Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Santa Cruz, CA
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground allows pets at all its spacious campsites tucked among towering trees. Sites include picnic tables, fire rings, and bear boxes with varying degrees of sun and shade throughout the campground. Mount Madonna County Park offers pet-friendly tent camping, RV sites, and glamping in yurts where dogs can accompany their owners. New Brighton State Beach Campground welcomes pets year-round with easy access to beach areas. Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort provides full hookup sites with pets allowed and maintains clean facilities where dogs are welcome. Most campgrounds require pets to be on leash at all times, typically not exceeding 6 feet in length. Poison oak grows throughout some areas, requiring extra vigilance when walking dogs on trails. Campers note that despite popular belief, alcohol is allowed at Henry Cowell while maintaining pet-friendly policies. The Dyrt includes reviews of campgrounds near Santa Cruz, California.
Hiking trails accessible from Henry Cowell connect to the stunning Redwood grove where pets can join their owners to view ancient coastal redwoods. Campgrounds near Santa Cruz balance wooded seclusion with proximity to urban amenities, including veterinary services within 5-10 miles of most sites. Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday provides designated pet exercise areas on its 235-site property. Seasonal considerations include summer crowding at pet-friendly beach access points and cooler temperatures under redwood canopies year-round. Campers consistently mention the clean bathroom facilities at pet-friendly campgrounds, with coin-operated showers (25¢ for 4 minutes at Henry Cowell) available at most locations. Sunset State Beach and Manresa State Beach both permit dogs at their campgrounds while maintaining specific on-leash policies for beach areas and trails.
