2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Mount Madonna County Park and Thousand Trails San Benito provide upscale glamping accommodations close to Los Banos, with options including yurts and luxury canvas tents equipped with modern amenities. Mount Madonna's yurts feature comfortable bedding, electricity, and heating for year-round comfort, while Thousand Trails San Benito offers premium glamping structures with private decks overlooking the 300-acre property. One guest highlighted that "it's absolutely beautiful here, campground was very clean and quiet. This place made it much better, with walking trails and daily activities for the family." Both locations provide easy access to hiking trails and natural scenery, with Mount Madonna situated amidst redwood forests and Thousand Trails offering panoramic views of rolling California hills.
Wildlife viewing opportunities abound at these glamping destinations, particularly at Thousand Trails San Benito where deer regularly wander through the property. A visitor noted, "We had multiple deer wandering the grounds, wild pigs crossing the roads, and even saw Condors above our cabin. It's amazing!" Nearby Pinnacles National Park, accessible from both glamping locations, offers additional outdoor adventures including bird watching and hiking. Mercey Hot Springs, another glamping campground in the region, features private mineral hot tubs and a swimming pool accessible to overnight guests staying in their luxury accommodations. Most glamping sites in the area maintain a tranquil atmosphere perfect for disconnecting, with limited cell service at some locations enhancing the sense of escape. Seasonal considerations include cooler winter temperatures at San Benito, though heated accommodations remain comfortable year-round.
from $50 / night
"We had a separate dome tent to keep out bugs. The site had two picnic benches, a fire pit and bear lockers for your food."
"The campground loop we were in was full and the sites are fairly close to your neighbor but it wasn't bad. The main reason being absolutely NO generators allowed so it was peaceful."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $44 - $164 / night
"over night & day sites, hot showers and indoor restrooms surrounded by beautiful nature."
Available next weekend
from $30 - $150 / night
"If you’re doing the long drive from the Bay Area to LA, a nice place to stay is Mercey Hot Springs. It takes about 20 minutes to get there from the freeway and is in the middle of nowhere. "
"When I arrived the nights were hot so I decided to take an AC Cabin #10 where I could park right next to the cabin and slept comfortably."
from $70 - $185 / night
"Nice area ,lots of trails into redwoods and cedar trees, campsites were very roomy and flatish. Water was available, bathroom was clean.Nice place to get away from the heat."
"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."
"Nice trails there. Gilmore was a distance for us to restock on supplies. Pool was open but not heated. Hot tub was closed for the winter season. You are out in the sticks so no cell phone service."
"Typical TT resort park off the beaten path, far out but nice place, we enjoyed our stay. At the time we were there a lot of the riverfront sports were out of order."
"The lake is closed to any and all water-craft because the water level is too low. It is very clean and well maintained for the most part. Cell phone service for Xfinity/Verizon is spotty at best."
"Campsites are along the beautiful Coyote lake. The lakeside sites are mostly shaded as are the sites along the road. Sites 43, 44 and 45 would be the most secluded."
from $34 / night
"Always stop by and get fresh fruit, but have camped on site. Great place with lots to do during the day."
"I saw lower sites that looked like tent sites, it is perfect if you want less highway noise. There are some“permanent resident” sites in the back of the park. Bathrooms are kept clean."
"My family and I stayed at Lake McSwain Campgrounds for a weekend during a mountain bike race at Exchequer."
"There are free warm showers and the bathrooms are fairly clean. If you are staying in a tent make sure to layer up and bring lots of blankets because nights can get very cold."
from $30 - $40 / night
"We got a nice spot close to the dump station near front. Their pool is huge and very very well kept. The spot was 30amp and back in however they have 50amp/pull through also."
"Dog park, nice showers, nice bathrooms, trails to walk your dog, nice people, quiet. I loved it here."
GuideThe campsite was great. Ground pretty hard, so a mallet or big rock will be helpful. There’s a tree, but no shade for the picnic table. I setup a tarp and it worked great. There are no flush toilets near the campsite. The loop has portable toilets and handwashing stations.
TravelerI 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.
GuideFriendly staff, great facilities away from the grind
ScoutAll spots on the perimeter are full timers. VERY cluttered campsites all around you makes the park feel claustrophobic.
If that wasn’t enough the daily/weekly spots on the interior are right on top of each other. Expect your neighbor’s sewer connection to be right next to your stairs when you come out of your unit.
Never saw or interacted with any employees, the only interaction was an email with my spot number. Not a positive or negative, just a note. Daily/weekly campers seemed nice, however received dirty looks from pretty much every full timer just walking the dog or driving to/from my unit. I like to wave at folks as I go by, I guess they don’t like that.
Speaking of walking the dog, there’s a large grass area on the west side with big signs that say no pets. The only spot of grass I could find that wasn’t “forbidden for dogs” is a small patch between the entrance/exit lanes to the park, no fence and watch for vehicles coming and going.
Overall this place is probably fine to drop anchor for the night, we stayed a weekend to enjoy Gilroy Gardens and will definitely find somewhere else to go next time.
TravelerNo hookups but amazing view on Eastman Lake. Great spot for camping!
ScoutPerfect for what it is- basic grounds with tons of wildlife! Lock up your food but other than that, it’s so cute and quiet.
RangerThe winding road to get here is definitely out of the way, and the bumpy drive left one of our passengers feeling pretty carsick. That said, it was absolutely worth it.
I have to give this place a 5-star review. When it comes to dispersed camping, I’m used to rough clearings and overgrown roads, but this site was exceptionally well maintained. It had fenced campsites, a bathroom, covered pavilions, picnic tables, and fire pits. There was a burn ban in effect during our visit, so we couldn’t use the fire pits, but I was still impressed by the overall setup.
