Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Stanford, CA
Searching for a campsite that allows pets near Stanford? Finding pet-friendly campgrounds in California is easier than ever. Search nearby pet-friendly campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Stanford, CA (95)
1. Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED
34 Reviews•98 Photos•507 SavesBoulder Creek, CaliforniaCAMPGROUND CLOSED DUE TO FIRE:
Public access to Big Basin has been severely impacted by the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire and ongoing fire recovery work, but the park is now open for limited day-use access. Reservations for parking are not required, but are encouraged due to the limited amount of first-come, first-served parking available. Reserve a parking space. The parking fee is $6 per vehicle plus a $2 reservation fee or $10 per vehicle without a reservation. No reservations or fees are required for visitors arriving by foot, bike, or bus. Read the FAQs for more information on the reservation system and visiting Big Basin.
Established in 1902, Big Basin Redwoods is California’s oldest state park. In the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Big Basin camping's biggest attractions—literally—are its ancient coast redwoods. Some of these giants are more than 50 feet around and as tall as the Statue of Liberty. At 1,000 to 1,800 years old, some may predate the Roman Empire. The park also offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, lush waterfalls, and a fascinating natural and cultural history.
The park has more than 80 miles of trails. Some of these trails link Big Basin to Castle Rock State Park and the eastern reaches of the Santa Cruz range. The Skyline to the Sea Trail threads its way through the park along Waddell Creek to the beach and adjacent Theodore J. Hoover Natural Preserve, a freshwater marsh.
The park has a number of waterfalls, a variety of habitats (from lush canyon bottoms to sparse chaparral-covered slopes), many animals (deer, raccoons, bobcats) and lots of bird life—including Steller’s jays, egrets, herons and California woodpeckers.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- RVs
$35 / night
2. Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground
26 Reviews•92 Photos•1071 SavesHalf Moon Bay, CaliforniaFrancis Beach has a campground with 52 individual sites, some suitable for tent camping, others for trailers or recreational vehicles. Some campsites have electrical hookups. Water and sewer hookups are not available, but there is a dump station ($10 fee) and a water filling station. Rental RV’s are not allowed to be dropped off or picked up from the park. Coin-operated hot showers are also available. (approximately 2 minutes per quarter)
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$165 / night
3. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
42 Reviews•173 Photos•824 SavesMount Hermon, California- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- RVs
$7 - $35 / night
4. Anthony Chabot Regional Park
25 Reviews•63 Photos•625 SavesCastro Valley, CaliforniaAnthony Chabot Family Campground, overlooking Lake Chabot, is a year-round getaway only 35 minutes from downtown Oakland and Oakland International Airport. The campground features 53 drive-to tent campsites, 10 walk-to tent campsites, and 12 RV/trailer campsites with full hookups (sewer, water, and 30 amp electrical). All sites have a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Restrooms include hot showers. Firewood and charcoal are available for purchase. The campground provides access to miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, along with fishing at nearby Lake Chabot.
Anthony Chabot Regional Park features seven group camps ranging in capacity from 35 to 300 campers, reservations required (a minimum of 9 people to use the group campsites). All group camps include picnic tables, BBQ, fire ring, water, and chemical/vault toilets. Equestrian camping is available by reservation at Bort Meadow Group Camp. For reservations, call 1-888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757), option 2. Group campsites cannot be reserved online.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
5. Sanborn County Park
19 Reviews•37 Photos•138 SavesSaratoga, California- Pets
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Standard (Tent/RV)
$33 / night
6. Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park - CLOSED INDEFINITELY
18 Reviews•46 Photos•69 SavesPescadero, CaliforniaJan 2025 - due to to extensive damage from wildfires, this campground will be closed indefinitely.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
$35 / night
7. New Brighton State Beach Campground
42 Reviews•138 Photos•913 SavesCapitola, CaliforniaNew Brighton State Beach is one of the most popular beachfront campgrounds in California, offering over 100 developed campsites, including 11 RV hookup sites. With bluff top views of the the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary, a visitor center museum, shade ramada for group picnics and special events, and campfire center with free summer programs, it’s no wonder New Brighton State Beach is such a favorite destination!
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$35 - $185 / night
8. Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA
16 Reviews•45 Photos•307 SavesPescadero, California- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$100 - $200 / night
9. Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay
9 Reviews•19 Photos•133 SavesNewark, CaliforniaLocated within Coyote Hills Regional Park and next to the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay in Fremont, Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay is the Park District’s first full-service campground, complete with 63 campsites, a camp store, an amphitheater, a playground, Wi-Fi, and picnic areas.
