Tent camping options near San Gregorio, California span from secluded walk-in sites to hike-in backcountry camps across the coastal mountains. Most sites sit between 1,000-2,500 feet elevation where marine fog affects evening temperatures, often dropping into the 50s even during summer months. Year-round campgrounds operate in the region, though several close seasonally due to weather or fire conditions.
What to do
Explore redwood hiking trails: At Ben Ries Campground, campers have access to numerous fern-lined trails through dense redwood forests. "Did a 12 hour hike around the entire park. It was long but gorgeous!" reports Tyler B. The surrounding area offers hikes ranging from 1-12 miles with varying elevation gains.
Visit coastal farms and markets: Campsites provide convenient access to local agricultural areas. Kathleen C. notes that "PCH is dotted with farms and fruit stands, artisan pies, etc. The closest town is Pescadaro, and has a tiny main street with an excellent coffee shop, and grocery store with fresh baked pies, breads, jams, sauces, and a deli counter."
Night sky viewing: While many campsites have tree cover, several spots offer opportunities for stargazing. At Black Mountain Backpacking Camp, Lily H. shares that "the view at sunset was gorgeous" and other campers note that nearby clearings provide excellent night sky viewing once you walk away from forested areas.
What campers like
Site privacy and spacing: The best tent camping near San Gregorio, California often features well-separated sites. At Ben Ries Campground, Kathleen C. explains that "the sites are spaced apart nicely" and specifically recommends sites: "If I were to come back and want two large sites to connect, I would choose either 6 and 8 or 10 and 13. If it's just two people, site 3 is pretty private as well as 14."
Clean facilities: Despite being primitive in some locations, campgrounds maintain reliable facilities. Cecil K. mentions that Castle Rock Trail Camp offers "pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables" while Esther Y. notes there are "20 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings (when allowed)."
Off-season solitude: Winter and early spring camping offers particular appeal for solitude seekers. "Camped here in off season in November and it was us and maybe 2 other campers. Feels super remote and primitive," reports Amber D. about Ben Ries Campground, and many trail camps become virtually private during weekdays in shoulder seasons.
What you should know
Fire restrictions vary seasonally: Fire regulations change throughout the year and differ between campgrounds. MarinMaverick notes that at Castle Rock Trail Camp, there are "scattered sites, some with tables for you to find a tent site. If busy - you will be sharing." However, fire rings may not be usable during dry seasons.
Water availability concerns: Several campgrounds have intermittent water sources or supply issues. Nathaniel S. warns about Castle Rock: "Although there is a communal water source at the campsite entrance, the water was deemed not safe to drink when I was there, and that had been the case for a while. The water tank apparently needs to be decontaminated."
Cell service limitations: Most camping areas have limited or no connectivity. Kathleen C. points out that at Ben Ries Campground, "There is no cell service" and similar conditions exist at other nearby campgrounds, requiring advance preparation.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience unexpected noise. Juliana S. mentions about Castle Rock Trail Camp: "There is a nearby shooting range and you can hear the gunshots during the daylight hours."
Tips for camping with families
Start with beginner-friendly backpacking: Several camps offer excellent first-time backpacking experiences for families. Lily H. recommends Black Mountain Backpacking Camp: "The hike in is only 1.5 miles, but there's plenty of trail options to tack on more mileage on either the hike in or out... The pit toilet and bear boxes on site take a lot of the stress out for beginner backpackers."
Look for user-friendly sites: Some campgrounds specifically cater to less experienced campers. Renee W. describes Ben Ries Campground as having "super user-friendly campsites that are good for beginners. Lots of great hiking trails in redwoods for all levels."
Consider wildlife encounters: Prepare children for wildlife interactions, both exciting and challenging. Mike L. shares that at Coyote Hills Regional Park, it's a "good walking park for the locals" though camping comes with "a lot of foot and car traffic." Other camps report issues with aggressive squirrels requiring proper food storage.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: The San Gregorio area has few dedicated RV camping facilities compared to tent-only sites. At Half Moon Bay RV Park, Patrick J. notes: "The site was a pull through as well as our friends who were able to face the opposite way to have a common camp side with us. Of course the utility sides were in great position for that. Full hook ups with 30 amp."
Consider coastal access: RV parks provide different coastal access than tent sites. Gary R. explains that Half Moon Bay RV Park offers "lots of great beaches and an excellent trail that goes on forever within walking distance," noting "from the park you can head about a quarter of a mile and walk or ride the coastal path all the way to the marina or south to the Ritz Carlton."
