Camping near Pinnacles National Park

93% (126 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Pinnacles National Park adventure.

Craggy pinnacles, caves, and condors are highlights in this pocket-sized park.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Pinnacles National Park

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Pinnacles National Park

93%

(126)

Pinnacles Campground

134 sites · RVs, Tents In Pinnacles National Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Pinnacles National Park

91%

(472)

Saddle Mountain

34 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents89 acres · Carmel, CA

Welcome to Saddle Mountain, RV and Campground! We are located on 89 acres of forest land off Carmel Valley Road, just 5 miles from HWY 1. Nestled within oaks, Monterey pines, and redwoods, Saddle Mountain offers a great family friendly getaway for those seeking a break from the bustle of life. PLEASE NOTE, our RV and tent sites are pet friendly but YOU MUST ADD THE PET FEE EXTRA WHEN MAKING YOUR BOOKING. Our glamping stays are NOT pet-friendly aside from one of our luxury tents. We charge $15 per pet and you can bring a maximum of 2 pets. On site seasonally heated pool (Mid May through Oct). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: *Please continue reviewing/monitoring California Travel guidelines as they may change and affect your reservation* On site seasonally heated pool (seasonally), private hiking trail, playground, Foosball table and more. No refund for inclement weather during the Winter months. We provide complementary Wi-Fi in designated areas of the park. We ask that there is no streaming at the Park so we can share Wi-Fi with all our guests. Thank you!

99%

(138)

Whiskey Hill Barn and Camp

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Watsonville, CA

Stay within minutes of Manresa, Sand Dollar, and Sunset State beaches. There are excellent biking and hiking opportunities on the Watsonville and Elkhorn sloughs, or commune with the redwoods in the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. The air is amazing here, between the salt sea and redwood forest. We welcome you to relax and refresh on the Monterey Bay coast.

96%

(157)

Peace, Love and Sunset Ranch

11 sites · Lodging, Tents5 acres · Watsonville, CA

This is camping made easy. No need to bring your cooking supplies, stoves, barbeque and dinnerwares ! We have them all. If you like to be social and have bonfire and have a nice chat with fellow campers from somewhere else, this is the place for you. We are committed to provide good beds and beddings because we know how important good sleep is (even when you camp!) so we just spent time, money and energy to replace all of our camping mattresses with memory foam mattresses!!! We had people swear that this is the best bed they ever slept in. The campground is located in a serene oakwood grove area of the property. Its a peaceful getaway with an abundance of bird varieties and occasional wild turkeys passing through. Take a stroll around our 5-acre property and catch a breathtaking sunset from the hillside. We're only 11 minutes away from Mount Madonna State Park and just 10 minutes from a local healthy grocery store and yoga studio. The beautiful Pajaro Dunes coastal area is just a 15-minute drive away, and the Santa Cruz Fairground is only two minutes away. Our location is surrounded by family friendly farms such as Gizdich ranch and nurseries, hence why it's considered the salad bowl of the United States. The Santa Cruz beaches are only 15-25 minutes away, while Monterey Bay Aquarium is just 30 minutes away and Gilroy Gardens is about 25 minutes away. The wine trail is also nearby. There are plenty of activities to enjoy nearby, including horseback riding at Mount Madonna Stable, Mount Madonna Retreat Center, hiking at Mount Madonna State Park, wine tastings at various wineries with stunning views, kayaking at Elkhorn Slough or any beaches, yoga at Watsonville Yoga or onsite, swimming, scuba diving in Monterey, visiting the Hanoman temple at Mount Madonna retreat center, and attending any events at the Santa Cruz Fairground. Julie, our campground manager offers horse lessons for anyone starting at age 8 + but not heavier than 180 lbs. The property has 3 stalls for hot showers, 1 hand washing sink, 3 flushable toilettes, 1 communal outdoor kitchen with supplies of cookwares, dishes, mugs, glasses, utensils, pots and pans, coffee mugs, and 1 sink with hot water, 3 fire pits (2 of them is fire burning and 1 of them is propane), camping stoves, 1 gas barbeque and there is an electricity in the communal kitchen area. Propane for fireplace is included and Firewoods are available for sale. Board games, Books, Magazines, Lawn games are available as well as drawing papers and coloring pencils/markers/oil paint for our little artists. Your parking spot is within a very short walking distance and there is a wagon for you to use to haul your belongings to your camp site.

