Campgrounds near Pacific Grove, California range from established facilities to mixed-use sites accommodating various camping styles. Veteran's Memorial Park Campground in Monterey provides tent and RV camping just minutes from town, while Saddle Mountain Ranch in Carmel offers cabins, yurts, and glamping options alongside traditional camping. Marina Dunes RV Park and Monterey Pines RV Park provide additional options for RV travelers seeking hookups and amenities, creating a diverse camping landscape within a 15-mile radius of Pacific Grove.
Access to most campgrounds in the area requires no special vehicles, though RV length restrictions apply at several locations. Veterans Memorial Park limits RVs to 25 feet or less and lacks hookups, while places like Carmel by the River RV Park accommodate larger rigs with full hookup service. First-come, first-served sites are available at some campgrounds, though arriving early is recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons. One visitor noted: "We had no problem driving in on a Sunday afternoon securing a prime spot, but it's first come first served."
The majority of campgrounds in the Monterey Bay area remain open year-round, with varying price points depending on amenities and location. Veteran's Memorial Park receives consistent positive reviews for its convenient access to downtown Monterey while maintaining a natural setting with wildlife sightings. Several campers mention seeing deer in the evenings and appreciate the balance between urban proximity and natural surroundings. RV parks like Marina Dunes and Moss Landing KOA Express provide more developed camping experiences with full hookups, while state parks such as Sunset State Beach offer a more rustic camping experience. A camper summarized the appeal: "This spot is located close to all the tourist activities yet you feel secluded and safe. You can hear the barking sea lions in the morning, the waves crashing from afar yet nestled in the trees on the hillside."
$10 - $47 / night
"It’s adjacent to a day use area with a big playground and some little hiking trails. You can walk to downtown Monterey’s restaurants and shops from here, about 1-2 miles away."
"Pros: Secluded yet within walking distance of popular tourist areas. Can hear taps played at nearby Fort Ord at 10 pm. It’s magical! Pretty nice sites. Showers available."
$70 - $525 / night
"We booked a luxury gazebo situation which came with a queen bed (heated mattress) a fire pit and your own propane grill. There are areas for tents and RV’s as well and priced accordingly."
"Didn't bring the RV here but did tent camp, You need to carry your items in to the spots but that lets you spread out (get away) from other peeps if too noisy."
"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."
$110 - $235 / night
"Unless you’re driving a sports car, definitely DO NOT drive on Lorales Grade! It’s a narrow, windy, dark road with a 17% grade. It is well worth driving around, you can thank me later."
"Nice super clean close to the PCH walking distance from a amazing beach. Nice facility as well. No views but I would stay again. Super safe feeling as well."
"There is a Best Western right next to this place were we ended up getting a room instead as that was less expensive. We did arrive there with no reservation and after hours."
$69 - $80 / night
"Park is well maintained easy access to sites several cool places to eat close by"
"Situated off highway 1 and surrounded by the marina is very appealing for us. Reservations were made over the phone with Liz. She did a nice job of getting us in for the following day."
$70 / night
"The fairgrounds RV park is located as the name suggests on the Monterey Fairgrounds."
"We stopped by here to stay only a night or two but ended up staying for 3 nights since it was close to the bay and downtown. It was basically a large parking lot with hookups."
$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."
"Sits next to a beautiful golf course, recently revamped parking spots, now cement vs. dirt. Staff is very polite and the camp host will go out of her way to make your stay a wonderful one."
"Pretty quiet with the exception of the Monterey Regional Airport next to it and even then it wasn’t very noticeable."
"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."
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
GuideThis was an interesting place. It's nestled near a river, with small, dirt sites. The restrooms and showers were very dated (we decided not to shower. It was a little more expensive than I'd like to have paid for what we got.
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.
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.
TravelerReally nice location, with both Oceanside and Redwood surrounded sites. Some sites are somewhat tight, but still great.
TravelerGreat camping spot quiet clean but no power hookups
ScoutNice KOA with all the amenities you need. Friendly staff. Great time
GuideWe were traveling down the 1 and wanted to stop at Pfeiffer Beach to see the views and it did not disappoint. A few things to note if you want to walk the shores: the parking fee is $15 cash. If there is a wind advisory, heed it. We went in the beginning of April where it was literally raining sand but it was still gorgeous. Definitely come prepared by looking at the weather conditions ahead of time. To access the parking lot, you’ll exit off the 1 to Sycamore Canyon road but it can get busy so spots will fill up. Sycamore is a residential road and very narrow with spotty pavement but it is worth the slow pace to reach the beach.
GuideWe hit gold with Limekiln State Park Campground this time around. Our crew had been camping near Prewitt Ridge not too far and stumbled upon Limekiln on a whim. The rangers told us they had just opened the campground back up the day prior so we got super lucky securing a spot. This site is beautiful so spots do fill up fast with good reason. It is directly off of the 1 and you get a mixture of beach and redwoods. There is a gorgeous hiking trail towards the end of the campground that takes you to through the redwoods and there’s even a waterfall! A creek runs along the side of the campground offering a fairy like feel to the place. There is coin operated showers and restrooms.
Campsite options near Pacific Grove, California range from coastal hideaways to forest retreats. The area's Mediterranean climate creates mild year-round camping conditions with summer fog and winter temperatures rarely dropping below 45°F. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between sea level and 800 feet, creating varied terrain for campers seeking coastal access or forested seclusion.
