The best camping near San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next San Luis Reservoir adventure.
90% (13 reviews)
90% (13 reviews)
Welcome to the largest offstream reservoir in the United States.
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Stay at a public campground in San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area
Top-rated campgrounds near San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area
95%
(171)
Elkhorn Ranch
6 sites · Tents11 acres · CA
Five minutes from the beach, Elkhorn Ranch is home to goats, sheep, wild chickens followed by their baby chicks, and a couple of cows, dogs, and sheep.
In addition to the animals there is a greenhouse and an acre of pumpkins, corn, and beans. A small fruit orchard borders the chicken coop.
Anybody who enjoys small farm life and activity will find this place enchanting. Norris and Roberta are incredible hosts and inclusive to any guests that want to participate in farm life.
Close to restaurants and the cute harbor town of Moss Landing, 30 minutes from Carmel and Santa Cruz, Elkhorn Ranch can be a place to relax or a gateway to explore Big Sur and all the amazing hidden gems of the Central California Coast.
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$75
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Strawberry Fields Forever
3 sites · RVs5 acres · Watsonville, CA
Walk to the Beach!
Campsites for RVs and trailers with water and electric hook ups. No size constraints on RVs or trailers, except for the Valley View site which accommodates a maximum rig length of 26 ft. Sorry, no on the ground tent camping.
We are located in La Selva Beach, a five minute walk to Manresa State Beach. The entire property backs up to 300 acres of strawberry fields. We have vegetable and flower gardens, lots of great walks and hiking from the house and nearby. Surfing is excellent at Manresa beach.
The camp sites include a fire pit and wood. Surf boards, Boogey boards and wetsuits are available for rent from the surf shop on site. There is a porta-potty on site.
We are 15 minutes from the village of Capitola, 30 minutes from downtown Santa Cruz and 45 minutes to Monterey.
There is a Dump station 5 minutes down the road at the KOA.
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$85
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86%
(2511)
The Enchanted Forest Retreat
54 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents45 acres · Los Gatos, CA
Welcome to the Enchanted Forest Retreat! We are a meditation retreat center with 45 acres of some of the most gorgeous redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains to enjoy hiking, creeks and small water fall exploration, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, star gazing, relaxation, meditation and more.
Our campground has running water from a natural spring, Men and Women's Restrooms each with 2 toilets and 1 hot water shower, laundry shed with sink and hot water, and an outdoor amphitheater, (the kitchen and washer/dryer is Staff Only not for campers). We have meditation teaching at the amphitheater and campers are welcomed to attend for free.
4-6 guests maximum with 1 car included in the nightly rate. Each additional vehicle is $15 per day and will be added at checkout once you add the correct number of vehicles you will be bringing. You can bring a maximum of 2 cars.
PLEASE NOTE, we do not have a trash service on site, we require all campers to PACK OUT THEIR GARBAGE with them!
Pets are $10 per day, 1 pet per group ONLY. Please add this as an extra at the time of booking, you will see the option to add extras once you begin the checkout process. Dogs must be on leash at all times!
Quiet hours are 10pm-8am. No drugs of any kind including marijuana allowed. No loud music allowed. This is a private property so no visitors are allowed, only paid guests. Our onsite staff will go around and enforce the rules.
NOTICE REGARDING RVs and TRAILERS: While we can not offer hookups, theoretically we have no problem with RVs, the road is steep in a couple of places getting down to the campground and VERY narrow in one spot (10ft). If you feel you're willing to take this risk (we won't be held liable), you're welcome to reach out to us and we can see if the site is good for RV/trailers.
Only sites 8, 12 and 5 are good for trailers. No vehicle can drive into Site 7, 9, 10 and 11 (the parking area is separate). Other sites may be ok with small trailers. Check with the host. Any trailer larger than 20ft, take your own risk, there is a narrow point only 9ft wide.
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$80
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96%
(234)
WindTree
7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents64 acres · Los Gatos, CA
WindTree is an awesome retreat perched high on top of the Santa Cruz Mountains in California, over looking the entire Monterey Bay and Santa Clara Valley. WindTree is sacred land used by many
over the past 30 years for retreat and ceremony. It has also been a working "Wwoof" -ing farm for volunteers from all over the world
to come and learn about organic gardening in a fun, beautiful, nurturing community restoring our sense of interrelatedness
and encouraging planetary sustainability by our choices and concerns
for the wellness of the environment.
You can make your experience apart of this community or enjoy a quiet private camp site away from any activities.
We are off the grid with solar power and our own well. We have small organic gardens with chickens and goats. You will love it up here under the stars.
Note: RV's over 21 feet will have difficulties on our driveway.
