135 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Salinas, California range from developed RV parks to primitive tent sites across diverse landscapes. The Salinas-Monterey KOA provides full hookups and amenities for RVs and tent campers, while Laguna Seca Recreation Area offers camping with race track views. Several campgrounds in the area feature both tent and RV accommodations, with some locations like Saddle Mountain Ranch also providing cabin and glamping options. Public lands within driving distance include Pinnacles National Park, which hosts the region's only national park campground approximately 40 miles southeast of Salinas.
Road conditions and seasonal considerations vary significantly throughout the camping areas near Salinas. Most developed campgrounds remain open year-round, though summer brings higher temperatures, especially at inland locations like Pinnacles National Park. As one camper noted, "Pinnacles is extremely hot in the summer. The winter is ideal for Pinnacles. But if you are in the Bay Area in the summer, it's worth checking out. But be prepared for heat." Coastal campgrounds like Sunset State Beach and Moss Landing KOA Express offer more moderate temperatures but can experience fog and cooler evenings. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during peak summer months and weekends. Cell service varies widely, with better coverage at developed campgrounds closer to Salinas and limited or no reception in more remote areas.
Campers consistently highlight the region's diverse landscapes as a major draw. The coastal campgrounds provide beach access and ocean views, while inland sites offer mountain scenery and hiking opportunities. The Salinas area campsites appeal to visitors seeking both convenience and natural beauty, with options ranging from family-friendly campgrounds to more secluded spots for peaceful getaways. Pinnacles National Park receives particular praise for its unique rock formations and wildlife viewing. "We saw 6-8 deers both days just grazing inside the campground. Also, lots of rabbits, owls, magpies, quail, and turkey vultures," reported one visitor to Pinnacles Campground. Several campgrounds feature swimming pools, which prove popular during hot weather. Proximity to attractions represents another advantage, with many camping areas providing convenient access to Monterey, Santa Cruz, and the Salinas Valley. Noise levels vary by location—highway-adjacent campgrounds experience traffic sounds, while more remote sites offer greater tranquility despite occasional wildlife encounters.
"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."
"This is a nice campground nestled in the hills between Monterey and Salinas along Hwy 68. It's drier and hotter than Monterey, but also more remote and quieter at 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."
from $10 - $47 / night
Check Availability"Moss Landing RV park is a small, tight park close to Salinas Beach. Lots of great food close by."
"Park is well maintained easy access to sites several cool places to eat close by"
from $69 - $80 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $53 - $525 / night
Check Availability"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."
"For an organized trail run I would give it a 5 star as it was very respectful and actually not loud at all including day light hours."
"You pay your fee at the kiosk at the entrance, and once you enter you have your choice of several camp areas. You are free to drive around and choose a spot in any of the campgrounds."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"The peak is where the first American flag was raised in the state of California. There are few trails that take you through mixed madrone/ pine chapparal but the real attraction here is the view."
"Fun twisty drive up the mountain. There were about 12 sites with vault toilets and non potable water and trash cans available everywhere. Saw quite a few turkeys."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $44 - $164 / night
Check Availability"Close to the highway with a fairly easy on and off the although it's a little confusing at first. All day/night highway noise but it starts to become white noise after a while."
"The location is very secluded as bd far from stores but fairly close to the sea. Have visited a few time and enjoy the stay. Not many issues. I’m looking forward to the Upgrades!"
ScoutA very nice and well kept spot to park and enjoy Santa Cruz. You are close enough to walk to the beach and several restaurants. The sites are very close together. We were pleased on how clean and neat the area is kept. The temperatures were amazing for July.
GuideThis is a resort campground. Nice bathrooms w/ showers, well kept campsites, a store in the campground, beautiful redwoods and staff rolling around in golf carts. For $80 you basically share a campsite with 2-3 other groups and park your car in tiny parking spaces. For spending that kind of money I was expecting to have some more space. The only place I’ve been so close to other people was upper pines in Yosemite.
I recommend this as a backup option for your camping in Big Sur. The price for what you get is not worth it and there is cheaper and much better camping around the area - just book far in advance!
