15 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Monterey County's Lake San Antonio features premium glamping options at both North and South Shore locations, where canvas structures include comfortable beds with linens and electricity. Guests seeking luxury outdoors can choose from fully furnished yurts at Lake Nacimiento Resort or the elegant safari tents at Ventana Campground in nearby Big Sur. The glamping sites at these destinations boast amenities rarely found in traditional camping, including climate control, private decks with views, and proximity to water recreation. Lake San Antonio North Shore accommodations house unique waterfront sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and access to hot showers and toilets. A recent visitor noted, "We stayed at a cottage at Lake San Antonio and were fortunate to have a local show us around, giving us all the accommodations of home while still enjoying the outdoors."
Hiking trails and water activities create immersive experiences at these glamping destinations, with Ventana Campground offering redwood-shaded sites and Big Sur's dramatic coastal access just minutes away. Lake Nacimiento Resort features boat rentals, fishing opportunities, and swimming areas alongside its luxury accommodations. Pinnacles National Park lies within driving distance, providing dramatic volcanic landscapes and wildlife viewing opportunities for day trips from glamping sites. Water sports dominate summer activities at Lake San Antonio, where guests enjoy swimming, boating, and fishing from dedicated beach areas near glamping accommodations. According to a camper, "We launched the boat and anchored it to shore, literally had the place to ourselves. Fishing was great from shore in morning and dusk while enjoying all the comforts of our accommodation."
"We had a separate dome tent to keep out bugs. The site had two picnic benches, a fire pit and bear lockers for your food."
"The campground loop we were in was full and the sites are fairly close to your neighbor but it wasn't bad. The main reason being absolutely NO generators allowed so it was peaceful."
from $44 - $164 / night
Check Availability"It had fenced campsites, a bathroom, covered pavilions, picnic tables, and fire pits."
"Fire pits and covered picnic tables at each site as far as I can tell… nice spot!"
"Running water nearby most camp sites and trails to explore to waterfalls and lime depository locations. Darkest night I have ever slept through."
"Was driving down the 1 and the dog needed a run. Happened upon it day after the 4th of July. They accept a few last min walk ins!! At 2pm."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"New camper great experience beautiful place friendly staff great prices"
"The temperature at the lake often exceeds 100 in the summer. There is ample space for camping . You’ll need reservations if you want a hookup . Boat ramps are available."
"Tucked in the forest along the Nacimiento River is this nice little campground with just a few campsites (9 or 10 sites total)."
"So beautiful and right next to a creek with fish to play in. The views from the top of the mountain when driving to the ocean are the most beautiful views in the world!"
"The stream was running plentifully and gave a lovely background noise. Sites 1 & 2 share a parking pad which is almost level."
"Upon checkin we found nice quiet spot and walked to the river to skip rocks. It was really clean in the restrooms and plenty of places to grab food nearby."
from $35 - $39 / night
Check Availability"The first time I went to Lake San Antonio was with a birdwatching group looking for bald eagles. It was another hot summer and the water level of the lake was low."
"You cannot fish or swim in the lake. There is no reduction in price. This may be temporary, but it has been this way for at least a year."
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Overall, the privately-owned sites at Lake Nacemiento resort are good - but you'll probably want to get one of the reserved spots!"
"Bathrooms were clean, campsites are really close together, we overland and need a wide campsite for the full set up. Camp sites # 313, 217, 215, 311 were the ones we like for size and view."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"We found it to be clean, in good repair, and the hosts were very warm and welcoming."
"The setting is 10/10 and is probably one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring places I could think of pitching a tent."
from $85 - $105 / night
Check Availability"Fernwood is a unique campground because it has tent sites, RV spaces, canvas tents, cabins, a motel and even a restaurant."
"So nice though, next a river, but close to other campers. The showers were nice and clean bathrooms. The lady in charge was so nice and hospitable ready to help. She took us in without reservations."
from $60 - $100 / night
Check Availability
GuideThe campsite was great. Ground pretty hard, so a mallet or big rock will be helpful. There’s a tree, but no shade for the picnic table. I setup a tarp and it worked great. There are no flush toilets near the campsite. The loop has portable toilets and handwashing stations.
GuideFriendly staff, great facilities away from the grind
GuideWe camped at Ventana Campground(Alila/Hyatt) in Big Sur and overall had a great experience. The redwood forest provides incredible shade, keeping the campsite cool even on warm days, and the atmosphere feels peaceful and magical. The entrance is beautifully designed, and there's even an Airstream serving pizza, drinks, and gelato. Our biggest surprise was that some sites are limited by tent size, not guest count, so double-check before booking. Be prepared for a steep walk to certain sites and bring a wagon only if your site allows it. Mosquitoes were intense before the campfire, so insect repellent is essential. Restrooms were decent but not spotless, and showers require paid tokens. Overall, it's a beautiful, well-managed campground that's perfect for a relaxing redwood camping experience.
ScoutLarge sites, plenty to do and explore. The creek runs right through the campground. The hubby and I decided to take a last minute road trip up north from the long beach area... No reservations just a tent and some personal necessities. All of the campsites in big sur were sold out and we came across Fernwood. To our surprise they had one spot available for us. The girl in the office, along with the maintenance folks were super friendly and helpful. Very family friendly ambiance. We will be returning but with reservation this time 🤭 and a larger group.
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!
ScoutPerfect for what it is- basic grounds with tons of wildlife! Lock up your food but other than that, it’s so cute and quiet.
ScoutCamped two nights over the weekend because San Martin Top / Prewitt ridge were socked in with fog. It is quiet, and the creek noise is great to fall asleep to. It worked in a pinch. Campsites are close. Water spigot did not work, there were a lot of pesky gnat flies and some mosquitos. The two outhouses were really unfortunate. Generally clean on the outside, but possibly the worst outhouse smell ever... felt like they did not empty them in a long time. We said screw it and set up our portable potty.
