Best Campgrounds near Soledad, CA

Camping options around Soledad, California range from established national park campgrounds to full-service RV resorts. The region includes Pinnacles National Park Campground, which offers tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with proximity to hiking trails and unique rock formations. Within a 30-minute drive, Yanks RV Resort provides full hookup sites with modern amenities, while public lands near Big Sur and Arroyo Seco offer more rustic alternatives. Most campgrounds in the area feature mixed-use facilities that accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several offering cabin rentals for those seeking additional comfort.

Road access varies significantly between campgrounds, with most established sites accessible via paved roads while backcountry areas may require high-clearance vehicles. Weather conditions change dramatically with the seasons - summer temperatures frequently reach into the 90s, making spring and fall the preferred camping seasons for many visitors. Pinnacles National Park experiences particularly high demand during these moderate temperature periods, with parking lots often filling by 8:00 AM on weekends. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak seasons, while some dispersed camping areas operate on a first-come basis. As one visitor noted, "Pinnacles is a gem - particularly in spring and fall. The hikes were really busy and the parking lots get full by 9 am on weekends."

Campers consistently highlight the diverse landscapes accessible from area campgrounds. Pinnacles National Park receives strong reviews for its trail system that includes caves, streams, and dramatic rock formations. Visitors appreciate the balance of amenities and natural features, with several campgrounds offering swimming pools for relief during hot weather. While RV travelers praise the modern facilities at Yanks RV Resort, describing it as "clean, spacious, and quiet," those seeking more rustic experiences gravitate toward the tent sites at Pinnacles or Arroyo Seco. The camping areas near water features tend to attract more mosquitoes but offer the pleasant sounds of flowing water and increased wildlife viewing opportunities. Cell service remains limited or non-existent in many camping areas, with Pinnacles offering paid WiFi service that has variable coverage throughout the campground.

Best Camping Sites Near Soledad, California (102)

    1. Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    90 Reviews
    Pinnacles, CA
    10 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. Yanks RV Resort

    12 Reviews
    Soledad, CA
    9 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."

    3. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground

    67 Reviews
    Big Sur, CA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 667-2315

    $50 - $75 / night

    "No other sites behind us. It felt secluded and private. Close to the bathrooms. And the bathrooms were clean. We didn’t have a river site but the river was right across from us."

    "I think it's a California State Park and Covid thing right now. There is some construction going on but it didn't effect our stay at all. We had a river site."

    4. Arroyo Seco

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

    $34 - $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."

    5. Thousand Trails San Benito

    12 Reviews
    Paicines, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

    "Right near Pinnacles National Park! 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!"

    6. Laguna Seca Recreation Area

    25 Reviews
    Seaside, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 588-2267

    "we stayed here for two days while camping in california- it was sweet! we had the whole tent/dry camping campground to ourselves this time of year."

    "Which had beautiful views, and got our Camper situated. The spots could be a bit updated in my opinion. The gravel was coming apart and the table and fir ring could use a bit of cleaning."

    7. China Camp Campground

    7 Reviews
    Big Sur, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $30 - $34 / night

    "We live close by and didn't expect to like being in close quarters with others... didn't think it would feel like nature but it was fantastic. Restrooms clean and campground clean."

    "Walk-in campsites.

    Lots of raccoons. Don't forget to lock your bear box."

    8. Big Sur Campground & Cabins

    28 Reviews
    Big Sur, CA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 667-2322

    $80 - $699 / night

    "Made it just before dusk and we were able to get a tent camping spot for about 70 a night which was not a problem, cuz a roadside parking ticket was waaay higher."

    "Set amidst some amazing redwoods adjacent to a bubbling creek. Clean and well maintained facilities. Has cabins, rv sites, and tent sites. Many trails nearby along with some great restaurants."

    9. Limekiln State Park Campground — TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    40 Reviews
    Lucia, CA
    31 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."

    10. Kirk Creek Campground

    44 Reviews
    Lucia, CA
    32 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."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 102 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Soledad, CA

940 Reviews of 102 Soledad Campgrounds


  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Veteran's Memorial Park Campground

    Cash on arrival $53 for RV

    This campground requires cash or cheque payment. It’s at the top of a hill so make sure you’re prepared before arrival. Also not suitable for RV’s over 20ft. No hook ups but decent bathrooms. Nice and quiet.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Moss Landing KOA Express

    Beautiful beachside

    Easy access, level paved spots. Restrooms spotless. Check-in friendly and cookies a plus! Walk to the beach, feel the breeze.

  • Steffanie & Joshua The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Quiet, easy to locate spot

    Slightly bumpy dirt road to get to the campsites, but easy enough to follow. We camped here with a rooftop tent and had no difficulty parking. There were only two other campers there - 1 tent and 1 RV. Beautiful sunrise off the hill in the morning and plenty of birds hanging out to watch while making our camp breakfast.

