Best Glamping near Scotts Valley, CA

Mount Madonna County Park and Lupin Lodge Nudist Resort feature upscale glamping accommodations within 30 minutes of Scotts Valley. Mount Madonna's glamping yurts offer a peaceful forest retreat with picnic tables, fire rings, and toilet facilities amid redwood groves. At Lupin Lodge, guests enjoy clothing-optional glamping with access to a pool, hot tub, sauna, and tennis courts. Both locations provide trash collection and water access for a comfortable outdoor experience. These canvas accommodations blend natural surroundings with modern comforts while maintaining a connection to nature. According to a camper, "You feel like you're in another world, with hiking trails minutes from San Jose and amenities like volleyball courts and a communal kitchen."

Hiking trails throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains surround these glamping destinations, with waterfalls and scenic overlooks accessible from Mount Madonna. Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA, located slightly further at Pescadero, enhances the glamping experience with market access, full hookups, and both drive-in and walk-in glamping options in yurts. Each glamping site includes a picnic table and fire ring, with showers and modern bathrooms nearby. Most locations remain open year-round, though reservations are strongly recommended, especially during summer months. One visitor noted, "Lots of space with bathrooms very accessible. Hiking trails are nearby and you hardly see other people which is a huge plus for privacy and experiencing nature."

Best Glamping Sites Near Scotts Valley, California (24)

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

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

    $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."

    2. Sunset State Beach

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

    "Clean bathrooms with running water. Very very very safe. Lots of families but again, super safe and beautiful"

    "Close to the beach, hot showers, fire pits"

    3. Mount Madonna County Park

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

    "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."

    4. Sanborn County Park

    19 Reviews
    Saratoga, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 867-9959

    $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."

    5. Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday

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

    "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."

    "The family loved it- it was the perfect size for us and everything worked and the outdoor patio had heavy duty tables and chairs along with fire pit and even a Weber grill."

    6. Uvas Canyon County Park

    11 Reviews
    New Almaden, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 779-9232

    $34 / night

    "This is a great spot for people looking to get away and camp but not trying to drive for 3-4 hours to do so."

    "A nice small campground nestled in the eastern side of Santa Cruz Mountains, west of Morgan Hill, easily accessible off of Highway 101."

    7. Seacliff State Beach

    7 Reviews
    Aptos, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 685-6442

    "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."

    8. Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA

    16 Reviews
    Pescadero, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (650) 879-7302

    $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."

    9. Sunrise Point at Candlestick Point SRA - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    1 Review
    Monte Sereno, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 818-2260

    $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."

    10. Lupin Lodge Nudist Resort

    1 Review
    Los Gatos, CA
    8 miles
    Website

    $35 - $175 / night

    "Lots of space with bathrooms very accessible. Hiking and only minutes from San Jose. You feel like your in another world.

    Check on-line for calender of fun events (when Covid changes)."

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Glamping Reviews near Scotts Valley, CA

279 Reviews of 24 Scotts Valley Campgrounds


  • R
    Jul. 5, 2019

    Saddle Mountain Ranch

    Glamping Approved

    This 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.

  • Natalie G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2020

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

    Idyllic campground close to loads of beauty

    We 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!

  • Care B.
    Dec. 20, 2022

    Saddle Mountain Ranch

    Camp or glamp

    This 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!

  • Laura Q.
    Nov. 22, 2019

    Saddle Mountain Ranch

    .

    I 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.

  • A
    Sep. 22, 2016

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

    Summer Family Fun at Big Basin

    We 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.

  • Shawnna B.
    Jun. 13, 2019

    Mount Madonna County Park

    My favorite campground of the Monterey Bay

    Mount 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.

  • Brittany S.
    Aug. 14, 2018

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

    Trees, Trees, Trees!

    There is something awesome about standing inside a tree that is literally 10 times bigger than you! Camping here was one of the most special, amazing camping adventured in my life. My husband is an environmental geologist, so he had been working in California for the cleanup after the wildfires. So we decided when he was done I would fly down and we would take a little vacation. We had spent the week before in Yosemite National Park, so by the time we got here (not even gonna lie) we were exhausted and a little sick. In Yosemite the temperature drop at night gave us both a little cold, but thankfully the temperature in Big Basin was not nearly as harsh.

