The best dog-friendly campgrounds near Monterey, California

Looking to camp near Monterey, California with your furry friend? Look no further than Hipcamp, the go-to website for outdoor enthusiasts. With over 596 options specifically catered to pets in this location, you're sure to find the perfect spot for you and your four-legged companion. And the best part? The average price per night is just $80, with options as low as $25. Don't just take our word for it, check out some of the top campsites with rave reviews: The Enchanted Forest Retreat (743 reviews), DABUDAGE (367 reviews), and Terminal 4 (387 reviews). Plus, you'll have access to popular amenities like trash disposal, potable water, and campfires. And if you're looking for adventure, you'll find activities like climbing, exploring historic sites, and boating. So pack up your gear and get ready for an unforgettable camping experience!

95% (4.3K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Monterey

Looking to camp near Monterey, California with your furry friend? Look no further than Hipcamp, the go-to website for outdoor enthusiasts. With over 596 options specifically catered to pets in this location, you're sure to find the perfect spot for you and your four-legged companion. And the best part? The average price per night is just $80, with options as low as $25. Don't just take our word for it, check out some of the top campsites with rave reviews: The Enchanted Forest Retreat (743 reviews), DABUDAGE (367 reviews), and Terminal 4 (387 reviews). Plus, you'll have access to popular amenities like trash disposal, potable water, and campfires. And if you're looking for adventure, you'll find activities like climbing, exploring historic sites, and boating. So pack up your gear and get ready for an unforgettable camping experience!

95% (4.3K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Monterey

1. Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

100%

(10)

31mi from Monterey · 3 sites · Lodging

We only book one group at a time so whether you are a couple or a large group, you get the whole place privately to yourself. Our home is a short distance away in case you need anything. Located an hour drive from the bay area, Camp Cruz is a year-round glamping retreat in the redwoods ideal for people who want a private outdoor getaway in the forest without giving up basic living comforts. It is a perfect destination to unwind, recharge, and create special memories in nature. We are also only 30 minutes from Monterey/Santa Cruz for guests who want to enjoy the coastal cities. We offer guests 2 private bedrooms: the Raven’s Nest (an aircrete dome) and/or the Owl’s Nest (a yurt). More guests are welcome if you bring your own camping tents. There is a fully equipped covered kitchen with stove, fridge, barbecue grill, electric coffee maker, tables and chairs, and more. The kitchen also has a ping pong table. There is also a large geodome furnished as a game room with couches, a lounge area, pool table, foosball table, a stereo, games, and music equipment. There are clean composting toilets, hot showers, a propane fire pit, heaters for the cold, a hammock bungalow, a meditation pagoda, a deck overlooking a creek, and disc golf baskets. With a fair balance of sunlight and shade, we have a garden, some outdoor play equipment, and lots of open space to spread out and relax. Free wifi is available. We run a nonprofit outdoor education camp for underprivileged youth, and your stay supports our work. Winter lodging.... It can get seasonably cold in the Santa Cruz Mountains during the winter. If visiting in the winter, rest assured we have everything covered to enjoy your stay. We have propane heaters in all main spaces for your comfort. If the power goes out, we have a standby generator that will power up camp provided we are home to turn it on. We have a woodstoves in the Owl's Nest and Eagle's Nest. We provide a fire starter log for each woodstove for each night of your stay, and guests are responsible for bringing firewood to keep the woodstoves going for continued warmth throughout each evening.

2. Redwood Meadows

100%

(2)

