T
Tamatha B.
Traveler
TravelerSanta Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
This is a great camp ground. Plenty of activities. Showers are clean, laundry room takes tap pay.
Cabin Camping near Pinnacles National Park, CA
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Cabin options around Pinnacles National Park range from basic to well-equipped. Pinnacles Campground inside the park has cabins with beds, kitchens, and bathrooms, plus heating and cooling systems that help during temperature swings. About 16 miles from the park, Thousand Trails San Benito rents furnished cabins with good views of the hills and puts you close to hiking trails and wildlife watching spots. If you want to soak after hiking, Mercey Hot Springs sits 21 miles from the park and includes cabins with access to mineral hot tubs, all with AC for the hot months. Book early if you're planning a trip during busy seasons. Spring and fall bring the best weather and most active wildlife. The roads to all these places are in good shape, though your cell phone might not work in some areas. The park sits near the San Andreas Fault, which makes for interesting rock formations around your cabin. These cabins work well for both short trips and longer stays in the area, and you'll find Soledad camp sites within reasonable driving distance for additional Pinnacles National Park canvas tent sites if you want variety.
Best Cabin Campgrounds near Pinnacles National Park (25)
1. Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park
"The sites were semi private as the brush and trees have grown around most sites offering a little privacy. Other campers were friendly and considerate."
"If planning a trip longer than just a day hike to the beautiful Pinnacles National Park, and since backpacking in not allowed in Pinnacles, the Pinnacles campground on the east entrance is a nice quiet"
from $44 - $164 / night
Check Availability2. Thousand Trails San Benito
"We stayed in a cabin in January. Right near Pinnacles National Park! We had Condors above our cabin, deer around us, wild pigs crossing the roads. Its amazing!!!!"
"If you don’t need to run your A/C you can get by with 30 amp hook up. We loved most of the sites were pull thru. Had good picnic tables. Restrooms and showers were great."
3. Mercey Hot Springs
"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."
"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. "
from $70 - $185 / night
Check Availability4. Big Sur Campground & Cabins
"It's on the north end of Big Sur which is great since you can come from the north or drive through Big Sur to get there (which is beautiful)."
"Big Sur Campground and Cabins, while on the pricier side for camping, definitely delivers on cleanliness, service, and quality of experience."
from $80 - $699 / night
Check Availability5. Saddle Mountain
"This place is nestled in the Carmel Valley and decently secluded. We booked a luxury gazebo situation which came with a queen bed (heated mattress) a fire pit and your own propane grill."
"Great location with nice views of the valley. Easy drive in with parking spots next to most sites. Camp sites and cabins are a little close together but nice, clean grounds make it comfortable."
from $53 - $435 / night
Check Availability6. Ventana Campground
"We were incredibly fortunate when we camped as all of the National Parks had been closed due to the Dolan fires, and Highway 1 was closed just after the campground turnoff, so there literally was no traffic"
"The redwood forest provides incredible shade, keeping the campsite cool even on warm days, and the atmosphere feels peaceful and magical."
from $85 - $105 / night
Check Availability7. 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."
8. Plaskett Creek Campground - Los Padres National Forest
"Campsites aren’t too close together but don’t expect too much privacy. Each spot has a picnic table, fire pit, and charcoal grill. Water spouts disbursed around."
"Very nice campground with good privacy and shade for sites on the loop that surrounds the facility."
from $45 - $204 / night
Check Availability9. Fernwood Campground & Resort
"It was equipped with a picnic table and fire ring with grate. Power and water were also at the site. Close to the bathrooms but not too close that it was loud."
"Fernwood is a unique campground because it has tent sites, RV spaces, canvas tents, cabins, a motel and even a restaurant."
from $60 - $100 / night
Check Availability10. Julia Pfeiffer Burns Environmental Camping — Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
"The redwoods gave tons of cover and space to set up hammocks. You can walk over and see McWay Falls on the path. You are also within walking distance to the beach as well."
