The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near San Juan Bautista, CA

951 Reviews

Campgrounds near San Juan Bautista provide a mix of mountain and valley camping experiences, with notable options including Fremont Peak State Park and Mount Madonna County Park. The San Juan Bautista area supports various accommodation types from tent sites to RV hookups, cabins, and yurts. Fremont Peak State Park, approximately 11 miles from downtown San Juan Bautista, features rustic campgrounds with vault toilets and limited amenities. Other established campgrounds within 30 minutes include Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area and several KOA properties that offer more developed facilities with electricity and water.

Road access varies significantly across the region's campgrounds, with some requiring navigation on narrow, winding roads. Fremont Peak State Park campsites sit at higher elevation, offering cooler temperatures even during summer months. A review from The Dyrt notes, "Road up is nominally two lanes - more like 1-1.5 combined with the limited sight distance it means you should drive slower than the speed limit." Many campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during peak seasons. Cell service can be limited at higher elevations, and travelers should check for seasonal closures or fire restrictions before arrival. The combination of coastal influence and inland valley location creates varied weather conditions throughout the year.

The mixed-use campgrounds throughout the region feature different amenities and natural settings. Several visitors mentioned spectacular views as highlights of camping at Fremont Peak State Park. "Nice campground, not very big. Beautiful views of Salinas Valley and San Juan Bautista. Great star gazing too!" noted one camper. Most tent and RV sites in the area provide picnic tables and fire rings, though some locations have fire restrictions during dry seasons. The area's campgrounds also offer varying levels of privacy, with some providing spacious sites separated by trees while others have more open layouts. KOA properties near Salinas and Moss Landing provide additional amenities like swimming pools, camp stores, and full hookups for RVs, making them popular options for families or those seeking more conveniences while still being within driving distance of San Juan Bautista.

Map showing campgrounds near San Juan Bautista, CaliforniaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near San Juan Bautista, California (127)

    1. Mount Madonna County Park

    32 Reviews
    Gilroy, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 842-2341

    "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."

    "It has some privacy, we liked that it was in between two yurts away from others. The trail does go right behind the site but it wasn’t super busy."

    2. Sunset State Beach

    27 Reviews
    Watsonville, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 763-7063

    "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."

    3. Moss Landing KOA Express

    19 Reviews
    Moss Landing, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 633-6800

    $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."

    4. Oak Point Campground — Fremont Peak State Park

    9 Reviews
    San Juan Bautista, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 623-4255

    $25 / night

    "This campground is about 20 minutes from San Juan Bautista but you feel miles away. The camp sites are rustic - no showers available and pit toilets only."

    "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."

    5. Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area — Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area

    8 Reviews
    Hollister, CA
    8 miles
    Website

    $10 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    6. New Brighton State Beach Campground

    44 Reviews
    Capitola, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 464-6330

    $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."

    7. Salinas-Monterey KOA

    7 Reviews
    Castroville, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 663-2886

    "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!"

    8. Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday

    16 Reviews
    Freedom, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 722-0551

    "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!"

    9. Valley View Campground — Fremont Peak State Park

    4 Reviews
    San Juan Bautista, CA
    6 miles

    $25 / night

    "Beautiful views of Salinas Valley and San Juan Bautista. Great star gazing too!"

    "Pretty & windy drive. No visitor center but rangers drove by once. It very lightly rained but mostly the air was misty, & the fog got more dense as the night went on."

    10. Laguna Seca Recreation Area

    25 Reviews
    Seaside, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 588-2267

    "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."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 127 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

San Juan Bautista Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near San Juan Bautista, CA

363 Photos of 127 San Juan Bautista Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near San Juan Bautista, CA

951 Reviews of 127 San Juan Bautista Campgrounds

  • Patrick J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort

    Our Second visit here

    This was our second visit, and by chance the same campsite. Prior, I had to change the dates and was rewarded a$35 change fee. I did it online, so it wasn't like I put anyone to any tedious task. With that, not sure I will be back just on principle. So now, moving on to the review. The sites are well marked. 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. Bring your sewer hose extension. Most other sites had them from what I could see. My Starlink was heavily obstructed by trees so worked at 40% speed.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Big Sur Campground & Cabins

    Camping with hookups in the big trees

    We were looking for a place to camp and it would seem the California state parks are all full in perpetuity - found this place on the Dyrt app and made a reservation- it’s right up the road from the Henry Miller library - if you haven’t been there you should go

  • Jake M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    Spaced out sites. Friendly people

    Fairly large campground. Store, showers, toilets, purified water is all inclusive . Being bug spray and be prepared to see wildlife at night. Skunks, raccoons, and other animals will come and take food.

