W
Wangtao L.
Traveler
TravelerDel Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District
It’s good. But not too memorable.
Cabin Camping near Loma Mar, CA
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Cabins near Loma Mar range from rustic accommodations to more modern facilities with varied amenities. Big Basin Redwoods State Park offers tent cabins with wood-burning stoves as the only heat source, while Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA provides cabins with electric hookups. Most cabin sites include picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby bathrooms with showers. "The tent cabins are just adorable and so cozy. The sites are nice and distanced from each other, bathrooms were in great shape and it was pet friendly," noted one visitor about the Big Basin accommodations. Mount Madonna County Park also offers cabin options with views of either Santa Clara Valley or Monterey Bay.
Options range from tiny log cabins to spacious family-sized layouts. Most locations require advance reservations, with Big Basin Redwoods being notoriously difficult to book during peak summer months. Many cabins accommodate 4-6 people with sleeping platforms or beds arranged in semi-private areas. Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday maintains 235 sites including cabins that operate year-round. Pet policies vary by location—Big Basin and Mount Madonna are pet-friendly, allowing up to two leashed pets per site, while some other facilities restrict animals. According to one camper, "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."
Cabin furnishings typically include beds, tables, and sometimes wood stoves, though bedding and linens may require separate rental packages or need to be brought from home. Several locations offer add-on packages that include sheets, pillows, cooking items, and lanterns for an additional fee. Most cabins have access to communal bathroom facilities rather than private bathrooms. Nearby grocery options exist in Watsonville and Gilroy for supplies, though some campgrounds maintain small camp stores with essentials like firewood and ice. One visitor mentioned, "We spent most of our time with relatives, so we didn't have a lot of time to use the amenities, but there were lots of kids around using the playground, bicycling, playing basketball, and swimming in the pool." Cooking facilities vary from outdoor fire pits with grill covers to charcoal grills and occasionally indoor stoves.
Best Cabin Campgrounds near Loma Mar (18)
1. Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED
"We got one of the tent cabins, which are just adorable and so cozy. The sites are nice and distanced from each other, bathrooms were in great shape and it was pet friendly."
"We stayed in a tent cabin at the Huckleberry campground which was nicer than we thought it would be. It had just the right amount of space for my wife and I, our two daughters and all our gear."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $35 / night
2. Costanoa Coastal Lodge & Campground
"The sites in the Eucalyptus loop where we were had back-in sites, with a paved driveway, and are level. The sites have a picnic table, a fire ring, and wood-fenced platforms."
"Once we figured it out, the late check in paperwork was detailed on how to find our space."
Check Availabilityfrom $100 - $200 / night
3. 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
4. Redwood Resort RV Park & Campground
"Was able to book the night before and get the last full hookup spot."
Check Availabilityfrom $55 - $75 / night
5. 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."
6. 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."
7. Del Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District
"It’s a cozy place with boat rentals! Plenty of shade and bathrooms available. Only reason got 4 star is the constant blue-green algae, making the water unavailable for swimming."
"Our campsite (#139) could have used some shade, but we had plenty of space and the views were awesome. Almost every site was occupied, but luckily everyone respected the quiet hours."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $200 / night
8. 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."
9. pieffer big sur campground
10. Beach RV Pleasure Point
"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."
"A very nice and well kept spot to park and enjoy Santa Cruz. You are close enough to walk to the beach and several restaurants. The sites are very close together."
5 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $95 - $180 / night
Drive Time
- 49 min from Santa Cruz, CA
- 1 hr from San Jose, CA
- 1 hr 4 min from San Francisco, CA
- 1 hr 27 min from Salinas, CA
Recent Cabin Photos near Loma Mar, CA
7 Photos of 18 Loma Mar Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Cabin Reviews near Loma Mar, CA
212 Reviews of 18 Loma Mar Campgrounds
- TTamatha B.Traveler
Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
This is a great camp ground. Plenty of activities. Showers are clean, laundry room takes tap pay.
- TTamatha B.Traveler
Treasure Island MH and RV Park
Henry in the office is amazing. Bathrooms are clean. laundry room very large and has many washers and dryers. Subway close walk, MUNI is at the park entrance. A gas station and Grocery store are both across the street.
