Santa Cruz, CA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Santa Cruz. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Santa Cruz, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
"Not far from Santa Cruz, maybe 25-30 minutes depending on traffic. Sometimes there's a decent sandbar for surfing. Always had a good time at this campground."
"You can walk down to the beach, take a trip to the henry cowel redwoods, go ride bikes in santa cruz. We have so much fun. Things we learned.. don't let your kids pick flowers."
$35 / night
"We got one of the tent cabins, which are just adorable and so cozy. The sites are nice and distanced from each other, bathrooms were in great shape and it was pet friendly."
"We stayed in a tent cabin at the Huckleberry campground which was nicer than we thought it would be. It had just the right amount of space for my wife and I, our two daughters and all our gear."
"A short drive to Santa Cruz and Monterey. They have a heated pool, laundry facilities and on site store. There are however some large raccoons so use caution with your trash."
"There were many nice amenities here like gravel/paved sites, restrooms, game room, the blob, train rides, swimming pool, general store, playground, etc. the staff was friendly and the grounds were very"
"There's something for everyone here, RVers, tenters, and those who want to rent tent cabins. There are plenty of trails to hike, as well as equestrian trails. No bikes on trails though."
"While it was nice to hear the other campers having a great time with their families and friends, the noise level from it was extraordinary.
The campground in the forest and beautiful."
"All camping spots are adjacent to the 'boardwalk' beach path and the beach. Yes, your rig is within 20' of the beach at all campsites."
$33 / night
"RVs are pretty close to each other, but not too invasive. Restrooms and showers are clean and in a very decent condition. Each site has a table and a charcoal ."
"This is a nice camping away from the car experience. It's a short walk up a paved path from the parking to the campsites."
$34 / night
"A nice small campground nestled in the eastern side of Santa Cruz Mountains, west of Morgan Hill, easily accessible off of Highway 101."
"Uvas Canyon County Park https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/pages/uvascanyon.aspx is located about 15 miles west of Gilroy, on the east side of the Santa Cruz Mountains."
$100 - $200 / night
"But for a quick weekend jaunt for RV campers, this location slightly more than an hour from the Bay Area is hard to beat."
"We arrived on Sunday and left on Tuesday, so we didn't get to experience the weekend activities. We will be back for that! We got to camp about 6, so it was dark."
$40 - $150 / night
"Dispersed camping outside the campground perimeters. Very quiet and this is the place if solitude is your thing. Bring lots of water. Walk in or 4wd accessible. Never have seen another human here."
"We got a nice spot close to the dump station near front. Their pool is huge and very very well kept. The spot was 30amp and back in however they have 50amp/pull through also."
"Got propane filled, nice staff. No full hookups but dump station was convenient. Lots of nice activities going on."
GuideNice lots on a cliff above the beach protected from the wind by some doug firs and eucalyptus. Beach is long and expansive with very few people on an average day. Nice place to take a stroll and relax. Not far from Santa Cruz, maybe 25-30 minutes depending on traffic. Sometimes there's a decent sandbar for surfing. Always had a good time at this campground.
ScoutThis place is nestled in the Carmel Valley and decently secluded. We booked a luxury gazebo situation which came with a queen bed (heated mattress) a fire pit and your own propane grill. There are areas for tents and RV’s as well and priced accordingly. The restrooms and showers are super clean and the staff is great. There is a heated pool and various hiking trails to keep you occupied. The only downfall is you’re a little close to other campers. You don’t get much space/privacy but it’s not too bad. I would come back for sure.
TravelerWe camped here a few years ago. What can we say- we enjoyed our stay. The sites were spaced nicely and clean. We were there the first of January (off season) so some amenities were not offered but we had an enjoyable time. A short drive to Santa Cruz and Monterey. They have a heated pool, laundry facilities and on site store. There are however some large raccoons so use caution with your trash. Overall good experience camping there.