  • Sary W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Redwood Resort RV Park & Campground

    Friendly and quiet

    Was able to book the night before and get the last full hookup spot. The man who checked us in was super friendly and answered all of my partners questions and even helped us with some basic RV knowledge as we’re new.

    Redwoods are super pretty. Area outside of the RV park isn’t super walkable though. Bathrooms are fine for the price and very clean.

    Situated near the people who live in the park and they were super friendly and quiet.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Santa Cruz Harbor RV Park

    Clean, safe place to park, fairly busy.

    Well maintained, friendly host. Clean, feels safe. Bridge construction at the mouth of the harbor, use the path next to the bridge (don’t let Apple Maps send you though miles of residential streets, just walk around the construction). Lots of things to do and see, e-bike rental racks all over the city (get the BCycle app). Best tacos at Las Palmas at the foot of the pier! It’s a University town UC Santa Cruz) so enjoy all that culture.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Veteran's Memorial Park Campground

    Cash on arrival $53 for RV

    This campground requires cash or cheque payment. It’s at the top of a hill so make sure you’re prepared before arrival. Also not suitable for RV’s over 20ft. No hook ups but decent bathrooms. Nice and quiet.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Moss Landing KOA Express

    Beautiful beachside

    Easy access, level paved spots. Restrooms spotless. Check-in friendly and cookies a plus! Walk to the beach, feel the breeze.

  • A
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Sunset State Beach Campground

    Nice campground

    It was my first time beach camping so i didnt know what to expect. Was a bit breezier than im use to with the mountains. Not a lot of trees around. It is nice not dealing with a lot of bugs since youre by the beach and all. The bathrooms and showers were well maintained.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground

    Great state park site

    Nice state park camping! Tried a few rv sites on this road and most were $140-$170 per night!! This site was $50 and even more lovely! The showers are extra but seemed clean.

Guide to San Juan Bautista

Camping near San Juan Bautista, California, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails at Pinnacles Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "By day, of course, the trails are wild, like a moonscape."
  • Wildlife Watching: Many campers have spotted wildlife while camping. One camper at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground noted, "Seen a ton of wildlife and overall wasn’t very crowded."
  • Star Gazing: The dark skies at Kirk Creek Campground make it perfect for star gazing. A visitor shared, "Great views. Very dark at night which is great for star gazing."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the views at Kirk Creek Campground. One reviewer said, "small hilltop campground with amazing sunrise and sunset view."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground remarked, "The bathroom/showers were cleaned regularly and stocked with shampoo conditioner and shower gel."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like New Brighton State Beach Campground are great for families. One camper noted, "Lots of families and lots of kids."

What you should know:

  • Heat in Summer: If you're camping at Pinnacles Campground, be prepared for the heat. One reviewer warned, "It is WICKED hot in the summer."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Kirk Creek Campground, have minimal facilities. A camper mentioned, "There are pit toilets and trash cans, but basically no other amenities."
  • First-Come, First-Serve: Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. A visitor at Veteran's Memorial Park Campground advised, "Your best bet to get a site is to show up a day or two early."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground, where one reviewer said, "The playground was well maintained and modern."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Campers at New Brighton State Beach Campground enjoyed having easy access to snacks. One camper mentioned, "Great views and easy access to beach."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities planned. A visitor at Big Sur Campground & Cabins said, "You can go down and walk by the river float the river with the complimentary tubes."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: RV campers at Mount Madonna County Park found that some sites were not as spacious as expected. One RV owner noted, "Site 211 was listed as 30' trailer but that was definitely not the case."
  • Look for Hookups: Campgrounds like Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground offer water and electric hookups, which can be a big plus for RVers.
  • Be Prepared for Narrow Roads: Campers at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground mentioned that the roads can be tricky for larger rigs. One camper said, "We were a little worried when we arrived in our 26ft class c."

Camping near San Juan Bautista, California, has something for everyone, from breathtaking views to family-friendly activities. Just be sure to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near San Juan Bautista, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, San Juan Bautista, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 127 campgrounds and RV parks near San Juan Bautista, CA and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near San Juan Bautista, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near San Juan Bautista, CA is Mount Madonna County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 32 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near San Juan Bautista, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near San Juan Bautista, CA.

Keep Exploring