- Camping with pets allowed
The best dog-friendly camping near San Mateo
95% (4K) • 279 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near San Mateo
Sleep Up High In A Redwood Tree-net
1. Sleep Up High In A Redwood Tree-net
97%
(97)
37mi from San Mateo · 1 site · Tent, RV
A unique experience awaits you. Spend a night sleeping 20 feet up in the air suspended between towering Redwood trees. A custom woven "treenet" by West Marin artist Andrew Castle, provides a firm surface to hang out and sleep up to 5 people on. It's like floating in space. Bring your sleeping bag, this is open air camping at its best - No roof, no floor! Wake up to the sun filtering through your temple made of trees! Rain is nearly non-existent in the Summer and early Fall in beautiful San Geronimo Valley, making this the perfect place and time to sleep out in the glory of the redwoods. Swainson's Thrush will sing at dusk, followed by the owls and coyote's yipping and howling in the middle of the night (don't let it spook you!) There is amazing hiking all around, potable water on site and a public toilet not far away.
There's parking for your camper directly next to the site, keeping your amenities close by.
Potable water
from
$90
/ night
Redwood Paradise
2. Redwood Paradise
94%
(133)
39mi from San Mateo · 5 sites
40 Acres of majestic redwoods bordering Wilder Ranch State Park gives you access to thousands of acres of excellent hiking and mountain biking right from your campsite. Miles of single-track and fire roads in this world-class mountain bike destination lead you through the redwoods to sunny meadows with sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean and the Monterey Bay.
Conveniently located above the westside of Santa Cruz, our site will give you easy access to scenic Westcliff Drive, Natural Bridges State Beach, downtown Santa Cruz, quaint Felton, Henry Cowell Redwoods state park as well as incredibly scenic & private North Coast beaches.
Please note tent camping is a rain-or-shine activity. :)
Toilets
Potable water
Picnic table
from
$44
/ night
Sun/Moon Rise Camp W/ Valley View
3. Sun/Moon Rise Camp W/ Valley View
94%
(292)
44mi from San Mateo · 10 sites · Tents, RVs
We created this space for everyone to enjoy.
Toilets
Water hookup
Picnic table
from
$60
/ night
Santa Cruz Bayview Retreat
4. Santa Cruz Bayview Retreat
94%
(293)
45mi from San Mateo · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Experience everything the Bay Area has to offer from this mountain top site. Roughly 50 minutes to any city in the Bay Area, this site is ideal for any person looking for an adventurous getaway retreat.
The Serenity and privacy make this an uncommon, yet ideal romantic place to stay. This site is sheltered by the manzanitas and pines of this chaparral community.
Adventure seekers will find paradise here! Mount Madonna Park with miles of trails is 20 minutes down the road. You can dump your septic there as well! Horseback riding rentals are located near the park as well as an archery range.
Demonstration forest is 15 minutes down the road, with miles of mountain biking. Spend a day at one of the beaches in Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos, Rio Del Mar, Davenport, Half Moon Bay, Monterey, or Carmel and return to your private oasis. Or Explore Silicon Valley from this centrally located parcel.
Kim Son Meditation Center and Mount Madonna Center are approximately 15 minutes away. There are also wonderful wineries throughout the mountains here.
The trip to the site will begin with a three mile drive on a private dirt road. Being on the very top of a mountain brings more seasonality than the surrounding cities. Please be prepared for any kind of extreme weather. Summer: Shade is highly recommended it can get into triple digits. *Spring/fall: Temperatures are generally mild but high winds are possible. *Winter: Typically cold and windy. *During rainy/muddy conditions 4x4/AWD is highly recommended. It is possible for it to get windy, foggy, rainy, hot and sunny, and even sometimes snowy.
Please note: the nearest grocer is 30 minutes from this site. Emergency supplies are available for delivery to your campsite. Cell phone reception is good on most carriers. Pets are allowed. Enjoy your time howling at the moon, star gazing, bird watching/wildlife viewing, or relaxing with your favorite libation.
Don't forget your camera!
Since this is our first year renting our land we have found that August is a high wasp season time in the mountains. We are doing everything humanly possible to hunt down each and every Wasp for your enjoyment. With this in mind we ask you use the provided bug repellent, keep the lid to the trash closed, and do not pour grease anywhere you do not want wasps.
Toilets
Picnic table
from
$75
/ night
Santa Cruz Mountains with ocean 👁
5. Santa Cruz Mountains with ocean 👁
100%
(10)
45mi from San Mateo · 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!
