The best lakeside camping near San Carlos

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San Carlos puts you on the edge of the water, with over 160 lake camping options that keep you close to swimming, fishing, and shoreline hikes. Expect clear mornings, the steady hum of wildlife, and sites that range from $49 up to an average of $90 a night. You’ll find campsites with toilets, pet-friendly rules, and campfires allowed—essentials for a proper campout. Horseback riding, hiking, and swimming are regular picks here. Top spots like The Ranch at Cross Road (409 reviews), Hilltop Vineyard Dome Glamping (51 reviews), and Redwood Ranch with Sweeping View (31 reviews) come highly recommended. If you want lake access without the crowds and a shot at sunrise right from your tent, this is where you start.

85% (551) 11 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near San Carlos

The Ranch at Cross Road

1. The Ranch at Cross Road

96%
(659)
34mi from San Carlos · 12 sites · Tents, RVs
Welcome to the ranch at cross road! We are a family owned organic farm in the heart of Livermore wine country. We have 10 camp sites spread across the property for you to choose from. The property is 15 minutes from Lake Del Valle and some of the best wineries and breweries California has to offer. Settle in and enjoy amazing sunsets every night with us! We accommodate tents,Travel trailers, Fifth wheels, Toy haulers, Pop-up campers, Class A RVs, Class B RVs, Class C RVs, Campervans, and Cars. Our guests love us too! "I had a wonderful stay at Matt’s ranch! It was easy to find even as it was starting to get dark, and the campsites were well lit and easy to find. The ranch is beautiful. It was such a treat to stay here. I would definitely stay again."
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$50
 / night
10000 Ranch

2. 10000 Ranch

94%
(54)
48mi from San Carlos · 4 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Quiet 5-acre grassland awaits you, complete with a pond, a garden, a paved platform with chairs and a table, and a fire pit. The property is secure with a gated lock. The pond attracts frequent visits from wild geese, ducks, and cranes, while a flock of peacocks and turkeys are also regular visitors. Keep an eye out for eagles and turkey vultures soaring overhead, and marvel at the graceful deer effortlessly leaping over the property fence. Local attractions abound, including wineries, Gilroy Gardens, the Gilroy Premium Outlet and Pinnacles National Park. Located on the famous Gilroy Wine Trail boasting over 30 family-owned wineries, 10000 Ranch offers easy access to Stefania Wine (stefaniawine.com), just a short walk away, and Kirigin Cellars (kirigincellars.com) a short distance away. Enjoy live outdoor music and a friendly atmosphere at Cottage Creek Vineyards (cottagecreekvineyard.com). Gilroy Gardens (gilroygardens.org) is less than 7 miles away, promising an unforgettable day for the whole family followed by a relaxing camping night—a memory to cherish. Only 5 miles away, Gilroy Premium Outlet beckons with its vast selection of famous goods at deeply discounted prices. With so much to explore, why not extend your shopping spree into the next morning? Pinnacles National Park is a short car ride away. Hike the many hiking trails with gorgeous views, explore Balconies Cave and Bear Gulch Cave with waterfalls in them, and watch California Condors soaring over the High Peaks, Remember to bring your headlamp for the caves and binoculars for the wildlife. And, note that no road connects the West and the East entrances.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$49
 / night
Redwood Ranch with Sweeping View

