Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Santa Cruz, CA

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.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Santa Cruz, California (84)

    1. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground

    44 Reviews
    Mount Hermon, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 438-2396

    $7 - $35 / night

    "An inexpensive way to stay & vacation in Santa Cruz."

    "Near downtown Santa Cruz and Felton."

    2. New Brighton State Beach Campground

    44 Reviews
    Capitola, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 464-6330

    $35 - $185 / night

    "You can walk a short ways to see the ocean and there are several trails down, but the one with real stairs is closed so you better be sure-footed if you're taking the other trail."

    "Great campground and location. You can easily walk to the beach. Close to Capitola Village, Santa Cruz, and Kayaking at Moss Landing."

    3. Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort

    21 Reviews
    Felton, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 335-8312

    "Close to 6 Santa Cruz county state parks and Santa Cruz beaches and town. We will stay here again! Side note. Don’t use hwy 9 south from Santa Cruz towing. The road is too winding and narrow."

    "Do not take highway 9 from Santa Cruz as the RV park will tell you. Our car navigation changed our route even after we were approaching 17 north. Keep your eyes out for the highway signs."

    4. Sunset State Beach

    27 Reviews
    Watsonville, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 763-7063

    "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."

    5. Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED

    34 Reviews
    Boulder Creek, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 338-8860

    $35 / night

    "So sad the devastation of last month's fires on the oldest state park in California, home to thr biggest redwoods south of San Francisco."

    "Hiking trails throughout the park, private camping, and a quick trip to Santa Cruz. The winter months are super cold and on numerous occasions we have been the only people camping."

    6. Cotillion Gardens RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Felton, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 335-7669

    "Friendly staff and a quick drive into the Santa Cruz beach communities."

    "The place is old, but it has a great location. There are great hiking trails assessable from the campground."

    7. Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday

    16 Reviews
    Freedom, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 722-0551

    "We had a campfire and relaxed outside at night. The temperature was perfect. We didn’t have to run the A/C at all."

    "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."

    8. Mount Madonna County Park

    32 Reviews
    Gilroy, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 842-2341

    "There are plenty of trails to hike, as well as equestrian trails. No bikes on trails though."

    "There was really no road noise at our site, though a few sites further around the loop did have noise. This particular site has a trail leading directly to the vast network of hiking trails."

    9. Smithwoods RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Felton, CA
    4 miles
    +1 (831) 335-4321

    "This is our favorite place to camp, Redwoods everywhere, 9 miles from Santa Cruz, kids love this place we have camped in the group area with 8 trailers and other spots on site great weather"

    "I’m so glad we did because we were surrounded by these beautiful red wood trees and we could hear the train whistle in the daytime coming from Roaring Camp Railroad."

    10. Manresa State Beach Campground

    9 Reviews
    Freedom, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 761-1795

    $35 / night

    "Short walk from parking to camp sites. Clean bathrooms. Water spigot at many sites, Wi-Fi is pretty variable at different place around the campsites."

    "Beautiful views of the ocean just steps from your tent. During the summer months, whales and dolphins can be seen cruising through the ocean around sunset."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Santa Cruz, CA

747 Reviews of 84 Santa Cruz Campgrounds


  • R
    Jan. 9, 2024

    Santa Cruz Harbor RV Park

    Nice quiet park

    Only about 8 minutes from Santa Cruz beach/boardwalk. Off a quiet street. Reasonable price for the location.

  • Buddy F.
    Feb. 25, 2022

    Smithwoods RV Park

    Fun times at Smithwoods

    This is our favorite place to camp, Redwoods everywhere, 9 miles from Santa Cruz, kids love this place we have camped in the group area with 8 trailers and other spots on site great weather

  • K
    Aug. 25, 2022

    Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort

    Great spot!

    This campground is very nice! Nothing fancy. An older campground but we’ll maintained. We had to change our dates, and it was an east phone call to do that. They also let you checkin and pay online which was seamless also. Close to 6 Santa Cruz county state parks and Santa Cruz beaches and town. We will stay here again! Side note. Don’t use hwy 9 south from Santa Cruz towing. The road is too winding and narrow. Use hwy 17 to Mount Herman road

  • Mauriel O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2018

    Sunset State Beach

    Great campground away from the hustle and bustle

    Nice 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.