Campfires
from
$60
/ night
95% (4K) • 279 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near San Mateo
Sleep Up High In A Redwood Tree-net
1. Sleep Up High In A Redwood Tree-net
97%
(97)
37mi from San Mateo · 1 site · Tent, RV
A unique experience awaits you. Spend a night sleeping 20 feet up in the air suspended between towering Redwood trees. A custom woven "treenet" by West Marin artist Andrew Castle, provides a firm surface to hang out and sleep up to 5 people on. It's like floating in space. Bring your sleeping bag, this is open air camping at its best - No roof, no floor! Wake up to the sun filtering through your temple made of trees! Rain is nearly non-existent in the Summer and early Fall in beautiful San Geronimo Valley, making this the perfect place and time to sleep out in the glory of the redwoods. Swainson's Thrush will sing at dusk, followed by the owls and coyote's yipping and howling in the middle of the night (don't let it spook you!) There is amazing hiking all around, potable water on site and a public toilet not far away.
There's parking for your camper directly next to the site, keeping your amenities close by.
Potable water
from
$90
/ night
Redwood Paradise
2. Redwood Paradise
94%
(133)
39mi from San Mateo · 5 sites
40 Acres of majestic redwoods bordering Wilder Ranch State Park gives you access to thousands of acres of excellent hiking and mountain biking right from your campsite. Miles of single-track and fire roads in this world-class mountain bike destination lead you through the redwoods to sunny meadows with sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean and the Monterey Bay.
Conveniently located above the westside of Santa Cruz, our site will give you easy access to scenic Westcliff Drive, Natural Bridges State Beach, downtown Santa Cruz, quaint Felton, Henry Cowell Redwoods state park as well as incredibly scenic & private North Coast beaches.
Please note tent camping is a rain-or-shine activity. :)
Toilets
Potable water
Picnic table
from
$44
/ night
Sun/Moon Rise Camp W/ Valley View
3. Sun/Moon Rise Camp W/ Valley View
94%
(292)
44mi from San Mateo · 10 sites · Tents, RVs
We created this space for everyone to enjoy.
Toilets
Water hookup
Picnic table
from
$60
/ night
Santa Cruz Bayview Retreat
4. Santa Cruz Bayview Retreat
94%
(293)
45mi from San Mateo · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Experience everything the Bay Area has to offer from this mountain top site. Roughly 50 minutes to any city in the Bay Area, this site is ideal for any person looking for an adventurous getaway retreat.
The Serenity and privacy make this an uncommon, yet ideal romantic place to stay. This site is sheltered by the manzanitas and pines of this chaparral community.
Adventure seekers will find paradise here! Mount Madonna Park with miles of trails is 20 minutes down the road. You can dump your septic there as well! Horseback riding rentals are located near the park as well as an archery range.
Demonstration forest is 15 minutes down the road, with miles of mountain biking. Spend a day at one of the beaches in Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos, Rio Del Mar, Davenport, Half Moon Bay, Monterey, or Carmel and return to your private oasis. Or Explore Silicon Valley from this centrally located parcel.
Kim Son Meditation Center and Mount Madonna Center are approximately 15 minutes away. There are also wonderful wineries throughout the mountains here.
The trip to the site will begin with a three mile drive on a private dirt road. Being on the very top of a mountain brings more seasonality than the surrounding cities. Please be prepared for any kind of extreme weather. Summer: Shade is highly recommended it can get into triple digits. *Spring/fall: Temperatures are generally mild but high winds are possible. *Winter: Typically cold and windy. *During rainy/muddy conditions 4x4/AWD is highly recommended. It is possible for it to get windy, foggy, rainy, hot and sunny, and even sometimes snowy.
Please note: the nearest grocer is 30 minutes from this site. Emergency supplies are available for delivery to your campsite. Cell phone reception is good on most carriers. Pets are allowed. Enjoy your time howling at the moon, star gazing, bird watching/wildlife viewing, or relaxing with your favorite libation.
Don't forget your camera!
Since this is our first year renting our land we have found that August is a high wasp season time in the mountains. We are doing everything humanly possible to hunt down each and every Wasp for your enjoyment. With this in mind we ask you use the provided bug repellent, keep the lid to the trash closed, and do not pour grease anywhere you do not want wasps.
Toilets
Picnic table
from
$75
/ night
Santa Cruz Mountains with ocean 👁
5. Santa Cruz Mountains with ocean 👁
100%
(10)
45mi from San Mateo · 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!