95%

(563)

DABUDAGE

12 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · CA

Connect with the natural intelligence of the wild world. A place to stay for family and friends. Visit DABUDAGE.C0M for more information before requesting to book. Read entire written description and format request as specified.

99%

(298)

Hideaway Oaks

4 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Lockwood, CA

This campsite is a natural setting in the corner of our lower pasture. It features several oaks and lots of room. It is an extremely private spot free from other campers or busy traffic. This site now includes a picnic table on a leveled area, a firepit and a toilet . Water is available if you wish to hike a bit up a hill. You can enjoy our beautiful evening skies, sunrises and starlit nights. If you are looking for a peaceful, poison oak free, quiet hideaway, this is your place. Trails are available for walks and taking in the views of the valley below. Since this site is tucked away in our pasture we recommend that campers arrive before dark. We are located near Lake San Antonio, Lake Nacimiento, San Antonio Mission, San Miguel Mission, Fort Hunter Liggett, and the Nacitone Museum. There is local wine tasting and we are 45 minutes away from wine tasting in Paso Robles. Many campers find this to be an ideal meeting place for family and friends coming from the north and south.

96%

(263)

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.

98%

(387)

Camp near Pinnacles National Park

23 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2200 acres · Paicines, CA

Started in 2014 by Tim and Michelle Borland and their three kids, the Bar SZ Ranch is a true family business with a mission to help others “forge their legacy.” Set on 2200-acres in its own valley with iconic California oak trees and golden hills; views of the surrounding mountains and Pinnacles National Park; and painted, sunlit skies guests can't get enough of, this working ranch offers unique, getaway camping and glamping experiences for both new and seasoned campers. The Bar SZ Campground is near Pinnacles National Park but relatively remote from other services, which is part of what makes the area so special. It is a place to unplug, share stories and spend time with your family and friends, and explore the wilderness of California. If you’d like to schedule animal feeding, horseback riding, arena riding/horsemanship lessons, or archery/BB gun lessons with us, these are available at an additional cost and a link will be provided for booking. (No activities available on Sundays or Mondays, except for holiday weekends.) From the ranch: Pinnacles National Park East entrance 6.6 miles Nearest Groceries and restaurants: Hollister 36 miles north King City 28.5 miles south Tres Pinos 29.2 miles north The nearest amenities (stores, restaurants, gas) are about 30 miles away so please plan ahead and bring the things you will need during your stay. We have great service for AT&T on the ranch. Do you have an even larger group? Message us if you have a larger event or are interested in a whole campsite/ranch rental.

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Road's End, Bradley Lockwood

2 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Lockwood, CA

Peaceful and private RV camping under the oaks with picnic table, fire pit and Adirondack chairs. We currently have two sites on our property. They are about 300 feet apart and not easily visible from each other. Property is fully fenced; both sites are next to an open field under the oaks with vineyard, olive orchard and mountain views. This property is 30 miles from Paso Robles and almost perfectly centered between Missions San Antonio and San Miguel. Lakes San Antonio and Nacimiento are close by. Coastal towns of Cayucos and Morro Bay are about an hour scenic drive, passing many wineries along the way. There is space for multiple RVs or additional tents sharing your party's RV restroom facilities. Site one will accommodate sixteen people and multiple vehicles. Site two will accommodate ten people and two vehicles. For larger groups we ask that that you book both sites. We have hosted many family reunions and the feedback has been 100% positive. Please feel free to message us with questions.

