Best Hipcamps in California
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2025.
Best tent campsites in the US
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2025.
Amazing views
Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.
Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
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1 site
Fern Ridge Flats - Private Camping
99%
(284)Campfires allowed
Toilet
Picnic table
from
for NaN guests$65
/ nightReviews
99% Recommend284 ratings · 244 reviews
It's our second time at this gorgeous campsite! We love the peacefulness, the twinkling lights, the propane fire pit, running water, and wifi. It's ten minutes from the Forest of Nisene, a delight to hike. Thanks a ton Matt!
Syd H.
3 reviews
Recommends
· November 2025
The campsite was amazing! Although you’re essentially in Matt’s backyard it was far & secluded enough to let you get that private camping experience without traveling out too far from town. Super cozy, beautiful view for sunsets/sunrises, bathroom, and a fire pit with a grate to cook on. Not much else you can ask for! Pack up and head on out here!
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Shawn S.
2 reviews
Recommends
· November 2025
We absolutely loved our time here! It’s such an amazing spot with so many thoughtful touches, like wifi and cute string lights along the paths. Will definitely be coming back!
K
Keilani L.
3 months on Hipcamp
Beautiful serene spot in the woods. Loved waking up to the sounds of nature. Woodpeckers especially. Owls at night. We very much enjoyed the gas fire pit. Burns cleaner and added warmth to a cozy night. Clean site and facilities.
Michael F.
3 reviews
Recommends
· October 2025
Tent · Group trip ·
Fern Ridge Flats - Private Camping
Our stay was amazing! Matt was very accommodating and quickly responded to any of our questions. It was very fitting for a group of 4 and wasn't too far from Santa Cruz too.
A
An T.
4 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2025
Awesome spot. Recommended for a quick getaway and very friendly and communicative host!
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Florian E.
3 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2025
Private Camping and Naturel
Tent · With kids ·
Fern Ridge Flats - Private Camping
The campsite was even more beautiful than it looked in the photos. The only downside was that the toilet wasn’t a flush one, but other than that, it was a perfect and very private camping spot. The host was incredibly kind and helpful. Our drone got stuck in a tree, and Matt went above and beyond to help us
he was supportive in every way.
It was truly an amazing experience. My family and I drove all the way from Los Angeles to Aptos just for this campsite, and we would absolutely do the 6-hour drive again but next time, we’ll stay even longer.
Thank you so much, Matt and the Hipcamp family. We’re truly grateful!
Yasemen J.
2 reviews
Recommends
· October 2025
Tent · Group trip ·
Fern Ridge Flats - Private Camping
Thank you for creating and sharing your campsite Matt! Thoughfully created campsite with a touch of wimsy. I enjoyed exploring the path that takes you along some redwoods trees and a creek. The campsite itself was nice and level, access to a power outlet, easy use propane fire pit to keep warm, convenient access to non-potable water and stunning views of nature. Everything that you need for a nature reset. I already want to go back, thank you again!
A
Allison G.
6 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2025
Felt so private even though the host was close by if needed. The perfect little forest getaway
M
Melissa H.
3 reviews
Matt was a great host. The site was clean, neat, and private. It had a camping toilet a good ways off on a private path, a propane fire pit, a picnic table, a trash can, water, a small space for a tent or two and well placed lights. There is not really much space for kids to run around though, it's more of a cozy camp ground.
E
Erik G.
4 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2025
Matt’s HipCamp was a great spot. It had the perfect amount of seclusion I had been wanting and also the conveniences I appreciate having while camping (clean bathroom and electricity). My favorite part about the site was the perfect spot to hang my hammock and take in all the trees!
M
Madison M.
2 years on Hipcamp
Mixed feelings
· September 2025
Not your typical camp spot.
Tent · With kids ·
Fern Ridge Flats - Private Camping
Pretty cool spot, it was a little smaller than it looked on pictures.
C
Cj W.
5 months on Hipcamp
We loved how private and serene this location was! We felt like we had the whole forest to ourselves. We loved being surrounded by trees and vines. I loved identifying the many bird sounds and we saw several of them as well. The table, firepit, and even the toilet set up were all great. We loved how the solar lights lit the way to the toilet and had a light inside so you didn't need to pull out a flashlight. Matt was extremely communicative and helpful--a great host! As an FYI, the driveway down to where you unload your stuff was scary steep, so just make sure your car can handle that. We would definitely recommend people stay here!
H
Heather S.
2 reviews
Recommends
· September 2025
Matt was a great host with a beautiful space! Just as described, we will definitely be back!
B
Brandy D.
8 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2025
Tent · With kids ·
Fern Ridge Flats - Private Camping
Beautiful spot in the forest! I love the trees and the woodpeckers!
K
Kim A.
