Campgrounds near Mount Hermon, California are nestled in redwood forests within proximity to Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay. The area features several established campgrounds like Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Smithwoods RV Park, and Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort, offering a range of accommodation options from tent sites to RV hookups and cabins. Most campgrounds in the region are situated among coastal redwoods, providing shaded sites with varying levels of privacy and access to hiking trails. The proximity to both forest recreation and coastal attractions makes this area popular for visitors seeking diverse outdoor experiences.
Reservations are highly recommended for campgrounds in the Mount Hermon area, particularly during summer months and weekends when sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds remain open year-round, though winter camping requires preparation for cooler temperatures and occasional rain. Facilities vary widely, with state park campgrounds offering basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms, while private RV parks provide full hookups, showers, and sometimes WiFi. Cell phone reception can be limited in forested areas, with one camper noting, "Cell phone reception was very bad. Bathrooms were clean but no soap, looked like each campsite had trees to hang a hammock."
The redwood forest setting creates a distinctive camping experience throughout the region. Sites at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park receive consistently positive reviews for their spaciousness and proximity to hiking trails. Campers frequently mention the opportunity to explore ancient redwood groves directly from their campsites. A visitor described the experience as "magical" noting that "the campsites were large. Could easily accommodate my 25' RV and more. Unlike most RV parks where you're stacked on top of each other, there is so much space and privacy." Poison oak is present throughout some campgrounds, so visitors should exercise caution when exploring. The area's campgrounds serve as excellent base camps for exploring nearby attractions including Santa Cruz beaches, local state parks, and the Roaring Camp Railroad, all within a short drive.
$7 - $35 / night
"This is a nice campground in a great part of California with lots of hiking and beaches nearby. The bathrooms were clean and well kept."
"There were bigger sites that would've suited us better but it was a nice little tucked in site. The poison oak is prolific. Our site was literally surrounded by it."
$35 - $185 / night
"Camped with electricity and water, situated on a bluff near the ocean. Easy walking distance to the water, nice roomy campsites with fire rings and tables. Not too close to other campers."
"New Brighton is a jewel on the California coast. Camping is on a bluff above beach and you must walk down stairs to get to the beach. Camping in the woods with the beach below is perfect."
$35 / night
"Not far from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area in California. When you arrive it's like stepping in to a whole other world. Huge redwoods blanket the mountain and line every site."
"So sad the devastation of last month's fires on the oldest state park in California, home to thr biggest redwoods south of San Francisco."
"They are a bit narrow, so much of the camp side you will have a close look at your neighbors utilities. When the park is full, it is close. Go on weekdays, not as busy and more room is likely."
"Do not take highway 9 from Santa Cruz as the RV park will tell you. Our car navigation changed our route even after we were approaching 17 north. Keep your eyes out for the highway signs."
$60 - $100 / night
"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."
"The place is old, but it has a great location. There are great hiking trails assessable from the campground."
"Dogs can be allowed on beach if you go to the right of the main entrance. No dogs to the left. Camp sites vary but the best loop is South Loop. Some with ocean views but those are hard to reserve. "
"Strawberry fields surround the campground and are next to the Hike and Bike area. The walk is not too difficult down to the beach."
$33 / night
"This is a nice camping away from the car experience. It's a short walk up a paved path from the parking to the campsites."
"Great walk-in campground so close to home in the South Bay Area (albeit walk is slightly uphill)."
"Great spot if you're looking for a quick escape from the Bay Area with that classic California redwood experience."
"We were happy to have the electric hook up since the redwood and oak tress surrounding all the sites are huge and block out the sun."
"I would recommend booking away from the jump pillow or playground, unless easy playground access is important, because the spots are pretty noisy."
"There is also relatively quick access to Santa Cruz to the north and Monterey to the south. My only criticism is that it is not that woodsy. But hey, this is a KOA!"
"The location is mostly flat and surrounded with Redwoods. Shady and sunny locations; larger and small RV spots. No tent camping. It backs into Henry Cowell State Park and you can walk into it."
