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Best Campgrounds near San Lucas, CA

714 Reviews

Dispersed camping opportunities exist alongside established campgrounds in the San Lucas region of California, with Williams Hill Recreation Area serving as a notable free Bureau of Land Management (BLM) site about 15 miles from town. The area features a mix of public and private camping facilities, including San Lorenzo Park in King City and Yanks RV Resort in Greenfield. Camping styles range from primitive dispersed sites at Williams Hill to full-service RV parks with hookups. Several campgrounds in the area feature picnic tables, fire rings, and toilet facilities, while others provide additional amenities like showers and electrical connections for both tent and RV campers.

Road conditions can present challenges for accessing some campgrounds, particularly Williams Hill Recreation Area which requires navigating several miles of gravel roads with occasional washboard sections. Most developed campgrounds remain open year-round with mild temperatures, though summer heat can be intense at lower elevations. The region has a mix of reservation and first-come, first-served sites, with San Lorenzo Park and Pinnacles Campground typically requiring advance booking. Cell service varies significantly with Verizon offering strong coverage at Williams Hill. According to one visitor, "The road in was fine for 4x4 but there was one stretch with some ruts that could prove hairy if you aren't good at driving on dirt."

Campers frequently mention the panoramic views from Williams Hill as a significant highlight, with its ridge-top location providing expansive vistas of the Salinas Valley and Coastal Range. The seven designated sites at this free BLM property include covered picnic tables and fire rings, though they fill quickly on weekends. Reviews indicate mixed experiences regarding solitude, with some visitors noting quiet conditions while others mention disruptions from target shooting in nearby areas. Developed campgrounds like San Lorenzo Park receive positive feedback for their amenities and proximity to attractions. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "San Lorenzo Park is a nice green park with water and electric hookups, clean bathrooms and showers. The agricultural museum provides an interesting diversion, and the location is convenient for accessing Pinnacles National Park."

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Best Camping Sites Near San Lucas, California (76)

    1. Williams Hill Recreation Area

    33 Reviews
    Jolon, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 582-2200

    "Lots of area to explore, but this is mainly an off road vehicle area."

    "covered structure, picnic table and fire pit A few additional overflow areas to park and camp •Pit toilet - BYO toilet paper •No trash receptacles •Great Verizon reception / Decent Sprint reception •Drive"

    2. Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

    91 Reviews
    Pinnacles, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 200-1722

    $44 - $164 / night

    "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."

    3. San Lorenzo Park

    7 Reviews
    King City, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 755-4899

    $50 / night

    "A nice walking path, circles the campground and is well used in the mornings and evenings by locals running or walking dogs and babies."

    "Bike/walking trail. Nice trees. Level spots with water and electric. Just off 101 but no highway noise."

    4. Kirk Creek Campground

    44 Reviews
    Lucia, CA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $45 - $49 / night

    "While we used to just head up & find a site- its become nearly impossible to "walk-in" during high season."

    "We happened to drive in at the right time, had one walk- in site available. Campsites, large, away from other campers and clean."

    5. Laguna Mountain Campground

    14 Reviews
    Pinnacles National Park, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 630-5000

    "It is difficult to find BLM camping in California and this is a gem! The road is in prone to mudslides and looked like is was recently cleared of mud in multiple spots."

    "Laguna mountain road trail is very strenuous The last leg of the trail(primitive trail) is not easy to follow. Someone has marked the trail with stacked rocks."

    6. Yanks RV Resort

    12 Reviews
    Soledad, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (855) 926-5778

    "There is nothing near buy, except a Shell station with the lowest diesel prices I’ve seen in California."

    "Planted fields surround the RV park, Located right off highway 101, it is easy on easy off. This would be a good location for passing through or going to the Pinnacles. You get what you pay for here."

    7. Road's End, Bradley Lockwood

    7 Reviews
    Jolon, CA
    16 miles

    $29 - $59 / night

    "The hilltop is 180 degree surrounded by olive trees and vines with the owners residences on the other sides of the fences. We felt super safe in spite of our seclusion."

    "Enjoyed the tranquil and well equipped location. The fire pit, water, 30A outlet, and party lights allowed for a nice visit."

    8. Limekiln State Park Campground — TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    40 Reviews
    Lucia, CA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $35 / night

    "Lower sites are more exposed, but get the benefit of the ocean sounds and rocky beach proximity. Upper sites are tucked back into redwoods, with a little stream nearby. Hike to the kilns!"

    "The entire campground isn't like this, but our site was directly beneath the highway and next to the beach. There are fun hikes that leave right from camp that go to a waterfall."

    9. Upper Sweetwater Laguna Mountain Campground

    9 Reviews
    San Lucas, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 630-5000

    "Fresh Air (despite being surrounded by bad air on all sides) + Nature (deer, quails, turkeys, coyotes in one night) + Dark New Moon Skies means Bright Stars with Clear View of the Milky Way + Safe (Popular"

    "It's a somewhat long drive, but you're rewarded with decent solitude. There are only a few sites, so we got lucky. I was surprised how nice the campground was, especially since it was free."