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$60
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90%
(20)
McGrady Livestock and Arena
8 sites · RVs5 acres · Hollister, CA
Update- Oct 1, 2023. We have scaled back for the winter season. There is no porta-pottie currently available. We are open to all fully self contained vans and RV's, but tent camping or car camping is not currently an option.
This has been our home for 20+ years, and we are happy to share our beloved San Benito County with you.
Learn more about this land:
Private and secure camping and overnights. Ten minutes from Casa de Fruta and the Renaissance Faire of Northern CA. Easy access to Pinnacles National Monument, Henry Coe Park, Mt. Madonna or Fremont Peak in San Juan Bautista. Mountain bikes and hiking trails, road bikes, pet friendly options. Less than 1 hour to Monterey, Laguna Seca raceway, Carmel Valley, Santa Cruz or Silicon Valley. ACTRA roping on Saturdays and practice during the week. Visit our baby cows, horses, and Poppet the Corgi. Generators are ok and we have non-potable water available as well as a clean porta-potty. Horses are welcome, we have pens and paddocks available for extra fee. For the safety of your pets and our livestock, dogs must be leashed, tethered or kenneled during your visit.
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$40
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100%
(103)
Cole Ranch
10 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Waterford, CA
"I firmly believe that Nature brings solace in all troubles." -Anne Frank-
Serene, quiet acreage on the Tuolumne River, with views of the snow capped Sierra Nevadas on a clear day. Scores of wildlife sightings, including river otters, eagles, wild turkeys, beavers, and many more. Perfect for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, or just relaxing. Like to fish? Fishing at Cole Ranch is a Love/Hate thing. If you Love to Fish, you will Hate to leave. Gateway to Yosemite National Park, the Mother Lode region, hiking trails, and spelunking opportunities. All sites have access to our community outdoor kitchen, which has a refrigerator, coffee bar, sink, BBQ's, and stoves. Also available is our bathrooms, quite possibly the cleanest campground bathrooms in the 13 western states, which include flushable toilets, two sinks, and warm showers. Book your visit now. (Group bookings must be approved by host. Group bookings that have not been pre-approved may be cancelled.)
(Cole Ranch is a working ranch. Occasional noise from common ranching activities may be heard.) Check back here periodically for advisories on river conditions.
###EXCITING NEWS### We are working hard to open at least THREE new campsites. These new sites will be more secluded and private than current sites, each with its own path to the river. Contact Barry, coleranch23@icloud.com, for more information.
**ADVISORY**
4/18/24
River is currently running about 3' above normal. Except for Fisherman's Hideout, all sites remain open. Fisherman's Hideout is currently under water, but should be open some time in May. Fishing is great right now, but water activities will be limited. Will update as changes occur.
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$60
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91%
(144)
Hidden Spring Ranch
6 sites · Lodging, Tents6 acres · Santa Cruz, CA
Magical 6 acre permaculture ranch just a few minutes to town, beaches and restaurants. Take a bath under a clear night sky, enjoy the morning birdsong and take a stroll on or off the property. We have free ranging chickens, a hidden spring surrounded by two creeks and wild plums. Happy Valley is a secret little gem of Santa Cruz. Plenty of space for relaxing, and amazing location for both convenience and adventures. (2 of the 3 sites have the tubs please read individual descriptions to find out if the one you chose has one)
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$55
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97%
(968)
Song of the Ancients
15 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Paicines, CA
Come and enjoy the beginning of Spring! The world is green and flowers are starting to blanket the hillsides. The days are bright and sunny and comfortably warm. The nights are cool and crisp and filled with the song of coyote and their frog chorus'. Bring your family and friends outside and laze around in the hammock or put your feet up on the side of the campfire, throw your head back and loose yourself in the galaxies above. You can pitch any where from 1 to 15 or more tents at each campsite. Our campsites are RV friendly but remember we are off grid so we do not have blackwater facilities or electricity for RVs. We do have garden hoses to fill up the RV water tanks.
We are the same latitude of Carmel (but a world away), Between Hollister and the Monterey - Salinas metro area and Los Banos and the San Joaquin Valley, close to the vast San Francisco Bay Area; which includes Berkeley, Oakland, Walnut Creek and all the East, North, and South Bay to Pinnacles National Monument and the town of Paicines. You can spend the day in San Juan Bautista at the Mission and Shops or breakfast or lunch at Flapjacks in Tres Pinos, Monterey at the Aquarium, walk on the beach at Moss Landing, hike at Pinnacles, Fremont Peak, Griswold Mountains, or Panoche Hills. Then back home to sit in a quiet world under the stars. You can also...do nothing. Read a book doze in the shade drift off in a hammock or walk and discover the land and discover your place in this world.