47mi from Monterey · 1 site · RV

Redwood Meadows is at the cross roads of Highway 9 (Congress Springs) and Redwood Gulch. There are 10 acres of redwoods, meadows and fruit trees, plus two historic barns. A few miles from Saratoga are nearby towns of Los Gatos, Los Altos, Mountain View, Cupertino and Sunnyvale. San Francisco is 45 - 60 minutes away. Concert/Wineries: This property is surrounded by multiple wineries, including world-class, Ridge Vineyards; concert venues such as Mountain Winery, Villa Montalvo, also music, wine tasting and picnic areas at Savannah Channelle Winery, and many more. Dining/Shops Excellent restaurants and bars/wine rooms, a coffee shop and stores are within four miles/10 minutes away located in the Village of Saratoga. There are two small shopping centers containing grocery, hardware, coffee, and pharmacy stores, plus banks and restaurants within 19 minutes in towns of Saratoga (Argonaut Center) and Los Altos. Hiking/Climbing/Biking: There are state and county parks nearby, such as Sanborn, Castle Rock, Stevens Creek, and Big Basin. Above the property on Skyline, there are 35 hiking and some biking trails. Beaches: Beaches in Santa Cruz, Pescadero, and Half Moon Bay are 29-36 miles away. Notes: While mostly peaceful and serene, there can be occasional noise from motoring enthusiasts on this scenic highway. Campers must be self-contained with their own toilet/bath facilities. Electricity and water are available, however there are no restrooms, nor sewage available except one small septic portal at an extra charge if needed.

3. Santa Cruz Mountain Camping

100%

(8)

35mi from Monterey · 1 site · Lodging

Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this serene retreat is surrounded by natural beauty and offers the perfect escape into nature. Conveniently located between Downtown Los Gatos and Downtown Santa Cruz—just 25 minutes from each—you’ll have easy access to the best of both mountain charm and coastal energy. Outdoor enthusiasts will love being just minutes from the renowned mountain biking trails of Demonstration Forest, scenic hiking routes, and the beloved Summit Store for local provisions. Note that no open fires are allowed by our county but guests are allowed to have a gas or propane stove for cooking. Water is 125' front tent. Toilet is 100' front tent. Power plug is 140' from tent to charge your phone, etc. This time of year, please consider this COLD CAMPING. Our tent has 4 extra blankets but you should be prepared to keep yourself warm and prepared for winter weather. The river near the tent is rushing so if you enjoy the sound of rain on the tent roof or a rushing river, please come see our tent. In January, you can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking in Henry Cowell Redwoods, walking along West Cliff Drive, and visiting Natural Bridges State Beach. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is open year-round, offering a chance to experience it with fewer crowds and more deals. You can also visit local attractions like the Mystery Spot, the Santa Cruz Wharf, and the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. Shadowbrook Restaurant, Located in charming Capitola, 4-miles south of Santa Cruz, the world-famous Shadowbrook opened in October of 1947 with the theme of Romance in Dining. Shadowbrook today is not only the most romantic place to dine in northern California but was designated as one of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in all of America by the 5 million voters of Open Table.

4. Golden Sky Retreat

49mi from Monterey · 3 sites · Tents, RVs

Golden Sky Retreat sits on a private stretch of rolling hills with wide-open valley views, peaceful quiet, and some of the clearest night skies in California. The land offers beautiful sunrises and sunsets, natural rock formations, gentle trails, and plenty of space to explore, relax, and disconnect. Guests can roam the property freely — hike up ridgelines, enjoy panoramic overlooks, meditate, take photos, or simply sit back and enjoy the stillness. At night, the sky fills with stars thanks to extremely low light pollution, making this a perfect stargazing location. ⭐ Distance to Pinnacles National Park From the property gate to Highway 25 takes about 25 minutes depending on your vehicle and driving pace. Once you reach Highway 25, it’s a straight, scenic drive to the eastern entrance of Pinnacles National Park, one of the most unique and underrated national parks in California. Golden Sky Retreat is a great basecamp if you plan to explore the park by day and return to total peace, privacy, and starlit skies at night. ⭐ What Guests Can Expect Here • Expansive views of hills, valleys, and open sky • Total quiet and privacy — no crowds, no neighbors • Clear stargazing conditions ideal for photography • Natural terrain with oak trees, native grasses, and rock outcrops • Drive-in access for vans, trucks, rooftop tents, or overland rigs • A raw, untouched environment perfect for nature lovers ⭐ Best For • Stargazers & photographers • Couples seeking a peaceful escape • Camping groups & families • Visitors exploring Pinnacles National Park • Anyone who wants open land, quiet nights, and beautiful natural scenery Shared Community Space: Guests staying at this site are welcome to enjoy a shared community hangout area beneath mature oak trees. This is a common space for relaxing, connecting, and enjoying the natural surroundings. Please be respectful of other campers when using this area.