GuideWe stayed here with our 2 dogs last November as a nice winter getaway from L.A. We got one of the tent cabins, which are just adorable and so cozy. The sites are nice and distanced from each other, bathrooms were in great shape and it was pet friendly. We got a package with the tent cabin that came with bedding, cooking utensils and firewood, so were pretty much set once we got there. The beds are comfy and the wood burning stove (photo attached) is the only source of heat. It is neat but BE WARNED...it gets COLD on those winter nights so make sure you a) have enough wood; b) are good at keeping fires going throughout the night; and c) have lots of dry wood. The wood that was left for us as part of our package was really wet and wouldn't burn so we had a very chilly night even with loads of sleeping bags and blankets. Other than that, we had a great experience and got to take the dogs for a great walk on the paved trails in the State Park. Can't wait to go back!
ScoutWe visited the Big Basin Redwoods State Park late July this year with a large group of friends and their families and it was such an awesome experience. We stayed in a tent cabin at the Huckleberry campground which was nicer than we thought it would be. It had just the right amount of space for my wife and I, our two daughters and all our gear. The entire campground is loaded with trees so there was plenty of shade everywhere. There's also a few decent hiking trails close to the campground which is really cool and convenient. My daughters enjoyed every minute from the hiking, riding their bikes, campfires as well as all the other great things to do when camping. We also explored the Visitor Center to see some of the most magnificent dinosaur-like redwoods including what they call the 'Father of the Forest' and 'Mother of the Forest' trees. The guide was an encyclopedia of information on the massive trees which he shared with us along the tour. If you're at all interested, then you must go on the short tour. The only complaint I have is about the one night there were what seemed to be very loud college students, probably from UC Santa Cruz or another nearby college, who were in the cabin at the site next to ours and were partying way too hard. We had to tell them to keep it down since they had woken us up. I'm all for a little partying, but damn, they were loud and no one came around to tell them to keep it down besides us. Other than that, all in all, we had a great tent cabin campsite and did notice some even better in the campground, so we will definitely be going back again.
LegendThis is a fun little hideaway with a heated pool, but it still feels like camping. Bathrooms with showers, a sauna by the pool, some food all and communal fire pits/couches to lounge on. friendly staff on site who are helpful but not intrusive. Highly recommend going here, our site on the hill was breathtaking views and extremely private. Highly recommend!
ScoutI have come here since I was a kid with my Dad. This was the cheapest way to stay with a family in Monterey/Carmel. You will drive through a country residential area that does not look like there would be a campground then all of a sudden you take a turn and you’re in a nice wooded, shady place on a hill. The best of both worlds in the hills outside of Carmel but still close to town and beaches. They have glamping tents, cabins, and small tent camping spots. There is not room for more than two small and medium tents. Camp sites are not very private but they are clean. Kids love the pool and game areas and begged to stay longer and come back. Bathrooms are very nice and clean with hot water. I recommend if you want to take a family trip to Monterey or Carmel to check this place out. Only downside was I missed seeing and hearing the peacocks that I remember as a kid.
TravelerMount Madonna County Park has 4 campgrounds. I've been camping in this park since the late 70s. I've seen some changes over the years...ahem...decades. There's something for everyone here, RVers, tenters, and those who want to rent tent cabins. There are plenty of trails to hike, as well as equestrian trails. No bikes on trails though.
There are several micro climates in this area and temps can vary, besides our weather varies from day to day.
There are trails offering views of the Santa Clara Valley, and trails offering views of the Monterey Bay. The park is above the fog line (most of the year). We don't get rain in the summer here. The park is situated at the County lines of Santa Clara County and Santa Cruz County and is part of the Santa Clara County Parks system.
No stores or markets in the park, but you can easily run into town, either Watsonville or Gilroy. It's slightly closer to Watsonville where you will find a gas station/market on 152 (Currently a Valero), or go into Gilroy on 152 for Safeway and more.