- 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.
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.
Rosa M.
ScoutCarnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area
Stayed 2 nigths, it was perfect
We stayed 2 nigths, 10$ per night. The staff was very kind. The place has showers and bathrooms clean enough for being it the middle of towns. Each space has a fire ring and a table. There's a little bit of noise in the morning and afternoon because of the cars that avoid the highway and pass nearby. It's first come first served. Overall, it's a very safe and good place to camp
Guide to Loma Mar
Cabin camping near Loma Mar, California offers diverse lodging experiences within the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Located at elevations ranging from 250 to 2,000 feet, this area experiences significant temperature fluctuations, often 15-20 degrees cooler in the forest than surrounding valley areas. Morning fog frequently shrouds campsites until midday during summer months, requiring layers for comfort even during peak season.
What to do
Hiking redwood trails: Access miles of hiking paths directly from cabin areas at Mount Madonna County Park, where trails wind through old-growth forests. "There are great hiking trails assessable from the campground. There is a nearby store, and you are close enough to Santa Cruz to spend a day on the boardwalk," notes one visitor at Cotillion Gardens RV Park.
Birdwatching opportunities: Some cabins provide excellent viewing of native wildlife. "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," reports a camper at Mount Madonna County Park.
Water activities: Several cabin locations offer swimming options during summer months. "We drove 9 miles to Boulder Creek and found an epic swimming hole by Cafe to help cool us in the 95 degree heat," shares one visitor about their experience near Big Basin.
What campers like
Proximity to beaches: Cabin accommodations allow easy access to coastal areas within 30-minute drives. "We took a short hike to the beach. Had dinner at the Castanoa restaurant. Beware of the kid's pizza, it is huge!" shares a visitor at Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA.
Diverse recreation options: Many cabin facilities include on-site activities beyond standard camping. "The bike rentals were a hit with the kids and I know they were lots of activities. We missed out on due to time a crunch," reports a camper staying at Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA.
Unique forest experiences: Cabins offer protection from weather while still providing forest immersion. "The park is a on beautiful forested hilltop. Some areas are redwood, other parts mixed with other kinds of trees. This is the only place I've seen the redwood trees harvest the fog and make their own rain, which is pretty cool," notes a visitor at Mount Madonna.
What you should know
Temperature variations: Pack appropriate clothing for significant temperature drops after sunset. "It can get cold at night in the redwoods so the wood stove was great at night," explains a visitor to Big Basin.
Wildlife awareness: Prepare for encounters with local fauna at cabin sites. "We saw a few skunks and one wandered right into our campsite at night, so keep an eye out for them," warns a camper from Mount Madonna.
Wi-Fi limitations: Most forest cabins have minimal or no connectivity. "The wifi is virtually nonexistent from the RV back in spots at least and our AT&T had zero bars for most of the trip," reports a guest at Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday.
Tips for camping with families
Reserve strategic cabins: Choose locations based on specific family needs and planned activities. "If you need a place to chill this is the spot," advises a visitor about Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Pack for varied weather: Morning fog and evening temperature drops require appropriate clothing options. "Bring the spray. Bring groceries and firewood as it cost us $13 for a bundle at the market," recommends one visitor about cabin camping essentials.
Utilize weekday bookings: School-year weekdays offer significantly better availability. "The sites were very spacious and this has probably been one of my favorite campgrounds!" shares a family that visited Big Basin during a less crowded period.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Research specific cabin numbers before booking when possible. "Best Sites: Huckleberry #62 Blooms #129," recommends one experienced camper at Big Basin.
Meal planning considerations: Most cabin facilities have limited cooking options. "Each campsite has a fire pit with a grill cover which made it easy to cook dinner," notes one visitor at Thousand Trails Morgan Hill.
Distance awareness: Some cabins require walking from parking areas. "We were in T2 which was just over a small footbridge over a creek from our parking spot. The spot was small, but had a picnic table, fire pit, and elevated wooden deck," explains a visitor about tent cabin sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin
campsite near Loma Mar, CA?
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Loma Mar, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Loma Mar, CA is Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED with a 4.7-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find
cabin camping near
Loma Mar, CA?
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Loma Mar, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 cabin camping locations near Loma Mar, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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