5. Santa Cruz Mountains with ocean 👁

100%

(6)

32mi from Monterey · 1 site · Tent, RV

This is a great place to get away and come camp here in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a perfect location for tent camping or come park your trailer or Motorhome/Bus. We have great hiking in the near area and 5 miles away there is great mountain biking trails. A world renoun mountain bike spot with intermediate to experienced trails for riders of all levels. 5 miles down the road as well is buzzard lagoon and is a great Dirt biking/4-wheeling location. It is a fun spot for all off road inthusiast! Your camping site is on a flat plateu and is an ideal spot to park your trailer, motorhome or tent camp. With Complete privacy with views of the pacific ocean and South county's Monterey bay with a 180 degree view as well as San jose and Morgan Hill. For the wine inthusiast, Loma Prieta winery is 5.5 miles away along with Windy Oaks Winery that is 3.7 miles away that is located on the "Wine trail" that has alots of winerys to offer in a beautiful location. A Day of fun for the family at Gilroy Gardens that is 15.5 miles away. The beach is 30-40 minutes away with great surfing and body boarding up and down the coastline. We will see you soon!

from

$60

/ night

Public campgrounds near Monterey

Pretty cool when you wake up and you are above the clouds...

83%

(3)

Bottchers Gap Campground

17mi from Monterey · 11 sites · Tents, RVs · in Los Padres National Forest

95%

(53)

Sunset Campground

21mi from Monterey · 85 sites · Tents, RVs · in Sunset State Beach

97%

(18)

Bay Camps

22mi from Monterey · 14 sites · Tents, RVs · in Manresa State Beach

96%

(13)

Lupine Camps

22mi from Monterey · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Manresa State Beach

The campsite has it own private beach access

88%

(8)

Willow Camps

22mi from Monterey · 85 sites · Tents, RVs · in Manresa State Beach

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

The outdoor kitchen with Eagle’s Nest/Game Dome in the background

F

Fiona

November 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

We loved camping at Camp Cruz! We had a wonderful weekend in the peaceful woods and were able to spend amazing quality time together <3. This property was incredible in ways we couldn't have imagined! Thank you for having us for Renee's 30th birthday.

N

Noah

November 2025

Weekend Trip to Santa Cruz Mountain Camping

The tent and bed were very spacious. The view of the stars at night and the mountains in the mornings was beautiful. In November it was very cold at night as expected but it was much easier to stay comfortable and warm here than in a regular tent.

M

Mike

November 2025

Tent

1 night at Santa Cruz Mountains with ocean 👁

Beautiful view at sunrise. Whether you come up from the Los Gatos or the Morgan Hill/Gilroy side, it will go off road but you just have to take it slow and the average car would do just fine. Great spot tho, perfect space for tent camping.

I

Ian

October 2025

18 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Santa Cruz Mountains with ocean 👁

Beautiful spot. Definitely off grid - the last 3ish miles of the road are pretty gnarly but we saw Priuses at the top and we were just fine in our 2wd camper.

S

Sophia

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Santa Cruz Mountain Camping

cute stay. it was clean and easy to get to for the weekend visiting santa cruz.

J

Jeff

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Santa Cruz Mountain Camping

Easy in, easy out. Bedroom was made nicely. Property manager was very kind.

Lisa

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Santa Cruz Mountain Camping

Very clean site with a beautiful view. Instructions were clear making it easy to find. One of the best hipcamp sites I've stayed at so far.

Bethany

September 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Santa Cruz Mountain Camping

This is a great getaway for anyone looking for a peaceful private retreat! The land has some beautiful views and the glamping setup is clean and simple! Shelly is also a very welcoming host, she came down to the campsite to check on me and we ended up chatting for a long time. This little hideaway in the mountains is a place I’d love to come back to! Bonus - I saw deer on my drive out two mornings in a row!