"I’m so glad we did because we were surrounded by these beautiful red wood trees and we could hear the train whistle in the daytime coming from Roaring Camp Railroad."
ScoutVery nice, quiet spots but since it's called Carmel by the River you would expect it to have a river... Also no laundry and an unpleasant and narrow entrance definitely take this down a few stars
TravelerI got here on a weekday and had no issue getting a tent site. It seemed that less than half the spots were claimed. FYI, it is self-registration so bring cash/check. There appeared to be a park ranger on site.
This is a scenic spot with a 1.4 mi walking trail to downtown Monterey. Shower/restroom facilites are clean. I would come here again.
TravelerThe least expensive sites are very close to neighboring campers. Although drive through site and premium site have more space as price for site increases. We'll kept and convenient to Bay Area. Very nice and helpful staff.
LegendValado RV Park and State fairground offers 38 RV spaces 29 with full power (50 amp) water and sewer hookups for $48 a night. Weekly and monthly rates available. 30 minutes to Pinnacles National Park, and 5 minutes south of Hollister, California. Good T-Mobile coverage. Office closes at 4:00. Local rodeo in June.
TravelerGreat camping spot quiet clean but no power hookups
ScoutNice KOA with all the amenities you need. Friendly staff. Great time
TravelerI don’t think it lives up to the expectations or the price. I generally find it dirty here. I also think the toilets are quite worn
ScoutThey falsely accused us of spilling sewage when we didn’t. The KOA personnel even agreed that we didn’t have a spill when a neighboring site falsely accused us, and when we were leaving the KOA personnel accused us of doing it another time(!) and charged us a$75 cleaning fee. The tiny bits of paper they claim were from us(we didn’t dump black water while we were there so impossible) were very old and dry and clearly there when we got there. They claimed a“gray water smell” which if it were true(I went back right after we were told they were going to charge us and smelled nothing and took pictures) wouldn’t have caused bits of paper. Cute campground- extremely tight spots- but we didn’t feel welcome, especially after being watched and accused of something we didn’t do within hours of arriving. The highway is right near the campground and there were very loud motorcycles going by for a couple of hours. No grocery stores close by- a few fruits stands- just be prepared, and barely anyplace to eat out. There’s a nice beach nearby.
TravelerNice campground over Monterey, a little pricey but there were spots available last minute. Showers and toilets available.
Camping spots near Mount Hermon, California are situated at approximately 900 feet elevation in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where summer temperatures typically range from 60-80°F. Winter camping requires preparation for rainfall averaging 40 inches annually, with nighttime temperatures sometimes dropping below 40°F. The redwood ecosystem creates unique camping conditions with limited cell service and seasonal creek access.
Hiking through redwood groves: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park offers several trails directly accessible from campsites. "There were a few trails that started from the campground, which was nice," notes one camper. The park features both short and extended hiking options through ancient redwood forests.
Beach day trips: New Brighton State Beach Campground is about 20 minutes from Mount Hermon, offering coastal exploration options. "Direct access to the beach. Showers kinda meh but the rest made up for it!" mentions a camper who visited in January, highlighting the year-round beach access.
Railroad adventures: The historic Roaring Camp Railroad operates near Felton, just minutes from Mount Hermon camping areas. A visitor at Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort mentioned, "We could hear the train whistle in the daytime coming from Roaring Camp Railroad. This location isn't too far from Santa Cruz and Felton if you want to go into town and do activities."
River access: Several campgrounds provide access to the San Lorenzo River for cooling off during summer months. A camper at Cotillion Gardens noted, "There's a pool, hiking trails, a little river. So beautiful and peaceful here."
Spacious sites under redwoods: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground gets high marks for site size. "We stayed here with our 25ft camping trailer. There was plenty of room for it on site 105, however if it was any higher it would be hitting tree limbs. Our site was private but easy to get to trails, showers, bathrooms."