There's a small cabin (ranger's station) with a history exhibit and the white reindeer up from the kiosk. My favorite campground in the park is the Tan Oak campground at the top and through the day use area. There are plenty of Geocaches on the trails.
The bathrooms are generally clean. I say generally because I prefer the off season when I have the campground to myself and the bathrooms are super clean, but when the campground is full, like any public bathroom they can need more attention. (Or maybe people just need to clean up after themselves) I've never used the showers, nor the tent cabins. I like the sites because overall they are separated by trees so you don't feel as crowded as more open campgrounds.
Despite signage warning of mountain lions, I have never encountered a single one in all the years of camping here. I've had raccoons and skunks (so lock up your food and belongings), turkeys and deer.
Weekends, especially a holiday weekend such as Memorial Day weekend, can be full. (Not my favorite) I have also stayed for the 4th of July when it fell midweek and had the campground (Tan Oak) literally to myself.
Leashed pets are allowed (2 per site) and 2 cars and 8 people per site.
LegendWe stayed here Summer 2012. There were many nice amenities here like gravel/paved sites, restrooms, game room, the blob, train rides, swimming pool, general store, playground, etc. the staff was friendly and the grounds were very neat and tidy. We had a campfire and relaxed outside at night. The temperature was perfect. We didn’t have to run the A/C at all. Campground is not on the beach though :( We drove into Santa Cruz for and signed the older boys up for a 2 hour session at Richard Schmidt surf school. Later we went to the boardwalk amusement park that was over 100 years old right on the ocean. We ate seafood at the pier then let the kids get on some rides. The one thing that I thought was really special was the indoor merry go round which was on the National Historic Register. The horses were beautifully decorated and had real hair for the tails. This was definitely a cool place to go visit!
Frequently Asked Questions
What glamping options are available in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz offers diverse glamping experiences for those seeking comfort in nature. Saddle Mountain Ranch provides luxury gazebos with queen beds featuring heated mattresses, private fire pits, and propane grills. For a more traditional experience with added comfort, Mount Madonna County Park offers tent cabins that provide a perfect middle ground between camping and hotel stays. The area around Santa Cruz has several options within a short drive, including KOAs with deluxe cabins and private campgrounds with premium accommodations that include amenities like heated pools, saunas, and clean shower facilities.
Can I find bell tent glamping experiences near Santa Cruz?
Bell tent glamping experiences can be found near Santa Cruz at select locations. The Santa Cruz region has embraced the glamping trend with various canvas accommodations. Big Basin Redwoods State Park previously offered tent cabins that provided a similar experience to bell tents, though visitors should check current availability as the park recovers from wildfires. Some private properties and boutique glamping sites around Santa Cruz County offer bell tent setups seasonally. These typically feature queen beds, rugs, and furnishings that create a comfortable, Instagram-worthy retreat. For the most current bell tent options, checking with local glamping providers is recommended as offerings change seasonally.
Are there family-friendly glamping cabins in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz offers several family-friendly glamping cabin options. Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday is particularly well-suited for families, featuring clean, comfortable cabins and amenities like a heated swimming pool, playground, game room, and even train rides for children. The campground maintains a family-friendly atmosphere with organized activities. For a more nature-immersed experience, Sunset State Beach provides cabin accommodations near a beautiful expansive beach perfect for family strolls and relaxation. Most glamping cabins in the area include basic furnishings and bedding, allowing families to enjoy nature without sacrificing essential comforts.
Are there yurts for glamping in Santa Cruz?
While traditional yurts aren't widely mentioned in Santa Cruz proper, Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA offers yurt accommodations near Pescadero, just a short drive from Santa Cruz. These round canvas structures provide a unique glamping experience with comfortable beds and furniture. If you're willing to venture slightly outside the immediate Santa Cruz area, you'll find more yurt options at state parks and private campgrounds within the greater Monterey Bay region. These yurts typically include amenities such as beds, furniture, and sometimes electricity, offering the perfect balance between camping and comfortable accommodation.
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