"The sites are booked 6-8 months in advance. The best part is being so secluded and Sunrises and sunsets are breathtaking, at night it is a Navy color dark with bright stars over the ocean."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 8 min from Salinas, CA
- 1 hr 10 min from San Jose, CA
- 1 hr 25 min from Santa Cruz, CA
- 1 hr 49 min from Merced, CA
Recent Cabin Photos near Pinnacles National Park
23 Photos of 25 Pinnacles National Park Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park
Thousand Trails San Benito
Mercey Hot Springst
Casa de Fruta
Ventana CampgroundC
Saddle MountainC
Fernwood Campground & Resort
Big Sur Campground & Cabins
Riverside Campground & Cabins
Mount Madonna County Park
Thousand Trails Morgan Hill
Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA HolidayC
Cabin Reviews near Pinnacles National Park
378 Reviews of 25 Pinnacles National Park Campgrounds
- DDoug O.Traveler
Marina Dunes RV Park
Our favorite place. We have stayed here 14 times. Always clean.
- CColeen B.
GuideMonterey Pines RV Park - Military
Nice small military RV park
RVs only. No tent camping. Some sites have partial hookups and some have full hookups. This is at the edge of the Monterey Pines Golf Course. In fact you check in at the golf course office. Sites 1-14 have a view of the course. Mature shade trees, picnic tables and bbq’s in each site. No fire rings.
The bathrooms are nice and clean and have heaters! Laundry is free! Four washers and eight dryers.
As of Sept 2026 they’re actively building a new dog park.
It’s right next to a private airport and there are 2-3 planes (jets and smaller planes) taking off each hour. It stopped at 10pm and started up again at 5am. Suggest earplugs at nighttime.
Verizon service is pretty poor. They have free Wi-Fi but it didn’t reach to site 1.
Rubén D.GuidePinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park
Great summer getaway
The 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.
- JasonGuide
Monterey Pines RV Park - Military
Amenities are great, Navy wives not so much.
Great park. Monthly rates are the most expensive in the country, for a military camp, but still about 2/3 of what it is off base. Watch out for golf balls, stay in spots 7-10. Whatever you do, do not let the door open and let your dog run out by accident...the Navy Knives, err Wives club is always watching. Anyway, close to all Monterey, Big Sur, Salinas, Carmel Valley. Really nice, clean Park. Bathhouses are very clean. Laundry requires quarters, but they work well. Shaded spots, so if you need Starlink stay on the east side row to point north.
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.
jill H.GuideMercey Hot Springs
Desert Oasis
Friendly staff, great facilities away from the grind
Lee D.
LegendSanta Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
Many options for families
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. Some sites are paved and some are gravel.
Bath/Shower: The one closest to our site had a women's and men's restroom, and the showers are individual units but shared for both genders. I expected a more upscale shower (it was ok but a little tight, skimpy on hooks and no bench).
Activities/Amenities: So many amenities including a pool and hot tub, playground, jump pad, climbing “palms”, rec center with bike rentals and concessions, and a train (I’ve probably missed a few). Laundry is available on site (operated via an app and your phone).
Although this is not our preferred type of camping, after five nights in California State parks with limited amenities, we stayed here for hot showers, laundry, and full hookups for van maintenance. This was a typical KOA in many ways, but one thing that was different was that we had to wear wristbands, and there was a gate to enter and leave. While it should have made us feel safe, I wondered why there were extra security features.
Guide to Pinnacles National Park
Cabin camping near Pinnacles National Park ranges from simple to more advanced options. The park sits on the eastern edge of the Gabilan Mountain Range in central California, with elevations varying from 824 to 3,304 feet. Temperature swings of 30-50 degrees between day and night are common, making cabins with climate control particularly valuable for visitors exploring the park's unique talus caves and rock formations.
What to do
Rock climbing adventures: Pinnacles National Park offers distinctive volcanic spires for climbing. "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," notes a guest at Thousand Trails San Benito.
Stargazing sessions: Clear night skies make for excellent star viewing. "The nights were beautiful full of stars and warm," reports a camper at Pinnacles Campground, which sits inside the park boundaries.
Wildlife watching: California Condors are a major attraction. "Pinnacles NP has lots of great hikes, bird watching is a thing out here and home to the California Condors," explains a visitor staying at Thousand Trails San Benito, which is about 16 miles from the park entrance.