3. Redwood Ranch with Sweeping View

65%
(42)
43mi from San Carlos · 8 sites · Tents, Lodging
Our 6+ acre ranch Misthaven sits in the redwood forest at Gilroy, just 20min from Gilroy downtown and 45min from San Jose. This ranch has huge space, lots of ranch amenities and many ranch related activities. If you are planning a short trip that you do not have to drive several hours to the busy lake Tahoe, Misthaven would be an ideal destination for family retreat, team building, or even a birthday party. The ranch includes a 2,000 sq ft large barn with spacious indoor space, a 400 sq ft woodworking and crafts workshop, a 1,000 sq ft ranch center with microwave, oven and refrigerator, an amazing zipline, a shooting range for archery and BB gun under our staff guidance and supervision, a fenced petting zoo with goats, chicken, bunny and guinea pig, hammocks in the redwood forest and plenty of beautiful redwood trees. With the ranch booking, you will have the access to: - BBQ and fire pit usage (charcoal/propane with extra charge of $20) - Fire-Roasted Golden Marshmallow Challenge (bring your own marshmallow or purchase with us, we provide skewers) - Trampoline - Hammock - Tree climbing - Petting zoo ($5/cup snack food for pets and animals) - Edible garden - 2,000 sq ft large barn indoor space - 400 sq ft woodworking and crafts indoor space (woodworking activities need to be booked separately) - Water gun - 18ft inflatable Water slide - Outdoor movie projector/screen - Tables and folding chairs There are plenty of ranch activities that you can book with us WITH A FEE separately during your stay. All will be supervised and guided by our professional instructors: - archery - Knife Throwing - Learn survival techniques for lighting your campfire - Spear making - Water filtration in an outdoor environment - Shelter building - Tomahawks - Outdoor BB gun arcade - Camp Zipline and fun forest features. - Woodworking such as Candy dispenser making, Bird feeder making, etc - Pizza making and Ice cream making, butter churning - and many others 20min to the Mt. Madonna County park. 20min to the Gilroy Garden theme park. 50min to Santa Cruz beach and the beautiful Capitola beach. 1hr to Monterey/Carmel.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$63
 / night
Anthony Chabot Regional Park

4. Anthony Chabot Regional Park

94%
(33)
78 sites · Castro Valley, California
Camp, bike, ride and hike in the gorgeous East Bay hills near Oakland.
Point Reyes National Seashore

5. Point Reyes National Seashore

99%
(326)
65 sites · Inverness, California
Foggy mornings add to the ambiance and mystique of this gorgeous coastal area.
Campfires
Toilets
Potable water
Henry W. Coe State Park

6. Henry W. Coe State Park

89%
(36)
29 sites · Morgan Hill, California
This lesser-known wilderness escape puts you far away from fellow humans.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires

San Carlos puts you on the edge of the water, with over 160 lake camping options that keep you close to swimming, fishing, and shoreline hikes. Expect clear mornings, the steady hum of wildlife, and sites that range from $49 up to an average of $90 a night. You’ll find campsites with toilets, pet-friendly rules, and campfires allowed—essentials for a proper campout. Horseback riding, hiking, and swimming are regular picks here. Top spots like The Ranch at Cross Road (409 reviews), Hilltop Vineyard Dome Glamping (51 reviews), and Redwood Ranch with Sweeping View (31 reviews) come highly recommended. If you want lake access without the crowds and a shot at sunrise right from your tent, this is where you start.

85% (551) 11 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near San Carlos

The Ranch at Cross Road

1. The Ranch at Cross Road

96%
(659)
34mi from San Carlos · 12 sites · Tents, RVs
Welcome to the ranch at cross road! We are a family owned organic farm in the heart of Livermore wine country. We have 10 camp sites spread across the property for you to choose from. The property is 15 minutes from Lake Del Valle and some of the best wineries and breweries California has to offer. Settle in and enjoy amazing sunsets every night with us! We accommodate tents,Travel trailers, Fifth wheels, Toy haulers, Pop-up campers, Class A RVs, Class B RVs, Class C RVs, Campervans, and Cars. Our guests love us too! "I had a wonderful stay at Matt’s ranch! It was easy to find even as it was starting to get dark, and the campsites were well lit and easy to find. The ranch is beautiful. It was such a treat to stay here. I would definitely stay again."
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$50
 / night
10000 Ranch