GuideVery nice for a one night stop. Very windy road to get to the park. Sites are well kept and have a solid amount of room. Super clean bathrooms and good free showers. Lots of wildlife to see and hear (coyotes). Didn’t get 5 starts cause it was quite busy with loud neighbors!
GuideI pulled in at 5pm on a Friday and there were several spots open. I picked #6 by the park and it was wonderful. Super quiet at night. The grassy area was perfect for my dog.
The site is $50+10 for a RV or van. I had to leave and get more cash. $5 discount for veterans. You leave the cash in an envelope in a slot at the entrance. Very easy and straight forward.
As a single woman I felt safe. I slept well, it was quiet. Close to restrooms and showers which you can pay for.
ScoutBeautiful campground located amongst the Redwoods and along the Big Sur River. Sounds quiet and tranquil. Nope! We came in July, park is incredibly alive with the sounds of children screaming and just having an amazing time. Don't come here for the quiet. If you have kids, this is the place. They will remember this place for the rest of their lives. We camped at Big Sur Campground& Cabins in a Travel Trailer.
ScoutNice staff, hot clean showers, great location, good campsites
GuideCalled on 7/14/26, they said "we won't cancel any reservation due to arriving late or next day"
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.
ScoutThis rv park is extremely clean and has a lot of wonderful amenities. The river is down a little path and has a lot of sweet little beaches. All of the campers were very respectful, polite and pleasant.
Camping near Salinas, California spans from coastal sites to inland mountain retreats across a 1,500-foot elevation range. Many campgrounds experience significant temperature variations between day and night, with coastal locations generally 10-15 degrees cooler than inland sites during summer months. Sites within the region often serve as convenient base camps for exploring both the Monterey Peninsula and inland hiking destinations.
Kayak with wildlife: At Moss Landing KOA Express, visitors can easily access kayaking opportunities to see local marine life. "Kayaking or take a guided tour by experienced guid. See Sea Otters and tons of birds," notes Carina B., who also mentions the area is "a must not miss" with "lots to do."
Stargaze at the observatory: Fremont Peak State Park offers unique night sky viewing opportunities about 40 miles from Salinas. "The huge draw is the observatory on the premises. Pick your visit to coincide with one of the stargazing or sun programs offered by the observatory volunteers. We were able to look through their massive telescope and see Jupiter," explains Kate L.
Hike diverse trails: The Mount Madonna County Park trail system provides extensive hiking options through various forest types. "The park has some unique features. Near the ranger station there are pens with white fallow deer. They are descendants of the exotic zoo at William Randolph Hearst's mansion down the coast," explains April N., who also enjoyed the "archery trail with 28 targets on a trail through the woods."
Beach proximity: Campers appreciate oceanfront locations that offer easy beach access. "Moss Landing is a small town and we have stayed here several times. Campground is nicely located and within walking distance to restaurants and shops. There is a great bird sanctuary where you can ride your bike or hike around. Seals barking out your door," shares Nancy L. about her experience at Moss Landing KOA Express.
Affordable camping near attractions: Veteran's Memorial Park Campground offers budget-friendly sites close to Monterey. "This first come first serve campground is amazing! It's only $35 a night with one extra vehicle costing only $9 more," reports Chris M., who adds it's "super easy self registration with availability on most weekdays and weekends if you get here before mid afternoon."
Variety of accommodations: Many campgrounds offer options beyond traditional tent camping. At Saddle Mountain Ranch, visitors can choose "a luxury gazebo situation which came with a queen bed (heated mattress) a fire pit and your own propane grill," according to Rosa L., who notes "there are areas for tents and RV's as well and priced accordingly."
Wildlife encounters: Several campgrounds report regular animal visitors. "Raccoons are very active here so be sure to lock all of your food away and don't leave anything out through the night," warns Marta T. about Pinnacles Campground. Similarly, at Mount Madonna, campers should "keep an eye out" as one visitor noted seeing "a few skunks and one wandered right into our campsite at night."
Weather variations: Temperatures can change dramatically between locations and times of day. "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose," cautions April N. about Mount Madonna County Park, adding "sometimes the fog whistles through on a stiff breeze so not only is it cold but also clammy wet."