What campers like
Natural hot springs: At Mercey Hot Springs, visitors appreciate the therapeutic waters after hiking. "I love that the hot tubs are available all night long. It allows for long soaks while star gazing. The therapeutic water is magical some of the best I have found," shares one visitor who stayed in a cabin.
Riverside relaxation: Cabins with water access are highly valued. "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," explains a guest at Big Sur Campground & Cabins.
Private woodland settings: Many cabins offer seclusion among trees. "We stayed in one of the yurts and it was great, albeit a little cold for them at night," notes a camper at Mount Madonna County Park, which offers various accommodation options including cabins and yurts.
What you should know
Raccoon activity: Wildlife can be persistent around cabins and campsites. "Many here will tell you about the raccoons! The campground is split by a creek which has a lot of critters, rabbits, chipmunks(?), quail, mice, and raccoon," reports a Pinnacles Campground visitor. Another adds, "raccoons….everywhere…. seriously leave your car locked, these little buggers were not afraid of humans."
Seasonal considerations: Spring and fall bring moderate temperatures. "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," notes a Saddle Mountain Ranch visitor.
Shower availability: Facilities vary widely between properties. "Clean. Friendly staff. Wonderful showers," notes one Pinnacles Campground reviewer, while others mention some locations charge for showers or don't have them: "The bathrooms are great... I wouldn't stay at this campground again" due to limited facilities at some locations.
Tips for camping with families
Heated pools: Several properties offer swimming options. "They have a heated pool and various hiking trails to keep you occupied," notes a visitor at Saddle Mountain Ranch, which provides cabin accommodations along with tent camping.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for cabins at campgrounds with play areas. "Lots of activities for younger kids. Convenient location, lots of amenities. Cabin was super nice to stay in after a week of car camping! Kitchenette, bathroom, hot water. Perfect," says a Saddle Mountain Ranch guest.
Nature programs: Some locations offer educational opportunities. At Pinnacles Campground, families appreciate the wildlife viewing opportunities: "We had an awesome time in the park hiking and spotting California Condors. The park is absolutely worth a visit and this is by far the closest place to stay."
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: Check which cabins have utility connections. "The RV sites have both water and electric hookups which was great! There is a very convenient FREE dump station just inside the entrance to the park that we used as we departed," notes a visitor at Mount Madonna County Park.
Road conditions: Some access roads present challenges. "First off the road coming to the campground is very steep, could be challenging for some rigs," warns a Saddle Mountain Ranch visitor, highlighting the importance of researching road conditions before booking cabin accommodations.
Space considerations: Sites vary in size and privacy. "Site 211 was listed as 30' trailer but that was definitely not the case as it was a weird triangle parking area," explains an RVer at Mount Madonna, suggesting that even if you're booking a cabin, understanding the parking situation is important.
Frequently Asked Questions
What lodging options are available near Pinnacles National Park?
What lodging options are available near Pinnacles National Park?
Several comfortable lodging options are available near Pinnacles National Park. Thousand Trails San Benito offers cabin accommodations close to the park, with guests reporting wildlife sightings including condors and deer from their cabins. Saddle Mountain Ranch provides luxury gazebo accommodations with heated queen beds, private fire pits, and propane grills. For those seeking additional options, Big Sur Campground & Cabins is another nearby choice with cabin facilities. The surrounding area also offers traditional hotels and motels in nearby towns for visitors who prefer non-camping accommodations.
Are there cabins available inside Pinnacles National Park?
Are there cabins available inside Pinnacles National Park?
There are no cabins available inside Pinnacles National Park itself. Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park offers tent and RV camping options, but does not have cabin accommodations. The campground is located at the east entrance of the park and is the only camping option within park boundaries. If you're planning to visit and want to stay within the national park, you'll need to bring your own tent or RV, as cabin facilities are not available. The campground does feature amenities like a camp store, swimming pool, and shower facilities, but overnight options are limited to traditional camping.
Which is the most popular cabin
campsite near Pinnacles National Park?
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Pinnacles National Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Pinnacles National Park is Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park with a 4.1-star rating from 101 reviews.
What is the best site to find
cabin camping near
Pinnacles National Park?
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Pinnacles National Park?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 cabin camping locations near Pinnacles National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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