Privacy between sites: Many campsites in the area offer natural separation between neighbors. At Mount Madonna County Park, "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."
Year-round accessibility: Most campgrounds in the Mount Hermon area remain open throughout the year. A winter visitor to New Brighton State Beach noted, "Very quiet area and pretty well spaced out sites (for a coastal campground). Once the sun went down there were very few people outside."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. A Mount Madonna visitor reported, "Bathrooms are constantly cleaned and showers are free and clean. Parking is free with paid camping."
Reservation requirements: Most Mount Hermon area campgrounds book quickly, especially during summer. "Hard to find a spot here these days but a great camping spot above the beach," notes a camper about New Brighton State Beach.
Limited connectivity: Cell phone coverage is spotty throughout the redwood forests. A visitor at Cotillion Gardens RV Park mentioned, "There was no AT&T service for me, but free WiFi was available so it was fine."
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared to properly store food and trash. "The park has a bit of a yellow jacket problem... Yellowjackets on trails, in campsites and near bathrooms. 5 in our group got stung," warned a camper at Henry Cowell.
Temperature fluctuations: The redwood canopy creates significant temperature differences from nearby cities. A camper at Mount Madonna warned, "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!"
Kid-friendly activities: Santa Cruz KOA Holiday provides extensive children's amenities. "TONS of activities on site- huge bouncy pad, a climbing wall, ping pong tables, a swimming pool, pedal go karts, the list goes on and on," reports a family camper.
Bike-friendly options: Multiple campgrounds offer paved roads for safe cycling. "If you have littles the roads are paved so a scooter or bike could be fun," noted a visitor at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
Swimming options: Summer visitors appreciate campgrounds with pools. At Smithwoods RV Park, a family reported, "The location is mostly flat and surrounded with Redwoods. Shady and sunny locations... Kids could ride bikes freely, heated pool (90 degrees), clean shower and restroom."
Proximity to attractions: Staying near Mount Hermon provides quick access to regional destinations. "Santa Cruz is only 10 miles away. The campground is all natural! Trees and nature all around. Viewing areas that allow all to enjoy the stream," notes a Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort visitor.
Site leveling challenges: Some RV sites require adjustments. A Mount Madonna County Park visitor noted, "Site 211 was listed as 30' trailer but that was definitely not the case as it was a weird triangle parking area. We made it work and enjoyed the park."
Hookup locations: RVers should verify utility connections before arrival. At Smithwoods RV Park, "Full hook ups. We had a great view of the San Lorenzo River and Henry Cowell State Park."
Dump station access: For those without sewer hookups, know the dump station location and wait times. "The line for the dump station wound through nearly the entire park," warned a visitor at New Brighton State Beach.
Narrow access roads: Several RV parks have tight entrance roads. At Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort, a visitor cautioned, "Roads to the sites are narrow, so again, keep your eyes peeled. Site was nice, partially under a redwood. I had to use a 6 foot extension on the sewer hose. Shore chord was fine as was the water spigot."
Frequently Asked Questions
What accommodations and amenities are available at Mount Hermon's camping areas?
The camping areas near Mount Hermon offer diverse accommodations and amenities. At Sanborn County Park, you'll find walk-in tent sites with convenient cart service to help transport gear from the parking area to your campsite. Each site includes a picnic table and storage boxes, with clean bathrooms nearby. For those seeking RV accommodations, Smithwoods RV Park near Felton provides water hookups and toilets in a convenient location close to Mount Hermon activities and attractions.
Where can I find camping at Mount Hermon in California?
For camping near Mount Hermon in the Santa Cruz Mountains, you'll find excellent options within a short drive. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground offers a beautiful setting with campsites nestled among the redwoods, just minutes from Mount Hermon. It's a popular base for exploring the area with clean facilities, though sites can be close together. Another nearby option is Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort near Felton, which provides convenient access to Mount Hermon activities with water hookups and reservable sites.
Which is the most popular campground near Mount Hermon, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mount Hermon, CA is Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 43 reviews.
Keep Exploring
