Best Tent Camping near Spreckels, CA

Recent Tent Reviews near Spreckels, California

866 Reviews of 14 Spreckels Campgrounds

• 

  Mike N.

  Scout

  

  Dec. 28, 2021

  Mount Madonna County Park

  Mount Madonna camping hideaway under redwoods

  Enjoyed tent camping at mount Madonna. I was able to reserve a drive in tent campground one month out . Many miles of trails and excellent facilities.

• D

  Dan M.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 14, 2022

  Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

  Get there early

  Great for tent camping and hiking. RV sites have 30 amp hookups. No water or sewer hookups. Dump station was available. RV sites are all gravel and fairly flat. Paying after the store closed at 6pm was an ordeal. Could never make it happen. We tried to log in for 3$ to pay online but it failed and we were never able to connect. Tent sites were secluded, many under shade trees, and well dispersed. Bathrooms were few and far between. Mostly vault toilets. There is a pool that families will enjoy. There is a small store. Walks and hikes are what is available. For a National Park it underwhelmed.

• 

  Christopher S.

  Guide

  

  Dec. 28, 2023

  Big Sur Campground & Cabins

  Very nice wooded camp ground

  Enjoyed my two night stay camping in a tent. Touring Big Sur and surrounding areas.

• 

  Laura Q.

  Scout

  

  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.

• 

  Katherine T.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 1, 2018

  Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground

  Large open campsites

  This campground has large open sites for tent camping. It was covered in trees and had some options for better more private spots, but sadly the campground was almost to capacity when we went. The options for tent camping was limited. I know for our next visit to reserve ahead of time, and to request cliff side tent camps. Cliff side tent camps are separate and have full vista views.

• K

  Kelli H.

  Traveler

  

  May. 3, 2018

  Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground

  Love this campground. The campsites are private and fairly large. Beautiful redwood tress are everywhere and a river runs through the park. There are numerous hikes, one to a beautiful waterfall. The lodge is wonderful, and the food at the restuarant is delicious

  Tent camping

• A

  Amber D.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 22, 2016

  Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground

  Beautiful, memorable, cool

  This campground is one of our all-time favorites. Tent sites are far enough from the RV sites that they are quiet and peaceful. The river is lovely and cool. It's a super popular campground and yet the tent sites are situated such that it feels more spacious than crowded.

• M

  Monica H.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 5, 2020

  Big Sur Campground & Cabins

  All around great campground

  My husband and doggos have been to big sur three times now. It is our favorite spot to go. Good size lots, we have only been tent camping. Right near a river which is so much fun! Tubing there is great. Lots of other kids and dogs around.

• y

  yvette H.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 10, 2021

  Saddle Mountain Ranch

  Nice and clean!

  This place is great! Well kept and clean! Pool area was awesome! Tent site was perfect too! Bathroom/showers were clean as well! Wish we had time to do the trail but will come back again and do it.

• m

  marcus K.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 27, 2021

  Big Sur Campground & Cabins

  Amazing trees

  Set amidst some amazing redwoods adjacent to a bubbling creek. Clean and well maintained facilities. Has cabins, rv sites, and tent sites. Many trails nearby along with some great restaurants. There is no wifi and no verizon cell service.

• L

  Lisa

  Guide

  

  Nov. 1, 2020

  McAlpine Lake and Park

  More like a mobile home park

  First I would give no stars really. We did not stay here (but did drive thru the property Oct 2020) We would have preferred a rest stop on the hwy (although we did find a better campground another hour down the road). 90% of the sites were full with what appeared to be full time residents. The RV spots were extremely packed together. And there were a ton of cars parked in any available area. There were a few actual tent sites - without parking, but other “tent sites” were really just a strip of grass. I found the website photo misleading as the lake was fenced off, and it really just felt like a parking lot next to the highway. There was a little market with food and fishing supplies but it looked like you also had to pay to fish. Friendly staff.

• 

  Jonathan F.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 22, 2021

  Saddle Mountain Ranch

  Convient and great location

  Great for kids and very clean. Sites are close together but the terrace makes for a little space from each tent site. Very close to Carmel makes a morning walk on the beach and back in the pool by lunch very manageable.

• 

  Neil C.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 29, 2021

  Ventana Campground

  Decent site but expensive

  Paid 80 bucks for a tent site that was really small and close to other people. This campsite is packed to the gills. Plenty of kids screaming off in the distance. Not ideal but it’s in a highly sought after area, so it is what it is.

• 

  Alma L.

  Ranger

  

  Mar. 23, 2021

  New Brighton State Beach Campground

  Local Favorite

  We tent camped here but most people had a trailer. Translation: the bathroom was empty. Quiet with quick access to the beach via a steep paved path. The premium spots seem super worth it with panoramic views of the Pacific. Warning: the line for the dump station wound through nearly the entire park.

  There is a BMX park a short drive away.

• 

  Chris J.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 3, 2022

  Big Sur Campground & Cabins

  Overpriced and Underwhelming

  New ownership, who reportedly paid $28 mill for the campground, immediately doubled their prices to $225 per night for a standard tent site. No site improvements, just a 100% price increase. They are hopeful people will just pay because it’s Big Sur, after all. Don’t support this business model.

• B

  Barb K.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 27, 2018

  Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday

  Quiet, friendly, clean!

  Security guy was awesome, kind, friendly, helpful! We arrived at 11:30 pm - exhausted, with no reservation, asking for a tent site. No problem! He quickly got us registered and put us in a site with empty sites on each side of ours. In no time we had our tent set up, and we were comfortable and fast asleep. Felt VERY safe!