Beachcombing and coastal exploration: Sunset State Beach provides direct beach access with stairs leading down to miles of shoreline. "The beach here is beautiful. You can walk to it from the campground some sites are further away than others since there are three big loops of sites," notes Kelly S.
Racing and motorsports viewing: Laguna Seca Recreation Area offers unique camping with views of the racetrack. "Even when there's not a big event here, there's often car clubs out on the track. For race fans, that's eye candy! This park has lots of campsites, some with electrical and water (non-potable), access to biking/hiking trails," says Coral C.
Kayaking with wildlife: At Moss Landing KOA Express, wildlife viewing opportunities abound just steps from your site. "Situated off highway 1 and surrounded by the marina is very appealing for us. Easy walk into the marina area or onto the beach," notes Patrick J., while another camper mentioned the campground "shares a wall with the boat docks" making water activities highly accessible.
Clean facilities with extras: Saddle Mountain Ranch maintains quality amenities for glampers and traditional campers alike. "Huge pool is heated May to October. Small sauna next to pool currently closed but looks fairly new," notes Craig N., adding "Staff is nice, communicated well ahead of the trip, and made late check in easy."
Fairground convenience for events: The Monterey County Fairgrounds provides a central location with basic amenities. "Not fancy but practical. Close to DT sites and large parking areas near wharf and other attractions. Quiet except for occasions airport traffic," says Layton R.
Private forest settings: While some campgrounds feature open settings, others provide more seclusion. At Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, campers appreciate the natural surroundings. "Many sites all nestled with the trees and foliage creating a private feel," notes Mike M., while another reviewer mentioned "sites are secluded, there are trees everywhere and you get the basic amenities."
Accessibility challenges: Several campgrounds have terrain or access limitations. At Carmel by the River RV Park, the narrow entry road poses challenges. "The road in is basically a one lane road. Pray you don't encounter oncoming traffic," warns Dave N., while another camper cautioned, "DO NOT drive on Lorales Grade! It's a narrow, windy, dark road with a 17% grade."
Potable water limitations: Laguna Seca Recreation Area has specific water restrictions. "The water is not potable, but bathrooms were very clean and the staff were so kind," shares Wendy S., while Erin S. emphasized, "No potable water. They mention this several times on their website but still people miss it. Bring your own water."
Noise factors: Highway and airport noise affects some camping areas. At Marina Dunes RV Park, one camper noted it's "a little too close to HWY 101," while at Monterey County Fairgrounds, "The public airport shoots out a few jets and prop planes per hour. Noise is tolerable."
Kid-friendly amenities: Veteran's Memorial Park Campground provides family-oriented facilities. "It has flushing toilets, potable water, and a bonus sink for washing your dishes. Large grass area available to anyone to use, along with a playground," notes Luis N.
Educational wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer wildlife viewing opportunities for children. At Veteran's Memorial Park, Chris M. mentions "there are deer on the field every night," providing natural entertainment for young campers.
Activity options for different ages: Saddle Mountain Ranch caters specifically to families with varied activities. "Lots of activities for younger kids. Convenient location, lots of amenities," shares Tim F., while another reviewer mentioned "Foosball, ping pong, corn hole, horseshoes, and other games available."
Hookup positioning: At Marina Dunes RV Park, RVers noted challenges with utility placement. "The location of the electrical/water is awkward," observed one camper, recommending extension cords and hoses for easier setup.
Size restrictions and recommendations: Monterey Pines RV Park accommodates larger rigs but requires military ID for access. "Sites need renovation and they claim it is coming. Their answer to uneven sites is to give you pieces of wood to try and level. Good luck, I saw some raised up 2-3 feet," notes Rick G.
Self-registration processes: At Veteran's Memorial Park, the registration system works efficiently for last-minute arrivals. "Super easy self registration with availability on most weekdays and weekends if you get here before mid afternoon," explains Chris M., while another camper mentioned "Payment is cash or check only."
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in Pacific Grove?
While Pacific Grove itself has limited camping directly in town, the surrounding Monterey Peninsula offers excellent options. Sunset State Beach provides a beautiful coastal camping experience with beach access nearby. For those who enjoy redwoods, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground offers sites nestled among impressive trees, though sites are somewhat close together. Most campgrounds in the region require reservations, especially during summer and weekends. Each location offers varying amenities from basic tent sites to those with picnic tables, fire rings, and restroom facilities.
Where can I find camping spots in Pacific Grove?
While Pacific Grove itself has limited camping options, the best nearby camping spot is Veteran's Memorial Park Campground, located just minutes from Pacific Grove in Monterey. For coastal camping with ocean views, New Brighton State Beach Campground is worth the short drive, offering sites on a bluff near the water with easy beach access. Both locations provide facilities like fire rings, picnic tables, and bathrooms. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak summer months, as these popular coastal destinations fill quickly.
Are there RV parks in Pacific Grove with full hookups?
While Pacific Grove itself has limited RV options with full hookups, nearby Marina Dunes RV Park offers full-service sites just a short drive away. Another excellent option is Thousand Trails San Benito, which provides RV camping with hookups and is a good base for exploring the region, including Pinnacles National Park. For military personnel, Monterey Pines RV Park offers additional options. Most RV parks in the area are reservation-based and tend to fill quickly during peak seasons, so booking ahead is highly recommended.
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