T
Tamatha B.
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TravelerSanta Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
This is a great camp ground. Plenty of activities. Showers are clean, laundry room takes tap pay.
Cabin Camping near Gilroy, CA
3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Several campgrounds within driving distance of Gilroy, California provide furnished cabin rentals with varying amenities. Mount Madonna County Park offers tent cabins in a forested setting with picnic tables and fire rings nearby. Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday features small cabin rentals that include outdoor patios with fire pits and Weber grills. Cabana Holiday RV Park-cabins provides clean, well-maintained cabins with full kitchens containing necessary utensils and dishes for cooking. Most cabins include beds with mattresses, though heating options vary significantly by location. Some utilize wood-burning stoves while others offer electric heat. According to one visitor at Santa Cruz KOA, "The small cabins are nice and I quite like them. This is a good place for hiking, but unfortunately there is not a lot more to do."
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available throughout the region, with most requiring advance reservations, especially during summer months. Thousand Trails San Benito and Pinnacles Campground at Pinnacles National Park maintain cabin accommodations year-round, though winter visitors should prepare for cooler temperatures. Pet-friendly cabin options exist at several locations including Mount Madonna County Park, which allows two leashed pets per site. KOA properties typically welcome pets and even provide treats for dogs. Cabin sizes range from intimate one-room structures to larger family units with multiple beds. One reviewer noted, "The cabins were nice, and each cabin has 2 double beds, a table, and a wood stove. It can get cold at night in the redwoods so the wood stove was great at night."
Most cabin rentals provide basic furnishings but require visitors to bring their own bedding, towels, and toiletries. Some locations offer add-on packages that include sheets, pillows, cooking items, and propane lanterns for an additional fee. Kitchen facilities vary widely between properties, from simple fire pits with grill covers to fully equipped kitchens with utensils and dishes. Firewood is available for purchase at many campgrounds, though visitors should check fire regulations as restrictions may apply seasonally. While most cabins don't have running water inside, campground facilities typically include flush toilets, showers, and dishwashing stations nearby. Grocery stores and supplies can be found in Gilroy, with Safeway being the most frequently mentioned option for stocking up before arrival.
Best Cabin Campgrounds near Gilroy (23)
1. Mount Madonna County Park
"There's something for everyone here, RVers, tenters, and those who want to rent tent cabins. There are plenty of trails to hike, as well as equestrian trails. No bikes on trails though."
"Location & Safety: Conveniently located between San Jose and Monterey - easy access off Highway 152. Felt completely safe throughout the stay."
2. Thousand Trails Morgan Hill
"Great culture here - friendly, lots of things to do (pool, basketball, volleyball, horse shoes, playground, billiards, karaoke, tennis)."
"New showers, nice drive thru spots, friendly people. Lots to do in the camp ground and around Morgan hill/ Gilroy area. This is my go to spot when working in the area."
3. Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
"General: So many options, including full hookup back-in or pull-thru sites, sites with just w/e, pet sites, nine different types of cabins, and tent sites."
"The small cabins are nice and I quite like them. This is a good place for hiking, but unfortunately there is not a lot more to do. You can go to Monterey and do things there though."
4. Salinas-Monterey KOA
"They have nice facilities and a heated pool although a hot tub would be nice also. The sites are a little small but very mature trees and they keep it clean."
"The location is very secluded as bd far from stores but fairly close to the sea. Have visited a few time and enjoy the stay. Not many issues. I’m looking forward to the Upgrades!"
5. Casa de Fruta
"It is an older park, it has seen better days but the RV sites are full-hookup and concrete. I saw lower sites that looked like tent sites, it is perfect if you want less highway noise."
6. Marina Dunes RV Park
"The campsite is RV only with a few cottages and yurts. It's right by the dunes and with very quick access to the beach."
"Nice rv park by the beach. Bathrooms and showers are great. Downside is the store is closed on Sundays. Also, $190 a night plus $20 to choose your spot is wild."
7. Seacliff State Beach
"All camping spots are adjacent to the 'boardwalk' beach path and the beach. Yes, your rig is within 20' of the beach at all campsites."
8. Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park
"The sites were semi private as the brush and trees have grown around most sites offering a little privacy. Other campers were friendly and considerate."
