Hollister camping areas sit between 280 and 1,200 feet elevation in California's inland Gabilan Range and Santa Clara Valley. Temperatures fluctuate widely between day and night during summer months, with afternoon highs regularly reaching 90°F and evening lows dropping to the 50s. Most camping options near Hollister experience minimal rainfall between May and October, creating dusty trail conditions during peak season.
What to do
Hiking and wildlife viewing: The Elkhorn Slough near Moss Landing KOA Express offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities within 30 minutes of Hollister. "You can easily walk to Phil's, but expect very long lines... I would definitely stay here again, especially if going whale watching or kayaking with the sea otters," writes David C. The marine sanctuary allows campers to observe sea otters, harbor seals, and numerous bird species.
Mountain biking: Family-friendly paved pathways around Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park provide excellent cycling options with moderate elevation changes. "Beautiful view of the preserve with wild pigs off in the brush and the call of turkeys in the a.m. a nice refresh from the city," notes Marco B. The park offers 15 miles of multi-use trails with several loop options under 5 miles.
Archery: Mount Madonna County Park maintains a 28-target archery course through the redwoods. "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 April N. The self-guided course requires bringing your own equipment, though rental options exist seasonally.
What campers like
Free hot showers: San Benito RV and Camping Resort provides complimentary heated showers year-round. "Nice secluded place that's not too busy," notes Jesus R., while another camper mentions, "Warm pool!!! Lots of road noise." Multiple campgrounds in the area include shower facilities, but availability varies seasonally.
Privacy between sites: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Hollister offer secluded sites. "We stayed toward the back site 353 I believe and had no others around us," reports Alberto C. about San Benito RV Resort. Similarly, at Mount Madonna County Park, campers find "While the sites are a little close to each other, those on the outside of the loop had a great deal of privacy. Inner loop sites have none, but would be great if you were camping with friends," according to Lori T.
Wildlife encounters: Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch hosts impressive wildlife activity at dawn and dusk. "I had a big spot and no neighbors my entire half of the campground on a Monday night in June. I was under 2 big oaks that were buzzing with bird activity," writes Michelle W. The park maintains food lockers to prevent wildlife interactions, as "wild pigs come out at night. Be sure to lock all food up!" warns Quyen W.
What you should know
Seasonal temperatures: Summer camping near Hollister requires preparation for extreme temperature swings. At Pinnacles Campground, "Summer is not the best time to go. It gets hot and you can't have fires. I went in late June and it was bearable to do an early hike, but bat caves may be closed in summer," warns Sha C. Evening temperatures typically drop 25-35 degrees from afternoon highs.
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds around Hollister have spotty cell coverage. "Cell phone service for Xfinity/Verizon is spotty at best. There is weak wifi," reports Toni R. about Coyote Lake. The exception is Hollister Hills SVRA where ranger stations maintain wifi hotspots for emergency communications.
Aggressive wildlife: Raccoons actively seek food at many sites. At Pinnacles, "raccoons….everywhere…. seriously leave your car locked, these little buggers were not afraid of humans," cautions Theresa N. Similarly, wild pigs frequent Coyote Lake, where "They will roam through the camp ground all through the night if anyone has left any food out," according to Quyen W.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Sunset State Beach provides beach access with minimal crowds during weekdays. "Beach is long and expansive with very few people on an average day. Nice place to take a stroll and relax," notes Mauriel O. Pinnacles Campground also maintains a swimming pool that "feels really refreshing after a hot hike," according to Sha C.
Kid-friendly activities: Casa de Fruta offers numerous attractions beyond camping. "Great weekend place for families with cute fruit and candy stores, carousels for the kids, little train, and animals," writes SmallRVLifestyle V. The complex includes a restaurant, playground equipment, and seasonal festivals throughout summer.
Educational opportunities: Mount Madonna County Park features unique wildlife viewing opportunities. "Near the ranger station there are pens with white fallow deer. They are descendants of the exotic zoo at William Randolph Hearst's mansion down the coast," explains April N. Rangers offer junior naturalist programs during summer weekends.
Tips from RVers
Dump station availability: Limited dump stations exist near Hollister. Casa de Fruta RV Orchard Resort provides full hookup sites with sewer connections. "Level, concrete pads. Spacing is tight. We had an end space with a nice patch of grass," reports one camper about nearby Moss Landing KOA, which also offers dump facilities.
Site sizing concerns: Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area provides spacious campsites suitable for larger rigs. "We camped at Sycamore and as soon as the sun began to set had the entire place to ourselves. Clean bathroom, fire ring, garbage can available. Spacious sites that were clean and quiet," shares Lori A. Unlike commercial parks, state recreation areas typically offer more space between sites.
Electric hookup options: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Hollister offer partial hookups. "The RV sites have both water and electric hookups which was great! There is a very convenient FREE dump station just inside the entrance to the park that we used as we departed," notes Lori T. about Mount Madonna County Park.