  • Patrick J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 12, 2025

    Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort

    RV Park with a camping feel

    Getting there takes some attention. Do not take highway 9 from Santa Cruz as the RV park will tell you. Our car navigation changed our route even after we were approaching 17 north. Keep your eyes out for the highway signs. Once there, it was a pleasant check in. Roads to the sites are narrow, so again, keep your eyes pealed. Site was nice, partially under a redwood. River runs behind the park. We took a few hikes in the area that were very nice. Gas, propane and food are all located down the street.  I had to use a 6 foot extension on the sewer hose. Shore chord was fine as was the water spigot.

  • Christina R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2022

    Smithwoods RV Park

    Amazing Scenery

    My husband and I absolutely loved this campground! We drove up for my Aunts 60th to camp instead of getting a hotel. I’m so glad we did because we were surrounded by these beautiful red wood trees and we could hear the train whistle in the daytime coming from Roaring Camp Railroad. This location isn’t to far from Santa Cruz and Felton if you want to go into town and do activities etc.. about 8-15min. and the drive is beautiful on the way in and out through the trees. The reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 was because the wifi was only there if you were at the front office using it. We didn’t get service if our family members needed to contact us since they were staying in town. They need to put access points around for a better wifi connection. Other then that, we would definitely stay again!

  • Stacie L.
    May. 21, 2022

    New Brighton State Beach Campground

    Beautiful campground close to the beach

    We just got back from New Brighton, stayed in site 108. Love this State Beach! Our site was large enough for our big truck and 26 ft trailer, plus a 2nd small SUV. There was plenty of flat area for my sons tent as well. Not a ton of trees, so this particular spot didnt get a lot of natural shade, bring pop ups! The site next door, 110, had many more trees and shade. The sites are far enough apart to feel secluded. At night you can still hear the ocean even though we werent in a premium spot. You can walk a short ways to see the ocean and there are several trails down, but the one with real stairs is closed so you better be sure-footed if you're taking the other trail. We opted for the short drive to the beach lot. There are bathrooms with flush toilets and showers close by and a dump station on the way out. Plus New Brighton is just a few mins from downtown Capitola, and not much further from Santa Cruz so there are SO many things to explore when you're there. Definitely a new favorite place!

  • Barb D.
    Apr. 18, 2019

    Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground

    A Hidden Gem in the 💜 of the wise old redwoods...

    An inexpensive way to stay & vacation in Santa Cruz.

    Many ways to explore nature (Hiking, Biking, Train Ride through redwoods down to the ocean & beach, camping, leisure easy walk through old growth redwood trees, zip line through the redwoods - just down the road, etc)

    Short beautiful drives & motorcycle rides, in the Santa Cruz Mountains & to San Francisco & Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur - only a few hours away in either direction

    Dog friendly

    Kid friendly

    Great Surfing Areas nearby (learn to surf at Cowell’s Beach - a great long board & beginners spot)

    Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (free concerts on Main Beach in the summer months)

    Santa Cruz has a huge selection of super awesome food & restaurant choices!!! Brekkie, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Ice Cream, Candy. Unbelievable food!

    If I missed something, just ask. Although, I don’t live there now. I grew up there & lived there for 30 years. When I go back to visit, I camp at Henry Cowell.

  • L
    Feb. 29, 2020

    Moss Landing KOA Express

    Best place to stay !

    Great location between Santa Cruz and Monterey. Very good facilities in small park. Walking distance to wonderful beaches and several restaurants. 30 min drive to SC north or south to Monterey.


Guide to Santa Cruz

Discover the best spots for pets-allowed camping near Santa Cruz, California, where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.

Tips for camping with dogs near Santa Cruz

Pet-friendly campgrounds include New Brighton State Beach

  • At New Brighton State Beach Campground, pets are welcome, and you can enjoy easy access to the beach for fun-filled days.
  • The campground features amenities like picnic tables and fire pits, making it a great spot for family gatherings with your pets.
  • With reservable sites and nearby hiking trails, New Brighton State Beach Campground is perfect for a weekend getaway with your furry companions.

Pet owners like the amenities at Marina Dunes RV Park

  • Marina Dunes RV Park offers spacious sites and is just a short walk from the beach, ideal for pets who love to run and play in the sand.
  • The park is well-maintained and features clean facilities, ensuring a comfortable stay for both you and your pet.
  • With easy access to nearby hiking trails, Marina Dunes RV Park provides a great base for exploring the beautiful coastal scenery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Santa Cruz, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Santa Cruz, CA is Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 44 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Santa Cruz, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 84 dog-friendly camping locations near Santa Cruz, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.