Campfires
from
$60
/ night
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
j
jtkimmie04
2 days ago
Tent
This is definitely an unique experience for those that love whimsical places. It's high enough to feel a bit thrilling and the string lights surrounded by giant red wood trees makes it feel a bit magical. You do have to be okay sleeping in the open. But it truly is an amazing experience. Beautiful morning light shining through the ring for trees is a sight to be seen.
See more
N
Nikita
2 weeks ago
Tent
I love camping in the forest, it was absolutely beautiful. Only downside like everybody says is that it’s a little rough getting down to the campsites. Scott is an incredible host and was very helpful in directing us to the campsite as we arrived later and had trouble finding it. Make sure to have four wheel drive if you do not want to walk back and forth from your campsite to your car. It’s a bit of a walk especially with stuff. If you have four wheel drive though, it will be awesome.
See more
Crystal
2 weeks ago
Tent
Good communication with host, bumpy road, great view! Worth it
See moreJ
Jared
3 weeks ago
Tent
Super quiet and peaceful. Awesome spot. Compost toilet could use a solid deep cleaning however.
See moreE
Eva
February 2026
Tent
Tent camping here was a blast! Beautiful land surrounded by redwoods. Close enough to drive into town or head to the beach, but secluded enough to make you feel disconnected from “everyday life”
See moreS
Samuel
February 2026
Tent
The campsite seemed very nice! I planned a trip with my best friend to visit UC Santa Cruz, and we chose to stay overnight there at the campground. We arrived extremely late, which is not recommended by him, but we planned it at the very last minute, so we didn't read the full instructions. Likely a mistake on our part, but the link to the location of the sight took us to the wrong spot at first. However, after going further up the road, we found the driveway entrance. When we were lost, Scott was incredibly helpful and understanding. I recommend you stay there if you want to camp a bit in Santa Cruz. It's a bit expensive, but a good spot.
See more
A
Arsen
January 2026
Tent
This campsite offers a peaceful retreat with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The grounds are well-maintained, providing clean and well-kept restrooms that enhance the overall experience. With spacious sites and beautiful scenery, it’s an excellent choice for those looking to unwind in nature. Highly recommended for a quiet getaway!
See more
M
Miguel
January 2026
16 ft car
Group trip
Loved the location! It had amazing views and was really impressed with how nice it was.
See more
Zach
January 2026
23 ft pop-up camper
With pets
Awesome spot, incredible views! Loved it. Would definitely stay again.
See more
C
Cynthia
January 2026
Tent
Beautiful view and very private spot. Sunset and sunrise views were so special. Perfect for a one night local getaway.
See more
C
Caroline
January 2026
Tent
This place rocks!! Bring a cozy pad to sleep on and some beanies and blankets and you’re good to go
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R
Ryan
December 2025
Tent
Very fun time. Fits 4-5 people max. No bathroom nearby. Neighbor is friendly.
See moreJ
John
December 2025
21 ft Class B
The owner had great communication with us for our last second visit 👍 very unique spot!
See more
Chris
December 2025
16 ft car
If you’re looking for the best mountain top sun rise in the Bay Area this is it!
See moreB
Bry
November 2025
16 ft car
Overall a very wonderful and unique experience!! :)
See more
dan
November 2025
Tent
Group trip
This was an absolutely amazing experience! Place was more incredible in person and pictures dont do it justice! Great host, had what we needed for an enjoyable stay if you are prepared! The lights in the tree at night were awesome! 👌 id love to come back here someday.
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Amy
November 2025
Tent
Road leading up to the campsite was pretty rough, but doable! We made sure to get to the spot before sunset based off previous comments. We stayed in the #3 site. Great views, great weather. Not many campers near us when we visited so it felt very private!
See morep
paul
November 2025
Tent
With kids
Rad spot in the redwoods. Next door access to great mountain bike trails. Really easy trip into town. Good parking and flat tent sites.
We’ll definitely be back
See moreG
Gray
November 2025
Tent
With pets
Very fun experience, definitely recommend if you have an RV/camper with a bathroom. 10/10. Louis was very helpful. Limited supplies nearby, so if you need something, probably bring it as most stores close early.
See more
J
Jeff
November 2025
12 ft Class C
Group trip
Solitude. Easy directions. Clean campsite. Noah’s very responsive to answer questions. Water spigot on sites and clean potty’s. Highly recommend it.
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