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Best Campgrounds near King City, CA

781 Reviews

The King City area in California's central coast region provides multiple camping options ranging from established campgrounds to dispersed sites. San Lorenzo Park offers tent and RV camping with water and electric hookups just off Highway 101, while Yanks RV Resort in nearby Greenfield features full hookups with amenities including a swimming pool and hot tub. Pinnacles National Park Campground, located approximately 30 miles northeast, provides a more natural setting with both tent and RV sites plus cabin accommodations. Williams Hill Recreation Area offers dispersed camping on public land about 25 miles southwest of King City.

Camping facilities throughout the region vary considerably in terms of amenities and regulations. San Lorenzo Park provides partial and full hookup sites with clean restrooms and showers, making it suitable for RVs requiring services. Primitive camping options exist at Williams Hill Recreation Area, where sites are free but offer minimal facilities beyond vault toilets. Most campgrounds near King City remain open year-round, though summer temperatures can reach uncomfortable highs. Winter brings cooler temperatures and occasional rain. Several campgrounds require reservations, particularly during peak seasons. One visitor noted, "San Lorenzo Park has nice green spaces with lots of partial and full hookup sites, clean bathrooms and showers, though highway noise is audible but not disruptive."

Campers consistently mention the strategic location of King City accommodations for visiting nearby attractions. San Lorenzo Park serves as a convenient base for exploring Pinnacles National Park, approximately 30 minutes away. Many reviewers highlight the agricultural setting surrounding these campgrounds, with one noting the "amazing farm machinery museum display" at San Lorenzo Park. Yanks RV Resort receives praise for its cleanliness and amenities, with visitors describing it as "an oasis in the middle of nowhere" and mentioning its proximity to Pinnacles National Park. Raccoon activity at Pinnacles Campground appears in multiple reviews, with visitors warning others to secure food properly. The combination of convenient highway access and proximity to natural attractions makes King City a practical stopover for travelers on Highway 101.

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Best Camping Sites Near King City, California (84)

    1. Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    91 Reviews
    Pinnacles, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 200-1722

    $44 - $164 / night

    "Per my rating system, this is very close to being 5 stars, meaning it's worth planning a trip from out of state just to visit this park and surrounding national/state forest for 3 days or more  The only"

    "It’s a beautiful park and has the largest population of California Condors in the world. The campground is situated about 2.3 miles from the main trailheads. There's tent and RV campsites."

    2. Williams Hill Recreation Area

    33 Reviews
    Jolon, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 582-2200

    "Lots of area to explore, but this is mainly an off road vehicle area."

    "covered structure, picnic table and fire pit A few additional overflow areas to park and camp •Pit toilet - BYO toilet paper •No trash receptacles •Great Verizon reception / Decent Sprint reception •Drive"

    3. Yanks RV Resort

    12 Reviews
    Soledad, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (855) 926-5778

    "There is nothing near buy, except a Shell station with the lowest diesel prices I’ve seen in California."

    "Planted fields surround the RV park, Located right off highway 101, it is easy on easy off. This would be a good location for passing through or going to the Pinnacles. You get what you pay for here."

    4. San Lorenzo Park

    7 Reviews
    King City, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (831) 755-4899

    $50 / night

    "A nice walking path, circles the campground and is well used in the mornings and evenings by locals running or walking dogs and babies."

    "Bike/walking trail. Nice trees. Level spots with water and electric. Just off 101 but no highway noise."

    5. Kirk Creek Campground

    44 Reviews
    Lucia, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $45 - $49 / night

    "While we used to just head up & find a site- its become nearly impossible to "walk-in" during high season."

    "We happened to drive in at the right time, had one walk- in site available. Campsites, large, away from other campers and clean."

    6. Limekiln State Park Campground — TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    40 Reviews
    Lucia, CA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $35 / night

    "Lower sites are more exposed, but get the benefit of the ocean sounds and rocky beach proximity. Upper sites are tucked back into redwoods, with a little stream nearby. Hike to the kilns!"

    "The entire campground isn't like this, but our site was directly beneath the highway and next to the beach. There are fun hikes that leave right from camp that go to a waterfall."

    7. Arroyo Seco

    14 Reviews
    Lucia, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $35 - $154 / night

    "Campground was nice and views were pretty good, very hilly part of California."

    "recid=10906 is located about 60 minutes south of Salinas in the Los Padres National Forest."

    8. Laguna Mountain Campground

    14 Reviews
    Pinnacles National Park, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 630-5000

    "It is difficult to find BLM camping in California and this is a gem! The road is in prone to mudslides and looked like is was recently cleared of mud in multiple spots."

    "Laguna mountain road trail is very strenuous The last leg of the trail(primitive trail) is not easy to follow. Someone has marked the trail with stacked rocks."

    9. Salinas Valley Fairgrounds

    1 Review
    King City, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (831) 385-3243

    10. Upper Sweetwater Laguna Mountain Campground

    9 Reviews
    San Lucas, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 630-5000

    "Fresh Air (despite being surrounded by bad air on all sides) + Nature (deer, quails, turkeys, coyotes in one night) + Dark New Moon Skies means Bright Stars with Clear View of the Milky Way + Safe (Popular"

    "It's a somewhat long drive, but you're rewarded with decent solitude. There are only a few sites, so we got lucky. I was surprised how nice the campground was, especially since it was free."

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Recent Camping Photos near King City, CA

283 Photos of 84 King City Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near King City, CA

781 Reviews of 84 King City Campgrounds

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2025

    Carmel by the River RV Park

    Clean place

    Really like this place. It’s not run down like many RV parks these days. Flat lots, full hook ups, even warm welcome cookie!