Drive-in family campsites are available by reservation year-round for tent camping, walk-in camping, bike camping, and RVs. Sixty sites are paved and have hookups for water, sewage, and electricity (50 amp). Three sites are water only and unpaved. The campground has restrooms, hot showers, picnic tables, open areas, and connections to park trails. Camping reservations can be made up to 12 weeks in advance, and at least 48 hours in advance.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$45 - $60 / night
10. Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort
18 Reviews•18 Photos•299 SavesFelton, CaliforniaSanta Cruz Redwoods RV Resort is nestled in the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Situated on the beautiful San Lorenzo River, and backed by Henry Cowell State Park, our clean and well maintained RV Park and campground offers guests a year-round, family-oriented, place to relax. Or a comfortable base camp for your outdoor adventure. We welcome families, groups, and RV clubs of most sizes. Experience the richness of Santa Cruz County where a hiking journey begins in an old-growth redwood forest, winds past graceful waterfalls, and ends on a pristine beach. Great outdoor fun awaits you with hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain bike riding. All RV sites come equipped with full hookups (electric, water, & sewer) and cable TV. There's also a spacious clubhouse on-site, clean bathrooms, hot showers, and much more.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
Recent Dog-Friendly Reviews in Stanford
611 Reviews of 95 Stanford Campgrounds
Jayden J.
Traveler
Sunset State Beach Campground
Love it!
It’s so peaceful and beautiful here! I will say, there is practically no service. which personally i enjoy because you get to be away from the world for a couple of days. the walk to the beach from the site i was in was also sort of a trek, it is definitely very different for anyone who is not in good shape, but once you get over the hill, the reward is so worth it!
Michael I.
Ranger
Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park
Amazing location, okay campground
I can't think of a better place to camp on or near Mt. Tamalpais than Pantoll in terns of the access to trails and the various parks in the area. From Pantoll you have very easy access to the summit of Mt. Tamalpais, easy access Stinson Beach and the coast, plus you can even skip the long lines and shuttles to get into Muir Woods. There are literally days worth of great hiking accessible from Pantoll!
That said, the campground, while nicely maintained and well-equipped is right next to a relatively busy road and during daylight hours, especially in the high-traffic times of the year, the sites themselves are very exposed to all the day visitors.
Speaking of day visitors, I don't recall if you get a dedicated parking space with a campsite or not, but parking can be a challenge here due to the popularity of the various trailheads, and the limited parking.
Brian C.
Scout
Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
Great KOA location
Very close to the beach, quiet, excellent friendly staff always happy to help. Had some helpful neighbors for my first time in the travel trailer. They have activities daily and things to do which are sent out daily in a text. The store has many items that may be needed and some souvenirs. It was a great visit!
- Michell C.Ranger
Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground
Very nice beach camping spot
The atmosphere here is wonderful. It’s quiet and right on the beach. Some RV spaces with hookups back right up to the sand/vegetation. Bathrooms and showers on site. We stayed in a spot without hookups and it was $35 per night. Gate staff was friendly and helpful. No dogs allowed in the beach in the park but a short walk away there is a public beach that is dog friendly, so that was nice for our doggo.
michael D.
Guide
Moss Landing KOA Express
Well maintained park close to beach
We stayed here for a week due to it's proximity to the beach and Monterey/Santa Cruz. This park is very well cared for, and management responsive. Showers, laundry and store are all clean and well maintained. Sites are close together but paved. Beach is super close and sea life plentiful. Surfing beaches very nearby. We visited in the off season and most local shops were closed, but the fresh seafood and coffee shops were open. Other shopping is a drive away. Sites are tight but paved.
- michael D.Guide
Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay
We liked this extremely clean and well maintained Park.
We stayed here for 12 days while visiting relatives in the Bay area. This campground, while in the heart of Fremont, feels remote and safe in spite of being close to town. Sites are not huge, but arranged in such a way as to feel private. It is in the Coyote hills regional Park. There are many many trails for hiking and biking, and wildlife is plentiful. Our RV is small and we used the showers and bathrooms quite a bit. They are cleaned daily and we're always in great shape. The laundry is run by an outside organization, and the change machine was always empty, but everything worked well.
- LLuke N.Scout
H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound
Good free overnight parking for our 30ft rv
Good spot to spend the night. Rocked up at around 8pm, pretty busy at least 10 other vans and rvs there for the night. Couple of food vendors, great view of Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Weren’t hassled at all, left around 9am.
- TThibaud M.Scout
H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound
Nice spot to sleep
Nice spot close to the Golden Gate Bridge
- Luke D.Traveler
San Francisco RV Resort
Great Spot!!!!