R

Rob

September 2025

5 ft Class B

Weekend Trip to Redwood Meadows

Lovely wooded spot in close proximity to lots of hiking trails, a year round creek for exploring, wine tasting, and Saratoga Village. Good spot for camping light. Hwy 9 curves around the camping portion of the property so expect vehicle noise. It didn't prevent us from enjoying the place and at night there is hardly any traffic so sleeping was fine. There is a hose near the camp area that makes for good hand washing and outdoor showers. Shannon was truly the best host ever and really enhanced our stay with her generosity. Very thankful for her.

C

Cindy

August 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

This is a really cool place and the kids had tons of fun. So much to explore for them - they loved the variety. It was a great joy to see them covered in mud and laughing loudly in the middle of the trees. The facilities are very functional and convenient. We don’t have to pack much and it is a very smooth camping experience. It is definitely on the pricier side; we will come back with a larger group to optimize the experience next time! Thank you for having us!

Christopher

August 2025

20 ft Class B

Weekend Trip to Santa Cruz Mountains with ocean 👁

Super easy to find, the road was not terrible coming in from 17. Little chalkboard sign on the left “Panoramic View”. Absolutely great spot! Great view of Monterey Bay and the town below. Walk across the site and you’re looking at the South end of San Jose. Beware of thorns and mind the dust.

S

Shivata

August 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

Our glamping stay was absolutely wonderful! The place was serene and peaceful, with the meditation area being my personal favorite spot to unwind. The host was amazing—warm, attentive, and thoughtful, with a personal touch to every detail. We felt so well taken care of and truly relaxed. We loved every moment of our stay and would definitely recommend it to friends and family.

R

Ruben

August 2025

With pets

2 nights at Santa Cruz Mountain Camping

So comfortable and peaceful. Bed and pillows were better than my own 😂. Would definitely stay again! More than one night next time

Lorena

August 2025

With pets

2 nights at Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

We had the most amazing stay! My son celebrated his 14 birthday with his closest friends. Our group of nine (plus a small dog) couldn’t have asked for a better setting. My son and his friends pitched a huge tent in the center of the property, my daughter and her friend stayed in and loved the adorable dome, and I enjoyed the cozy comfort of the yurt! Ismael was a wonderful host - even uncovered his drum set for them in the geo-dome! The entire property was perfect for our group - teens played pool, ping pong, grilled up great food. The outdoor kitchen was fully stocked too! It’s just a great place, but what really made the experience special was the way it brought everyone together - these young people got to hang out and make memories they’ll never forget. Ismael rocks, and we can’t wait to come back next year!

K

Kaitlin

July 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

Our two family group loved this site. The space was impeccable and had just the right amount of space for our little kids to play and explore. The propane fire pit was such a wonderful addition, that allowed adults some relaxing time after the kids went to bed, with enough proximity to feel comfortable. The creek was definitely the highlight of the stay — the shade, shallow running water, and abundance of banana slugs made it a trip we’ll never forget. Thank you for sharing your magical space with us! ♥️

Jeff

July 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

Fantastic for our group of 13 + a small dog! We'd love to visit again in the future The kitchen was fully stocked with everything we needed, we just had to bring the food. We comfortably fit multiple tents across the property while the folks who rented the yurt and dome felt very cozy as well. Showers worked well with hot water, and bathroom was functional (between a port-o-potty and an outdoor toilet - a bit of a smell but you're out in the wild!) Be sure to bring bug spray, though they have some as well. Host was super communitive before and during our stay - you're in great hands!

Aaron

April 2025

Group trip

1 night at Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

The property is so amazing! My group and I loved staying here for a night. Beautiful creek going right through the property, plenty of places to sit or lay back and enjoy the peaceful sounds of the mountain redwood forest. Great sheltered outdoor kitchen and huge BBQ grill, we cooked up a feast. The hot showers were a most welcome feature. Amenities for guests are so plentiful we didn't even have time to enjoy them all! Ismael was really helpful and responsive to my questions as I was planning out our camping trip. He's super down-to-earth and it was a pleasure to meet and chat a bit in person. Would love to come back again!!