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park

    Nice Hilltop Basic Campground

    Compacted gravel roads and mostly level pads in good condition. Most sites nicely spaced apart. Modern pit toilets inside buildings in good condition. Most sites have views of mountain range. A few sites with shade next to trees. Only 20% occupied late October. Close to Hearst Castle, elephant seals, State Beach w/ pier, nice coastal overlooks. $20 without typical discounts. Showers and dump station bottom of hill (1/2 mile) in adjacent state park campground.

  • kThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park

    Basic campground

    The upper grounds: Washburn campgrounds are primitive but nicely kept and do have pit toilets and some water spigots as well as fire rings and picnic tables. This area is a little less ($20) vs the lower grounds ($35). But the lower grounds do have showers. We did find Washburn quieter with less freeway traffic

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Peaceful and quiet.

    A really nice and quiet camping spot. Only negative was the vault toilet. Dirty and almost full. Also there is a ban on fires here right now.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Big Sur Campground & Cabins

    Camping with hookups in the big trees

    We were looking for a place to camp and it would seem the California state parks are all full in perpetuity - found this place on the Dyrt app and made a reservation- it’s right up the road from the Henry Miller library - if you haven’t been there you should go

  • Sophia L.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    San Simeon Creek Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park

    Raccoon Attack

    the overall site was nice and everything went smoothly during the day. There are no bear boxes (big metal boxes at most campsites to store food so animals can’t get to it) so we put all our food in a big cooler that we thought nothing could get into. Wake up after 30 mins of sleeping to noises outside, a whole family of raccoons are eating our food. they destroyed a good amount of our food and our camping materials and the problem was they wouldn’t leave us alone. they were aggressive and would not leave, climbing the trees above us and popping left and right out of the bushes. we have no where to put our food (since raccoons can get into your car through the engine and cause major damage). They were surrounding us, we were yelling and jumping to try and scare them away but they were persistent. We thought they might even attack us as they did not seem very scared and were very aggressive. We had no choice but to quickly pack up all our stuff while someone was on raccoon guard and leave in the middle of the night. I was very disappointed.

  • K
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Camping spot

    Great spot with fire pits & gazebos it’s first come first serve also has a bathroom, no water or electricity, park ranger comes up nd does routine check but it’s great camping spot over all very quiet came up here an their was others but everyone minds their own really great place to camp, I’ll definitely becoming back again

Guide to King City

Camping near King City, California, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the views at Kirk Creek Campground. "Amazing sunrise and sunset view," said one happy camper. Sites #7, 8, and 9 are particularly praised for their open space and ocean views.
  • Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities at Big Sur Campground & Cabins. One reviewer mentioned, "The bathroom/showers were cleaned regularly and stocked with shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Veteran's Memorial Park Campground is noted for its family-friendly vibe. A visitor said, "If you have little ones, they’ll have fun on the playground."

What you should know:

  • Heat in Summer: Campers at Pinnacles Campground warn about the heat. One reviewer said, "It is WICKED hot in the summer," so plan your visit accordingly.
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Kirk Creek Campground, have limited amenities. A camper noted, "There are pit toilets and trash cans, but basically no other amenities. Not even drinking water."
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground can get crowded. A visitor mentioned, "You will need to book a few months in advance," especially during the summer.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Campsite: Look for sites that offer privacy and space. One camper at San Simeon Creek Campground mentioned, "We got lucky and found a semi-private site in the lower campground."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities planned. A reviewer at Big Sur Campground & Cabins said, "You can go down and walk by the river float the river with the complimentary tubes."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Campers at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground recommend bringing your own food, as some campgrounds have limited markets.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at San Simeon Creek Campground noted, "The camper pads are level, paved, and designated as either 25- or 35-foot campsites."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Hookups: Many campgrounds, like Kirk Creek Campground, do not offer electric hookups. One reviewer said, "No cell service or showers."
  • Arrive Early: To secure a good spot, arrive early. A visitor at Veteran's Memorial Park Campground mentioned, "Your best bet to get a site is to show up a day or two early."

Camping near King City, California, has something for everyone, from stunning views to family-friendly activities. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at King City campgrounds?

Campgrounds around King City offer various amenities to suit different camping styles. Pinnacles Campground features well-maintained facilities and serves as an excellent base for exploring Pinnacles National Park with its California Condor population. Thousand Trails San Benito provides typical resort amenities and is conveniently located for exploring the region. Other area campgrounds may offer picnic tables, fire rings, potable water, bathrooms, showers, and dump stations. Amenities vary by location, with some sites providing full hookups while more primitive options offer minimal facilities but greater solitude.

Where can I find camping in King City?

Several camping options are available near King City. San Lorenzo Park offers mostly level, gravel and grass sites with pull-through options right in King City. For those seeking more remote experiences, Condon Peak Campground in the coast range provides a great wilderness escape. Other nearby options include Williams Hill Recreation Area near Bradley and Salinas Valley Fairgrounds. The King City area serves as a good base for exploring various campgrounds within a short drive, including those in Los Padres National Forest and BLM lands.

How much does camping cost in King City?

Camping costs around King City vary based on amenities and location. At Laguna Seca Recreation Area, dry camping ranges from $40-50 per night. San Simeon Creek Campground, though further away on the coast, represents typical state park pricing in the region. For budget-conscious campers, BLM sites like Laguna Mountain Campground offer free or low-cost options. County parks and fairgrounds typically fall in the mid-range price category. RV parks with full hookups command premium rates, while primitive camping areas provide more affordable alternatives. Prices may vary seasonally, with higher rates during peak summer months.

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