Best Campgrounds near San Juan Bautista, CA

San Juan Bautista, CA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near San Juan Bautista and user-submitted reviews.

Best Camping Sites Near San Juan Bautista, California (126)

    1. Mount Madonna County Park

    31 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. 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."

    4. Moss Landing KOA Express

    18 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."

    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. 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!"

    7. New Brighton State Beach Campground

    43 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."

    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. Laguna Seca Recreation Area

    24 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."

    10. Thousand Trails San Benito

    12 Reviews
    Paicines, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Typical TT resort park off the beaten path, far out but nice place, we enjoyed our stay. At the time we were there a lot of the riverfront sports were out of order."

    "Right near Pinnacles National Park! 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!"

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Recent Reviews near San Juan Bautista, CA

909 Reviews of 126 San Juan Bautista Campgrounds



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 126 campgrounds and RV parks near San Juan Bautista, CA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

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 4.6-star rating from 31 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near San Juan Bautista, CA.

What parks are near San Juan Bautista, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near San Juan Bautista, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.