Saddle Mountain Ranch, near Carmel, California, is a unique spot that blends the camping experience with a touch of comfort. It’s not your typical wilderness retreat, but it offers a mix of amenities that cater to both campers and those looking for a bit more luxury.

The campground features a heated pool, clean bathrooms, and communal fire pits, making it a great place to unwind after a day of exploring. Visitors have mentioned that the sites can feel a bit cramped, but many appreciate the beautiful views and well-maintained facilities. One camper noted, “The site was nice, there was an excellent view, had a small fire and a hot shower!”

For those who want to venture out, Saddle Mountain Ranch is conveniently located near attractions like Monterey and Big Sur, perfect for hiking and sightseeing. The area is also pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure.

While some campers have pointed out that the proximity of sites can feel like “a hotel room without walls,” the friendly atmosphere and fun amenities, like ping pong and corn hole, keep the vibe lively. Whether you’re looking to camp or glamp, Saddle Mountain Ranch has something to offer everyone.

We are located on 89 acres of forest land off Carmel Valley Road, just 5 miles from HWY 1. Nestled within oaks, Monterey pines, and redwoods, Saddle Mountain offers a great peaceful getaway for those seeking a break from the bustle of life. Experience Carmel Valley where the climate is tempered by the ocean just 15 minutes away. Our RV village offers 30-amp hook-ups, restrooms, free hot showers, wifi, cable, playground and we are pet-friendly. You can also enjoy our sparkling pool in the months of May to October. RV max length is up to 30ft. Enjoy Saddle Mountain Ranch and the surrounding areas with all the amenities and comforts of home. Our cabins have a variety of layouts and amenities to accommodate the different needs and desires of our guests. Camping Sites Pitch your tent on our cozy mountain amongst the trees and beautiful settings. Enjoy a short walk to our sparkling pool where you can relax under the gazebo with a propane fire pit. We also have fire pits (burning Duraflame logs only) for your campsite use as you gaze at the stars. Free hot showers/bathrooms are for our Saddle campers to use, and when you camp with us you can indulge in amenities such as ping pong, horseshoe pits, badminton or check out a board game. We welcome guests to try our Saddle Mountain trail up into the forest with beautiful views. Can’t wait to see you!

Saddle Mountain Ranch

Carmel-by-the-Sea is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your California camping adventure.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

The Best Camping Near Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

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.

Glamping Approved

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. 

One of our favorites.  They keep a clean camp, including clean flush toilets and showers.  Super dog friendly.  10 minute drive to town, 15 to the beach, and 10 minutes to hike at Garland Ranch.

  

We are tent car campers.  They have sites with and without electricity for tents, and full hookup for RVs.  Recently they've added several glamping sheds/tents which look quite inviting.  Most but not all sites have SOME shade.  (Remember you're in the valley, not at the coast, so it can get hot during summer and early fall days).  

  

All sites have fire rings (bring Duraflame logs; no wood fires) and standing BBQs.  The whole campground is built on a fairly steep hill, so site sizes and privacy can vary.  Some sites have views.  They do try to keep multi-site groups together when they can, but you must pay extra to reserve specific sites.

  

The pool is well maintained, and the surrounding deck is generous and offers wifi.

Clean, organized - something for everybody

Can’t beat the view, proximity to Carmel, amenities and cleanliness of this facility.  The cabins and camping sites have been nestled into terraced platforms on the side of this beautiful ridgeline located about 15 minute drive from Carmel.

But the sites are much smaller than what we’re accustomed to (we typically don’t camp within 10 feet of another family).  But it is a very family friendly campground with a lot of oversight and CLEAN bathrooms!

For those coming with RVs and travel trailers: be advised that there are sections of one-lane road in the last mile leading to the resort.  And the driveway to the campground is STEEP!  

All in all, it’s worth returning,



Beautiful setting, nice amenities but tight spaces

Really nice full heated pool. Beautiful views of the hills of Carmel &amp; Monterey. Close to wonderful restaurants &amp; shopping to drive to, as well as touring Monterey and the beaches. Quiet, peaceful setting. Clean bathrooms.

Beautiful area

A beautiful campground nestled in the Carmel Valley hills. The fog rolls in just barely touching the campground on most evenings. The vibe is relaxed, from the large pool with twinkle lights in the trees above, to the clean restrooms and friendly staff. Big Sur is just a short drive south and Monterey is just a short drive north. You can spend the day driving the 17 mile drive and seeing Pismo Beach or shop the quaint shops in Carmel by the sea. 