I’m very confused by the boojie negative reviews, what do you expect?
This is an absolutely great spot! Restrooms and showers are clean and the staff is great. Will be back often.
Not a far drive to the city either. Price is higher than other places but this close to the city with all of the amenities a pretty good deal.
Alana S.ScoutDumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay
Great for first time campers
The staff was amazing. Tent site was spacious. Not too crowded. Clean bathroom and shower. Several trails to walk. Close to town in case we forgot something.
Amy M.Traveler
New Brighton State Beach Campground
Close to beach, but still in town
Location is great. Easy access. Noise from the freeway. Heard sirens.
Günter S.Scout
French Camp Recreational Vehicle Park
Camp Site doesnt accsist!
The coordinate given are Not valid. It is a residential area and not an RV nore an campsite! Reservation per phone with none refondable possibility. Be carefull! Dont book!
- Amy M.Traveler
Sunset State Beach Campground
Close to beach
My husband and I love to stay here because of the nice walk to the beach. Restrooms and shower are dated , but clean.
- MMark M.Ranger
Coyote Valley RV Resort
Buttoned up, formal atmosphere RV resort
High priced. Nice people at desk. Damon who helped us park was very friendly. Almost entirely high-priced big rigs, some of whom seem settled here but it's clean, 'orderly,' very quiet. Rigid rules keep the order; nice that no political flags/signs allowed. 2 dog parks and lots of grassy areas to take for a walk. Showers in locker-room/bldg, bathrooms nice and clean. Green grass. Also has laundry with 2.50 wash and.25 dry for 8 min. Skunk wandered by site in the night. Cool train sounds from nearby tracks at night. Was probably the most convenient to San Jose, otherwise we likely would've been in mtns. and too far away from town for our needs at the time. Would not be a regular choice for us.
Carly C.TravelerH. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound
Great location
Great location overlooking the city, has facilities like toilets and drinking fountains. Very busy when I was here on a Saturday night with locals, tourists and Mexican street vendors. Can’t complain because it’s free and close to the city
Laura M.
LegendNew Brighton State Beach Campground
Love it here
There are a ton of reviews for this place already so I will try to keep it short and only add info that I didn't see mentioned in previous reviews.
Showers are $0.25 per min ($0.50 min to start). You don't get to adjust water temp, but it was pleasantly hot. Showers are non-gendered and individual.
Dump station is no longer free; all California State Parks are charging $10 to dump now, even for campers. You pay at the dump site with a credit card. There are 4 dump holes and a potable water fill as well.
We love staying here as it's so convenient to Capitola. We were able to park our RV in Capitola and walk to the shops. We got last minute reservations (it's really hard to book a site here in the summer), but had to move sites in between days, and so we used that 2 hour block between noon checkout and 2pm checkin to drive the RV to Capitola. It seemed like it would have been too much of a hassle to try and get to move to the new spot before checkin, so this worked out fine.
We love all the state parks along the beach in California, and I'm sure we'll be back at some point.
- Elizabeth S.Traveler
Sunset State Beach Campground
Quiet nice views
Campground is quiet except those who run their generators all day and play the radio loud. It is spread out. (But still close, you do see your neighbors.) The camp ground is between fields and the ocean. Site 25 has amazing views but also can be breezy. Or windy. Old but clean bathrooms with coin showers. Water close to sites.
MouniTravelerH. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound
Rest Stop
I’m not sure that this can be considered established or even legal camping since it is a rest stop. The location is awesome considering it’s right beside of the Golden State Bridge, but it also makes it a popular spot for a lot of people to hang out at and watch the sunset and other tourist attractions and even local activity.
Tyler S.Guide
Morgan Territory Regional Preserve
Backcountry campsite.
Feels very off grid. Camp experience was smooth and the sun was shining.
- JJason R.Guide
Joseph D Grant County Park - Horse Camp
Gate closes 8:15pm
Nice bathrooms no tokens needed, hot water, clean sink for dishes. Lotsa shaded oak spaces. Good trails.
- CJ S.Scout
Enchanted Forest Mountain Redwood Retreat
Not great for the price
The pictures here are very deceiving. Driving in, the first 4 campsites are occupied by broken down trailers, an overturned couch and broken BBQ pits. We stayed in site #6 which was probably one of the best sites. Great shade and car was able to be parked nearby (you walk down non-maintained "stairs" with rotted tree branches as the steps).
Overall, I had high hopes based on the description here especially reading: "Our onsite staff will go around and enforce the rules." but this is clearly a non-maintained campground that was probably very nice 45 years ago. No hiking trails are maintained, the bathrooms are "rustic" which is fine--nice to have running water when you've got little ones to clean. But the floors were rotted and I was afraid we'd step through the floorboards.