Pitch your tent or park your camper amid the ancient Blue Oaks of California. Warm yourself by your campfire as you drink in the dark skies. Shake the dust off your work worn spirit. Let the celebration begin.
Dance to the music in your heart sing along with the songs of the ancients. Regenerate. A place to breathe and to hear yourself breathe. A sacred place in the shade of the blue oaks. It's time to take time. Time to play and enjoy with friends and family. A place to bask in opulent starlight and absorb the sounds of darkness.
A quiet place to clear your soul and revive your spirit. As the air softens and relaxes listen closely to the ancients singing in the oaks. Lend your voice to the Song of the Ancients and let Coyote sing you to sleep.
What we provide is: outdoor hot shower, flush toilet, water from a faucet, and at your campsite a fire pit and grill to cook on, picnic table with benches, and the blue oak savanna. Firewood for $15/bundle, fire starters -first two free in the winter then $0.50/each. Our firewood is sustainably harvested from downed trees and branches. We sell it for a neighbor. No healthy live trees are harmed in order to produce firewood. No native trees are felled in order to plant fast growing hardwood for fire or anything else!
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$60
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97%
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Redwood Retreat: Camping & Cooking
5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents16 acres · Watsonville, CA
Located on 16 acres, Redwood Retreat is nestled among majestic redwood trees. We have a cottage, a tent cabin with queen air mattress, and two camping sites for up to 4. Sites 1 & 2 combine nicely for a group of up to 8 and site 3 can accommodate a group of up to 6. Enjoy the owls, doves, hummingbirds, and salamanders. Corralitos is ideal for biking, hiking (unfortunately, the terrain on our property is NOT hikeable), wine tasting, and the beach is 30 minutes away. We are equi-distant between Monterey and Santa Cruz (also approximately 30 minutes but depends on traffic) for all of your more "touristy" desires. Under 2 hours to San Francisco. We will send a very comprehensive list of recommendations for things to do, places to go, and things to see & do in the Santa Cruz/Monterey area when you book, as well as specific directions to get here. PLUS, Chef Mima has a host of things to offer in terms of culinary temptations like a whole line of SENSATIONAL SKILLETS. Menus are sent when you book. Why not line up a COOKING CLASS ($85. per person plus ingredients) for a 3 hour class and DINING ON THE DECK with your new culinary creation? Scroll to bottom of photo gallery for latest photos. Ask for the current list of classes. Mima spent 6 years at reknowned Chez Panisse restaurant before starting a career as a caterer in the food industry. SEE EXTRAS!
Imagine a peaceful, serene neck of the woods with NO WIFI. Feel the restorative power of nature building resilience and buffering tomorrow’s stress. Welcome to Redwood Retreat. in the mountains above the sweet town of Corralitos, approximately a half hour to either Santa Cruz or Monterey and 20 minutes to nearest beach. If you are the type of camper that likes to play music or be loud, this is not the camp for you. This is a refuge from that. When multiple sites are reserved, this spot is perfect for family vacations, company retreats, small celebrations etc. It is strongly recommended that you book all three sites if you wish to entertain. No amplified noise. A noise curfew is in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. for anything but talking. Sound carries and we must respect neighbors and other campers.THX!
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$75
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94%
(156)
Silicon Valley View
4 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Day Valley, CA
We created this space for everyone to enjoy.
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$60
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100%
(141)
Fern Ridge Flats - Private Camping
2 sites · Tents9 acres · Aptos, CA
Nestled in a canopy of redwoods, less than 10 miles from the beach sits a private and cozy campground. Fern Ridge Flats combines the best of Santa Cruz county. Abundant trees and misty mornings await you at our property in Aptos. Equipped with electricity, water, and a picnic table for your convenience. There are trails on the land for you to explore, animals, and nature to dive into.
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Smoking and the use of drugs are strictly prohibited. This is a safe and quiet neighborhood with many families including my own. Please do not request to book if you have the intention of partying or using illegal substances. If these rules are violated, local authorities will be called and you will be removed from the campsite.
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The campsite is less than a 5 minute walk from the parking spot but is relatively steep. Although it is paved it is not recommended for anyone with mobility issues.
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As an added precaution to protect the lush landscape, the firepit at the campsite utilizes clean burning propane. We chose a burner that closely replicates the size and heat of a wood to enhance our campers' experience.
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$65
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100%
(89)
Redwood Basin
1 site · Lodging10 acres · Soquel, CA
Family-owned since the 1960's my parents chose this ridgetop location on 10 acres for its beauty, serenity, bio-diversity, and amazing peaceful healing
energy. The main house is called Rainbow Ridge where a double rainbow appears across the skyline on occasion. We have decided to share this land with conscious folks who want to retreat to the woods
from the hustle and bustle but be close to all the action and have all the creature comforts of home with a camping vibe.