"This is the best (and only) option for camping near the national park. Beware, there is very limited cell/wifi service here. Reserve before coming or it’s a long slow drive out to services."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $44 - $164 / night
9. Cabana Holiday RV Park-cabins
"this KOA has everything you need. the streets are wide and the pull-ins are easy to access. the Wi-Fi here is good enough to check email but not for streaming or anything intensive. however you can get"
"Part of the KOA franchise, this is a very clean, well positioned RV and Cabin park for exploring the Monterey, Salinas, Watsonville, Santa Cruz area."
10. Cotillion Gardens RV Park
"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."
Check Availabilityfrom $60 - $100 / night
Drive Time
- 20 min from San Jose, CA
- 25 min from Salinas, CA
- 41 min from Santa Cruz, CA
- 1 hr 26 min from Modesto, CA
Recent Cabin Photos near Gilroy, CA
14 Photos of 23 Gilroy Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Cabin Reviews near Gilroy, CA
347 Reviews of 23 Gilroy Campgrounds
- DDoug O.Traveler
Marina Dunes RV Park
Our favorite place. We have stayed here 14 times. Always clean.
- TTwindaddy
GuideDel Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District
East Bay Parks - IYKYK
Like 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.
- CColeen B.Guide
Monterey Pines RV Park - Military
Nice small military RV park
RVs only. No tent camping. Some sites have partial hookups and some have full hookups. This is at the edge of the Monterey Pines Golf Course. In fact you check in at the golf course office. Sites 1-14 have a view of the course. Mature shade trees, picnic tables and bbq’s in each site. No fire rings.
The bathrooms are nice and clean and have heaters! Laundry is free! Four washers and eight dryers.
As of Sept 2026 they’re actively building a new dog park.
It’s right next to a private airport and there are 2-3 planes (jets and smaller planes) taking off each hour. It stopped at 10pm and started up again at 5am. Suggest earplugs at nighttime.
Verizon service is pretty poor. They have free Wi-Fi but it didn’t reach to site 1.
Rubén D.GuidePinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park
Great summer getaway
The campsite was great. Ground pretty hard, so a mallet or big rock will be helpful. There’s a tree, but no shade for the picnic table. I setup a tarp and it worked great. There are no flush toilets near the campsite. The loop has portable toilets and handwashing stations.
- JasonGuide
Monterey Pines RV Park - Military
Amenities are great, Navy wives not so much.
Great park. Monthly rates are the most expensive in the country, for a military camp, but still about 2/3 of what it is off base. Watch out for golf balls, stay in spots 7-10. Whatever you do, do not let the door open and let your dog run out by accident...the Navy Knives, err Wives club is always watching. Anyway, close to all Monterey, Big Sur, Salinas, Carmel Valley. Really nice, clean Park. Bathhouses are very clean. Laundry requires quarters, but they work well. Shaded spots, so if you need Starlink stay on the east side row to point north.
David W.GuideBeach RV Pleasure Point
Convenient spot in Santa Cruz
I 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.
Tim P.TravelerThousand Trails Morgan Hill
Great Campground
I liked this Thousand Trails resort because it’s more like camping. The staff is amazing. The facilities are great amazing big pool. The only problem I had is they didn’t have any sewage hook up, but I have a tote so it wasn’t that big of a deal.
- TTom H.Guide
Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
Great place for kids, lots to do.
Koa’s in this area are typically expensive and this is no exception. But, for families it may be worth it. Playground, jumping, bouncing area, dog yard. Lots to do. It has good shower facilities, bathrooms are clean. For retirees and older folks, it may not be worth it. Not much room between sites and lots of kids for the nervous folks. My site (35) was electric and water only with a dry creek behind us. My only beef (and it was not only with the campground, but with irresponsible dog owners) was the piles of poop I had to pick up before I could safely walk around. Come on people! If you own a dog, please take care of them and pick up after them. Otherwise, the location was convenient, the place was clean (exception noted) and I will likely return.
Guide to Gilroy
Cabins near Gilroy, California range from rustic to modern accommodations with varying amenities based on location. The region sits in the southern Santa Clara Valley with elevations between 200-300 feet in town and rising to over 2,000 feet in the surrounding hills. Summer temperatures typically reach 90°F while winter nights can drop to the mid-30s, making cabin camping comfortable year-round with proper preparation.
