Best Campgrounds near King City, CA

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.

Best Camping Sites Near King City, California (84)

    1. Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    94 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 Reviews near King City, CA

785 Reviews of 84 King City Campgrounds


  • April H.
    Nov. 15, 2025

    Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    A very pleasant surprise.

    This was my first trip with my new rig.  I reserved my site at Recreation.gov 6 months in advance.  My lifetime pass is on file so my discount was applied at checkout.  When I first pulled in the sites you could see were wide open with little or no shade or privacy.  I was disappointed until I realized they were the full hookup sites.  The campground is in a meandering layout, much of it along a stream.  It has all the standard amenities including showers.  There is a camp store and it is well stocked with ice, firewood and commonly needed food items.  I loved my site.  It was right on the creek so there was a lot of growth which provided plenty of shade and privacy.  The driveways are asphalt and the sites are dirt.  There are bear boxes at each site, not for protection from bears but from other critters, such as racoons, that inhabit the area and get into trash and food.  Trust me, it's needed.  A raggedy racoon came across the creek and through my camp each night.  The first night I had my camper door open and it wasn't until I went to bed that I saw the racoon had gone into the camper, tracking mud on the floor and bed, looking for food.  The campground was quiet and I very much enjoyed my tome there.

  • Ben C.
    Nov. 13, 2025

    Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground

    One of the Best Campgrounds in California!

    Just minutes from Pacific Ocean, and under tall redwood trees and sycamore trees, this place is heaven.

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 9, 2025

    Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    Camping at Pinnacles

    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. The park is really great, so I recommend staying here a night or 2 to fully explore the small national park. Lots of sites and lots of options. Some are more secluded and some are more traditional. Tents/cabins available. A store and pool are available also.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 7, 2025

    Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    Sweet campgrounds

    Lots of camping options here. More than I've seen at other parks. Wooded. Wildlife. Lots of deer and turkeys. Didn't have time for hiking but seems to have some good one. Campground store is well stocked.

  • 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.


Guide to King City

San Lorenzo Park serves as the main established campground within King City, California, providing full hookups for RVs and water/electric sites for tent campers. The surrounding area includes a range of camping options from the highly-rated Yanks RV Resort in Greenfield to the more remote Williams Hill Recreation Area for dispersed camping. Pinnacles National Park, located approximately 30 miles east, offers the most developed camping experience with tent sites, RV spaces with 30-amp hookups, and cabin accommodations. Several campgrounds in the region support both tent and RV camping, while some specialized areas cater primarily to self-contained recreational vehicles or primitive camping experiences.

Campground access varies seasonally with most sites remaining open year-round due to the moderate climate of California's central coast. San Lorenzo Park provides convenient access directly off Highway 101 with paved roads and level sites suitable for most vehicles. Higher-elevation areas like Pinnacles National Park may experience more extreme temperature fluctuations, particularly during summer months when temperatures can climb significantly. Reservations are recommended for established campgrounds, especially on weekends and during peak travel seasons from spring through fall. "Very nice County Park. Not busy when we were here. Bike/walking trail. Nice trees. Level spots with water and electric. Just off 101 but no highway noise," noted one visitor about San Lorenzo Park.

The camping experience near King City balances accessibility with natural surroundings. San Lorenzo Park features agricultural history displays and walking paths frequented by locals, creating a community atmosphere. Campers at Pinnacles National Park gain direct access to hiking trails and potential wildlife viewing, including California condors. RV travelers particularly appreciate Yanks RV Resort for its modern amenities. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "Clean everything, perfect level cement pad, large very nice dog park with room for the pups to run and play and a friendly helpful staff." Proximity to Pinnacles National Park serves as a major draw for many campers staying in the King City area, allowing visitors to explore the unique volcanic formations and cave systems while maintaining access to services in town.

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.