• A

  Ashley Z.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 16, 2019

  Fernwood Campground & Resort

  Magical Wooded Adventure with the Redwoods

  Fernwood is a unique campground because it has tent sites, RV spaces, canvas tents, cabins, a motel and even a restaurant. It’s situated on the river in Big Sur, and is surrounded by the majestic Redwood trees. If you don’t feel like cooking head up to the restaurant for a delicious meal. There’s also a small market to pick up necessities and ice.

• C

  Clark B.

  Traveler

  

  May. 23, 2018

  Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground

  Embraced by Redwoods

  Not sure if there is a bad tent camping site in this State park. All the site are in and around Redwoods – a perfect getaway for an individual, a couple, or the family. Sites close to bathrooms, include a firepit and table, plenty of room. Perfect for kids to explore – trees, streams, fields. Several excellent hikes in the immediate area – for all skill levels.

• 

  Anna R.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 16, 2018

  Andrew Molera State Park Campground

  Fills up quick

  This is a great stop along highway 1 with trails to the ocean. The tent sites are in a nice open field so you see the other campers but most are quiet and respectful. it is possible to share a campsite with others if it's full and you are willing to make friends.

• 

  Mauriel O.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 29, 2018

  Santa Cruz Ranch Campground

  Bring a camper, not a tent

  Came here last minute on a surf trip to Santa cruz so its partially our fault, but this place is not the best for tent camping in my opinion. They had a small plot to the side of the rest of the rv slots with a little grass to pitch a tent. Not secluded at all from the hustle and bustle which to me is a major part of the allure for camping. Otherwise the place was nice and looked great for rvs

• 

  Michael O.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 2, 2024

  Saddle Mountain Ranch

  In between camping and glamping, but somehow neither

  So, if you’re looking to be in nature and have a proper camping experience, this ain’t it. If you want a resort style vacation, this isn’t it either… yet somehow it’s a little of both. I wouldn’t recommend tent camping because you’re literally right next to your neighbor camping and isn’t really in the “woods”. Suggest you get a delux tent which includes a bed, fire pit and bbq. That’s why I’ve rated it high because it’s what I needed for one night. Plus the pull and games (corn hill, ping pong) are nice additions. Just know what you’re in for.

• 

  Kimberly K.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 14, 2019

  Fernwood Campground & Resort

  My Second Choice Campground In Big Sur

  This is my second choice campground right in Big Sur. Not because I really like it, I've been there when it was too crowded, but because it has similar qualities to my favorite campground across the road -Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. 

  In the summer the campground is thick with families and RVs/trailers, and tent campers. But off season the place mellows out and there is room to move. The campground is on either side of the Big Sur River, RVs and trailers on one side, tent campers on the other. 

  Amenities are there, but the free showers on the tent camping side of the campground are better than the pay for showers on the RV side. Every time I've had a meal at the restaurant there has been a different menu and style. Maybe they change chefs every season, but it's not a far drive down to Deetjen's for breakfast if one is up for a treat. The Fernwood General Store has a good selection of food items, wood for the fire, and a few camp supplies.

  My most recent stay here was in July 2019, on my sister's vacation with her RV. We had spot number 9 which was smack dab in the middle of everything which was not my preference, but my sister loved it. When I have a choice, I tent camp or vanlife in Big Sur between September and April. 

  I would give it between 3 and 4 stars, depending on season and how much you like to be around other people.

• 

  Esther A.

  Scout

  

  May. 10, 2019

  Mount Madonna County Park

  Beautiful Redwood Camp

  This campground is tucked away between Watsonville, CA and Gilroy, CA in a small stand of second growth redwwoods. They have one loop of rv sites and three other loops of gorgeous tent sites. They have redwood trees, showers, restrooms, archery, hiking trails, Henry Miller's vacation home ruins, camp fire programs and a pen of exotic white deer.

  I've been camping here my entire life in every season and I never get tired of it.

• 

  Bridget M.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 3, 2018

  Kirk Creek Campground

  Best views

  We stayed at Kirk Creek this weekend in one of the walk up tent sites. although we could not park by the spot, we arrived that day with no reservation and we’re happy to park across the street with how beautiful how surroundings were! From what I could tell, every site had a wonderful view of the ocean with how the campground is situated on the bluff. I will most definitely stay here again!

• A

  April N.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 16, 2021

  Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park

  Great park & campground

  Great park with trails that vary from flat oak meadows with wildflowers to strenuous mountain hikes to canyon creeks & caves. Parking inside the park fills up early (by 8am) so get there early or you’ll have to start your hike from the big lot at the visitor center and add a few miles.

  The campground is good. We tent camped. Bathrooms are kept clean & stocked with TP & soap. Water taps are frequent. Some sites are small & exposed; others are big, shady & private. Many on loop C are good. The camp store is very well stocked.

• 

  Kathy M.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 1, 2017

  Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground

  Perfect Family Camping

  This was a fantastic campground for a family. Hikes within short walking distance and within bike or short car ride to general store and lodge. Coin showers and bathrooms were very clean. There is a laundry site (this was open) and second general store on premesis however it was not open for the season yet. Camp hosts were very nice and knowledgeable about area. Wood bundles were delivered directly to site. Tent site came with picnic table and large fire pit with grate. This made for an amazing first experience at Big Sur. Highly recommend.

• 

  Olivia A.

  Guide

  

  May. 22, 2021

  Arroyo Seco

  Beautiful and quiet

  Went to tent camp at site #14 (close to the bathrooms and showers) last week. I booked online in advance and arrived a little before check in. Checked in and found the camp hosts to be so helpful and nice. They also have ice, water, firewood and other items available for purchase. Stayed for about 3 nights with perfect 80 degree weather every day. Went on a hike and found the most captivating view. When it hit about 6pm the mosquitoes came out so just make sure you’re equipped. Would love to come back. Also, went to visit Big Sur which is only a 2 hour drive, well worth the visit.