    10. Salinas Valley Fairgrounds

    1 Review
    King City, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 385-3243
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Recent Camping Photos near San Lucas, CA

259 Photos of 76 San Lucas Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near San Lucas, CA

714 Reviews of 76 San Lucas Campgrounds

  • marcus K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2025

    Franklin Hot Springs

    Awesome sulfuric hot baths

    Awesome lil private hot spring in Paso. Has a few campsites adjacent to the small pond. Some sites are assigned with a table and others are in a large field where you pick your own spot. We were there mid week and hardly anyone else there.

    Sulfuric hot spring are a joy. There are multiple pools of varying temperature. Don’t miss the little hot tub at the far end.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park

    Nice Hilltop Basic Campground

    Compacted gravel roads and mostly level pads in good condition. Most sites nicely spaced apart. Modern pit toilets inside buildings in good condition. Most sites have views of mountain range. A few sites with shade next to trees. Only 20% occupied late October. Close to Hearst Castle, elephant seals, State Beach w/ pier, nice coastal overlooks. $20 without typical discounts. Showers and dump station bottom of hill (1/2 mile) in adjacent state park campground.

  • kThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Washburn Primitive Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park

    Basic campground

    The upper grounds: Washburn campgrounds are primitive but nicely kept and do have pit toilets and some water spigots as well as fire rings and picnic tables. This area is a little less ($20) vs the lower grounds ($35). But the lower grounds do have showers. We did find Washburn quieter with less freeway traffic

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Peaceful and quiet.

    A really nice and quiet camping spot. Only negative was the vault toilet. Dirty and almost full. Also there is a ban on fires here right now.

  • 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

  • Sophia L.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    San Simeon Creek Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park

    Raccoon Attack

    the overall site was nice and everything went smoothly during the day. There are no bear boxes (big metal boxes at most campsites to store food so animals can’t get to it) so we put all our food in a big cooler that we thought nothing could get into. Wake up after 30 mins of sleeping to noises outside, a whole family of raccoons are eating our food. they destroyed a good amount of our food and our camping materials and the problem was they wouldn’t leave us alone. they were aggressive and would not leave, climbing the trees above us and popping left and right out of the bushes. we have no where to put our food (since raccoons can get into your car through the engine and cause major damage). They were surrounding us, we were yelling and jumping to try and scare them away but they were persistent. We thought they might even attack us as they did not seem very scared and were very aggressive. We had no choice but to quickly pack up all our stuff while someone was on raccoon guard and leave in the middle of the night. I was very disappointed.

  • K
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Williams Hill Recreation Area

    Camping spot

    Great spot with fire pits & gazebos it’s first come first serve also has a bathroom, no water or electricity, park ranger comes up nd does routine check but it’s great camping spot over all very quiet came up here an their was others but everyone minds their own really great place to camp, I’ll definitely becoming back again

Guide to San Lucas

Camping near San Lucas, California, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a secluded getaway, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the views at Kirk Creek Campground. One review states, "There is a small trail to go down the beach right next to camp site #22."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms at San Simeon Creek Campground. A camper remarked, "Lots of bathrooms, very clean, lots of dumpsters and water spigots, all conveniently located."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Pinnacles Campground is noted for its family-friendly vibe. One parent said, "The kids are thrilled! There are beautiful tucked away campsites in the shade, by a creek."

What you should know:

  • Heat in Summer: If you're camping at Pinnacles Campground, be prepared for the heat. One reviewer cautioned, "It is WICKED hot in the summer."
  • Limited Amenities: Campgrounds like Kirk Creek Campground have few amenities. A visitor noted, "There are pit toilets and trash cans, but basically no other amenities. Not even drinking water."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Popular spots like San Simeon Creek Campground can fill up quickly. One camper advised, "Get there EARLY if you do want to find a parking spot."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Shady Spots: Look for campsites with shade, especially at Pinnacles Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "Really enjoyed cooking in the evenings outside and settling in."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities planned for kids. One parent shared, "They have a pool! The kids are thrilled!"
  • Bring Snacks and Drinks: Since some campgrounds have limited access to stores, it's wise to pack extra snacks. A camper at San Simeon Creek Campground noted, "The camp store closes promptly at 5."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Plaskett Creek Campground mentioned, "The sites were fairly well maintained, and the beach access is likely the reason most people stay."
  • Be Ready for Rough Roads: Some campgrounds have bumpy access roads. One RVer said, "The road is rough getting here but doable."
  • No Hookups: Many campgrounds, like Kirk Creek Campground, don’t offer electric hookups. A visitor warned, "Make sure you have what you need."

Camping near San Lucas, California, has something for everyone, from breathtaking views to family-friendly activities. Just be prepared for the heat and limited amenities in some areas!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near San Lucas, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, San Lucas, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 76 campgrounds and RV parks near San Lucas, CA and 10 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near San Lucas, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near San Lucas, CA is Williams Hill Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 33 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near San Lucas, CA.

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