10 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2025
Loved the private campsite at Matt's. Reserved parking, a quick walk to the site, bulb lights strung along the forest path, and a quaint space overlooking the trees. Matt was communicative, helpful, and kind, and quickly responded to add-on requests. Definitely worth the stay!
K
Kiera A.
4 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2025
Beautiful campsite with nighttime stunning lights and propane fire pit. Mornings very peaceful with lots of trees.
C
Curtis L.
10 reviews
Recommends
· August 2025
Such a perfect campsite! Loved the lights, the set up, and amenities. Matt was also a great communicator.
B
Bianca L.
1 year on Hipcamp
I loved how the place was equipped with a water dispenser and a compostable toilet not really far away from the bench, when we arrived we had a reserved parking spot behind a gate so we didn’t really worried about our car being broken into, the walk from the car to the camp site was not far at all, making it very easy to transport our stuff. Matt was very communicative and clear. Overall our experience has been great and we would love to come back again!
Hanh D.
10 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2025
This was a beautiful spot and a very accessible area. Some bugs, but it is the forest to be expected. Clean toilet, running in water place for a tent, welcoming host what’s not more to ask? There is a fire pit but it’s gas powered. The fire from it was a little underwhelming but fire safety is a thing. Still a little chilly. Overall great spot!
J
Jeffrey H.
6 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2025
Tent · With kids ·
Fern Ridge Flats - Private Camping
Very responsive and helpful in getting there. Met us when we arrived, very charming site. Felt very woodsy and magical. Our daughters loved the lights. Fireplace was worth it
E
Elle C.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2025
Lovely stay in the trees
Tent · With kids ·
Fern Ridge Flats - Private Camping
Helpful driving instructions from host, modest walk from lower parking area to site, and lovely redwood trees to camp under. We squeezed one big tent and one small tent into the space and enjoyed a tranquil couple of nights in the lovely redwood fog. Not too far of a drive back down to highway and conveniences. Would stay again!
Kathleen K.
11 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2025
Tent · With kids ·
Fern Ridge Flats - Private Camping
We had a wonderful time camping here with our one year old. Quiet, beautiful redwoods, everything we needed.
Alice K.
3 reviews
Our family of four had a wonderful experience tent camping on Matt’s property. We enjoyed the privacy of being the only campers and how quiet it was at night when we went to sleep. Yes, the birds like to have a party at 5AM but it only lasts about 30 minutes and it wasn’t anything we felt was a deal breaker, just the natural sounds of nature. With so many trees surrounding the site it doesn’t get particularly bright in the morning and we slept comfortably until 8/8:30 every morning.
When we arrived just before sunset Matt had already turned on the string lights that run along the short path to the campsite and around the tent area. The campsite was clean and the area for the tent was cleared out and ready for us to put down our tarp and set up our tent, no need to move out sticks, rocks, or other debris. Matt provided a box that contained a citronella candle that helped keep the mosquitoes at bay, two igniters to get the fire pit going, and a guest sign in book. Less than a minute walk away up another small path is a tent with a bucket toilet. This kind of toilet was a first for us but we quickly realized we preferred it to a traditional port a potty. The area it was located felt private, the tent allowed for plenty of ventilation so no stink and it was pre stocked with toilet paper, liquid absorbing packets, and more bags to change out.
This place is perfectly situated for short drives to the beach, hiking trails, restaurants, and shopping. We would love camp here again!
V
Vanessa H.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2025
What a cute and peaceful little camping spot! Beautiful views and spot. Matt was super helpful and very accommodating
Keiran W.
11 reviews
Place is one of a kind. I’ve been back 2x and will go again.
G
Gary S.
5 reviews
Great spot close to lots of activities and town. Nice and quiet and Matt is a wonderful host! Will definitely visit again!
Meghan S.
9 reviews
Recommends
· July 2025
Tent · With kids ·
Fern Ridge Flats - Private Camping
Beautiful camp site nestled in the redwoods, perfect for a little getaway. Matt was very communicative and friendly too. We went with our toddler and had to be careful with some of the poison ivy and narrow paths but she loved it and didn’t want to leave. Would definitely come back!
M
Mark G.
2 reviews
Recommends
· July 2025
Tent · With kids ·
Fern Ridge Flats - Private Camping
Such a cool place to camp! Directions were spot on, the site was just as described, it was clean and well appointed and quiet. My nephews and I had such a fantastic stay. We made amazing memories as this was their first camping experience. Loved it!
H
Heidi O.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2025
Great spot , very nice host , perfect for a quick camp get away
B
Bradley H.
2 reviews
Location
Aptos, Santa Cruz, California, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Matt B.
Joined in August 2022Response rate: 100%Response time: Within 2 hours
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