Amazing views 

close to Big Sur and nice spot. Very close to other people. Can buy wood from the camp and shower!


Pretty close to other poeple

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. 

Convient and great location

Great place

This place has everything you need to entertain yourself and the family. Pool, park and many games to play. 

Beautiful place and great for the family

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. 

Nice and clean!

Overall a nice experience, dog friendly.  A great private hiking trail, clean showers and toilets 

Small but clean sites and facilities 

Great location with nice views of the valley. Easy drive in with parking spots next to most sites.

Camp sites and cabins are a little close together but nice, clean grounds make it comfortable. Good playground for kids. Foosball, ping pong, corn hole, horseshoes, and other games available. 3 gas fire pits near the office with nice space for socializing or sharing an outdoor dinner.

Cabins are tight but nice and clean. Our kitchen had all the necessary utensils and dishes to cook for a couple nights.

Staff is nice, communicated well ahead of the trip, and made late check in easy.

Huge pool is heated May to October. Small sauna next to pool currently closed but looks fairly new.


Perfect for beginning campers and glampers

The drive here was through narrow, one lane neighborhood, and the campground is located on a steep hill. But the site was nice, there was an excellent view, had a small fire and a hot shower! Despite the difficulties getting there, this was a great stay!

Difficult drive, Excellent stay!

Sites are tight, but the pool is fantastic, like resort quality! Tons of lounge chairs, beautiful and sunny. Showers are hot and huge! Campfires allowed in fire rings with duraflame logs which is a bonus for CA. 

Amazing! Will stay again!

We’ve tent camped here several times, each time in a different spot.  Some sites are much more private than others &amp; many share a driveway with neighbors; some have spectacular views of Carmel Valley (like site 35).  The bathrooms &amp; showers are nice &amp; well maintained.  They offer free Wi-Fi.  
As other reviewers have mentioned it is a VERY steep, narrow drive up to and inside the campground.  The campsites are cut into the side of the hill - many have privacy walls so you aren’t looking at your neighbors campsite.
TIPS: Definitely take the steep hike out of the campground for a cardio workout that will reward you with stunning views.
For other, milder hikes check out nearby Garland Park ,a lovely regional park that has hiking, biking &amp; equestrian trails along the Carmel River.


Nice Pet-Friendly Private Campground 

If you need all of the amenities and luxuries while camping then this spot is for you. They have all of the stuff for a family adventure and to keep your kids occupied (pool, ping pong, foosball, hot showers and gas fire places in the common areas) Beware, DO NOT step outside of the paved areas as there is tons of poison oak everywhere. This place is also expensive as far as camping goes. They charged an extra $30 just for one extra car and then said you have to park in the overflow lot which is at the VERY tip top of a VERY steep road up and there was plenty of room at the campsite to park 4 cars. I personally wouldn’t camp here again as it was noisy with kids and people don’t seem to clean up their campsite very well as I went around and picked up dozens of pieces of trash. I’m used to more quiet, serene and respectful places to camp. If you want all of the extras this place is for you. 

Glamping with poison oak 

We spent 6 nights in this campground in Carmel Valley.  It’s close to Monterey, Big Sur, Point Lobos with beautiful scenery.  Pool, good shower and laundry facilities. Sites are divided by fences and shrubbery

Quiet, well kept campground

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!

Camp or glamp 

Beautiful views - the area for larger Rv’s is really cramped. The driveway is really narrow &amp; steep.  

Cramped / beautiful 

First of all this place is beautiful. 
It is a very well maintained campground. Its set up is very much like a KOA.  The sites are very close to each other.  There is room enough for your rig but parking is elsewhere and limited. 
The bathrooms are clean but small. On the men’s side there is one stall and one separate shower.  There is another site but I didn’t see it. 
Overall I suppose if RV camping is your thing it’s ok. I just don’t like being this close to people when I am on vacation. It’s like a hotel room without walls. 
It was convenient, clean, and close to where I needed to go. 

Nice but crowded

I have spent the last 7 hours listening to a child cry in the space that is 20 feet away from me b

Review Update  

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.

Photos of Saddle Mountain Ranch

Real photos from real campers