    Before arriving we reserved a campsite on their website at the Huckleberry campground. At the time the Huckleberry campsite was the only one open, maybe because it was off season, although I am not sure. On the website there are actually pictures of each site so you can choose to your liking. I chose a small site with a lot of trees, what I thought was the most breathtaking site. It was just our little tent so we didn't need much room. The site had one parking spot, a picnic table, a fire pit with rack, and what I call a "bear box" which is a animal resistant container for food.

    Our site was close to the bathrooms, showers, and dumpster which was convenient for us especially after 'roughing' it in Yosemite. Every facility was clean and surprisingly very nice. We didn't end up using the fire pit, but instead just cooked our food over a pocket rocket, but I do believe they had firewood for sale at the rangers hut. They had a grocery store but it is not open during the winter months so plan accordingly. However there is a town in Bouldercreek, CA with a grocery store, some bars, and a few restaurants. It is about a 20 miles drive out of the park to the town.

    We ended up taking a break from the cold one afternoon while we were there and drove into town to eat at Boulder Creek Pizza & Pub. It was absolutely delicious, but whether it was actually the best pizza in the world, or it had been so long since we had a real meal, either way it was great!

    The trails and campground are easy to get too and well marked, but we did lose service on the drive into the park. The education center on site is very interesting and teaches you so much about the history and growth of the amazing Redwood trees. Even every single campsite is breathtaking so you can't lose. We did a few trails around our campsite, nothing very extreme.They do have very good hiking trails with distance, just make sure you get a map before. Everything was just so wondrous and beautiful. I felt like a kid exploring this place, so small and insignificant in the big scheme of things. I will never forget this park, it will forever hold a spot in my heart and soul.

  • s
    Jun. 20, 2021

    Gilroy Garlic USA RV Park

    Nice RV Park, Reasonable Rates

    We happened upon this RV Park as a drop in when our other park was not available. What a pleasant surprise! We’ll be making this our go to spot when traveling through the Gilroy area from now on.

    For starters, the staff is wonderful. So friendly. Just an FYI, if they have open spots after the office closes they put out packets for up to 2 pull thru and 2 back in spots for late arrivals without a reservation.

    Pros

    • Great central location!
    • Roomy spaces, by RV park standards.
    • Water, sewer, electric, WiFi, and trash.
    • Propane on-site for purchase.
    • Laundry mat on site. Prices more reasonable than going to a laundry mat off site.
    • Showers and restrooms.
    • Truly dog welcoming, with multiple dog poop baggy bins and a dog run so your best friend can run leash free. They even gave my dog premium dog treats upon arrival. Wow!!
    • A really nice pool.
    • Wide back in spots, with wide roadways. Even a novice RVer can back it up with out concern.
    • This place can accommodate truly large rigs, there were quite a few of them during our visit.
    • There are likely long term rentals, but I couldn’t point them out because all the sites were neat and clean with flowers and landscaping. The park was super quiet.
    • Open, lush grassy area.

    Cons:

    • It’s an RV park, so there is a lot of smooth new concrete and the sites are close together. If you want natural turf and more space, you’ll need to give up the amenities and go to a State Park or Forest.

Guide to Scotts Valley

The area surrounding Scotts Valley sits in the Santa Cruz Mountains at elevations between 500-2,600 feet, creating a unique microclimate that's often 10-15 degrees cooler than nearby valley floors. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during day and drop to 50-60°F at night, with coastal fog occasionally rolling into lower elevations. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can dip into the 40s with periodic rainfall between November and March.

What to do

Waterfall hiking trails: Several trails at Uvas Canyon County Park feature small cascades even during drier months. "The campsites and bathrooms are well maintained, and the camp host sells firewood. The campground map shows a creek, but there is a pretty steep drop between the campsites and the creek so it's not something you can play in easily," notes Joshua H.