What to do
Hiking through redwoods: Mount Madonna County Park offers extensive trail networks through towering redwoods where visitors can experience unique natural phenomena. "This is the only place I've seen the redwood trees harvest the fog and make their own rain, which is pretty cool. In the morning it's raining under the redwood trees but not under the madrone or tan oak trees, which is wild," notes one Mount Madonna County Park visitor.
Archery activities: Some parks maintain dedicated archery facilities for visitors seeking target practice. "There is an archery trail with 28 targets on a trail through the woods. We were there 3 days in a row and did 20 of the 28. It's really pretty and a cool challenge," reports a Mount Madonna camper.
Wine tasting excursions: The region provides easy access to local wineries from several campgrounds. "Their pool is huge and very very well kept. There is a nearby store, and you are close enough to Santa Cruz to spend a day on the boardwalk. Plus good nature hike trails in park," mentions a visitor at Morgan Hill RV Resort. Another camper adds, "Close to local wine tastings and even had Safeway close enough for grocery delivery."
What campers like
Private sites with shade: Campsites vary significantly in size and privacy throughout the region. "Our site (418) was huge and private. There is a large vacant campsite across the road that's reserved for docents but it was empty when we were there so we had the cul-de-sac all to ourselves. Sites 416 and 417 are also big with hidden spots back off the road for pitching your tent," explains a Mount Madonna visitor.
Variety of accommodation options: Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday provides multiple lodging choices beyond standard cabins. "We stayed in one of the airstreams they have for rent there. The family loved it—it was the perfect size for us and everything worked and the outdoor patio had heavy duty tables and chairs along with fire pit and even a Weber grill," shares one KOA camper.
Modern amenities: Many properties maintain facilities that enhance comfort. "Bathrooms are great. Nice club/game room and clean washing facility," notes a visitor at Salinas-Monterey KOA. Another camper mentions, "They have nice facilities and a heated pool although a hot tub would be nice also. The sites are a little small but very mature trees and they keep it clean."
What you should know
Elevation and temperature differences: The mountain locations can be significantly cooler than surrounding areas. "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose. We weren't prepared and had to drive into town and buy more clothes," warns a Mount Madonna reviewer.
Wildlife encounters: Several campgrounds report active wildlife, particularly after dark. "Some critters here, I saw a few skunks and one wandered right into our campsite at night, so keep an eye out for them," notes a Mount Madonna camper. At Pinnacles Campground, visitors report: "Many here will tell you about the raccoons! The campground is split by a creek which has a lot of critters, rabbits, chipmunks(?), quail, mice, and raccoon."
Limited cell service: Communication can be challenging at certain locations. "We didn't have any cell phone service, but we did manage to get service with our hotspot while in the campground. The store has wifi too," shares a Pinnacles visitor. Another reviewer notes, "Important to note that you can actually get a cell signal if you walk to the dump station!"
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-specific amenities: Some properties offer extensive recreation options for children. "In mid October the campground is still running kids activities daily and they're good! Great culture here - friendly, lots of things to do (pool, basketball, volleyball, horse shoes, playground, billiards, karaoke, tennis)," reports a visitor at Thousand Trails Morgan Hill.
Consider biking opportunities: Several campgrounds provide suitable terrain for children to cycle. "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 a Mount Madonna visitor.
Book sites strategically: Location within the campground can significantly impact your experience. "I would recommend booking away from the jump pillow or playground, unless easy playground access is important, because the spots are pretty noisy," suggests a Santa Cruz KOA visitor.
Tips from RVers
Check site specifications carefully: RV spaces vary widely between properties. "Site 211 was listed as 30' trailer but that was definitely not the case as it was a weird triangle parking area. We made it work and enjoyed the park," explains one Mount Madonna visitor.
Consider hookup locations: Utility placement can present challenges at some properties. "The location of the electrical/water is awkward," notes a reviewer at Marina Dunes RV Park. Another adds, "It's hard to get bigger RVs into spots also. We have a 35' 5th wheel and there are only some spots that will fit it."
Weather preparedness: Temperature variations can affect comfort in RVs without climate control. "It can get cold at night in the redwoods," reports a camper. Another visitor suggests, "If you camp here in the summer it'll be really hot, but the good news is there is a swimming pool at the campground."
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Gilroy, CA?
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Gilroy, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Gilroy, CA is Mount Madonna County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 33 reviews.
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What is the best site to find cabin camping near Gilroy, CA?
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