  • A
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Sunset State Beach Campground

    Nice campground

    It was my first time beach camping so i didnt know what to expect. Was a bit breezier than im use to with the mountains. Not a lot of trees around. It is nice not dealing with a lot of bugs since youre by the beach and all. The bathrooms and showers were well maintained.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground

    Great state park site

    Nice state park camping! Tried a few rv sites on this road and most were $140-$170 per night!! This site was $50 and even more lovely! The showers are extra but seemed clean.

  • jay B.
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Sunset State Beach Campground

    Not the Best Fit for RV Campers

    We’ve camped all along the coast and had high hopes for this spot, but it didn’t quite meet expectations. The sites feel very close together and are a bit awkwardly arranged, making it a tight fit—especially for anything larger than a small camper. We're in a 22’ van/motorhome crossover and were fortunate to find a level spot, though most sites we saw were not level. The beach trails could use some maintenance as they’re currently in rough shape. This campground might be a better option for tent campers, but for RVs, it’s not ideal.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Condon Peak Campground

    Nice spot!

    Easy access in a camper van. Nice big areas but not many spots (about 5 or 6). Only 2 other vehicles/campers here. Beautiful views, cooling winds and don’t seem to be any biting bugs! Picnic tables & shelter, plus a fire ring on each pit. No showers but toilet available. Lovely & quiet!!!

  • Rio S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Clean well kept spots

    Good place to crash for a few to days. Decent cell service. Nice put toilet. Only 6 spots first come first serve and decently spaced out so that's good too. The road in was dusty and kinda long way up a hill. So everything was covered in dirt. I wouldn't advise big RVs coming up here. Most of the spots only accommodate like van size and down.

  • Emily W.
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    Wildlife Wonders

    I had a great time at the Pinnacles Campground. I saw a bunny (pictured) and hordes of quail. The tent-only sections of the campground were very pretty too. The only downside of our site (130–134) is that there was not a lot of privacy — it would have done better as a group camp. Fortunately, our neighbors were awesome so the forced company was not a downside! But if I go again, I am going to try to get spot 129, which seemed really secluded. The other nice thing about the little area we were in is that it is right at the trailhead for the Bench Trail. Raccoons were REALLY bold — they stole our neighbors' food while they were at their campsite! So keep the area crumb clean for sure.


Guide to Soledad

Camping sites near Soledad, California range from mountain retreats to coastal getaways with elevations spanning from 900 to 3,000 feet across the region. The area sits at the junction of the Salinas Valley and Gabilan Mountains, creating distinct microclimates between inland and coastal locations. Winter temperatures at higher elevation campgrounds can drop below freezing, while summer brings 90°F days to valley locations.

What to do

Hike the Valencia Peak Trail: Located 49 miles west of Soledad at Limekiln State Park Campground, the area offers multiple hiking options. "The park features breathtaking views of the Big Sur Coast, the beauty of the redwoods, the rugged coast and the cultural history of limekilns. The park is small with 24 campsites and they are booked 6 moths ahead so will will have to plan in advance."

Explore bat caves and slot canyons: Trails at Pinnacles Campground offer unique geological features. "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."

River swimming and tubing: At Arroyo Seco, 18 miles southwest of Soledad, the river provides natural swimming holes. "My family comes here once a year for an awesome rafting trip down the Arroyo Secco River. The campground is clean well maintained and the sites are spacious. If you're looking for a fun adventure nestled in the Monterey County wineries look no further."

Beach exploration: Several coastal campgrounds offer beach access. "One of the few campgrounds in Big Sur with beach access. Very different than most campgrounds in the area. It sits right on the bluff with trees and tall grass. It's a beautiful campground."

Visit Monterey Aquarium: Laguna Seca Recreation Area serves as a convenient base for Monterey attractions. "Only a 20 min drive to Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, and the Aquarium. Can't beat it for the price."

What campers like

Riverside camping sites: Big Sur Campground & Cabins offers sites directly adjacent to water. "Great campground, tucked into the trees. Nice quiet spot right on route 1. 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!"

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds feature abundant wildlife sightings. "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!"

Dark sky stargazing: The remote location of coastal sites provides exceptional night views. "There's nothing that can compare to drifting off the sleep on the edge of the earth while gazing up at the milky-way, cut off from the rest of the world."

Swimming pools for hot days: Several campgrounds offer cooling options. "When it hit about 6pm the mosquitoes came out so just make sure you're equipped. Would love to come back. Also, went to visit Big Sur which is only a 2 hour drive, well worth the visit."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Soledad, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Soledad, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 102 campgrounds and RV parks near Soledad, CA and 9 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Soledad, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Soledad, CA is Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park with a 4-star rating from 90 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Soledad, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Soledad, CA.