One thing I really appreciated was the balance of sun and shade. I was able to park in full sun for my solar panels while still enjoying shade under the pavilion and surrounding trees. Cell reception was also good.
We visited on a Saturday in June and were surprised by how uncrowded it was. Only a few other campers were there. It was also reassuring to see several other dispersed camping areas along the drive in, providing additional options if this site happened to be full.
In dry conditions, I think a two-wheel-drive vehicle can make it here. The roads are bumpy but generally well maintained. We saw several two-wheel-drive cars at the campsite. That said, there are a few sandy uphill sections where traction could become an issue, so you’ll still want to drive carefully.
The bugs were a little annoying, with both flies and mosquitoes present, but that’s something you can encounter almost anywhere depending on the season.
Overall, this is one of the nicest dispersed camping areas we’ve stayed at and a place I would gladly return to.
GuideThis is an excellent campground. This is our second time visiting. The campsites are level and adequately sized and fire rings are available. There is a dump station and water available on site. There are plenty of hiking trails available from the campsite.
GuideCodorniz is a quiet, well-maintained campground run by the Army Corps of Engineers on Eastman Lake. It’s a great spot if you want a peaceful camping experience with decent amenities and easy lake access. What I liked: • Spacious sites with good separation for privacy • Decent restrooms and hot showers • Hookups available at some sites • Relaxed, low-key atmosphere—no crowds or noise • Nice lake setting for fishing, kayaking, and swimming Things to keep in mind: • It’s fairly remote, so bring everything you’ll need • Amenities can vary by site and season • Cell service is limited, so download maps/info ahead of time Overall, Codorniz is a solid choice for RV or tent camping if you want a calm, lake-adjacent spot without the chaos of more popular campgrounds. Great for a weekend getaway or a longer stay if you’re exploring the Central Valley area.
Camping sites near Los Banos, California provide access to diverse terrain with elevations ranging from 118 feet in the San Joaquin Valley to over 2,000 feet in nearby hills. This central California location experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional fog. Most campgrounds in this region remain open year-round with varying amenities from basic tent sites to full hookup options.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Lake McSwain Recreation Area offers excellent wildlife spotting, particularly for bird watchers. "The kids rode their bikes around the campgrounds alllll day. They had a blast!" notes Angie H. about the family-friendly atmosphere at Lake McSwain Recreation Area.
Hiking trails: Pinnacles National Park features unique rock formations and slot canyons accessible from nearby campgrounds. "The Pinnacles have some great hikes, there are bat caves to explore, lakes and slot canyons. We really enjoyed hiking thru caves and tight places. Super fun for adventurous kids," shares Debi R. from Pinnacles Campground.
Archery course: Mount Madonna County Park maintains a 28-target archery trail through wooded terrain. "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," according to April N. who visited the park.
Mineral hot springs: Mercey Hot Springs offers therapeutic soaking options with private mineral baths. "As soon as you enter the pool or hot tubs you feel the smooth water on your skin. The hot tubs are all oversized privet bath tubs that you fill with mineral water of your desired temperature," reports david from Mercey Hot Springs.
Secluded campsites: Mount Madonna County Park provides private sites around the perimeter of camping loops. "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," explains Lori T. about Mount Madonna County Park.
Swimming options: McConnell State Recreation Area offers river access along the Merced River. "Good tent camping. The Merced river runs along the east side of the Park. I think there are beaches but can't confirm it," notes Rich A. when describing the camping setup at McConnell State Recreation Area.
Weather considerations: Temperatures can vary significantly between campgrounds due to elevation differences. "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose. We weren't prepared & had to drive into town & buy more clothes!" warns April N. about Mount Madonna County Park.
Wildlife encounters: Many campgrounds report active wildlife, requiring proper food storage. "Raccoons are very active here so be sure to lock all of your food away and don't leave anything out through the night," advises Marta T. from Pinnacles Campground, where multiple reviewers mentioned raccoon activity.
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds in the region have spotty connectivity. "Cell service here wasn't good either," mentions Jennifer D. about Thousand Trails San Benito, a common situation at many glamping sites near Los Banos.
Swimming pools: Several campgrounds offer pools for summer cooling. "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. That said the nights were beautiful full of stars and warm. They have a pool that will be full of kids but feels really refreshing after a hot hike," explains Sha C. about facilities at Pinnacles Campground.
Campground activities: Thousand Trails San Benito organizes regular programming for children. "This place made it much better, walking trails and daily activities for the family. Had multiple deers wondering the grounds so be sure to put your food away," notes Alberto C. about the McConnell State Recreation Area experience.
Clean facilities: Regularly maintained bathrooms make family camping more comfortable. "Bathrooms are extremely clean and well kept. The lake is nice (and you may spot geese or ducks), and there's plenty of room for kids to run around," shares Quyen W. about Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park.
Full-hookup options: Several locations offer complete utility connections. "Large, level sites. Very good rates for a quick stop," notes Mike K. about Santa Nella RV Park, which provides convenient access from major highways.
Dump station access: Many parks provide dump stations even when full hookups aren't available. "Also a dump station on the way out. Can reserve everything. Good area for tenors too," mentions Rick L. regarding Pinnacles Campground facilities.
Site selection advice: Research specific sites before booking for the best RV experience. "Some smaller and uneven spots but worth it. Next to great hikes. Bathrooms are great," advises Tanya B. about Mount Madonna County Park, indicating site variation within the same campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Los Banos, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Los Banos, CA is Santa Nella RV Park with a 3-star rating from 3 reviews.
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