2. 10000 Ranch

94%
(54)
48mi from San Carlos · 4 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Quiet 5-acre grassland awaits you, complete with a pond, a garden, a paved platform with chairs and a table, and a fire pit. The property is secure with a gated lock. The pond attracts frequent visits from wild geese, ducks, and cranes, while a flock of peacocks and turkeys are also regular visitors. Keep an eye out for eagles and turkey vultures soaring overhead, and marvel at the graceful deer effortlessly leaping over the property fence. Local attractions abound, including wineries, Gilroy Gardens, the Gilroy Premium Outlet and Pinnacles National Park. Located on the famous Gilroy Wine Trail boasting over 30 family-owned wineries, 10000 Ranch offers easy access to Stefania Wine (stefaniawine.com), just a short walk away, and Kirigin Cellars (kirigincellars.com) a short distance away. Enjoy live outdoor music and a friendly atmosphere at Cottage Creek Vineyards (cottagecreekvineyard.com). Gilroy Gardens (gilroygardens.org) is less than 7 miles away, promising an unforgettable day for the whole family followed by a relaxing camping night—a memory to cherish. Only 5 miles away, Gilroy Premium Outlet beckons with its vast selection of famous goods at deeply discounted prices. With so much to explore, why not extend your shopping spree into the next morning? Pinnacles National Park is a short car ride away. Hike the many hiking trails with gorgeous views, explore Balconies Cave and Bear Gulch Cave with waterfalls in them, and watch California Condors soaring over the High Peaks, Remember to bring your headlamp for the caves and binoculars for the wildlife. And, note that no road connects the West and the East entrances.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$49
 / night
Redwood Ranch with Sweeping View

3. Redwood Ranch with Sweeping View

65%
(42)
43mi from San Carlos · 8 sites · Tents, Lodging
Our 6+ acre ranch Misthaven sits in the redwood forest at Gilroy, just 20min from Gilroy downtown and 45min from San Jose. This ranch has huge space, lots of ranch amenities and many ranch related activities. If you are planning a short trip that you do not have to drive several hours to the busy lake Tahoe, Misthaven would be an ideal destination for family retreat, team building, or even a birthday party. The ranch includes a 2,000 sq ft large barn with spacious indoor space, a 400 sq ft woodworking and crafts workshop, a 1,000 sq ft ranch center with microwave, oven and refrigerator, an amazing zipline, a shooting range for archery and BB gun under our staff guidance and supervision, a fenced petting zoo with goats, chicken, bunny and guinea pig, hammocks in the redwood forest and plenty of beautiful redwood trees. With the ranch booking, you will have the access to: - BBQ and fire pit usage (charcoal/propane with extra charge of $20) - Fire-Roasted Golden Marshmallow Challenge (bring your own marshmallow or purchase with us, we provide skewers) - Trampoline - Hammock - Tree climbing - Petting zoo ($5/cup snack food for pets and animals) - Edible garden - 2,000 sq ft large barn indoor space - 400 sq ft woodworking and crafts indoor space (woodworking activities need to be booked separately) - Water gun - 18ft inflatable Water slide - Outdoor movie projector/screen - Tables and folding chairs There are plenty of ranch activities that you can book with us WITH A FEE separately during your stay. All will be supervised and guided by our professional instructors: - archery - Knife Throwing - Learn survival techniques for lighting your campfire - Spear making - Water filtration in an outdoor environment - Shelter building - Tomahawks - Outdoor BB gun arcade - Camp Zipline and fun forest features. - Woodworking such as Candy dispenser making, Bird feeder making, etc - Pizza making and Ice cream making, butter churning - and many others 20min to the Mt. Madonna County park. 20min to the Gilroy Garden theme park. 50min to Santa Cruz beach and the beautiful Capitola beach. 1hr to Monterey/Carmel.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$63
 / night
Anthony Chabot Regional Park

4. Anthony Chabot Regional Park

94%
(33)
78 sites · Castro Valley, California
Camp, bike, ride and hike in the gorgeous East Bay hills near Oakland.
Point Reyes National Seashore

5. Point Reyes National Seashore

99%
(326)
65 sites · Inverness, California
Foggy mornings add to the ambiance and mystique of this gorgeous coastal area.
Campfires
Toilets
Potable water
Henry W. Coe State Park

6. Henry W. Coe State Park

89%
(36)
29 sites · Morgan Hill, California
This lesser-known wilderness escape puts you far away from fellow humans.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

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Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field