If you are a true car camper who can lock your doors at night, this is probably the spot for you. Running water, showers and washing machine. If you are a tent camper with small kids like me, this is not where you want to stay. I'm disappointed I paid the price I did to stay here, I'd pay $25/night because this is essentially a parking space in a poorly maintained campground.
- SStacy W.Scout
Portola Redwoods State Park Campground
It sucks. Don’t go there.
Cold. Foggy. No amenities. Don’t go there.
-Coastside Local
Sean Z.Scout
Anthony Chabot Regional Park
Great time inconvenienced by yellow jackets
We love to camp here for barbecuing, mountain biking and hiking. We always do it during 7/4 holidays except for this year when the park canceled our reservation due to high heat. So we booked for the Labor Day weekend. Temperature was perfect and biking and hiking were enjoyable as usual. This year we had two new types of visitors to the the site. A couple of wild turkeys came to pick up the dropped food on the ground. We were able to take a closeup look at them and they were beautiful birds with big eyes spotting tiny bits of crumbs. They come and go from one site to the next quietly and gently. Very cute and we took pictures with their presence. Then came the aggressive yellow jackets. We never had yellow jackets in our previous 7/4 outings here. Oh boy, they fought for the meat relentlessly. At the end of the outing, both my finger and my wife’s were stung. We reported the experience to the attendant at the gate when leaving. She said the park is looking for a solution. In the meantime, she suggested contacting them early on so they might be able to provide another site. Hopefully, next year, we won’t encounter so many nasties.
Jason M.Guide
Gilroy Garlic USA RV Park
Great Layover
We had a quick three-day trip here to visit family. The pool is small, yet well-kept and we had it to ourselves every time we went each day. The park was perfect for the kids biking around through the short- and long-term areas.
Elisha E.ScoutSeacliff Center Trailer & RV Park
Amazing people, amazing location
After weeks on the road, we were so grateful to find a last minute spot a short, beautiful, and whimsical walk away from the beach!!! The campground itself is simple but full of good vibes with FREE showers and ice cream two minute stroll away!
- hharry S.Guide
Sanborn County Park
Great hideaway for Saratoga
Nothing fancy but very nice park for tent camping, RVs. Electric and water included in price. The park gates are locked at sundown but they give you the combination (the combo changed routinely). Free open WiFi is provided but recommend a security app just to be safe. The Mountain Winery is 2 miles from the park, fantastic views and they host concerts all the time.
- Laura M.Legend
Benicia State Recreation Area
Not a campground - enroute spot only
This is just a perfect spot for when you just need a spot for the night. To be very clear, it's not a campground. It's just a safe and legal spot to sleep. We stayed here 3 years ago and nothing much has changed, including the $12 fee.
The area is beautiful and lots of people come here to walk and exercise, and once I took my dog on a walk I saw why nobody brings their dog - TICKS! So many! Just from walking along the path, not even going into the grass, my dog got 6 ticks once and 5 ticks another walk.
My previous review is still accurate, except that now all 3 sites are open. Glad this place is under the radar, it's nice that there's been room here for us when we've needed it.
Guide to Stanford
Discover the best spots for pets-allowed camping near Stanford, California, where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.
Dog owners appreciate spacious sites and amenities
- At Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground, you’ll find well-maintained sites with drinking water and electric hookups, perfect for a comfortable stay with your pet.
- Anthony Chabot Regional Park offers a variety of features including picnic tables and sanitary dump stations, making it a convenient choice for dog owners.
- The Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park is nestled among redwoods, providing a serene environment with ample space for your pet to roam.
Pet-friendly campgrounds include great outdoor activities
- At Sanborn County Park, you can enjoy hiking trails that are perfect for exploring with your dog, along with picnic areas for a relaxing day out.
- Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay features numerous trails for hiking and biking, allowing you to enjoy nature while keeping your pet active.
- Pillar Point RV Park is just a short walk from the beach, where you and your dog can enjoy sunbathing and beachcombing together.
Tips for camping with dogs near Stanford
- Always bring plenty of water and snacks for your pet, especially when visiting places like Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA, which has limited market access.
- Make sure to check for any specific pet policies at Candlestick RV Park to ensure a smooth experience for you and your furry companion.
- Keep your dog leashed and clean up after them at Pelican Point RV Park to maintain the park's cleanliness and ensure a pleasant stay for all campers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Stanford, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Stanford, 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 dog-friendly camping near Stanford, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 95 dog-friendly camping locations near Stanford, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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