastal range. Varied sites and multiple campgrounds make for a choice option for everyone," explains Patrick H. The park maintains clean facilities with "bathrooms constantly cleaned and showers are free and clean," according to Carolina M.
Outdoor recreation: Campers enjoy on-site activities at Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday. "Huge bouncy pad, a climbing wall, ping pong tables, a swimming pool, pedal go karts, the list goes on and on," Daniel D. describes. Another camper adds, "Paved roads for bikes, huge playground, nice store, warm pool. It's perfect for families."
Clean facilities: New Brighton State Beach maintains well-kept bathrooms and showers. "Bathrooms have private showers- 50 cents for 2 minutes. One shower ate my 2 quarters and didn't work, but the next one worked fine and had hot water!" reports Hattie R. The campground features "wooded sites" and "close to nearby towns."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Check campground status before visiting. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park campground undergoes periodic closures. A recent review from August 2025 states: "Read up on the Ca State park website. Campground was scheduled to reopen 8/1/25 not yet."
Tight spacing: RV sites at Cotillion Gardens RV Park run small. "Spots are way too small. My slide almost sat on the neighbors table," warns Mike W. Sites are "more suited for a tent" than larger RVs, though tent campers find them suitable.
Connectivity challenges: Smithwoods RV Park has limited cell service and internet access. "Be ready for no cell or WiFi. We occasionally got 1 bar of cell service in our site if we stood in a certain spot," reports David H., noting that even the office WiFi was "inconsistent" for their son's online schoolwork.
Tips for camping with families
Dog friendly options: Many Felton-area campgrounds welcome pets, but with restrictions. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park allows dogs in campgrounds but not on most trails. "No dogs on trails though. California state park rule," Tom G. points out.
Kid-friendly amenities: Mount Madonna County Park offers "great campground for the kids to bike at but there are a few big hills so make sure they know how to use their brakes," advises Weston W. The park maintains clean facilities and multiple hiking options.
Wildlife awareness: Prepare for wildlife encounters at dog friendly campgrounds near Felton. At Sanborn County Park, Julie D. mentions "My husband and I stayed here with our 2 dogs for a weekend," while Darin D. cautions "There are some critters here, I saw a few skunks and one wandered right into our campsite at night."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When booking at Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort, choose sites carefully. "Roads to the sites are narrow, so again, keep your eyes pealed. Site was nice, partially under a redwood," advises Patrick J. The resort has full hookups and clean facilities.
RV size limitations: Large rigs face challenges at several Felton campgrounds. At Smithwoods RV Park, Jessica D. notes "We went there with our 5 children from Sunday-Thursday in October. The location is mostly flat and surrounded with Redwoods. Shady and sunny locations; larger and small RV spots." However, smaller parks like Cotillion Gardens may not accommodate big rigs well.
Leveling considerations: Prepare for uneven surfaces at some campgrounds. At New Brighton State Beach, Karen notes "Very quiet area and pretty well spaced out sites. Our paved site was decently unlevel." Bring leveling blocks when camping with an RV at most Felton area campgrounds.
Traveler