Water considerations: Water availability varies widely between campgrounds. At Laguna Seca Recreation Area, "all of the available water is non-potable due to the level of arsenic," explains HandL C., while multiple reviewers emphasize the importance of bringing your own drinking water.
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer features specifically for children. Saddle Mountain Ranch provides "lots of activities for younger kids," according to Tim F., who found it to be a "kid friendly grounds" with "convenient location, lots of amenities."
Consider campgrounds with recreation options: Facilities with additional activities keep children entertained. At Mount Madonna County Park, visitors note it's a "great campground for the kids to bike at but there are a few big hills so make sure they know how to use their brakes," advises Weston W.
Choose sites away from noise sources: For families needing uninterrupted sleep, site selection matters. At Mount Madonna, campsite 325 was "right next to the bathroom, which was convenient but made things noisy around bed time and in the morning. Wouldn't recommend this site if you like to sleep in while camping," notes Darin D.
Check site access challenges: Many campgrounds have difficult approaches. At Saddle Mountain Ranch, "the road coming to the campground is very steep, could be challenging for some rigs," warns Mike M., while at Marina Dunes RV Park, Tonya C. notes "it's hard to get bigger RV's into spots" and specifically mentions difficulty with their "35' 5th wheel."
Verify hookup placement: Some campgrounds have inconveniently positioned utilities. At Marina Dunes RV Park, "the location of the electrical/water is awkward," according to Kandi R., which can create setup challenges depending on your RV configuration.
Consider premium site reservations: At some locations, paying extra for site selection provides benefits. Kandi R. notes that Marina Dunes RV Park charges "$190 a night plus $20 to choose your spot," but this can be worth it for RVers needing specific site characteristics for their rig size or slide-out requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there RV parks available in Salinas?
Yanks RV Resort offers modern amenities including a swimming pool, laundry facilities, and reliable high-speed WiFi (around 60 Mbps). It's conveniently located for exploring Monterey and surrounding areas. Betabel RV Park provides excellent access from US 101 and is centrally located between Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and San Jose to the north; Santa Cruz and Watsonville to the west; and Marina, Monterey, and Salinas to the south. The park features both shaded and open sites. For those seeking additional options, Marina Dunes RV Park is big-rig friendly and located near the coast, about 15 minutes from Salinas.
What is the Salinas/Monterey KOA campground like?
The Salinas/Monterey area features two KOA options. Moss Landing KOA Express is a small, compact park close to Salinas Beach with great food options nearby. It's strategically located about 20-30 minutes from both downtown Santa Cruz and downtown Monterey, with reasonable cell service and WiFi connectivity. Cabana Holiday RV Park-cabins, part of the KOA franchise, is clean and well-positioned for exploring the Monterey, Salinas, Watsonville, and Santa Cruz areas. While recreation facilities are limited due to the terrain and property size, its central location makes it an excellent base for regional exploration.
What camping spots near Salinas offer fishing access?
Arroyo Seco provides excellent fishing opportunities about 60 minutes south of Salinas in Los Padres National Forest. The Arroyo Seco river runs close to the campground, offering access to fishing spots. There's also a day-use area on the river with picnic areas and grills. Another option is Thousand Trails San Benito, which is located within driving distance of Salinas and may offer fishing opportunities. For coastal fishing, consider campgrounds near Moss Landing where you can access both freshwater and saltwater fishing environments within a short drive from Salinas.
Where are the best camping sites in Salinas, CA?
The Salinas area offers several excellent camping options. Laguna Seca Recreation Area is nestled in the hills between Monterey and Salinas along Highway 68, offering a quiet retreat with 30-amp electrical sites, though it can be hot and dry. For stunning views, Valley View Campground — Fremont Peak State Park provides beautiful vistas of the Salinas Valley and San Juan Bautista, plus excellent stargazing opportunities. Just about an hour south, Arroyo Seco in Los Padres National Forest offers a peaceful riverside camping experience. Rates vary by location, with Laguna Seca's dry camping ranging from $40-50 per night.
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