Map showing campground location near Felton, California

Camper submitted image from Smithwoods RV Park

Smithwoods RV Park

Redwood trees tower overhead at this RV park where the San Lorenzo River forms the eastern boundary. Smithwoods RV Park sits on mostly flat terrain with full hookups for RVs only—no tent camping is permitted. The property backs directly into Henry Cowell State Park, allowing campers to walk into the state park from their sites.

Sites vary in size, with some premium spots offering extra space and river views. The heated pool stays at 90 degrees, and clean restrooms include showers and laundry facilities. Children can ride bikes freely throughout the campground, and the property maintains fire pits for evening gatherings. Staff members respond quickly to any technical issues with hookups or cable connections.

Cell service proves challenging throughout most of the park, with AT&T users occasionally picking up one bar in certain locations. WiFi reaches only the office area and tends to be inconsistent for work or school needs. David H. notes the location provides "a great view of the San Lorenzo River and Henry Cowell State Park" from waterfront sites.

The park operates year-round and sits nine miles from Santa Cruz beaches, making it a staging point for coastal exploration. For those wanting different amenities, Cotillion Gardens RV Park offers another option nearby.

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Map & DirectionsSmithwoods RV Park is located in California near Felton

RV Park

Directions

From Highway 1 (CA-1) take Highway 17 (CA-17) to Mount Hermon Road. Follow Mt. Hermon Road and take a right on Graham Hill Road and then left on Highway 9 (CA-9).

Address

4770 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018

Coordinates

37.03440347 N
122.06326928 W

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Connectivity

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T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 6/26/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 6/26/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 6/26/26

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 6/26/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 6/26/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 6/26/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Market
ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
WiFi
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations

+18313354321

Drive Time

10 min from Santa Cruz, CA
40 min from San Jose, CA
48 min from Salinas, CA
1 hr 15 min from San Francisco, CA

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Reviews7 Camper Reviews - Smithwoods RV Park

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

7 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the beautiful redwood setting, spacious sites, and family-friendly amenities like heated pool and bike areas. Guests commonly noted helpful staff and peaceful atmosphere. However, several reviews mentioned poor WiFi/cell coverage as the main drawback.

Christina R.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 5, 2022

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!

Site123

Month of VisitApril

(9) View All

Buddy F.

Traveler

Reviewed Feb. 25, 2022

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

Month of VisitMarch

(8) View All

susan R.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 11, 2021

Awesome camping

Love this place we had a premium spot number 68 was extra big lots of things for kids and families to do , firepit level , clean spots will definitely come back!

Site68

Month of VisitJune

Summer E.

Traveler

Reviewed Feb. 22, 2021

Great location!

We really love this place!! The spaces are tight, but the location cant be beat. The only reason to not give that last star is the WiFi coverage. While it can be a huge bonus to “unplug” COVID has made internet connections much more important. We’d love to stay for weeks if we could log into work!

David H.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 23, 2020

Very nice place

We stayed at Smithwoods October 18-20. We were in site J, on the point. It was nice and big. Full hook ups. We had a great view of the San Lorenzo River and Henry Cowell State Park. The staff is great and helpful. We had a small issue with our cable tv(no fault of theirs) and they came right over and fixed our issue. The place is dog friendly. We had our two dogs. Be ready for no cell or WiFi. We occasionally got 1 bar of cell service in our site if we stood in a certain spot. (AT&T)There was WiFi up at the office but it was inconsistent. Our son did his online school and he kept dropping off. But we worked through it. It was a short nice hike to the state park and the train through the red woods. Fun experience on a real steam locomotive. We would stay there again next time we are in the Santa Cruz area.

(4) View All

Jessica D.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 16, 2020

Family friendly, beautiful location

We went there with our 5 children from Sunday-Thursday in October. The location is mostly flat and surrounded with Redwoods. Shady and sunny locations; larger and small RV spots. No tent camping. It backs into Henry Cowell State Park and you can walk into it. The river was visible from our spot over a small fence (not accessible because of a 20-30 foot drop). Kids could ride bikes freely, heated pool (90 degrees), clean shower and restroom, plus laundry room. Staff is very friendly and Sant Cruz beaches are 15min away. Very quiet and peaceful during our stay.

Bill B.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 22, 2020

Excellent upkeep and family owned pride. Well maintained

Been going here for 35+ years. Always a favorite

Frequently Asked Questions

What do reviews say about Smithwoods RV Park?

Smithwoods RV Park is highly regarded for its stunning redwood setting and strategic location. Visitors particularly appreciate its proximity to Santa Cruz (9 miles away) and direct access to Henry Cowell State Park. The park receives praise for its helpful staff who respond quickly to any issues. Many guests mention the San Lorenzo River views from certain sites, especially site J on the point. While spaces can be tight, premium spots like #68 offer extra room. The peaceful atmosphere, combined with hearing the Roaring Camp Railroad whistle in the distance, creates a charming experience that keeps families returning year after year.

What amenities are available at Smithwoods RV Park?

Smithwoods RV Park offers full hookup sites with cable TV and WiFi (though WiFi coverage can be spotty). The campground features both shady and sunny locations with varying site sizes, including premium spots that are extra large. Many sites have fire pits, and the grounds are level for easy setup. The park is family-friendly with activities for children and families. While primarily designed for RVs with no tent camping allowed, the park's beautiful redwood setting and proximity to recreational opportunities make it a popular destination.

Where is Smithwoods RV Park located and how do I find it?

Smithwoods RV Park is located in Felton, California, nestled among magnificent redwoods. The campground backs directly onto Henry Cowell State Park, with some sites offering views of the San Lorenzo River. It's conveniently positioned just 9 miles from Santa Cruz, making it an ideal base for exploring both the coast and the mountains. The park is also near Roaring Camp Railroad, close enough to hear the train whistle during daytime hours. For exact directions, it's recommended to contact the campground office directly or check their official website for the most current navigation information.

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