Camping cabins near King City, California provide access to both coastal forest landscapes and inland mountain terrain. Located in Monterey County where elevations range from sea level to over 5,000 feet at Junipero Serra Peak, this region experiences summer temperatures averaging 85°F while winter temperatures drop to the 40s. Most camping areas remain open year-round, though seasonal fire restrictions often limit campfire use during the dry months from June through October.
What to do
Hiking at Pinnacles National Park: Located about 30 miles northeast of King City, Pinnacles offers distinctive volcanic rock formations and cave systems to explore. "Pinnacles Campground is a nice campground in the middle of the Pinnacles N.P. Sites are nice, and most of them could easily fit two tents... There quite a few sites that offer good shade," notes one Pinnacles Campground visitor.
River activities in Big Sur: Campsites along the Big Sur River offer water recreation during summer months. "The campground has a river running right thru the middle, our campsite was just 10 ft from the river with tubing available for rent and rope swings into the water," reports a visitor to Big Sur Campground & Cabins.
Stargazing in remote areas: The limited light pollution makes this region ideal for night sky viewing. "It was almost a new moon and the stars at night we're gorgeous," explains a winter camper at Ponderosa Campground, describing the clear night skies commonly found in the area's higher elevations.
Beach exploration: Several cabin locations provide access to coastal beaches. "The beach right across the road is stunning — truly one of the most beautiful we've seen," mentions a visitor to Plaskett Creek Campground, where cabins are available seasonally.
What campers like
Natural wildlife encounters: Many cabin and campground areas feature abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. At Thousand Trails San Benito in Paicines, one visitor shared, "We had Condors above our cabin, deer around us, wild pigs crossing the roads. Its amazing!!!! My favorite part of our California trip was staying here!"
Clean, modern facilities: Despite the rustic settings, many cabin locations maintain well-kept amenities. "The bathrooms are great," noted a visitor to Ventana Campground, which offers both standard camping and cabin accommodations.
Water features: Streams and rivers enhance many cabin camping locations. "We had a wonderful stay at Plaskett Creek Campground. Lisa and William, the hosts, are absolutely lovely and welcoming. The toilets are very clean, although there are no showers on site," reported a summer visitor, highlighting the beach access from this location.
Privacy options: While some cabin areas are densely arranged, others offer more seclusion. "Site 1 is directly above the falls, you can't actually see them, but it's a short 5-minute hike to get a look at them," explains a visitor describing the Julia Pfeiffer Burns environmental cabins, noting their proximity to coastal waterfalls.
What you should know
Seasonal fluctuations in water access: Lake and river levels vary dramatically throughout the year. A visitor to Lake San Antonio - North Shore noted, "During the drought the water level has dropped significantly as well as the quality of the water. Some years the lake is almost dry."
Varying pet policies: Rules regarding pets differ between cabin facilities. Ventana Campground specifies, "Dogs must be quiet, on leash at all times and stay in campsites or roads. Please clean up after your dog. No dogs left unattended."
Limited cell service: Many cabin locations have minimal connectivity. "There is no wifi and no verizon cell service," noted a Big Sur Campground & Cabins visitor, which reflects the communication limitations throughout much of the region.
Cabin amenity variations: Facilities range from basic to well-equipped. "You can rent a tent camping spot for about 70 a night... Quaint accomodations, free coffee in the morning, mess shop sells fresh food stuffs and wood for fire at a reasonable price too," reports a visitor about the services available at Big Sur Campground & Cabins.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access during summer: Some facilities offer swimming pools to complement natural water features. "This is a great national park if you'd like to hike. There is a pool, but it looks like it's been closed down for years," notes a visitor at Pinnacles Campground, though the pool status varies seasonally.
Wildlife awareness for children: Teaching kids about local wildlife enhances safety and education. "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," explains a Pinnacles visitor about the abundant wildlife children might encounter.
Nearby amenities for supplies: Some cabin locations offer on-site services for families forgetting essentials. "Camp store is small and so our other facilities," reports a Pinnacles Campground visitor, suggesting families should bring most supplies with them.
Temperature considerations: Coastal and inland locations experience different weather patterns. "It was rainy but this site was still beautiful and actually quite protected from the rain since you are underneath the canopy of the redwoods," observed a Saddle Mountain Ranch visitor, highlighting how forest cover provides weather protection at some cabin sites.
Tips from RVers
Road access limitations: Many cabin areas have challenging access roads for larger vehicles. "First off the road coming to the campground is very steep, could be challenging for some rigs," warns a Saddle Mountain Ranch visitor, indicating why some RV owners opt for cabin rentals instead.
Hookup availability varies: Electric and water services differ between locations. "A lot of the RV sites had electric. And there is water stations throughout. Also a dump station on the way out," notes a Pinnacles Campground visitor, describing the available RV services.
Size restrictions at coastal locations: Many Big Sur area cabin facilities have limited space for large rigs. "It is a tent only campground, which I love as I feel like it's harder and harder to find now a days. They can't accommodate RV's, motor homes, travel trailers or pop-up tent trailers," explains a Ventana Campground visitor, indicating why cabin options are popular for those with larger vehicles.
Combined cabin and RV options: Some locations offer both RV spaces and cabin rentals. "Great campground, tucked into the trees. Nice quiet spot right on route 1," observes a Big Sur Campground visitor about the integrated camping options available.