RangerThe winding road to get here is definitely out of the way, and the bumpy drive left one of our passengers feeling pretty carsick. That said, it was absolutely worth it.
I have to give this place a 5-star review. When it comes to dispersed camping, I’m used to rough clearings and overgrown roads, but this site was exceptionally well maintained. It had fenced campsites, a bathroom, covered pavilions, picnic tables, and fire pits. There was a burn ban in effect during our visit, so we couldn’t use the fire pits, but I was still impressed by the overall setup.
One thing I really appreciated was the balance of sun and shade. I was able to park in full sun for my solar panels while still enjoying shade under the pavilion and surrounding trees. Cell reception was also good.
We visited on a Saturday in June and were surprised by how uncrowded it was. Only a few other campers were there. It was also reassuring to see several other dispersed camping areas along the drive in, providing additional options if this site happened to be full.
In dry conditions, I think a two-wheel-drive vehicle can make it here. The roads are bumpy but generally well maintained. We saw several two-wheel-drive cars at the campsite. That said, there are a few sandy uphill sections where traction could become an issue, so you’ll still want to drive carefully.
The bugs were a little annoying, with both flies and mosquitoes present, but that’s something you can encounter almost anywhere depending on the season.
Overall, this is one of the nicest dispersed camping areas we’ve stayed at and a place I would gladly return to.
ScoutThis resort is well maintained with friendly staff. We loved the site that we stayed at and love the showers (private shower rooms, quarter operated)
Monterey County offers diverse glamping options beyond the popular lake destinations. The area surrounding San Lucas sits at approximately 470 feet elevation in a valley between the Santa Lucia and Gabilan mountain ranges, creating varied camping microclimates. Winter temperatures range from 35-65°F while summer can reach 90-100°F, influencing campground selection across seasons.
Hiking to waterfalls: Limekiln State Park provides accessible trail options leading to scenic falls. "The trails are easy and worth it. The waterfall is pretty and runs to the ocean," notes a visitor at Limekiln State Park Campground. The park combines coastal access with forest exploration.
Cave exploration: Pinnacles National Park offers unique geological features including bat caves that create memorable adventures. "Pinnacles have some great hikes, there are bat caves to explore, lakes and slot canyons. We really enjoyed hiking thru caves and tight places. Super fun for adventurous kids," explains a camper from Pinnacles Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Lake options provide good angling for multiple species. At Lake San Antonio - North Shore, "Fishing was great from shore in morning and dusk," reports a visitor who anchored their boat to shore during their stay.
Diverse ecosystems: The region offers both forest and beach environments within short distances. "Whether you love the forest or the beach, there's something for everyone," shares a camper from Limekiln State Park Campground. This diversity allows visitors to experience multiple landscapes during one trip.
Wildlife viewing: Campgrounds throughout the region feature abundant animal sightings. "Many here will tell you about the raccoons! The campground is split by a creek which has a lot of critters, rabbits, chipmunks(?), quail, mice, and raccoon," explains a visitor to Pinnacles Campground, highlighting natural encounters common in the area.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies away from urban light pollution provide stellar viewing. At Upper Sweetwater Recreation Area, one camper experienced "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."
Seasonal water conditions: Drought impacts water levels at lakes, affecting recreation options. "During the drought the water level has dropped significantly as well as the quality of the water. Some years the lake is almost dry," cautions a visitor to Lake San Antonio North Shore about variable conditions.
Limited phone service: Multiple campgrounds have no cellular connectivity. At Upper Sweetwater Recreation Area, "you'll lose reception about half way getting there (at least with Verizon you will)...very quiet. AMAZING sunset view. one of the best i've seen. just wished there was signal, for safety reasons."
Campsite proximity considerations: Many campgrounds feature sites close together, affecting privacy. "Ventana Campground is a tent only campground...That being said, I did find it a little disappointing just how close the campsites are to each other here, meaning you're not going to get anything close to a secluded camping experience," notes a camper at Ventana Campground.
Pool access: Some campgrounds offer swimming pools as alternatives to lake swimming. A visitor to Pinnacles Campground shared, "They have a pool that will be full of kids but feels really refreshing after a hot hike." This amenity provides cooling options during hot summer days.
Early morning activities: Schedule hikes and outdoor adventures before midday heat. "If you camp here in the summer it'll be really hot, but the good news is there is a swimming pool at the campground. We usually do a early morning hike and then spend the afternoon cooling off at the pool," recommends a Pinnacles camper.
Site selection considerations: Research specific sites for family needs before booking. At Ventana Campground, "It should be noted that all sites are tent only sites and some are very small or have very steep elevation changes which could be problematic for larger tents or those with mobility restrictions," warns a visitor, emphasizing the importance of site research.
Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups vary significantly between campgrounds. At Lake Nacimiento Resort, "Our campsite was pretty ideal! We were in pine knoll with a great view of the lake!" The campground offers tent, RV, cabin, glamping and yurt options with electric hookups and thirty-amp service.
Size restrictions: Many glamping sites near San Lucas have limitations for larger vehicles. "Ventana Campground is a tent only campground, which I love as I feel like it's harder and harder to find now a days. They can't accommodate RV's, motor homes, travel trailers or pop-up tent trailers," notes a visitor about limitations at some sites.
Dump station access: Plan ahead for sanitation needs. "And there is water stations throughout. Also a dump station on the way out. Can reserve everything," advises a visitor to Pinnacles Campground, highlighting available facilities for RV campers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near San Lucas, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near San Lucas, CA is Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park with a 4.1-star rating from 101 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near San Lucas, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 glamping camping locations near San Lucas, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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