We have one private site with a glamorous A Frame cabin and a modern tiny home and a tiny retro trailer. The site comes as one single package and is exclusive to you and your group!
Nestled on its own private 3-acre redwood and oak forest, leading down to a creek. The site is located just 4 miles (10 min drive ) from Soquel Village and just 5 miles from the beach at Capitola.
The site offers:
- A 20ft modern container home with one queen sofa bed, large screen with
Apple TV, kitchen, patio, fridge, microwave, cooktop,
shower, and toilet.
- A custom, outdoor kitchen, and bar for entertaining with gas BBQ, fridge freezer, sink with hot and cold filtered water, Sonos sound system.
- Large gas fire pit and seating area.
- One A Frame eco cabin with option for one king size day bed OR two singles, A twin mattress can also fit in the cabin when in the two singles configuration. The cabin has electricity, fan and heating for colder nights.
- One very cute retro airstream style 1950's trailer with a twin bed for a couple or one person.
- Space for 1-2 additional tents. For groups of 8 or more and special
events please contact us so we can discuss the possibilities.
- Onsite you should find all the basic amenities from home
including all bedding, towels, kitchenware, cooking utensils, dining ware, herbs and spices, cleaning products, gas for the BBQ and fire pit is included etc. There are a few things you should bring: Food, drinks,
ice and fun!
The site looks down into a private and secluded redwood and oak forest with trails for small hikes into the redwood fairy circles or all the way down to the creek.
The glamping site is on a sunny flat area surrounded by steep terrain up to a ridgeline and down to the creek. The creek is accessible although the final route requires a rope down so may not be suitable for everyone.
Within 15-20 min drive you will find almost all major attractions in the Santa Cruz area including The Mistery Spot, Nisene Marks State Forest, Capitola Pier, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and many famous surf breaks from Capitola to The Point, The Hook, Steamer Lane and many more., as well as many amazing mountain bike trails.
There are also several Santa Cruz Mountain wineries to explore in a 3- 5 mile radius. Further afield you will find Monterey Bay Aquarium and the coastal beaches north up to San Francisco Bay ( 1 hour 30 mins north) and down to Big Sur about 1 hour 20 mins south.
We ask all our visitors to be respectful of the environment, our wildlife, and our neighbors. Please drive slowly and respect the quiet times: between 9.30 pm and 8.30 am. We check all our guests in and provide a quick tour. We can offer a number of additional amenities and services including shopping, stocking up on your favorite supplies, catering, romantic packages and special picnics on the Rainbow Ridge, and much more, so please just ask about all the possibilities.
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$475
/ night
The best camping near San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area guide
Overview
About
San Luis Reservoir, in western San Joaquin Valley, has a lot to offer outdoor enthusiasts. It is one of the largest bodies of water in California, after all. BYOB (bring your own boat) to traverse the three lakes in the reservoir system.
If you love air-powered travel, board sailing and sailboating are very popular here. Just watch the wind warning lights at boat ramps. When high winds hit, boats may have trouble on the water.
Swimming is only allowed at North Beach. Keep this in mind when summer temperatures here average 90 degrees and occasionally exceed 100. Even in winter, this place stays warm as temperatures seldom drop below freezing.
As such, all four campgrounds on the reservoir stay open all year. Basalt Campground is the most popular because it's closest to the actual reservoir. Rustic campsites and RV spots have shade trees to make summer camping more tolerable. San Luis Creek Campground has very little shade, but it has shoreline sites next to the water.
Notable campgrounds
- Family Campsites: Ideal for a cozy retreat with loved ones amid nature's splendor.
- Group Campsites: Perfect for larger gatherings, offering ample space and scenic views.
- RV Sites w/Hookups: Equipped for convenience, these sites cater to RV enthusiasts seeking adventure.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Book early, as spots fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons.
- Be flexible with your dates to increase your chances of securing a reservation.
- Regularly check for cancellations to find unexpected openings.
- Explore nearby camping options for alternative accommodations if the park is full.
When to go
The best time to visit San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer offers warm conditions perfect for water activities, though it can be busy. Winter may present closures due to weather, so always check ahead.
Know before you go
- Check for any temporary closures or safety advisories before planning your visit.
- Remember that dogs are allowed only in the campground areas.
- Accessibility is a priority, with wheelchair-accessible facilities available.
- Park hours are from 6am to sunset, so plan your activities within this timeframe.
- Drinking water is available, but it's wise to bring extra supplies during your visit.
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