White deer viewing: Mount Madonna County Park maintains a small herd of white fallow deer, descendants from William Randolph Hearst's exotic animal collection. "Near the ranger station there are pens with white fallow deer. They are descendants of the exotic zoo at William Randolph Hearst's mansion down the coast. The park used to have hundreds of them, but a number of years ago the park service stopped allowing them to breed because they're an introduced species," explains April N.

Archery trails: For a unique outdoor activity, Mount Madonna County Park offers a 28-target archery course through the woods. "There is an archery trail with 28 targets on a trail through the woods. We were there 3 days in a row and did 20 of the 28. It's really pretty and a cool challenge," shares one visitor who enjoyed this distinctive activity.

What campers like

Natural redwood showers: The coastal redwoods create their own microclimate where morning condensation creates a unique natural phenomenon. "This is the only place I've seen the redwood trees harvest the fog and make their own rain, which is pretty cool. In the morning it's raining under the redwood trees but not under the madrone or tan oak trees, which is wild," writes a camper at Mount Madonna.

Beach proximity: Sunset State Beach offers camping with convenient beach access. "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," notes Mauriel O., highlighting the ease of beach access while still having some protection from coastal winds.

Free showers: Unlike many state and national park campgrounds, several county parks near Scotts Valley offer free shower facilities. "The park is a on beautiful forested hilltop. Some areas are redwood, other parts mixed with other kinds of trees. Bathrooms have soap & TP and kept clean," reports a visitor to Mount Madonna County Park, appreciating these practical amenities.

What you should know

Temperature variations: The elevation changes throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains create significant temperature drops compared to nearby cities. "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose. We weren't prepared & had to drive into town & buy more clothes!" cautions one camper about Mount Madonna.

Cell reception limitations: Most glamping sites near Scotts Valley have limited or no cell service. "Important to note that you can actually get a cell signal if you walk to the dump station!" mentions Lori T. about Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA, highlighting how connectivity is limited to specific locations within campgrounds.

Weekend crowds: Sites fill quickly during summer and holiday weekends, with many requiring reservations months in advance. "We stayed here the summer before it burned down. It was 95 degrees in this redwood forest. I am grateful to have visited these big trees. We had a great trip," shares Jeannie B., underscoring the popularity of these locations during peak seasons.

Tips for camping with families

Wagon availability: For walk-in glamping spots, Sanborn County Park provides transport assistance. "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. The park provides carts to help with hauling gear, and storage boxes are provided at the site, near the picnic table," explains Amanda P.

Campsite selection strategy: When glamping close to Scotts Valley, California, choose outer loop sites for more privacy. "While the sites are a little close to each other, those on the outside of the loop had a great deal of privacy. Inner loop sites have none, but would be great if you were camping with friends," advises Lori T. about valley view campsites.

Kid-friendly attractions: Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday features multiple activities designed specifically for children. "Paved roads for bikes, huge playground, nice store, warm pool. It's perfect for families. I wouldn't recommend this for campers who like solitude, of course, or someone looking for a romantic trip," shares Andrea A., highlighting amenities that keep children entertained.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks, as many glamping sites near Scotts Valley have uneven parking areas. "If you plan to sleep in your car, you may want to take leveling blocks as I found the car parking spot to be not leveled at all," advises Mon M. about Uvas Canyon County Park, noting a practical consideration for vehicle-based camping.

Navigation and access: Roads to many glamping locations involve narrow, winding routes that can challenge larger vehicles. "The road is windy, narrow, and not for the car sick. Be prepared to pay $6 for parking," warns one reviewer about accessing canyon campgrounds, providing important information for those with motion sensitivity or larger vehicles.

RV site spacing: At Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA, expect compact sites for larger rigs. "The pull through spaces are extremely tight to the point that our slide out was hitting vegetation and our neighbors awning was about two feet from our RV. But, if you expect that, it's a great place to stay," explains Andrea A., setting appropriate expectations for RVers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Scotts Valley, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Scotts Valley, CA is Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED with a 4.7-star rating from 34 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Scotts Valley, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 24 glamping camping locations near Scotts Valley, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.