97%

(1026)

40mins to Pinn Song of the Ancients

18 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Paicines, CA

Only 35 miles from Pinnacle National Park! An easy drive from San Jose, Morgan Hill, San Francisco Bay Area and the East Bay. From here you are closer to Pinnacles, Monterey, Carmel, the Ocean, Salinas and the Salinas Valley, San Juan Bautista, as well as the Central Valley and I-5. Fall is here, with refreshing weather and it is slowly dipping into winter! The days are still super comfortable and bring warm clothes to snuggle under the stars. In the oak studded world of the Diablo Mountain Range, the ocean influence sends cool breezes through, gently winding their way through the oaks, offering cooling shade through the heat of the summer. You can use us as a home base and spend days at Pinnacle, the beach, Monterey, Carmel, the Central Valley, and so on or...you can rest and relax the world away, this is a place to regain your balance; come with your cares leave clear and regenerated. This is a place to sing and dance, to talk late into the night as the night sky fills with stars and the campfire dies down. We are perfect for group gatherings, and can accommodate your large party easily and comfortably. This is a fantastic place to bird watch and listen to the sounds of nature. What we provide is: outdoor hot shower, flush toilet, clean clear water from faucets, 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! We are at 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 recover your place in this world. The Blue Oaks are hard at work at the job they have held for 3 million years; shading and cooling California. Summer is a coming in! Come and cool off under the Blue Oaks during the warm days and cool dark skies of summer. The annual grasses are turning gold and now you can see the green of the native grasses and plants with stars of color amid the gold. 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 lose 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. Song of the Ancients is a program of wildfarmers, a 501c3 not for profit woman led organization. Bringing people back in touch with the ancient woods of California for over fourteen years. Our main focus is restoring and saving the Blue Oak Ecosystem for the future. 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.

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Redwood Cabins

5 sites · Lodging13 acres · Carmel Valley, CA

25 minute drive on a country road to Carmel Valley Village and all it's wineries and restaurants. Buy that perfect bottle of wine and enjoy it in your tent topped cabin, or redwood cabin. The Los Padres dam in the Ventana wilderness is just down the road.. Nothing but peace and quiet other than the crickets, birds, frogs, and the resident owl. Relax and recharge away from city life. 40 minutes to the coast, Carmel's shops and galleries and restaurants. A few more minutes puts you on the most beautiful golf courses in the world or take Highway #1 to Big Sur for the day. Short drive and hike to Los Padres Dam . Fishing, rubber rafts, and a gorgeous spillway. Spend the night at the Redwood Cabin on your way to your adventure at Tassjarra. Ride your mountain bike along scenic Cachagua rd with it's SEASONAL creek to Chews Ridge. Totally private and quiet. Off the power grid. 12v power supplied by solar and batteries. Unlimited hot water in the private bath house. The bath house is a 40 step stroll through the oaks, No tv's or microwaves. AT&T cell service along with a few other small providers. Guests love staying here "Really lovely little camp cabin. Has everything you need to elevate your camping experience while maintaining the outdoor feels. It was so nice to have a flush toilet and indoor sleeping area while being able to prepare food outdoors. The property is somewhat remote, tucked away from light pollution, providing excellent stargazing. I really enjoyed the peacefulness of this trip, and the hosts were excellent."

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Strawberry Fields Forever

5 sites · RVs5 acres · Watsonville, CA

Welcome to southern Santa Cruz County, home of some of the longest and most beautiful beaches in central California. We are located in La Selva Beach, a five-minute walk to Manresa State Beach. We are a small, working farm with vegetable and flower gardens, chickens and bees. There are many excellent places to hike, walk, surf, swim, tide pool or just sit and enjoy the view. SELF CONTAINED UNITS ONLY We offer quiet campsites with fantastic views of the three hundred acres of strawberry fields that back up to our property. Our campsites provide water and electric hookups and only appropriate for self-contained recreational vehicles and trailers. One of the sites has no size constraints on RVs or trailers. Our Valley View site is limited to rigs 26 feet long or less. We do not offer personal hygiene services e.g. porta potty, sinks or showers). We do not accommodate tent camping. We love to host guests and will provide information about things to do and see in our area. We often loan our State Parks pass so that you can venture out to Point Lobos, Wilder Ranch, Sunset Beach, Natural Bridges and more. Our property is peaceful and restorative. Our sites are about 30 yards apart. Each camp site includes a fire pit and a bundle of wood. Surf boards, Boogey boards and wetsuits are available for rent from the surf shop 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 (for a fee).

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Windsor Family Farm

2 sites · Lodging1 acres · San Martin, CA

We are a small farm in Silicon Valley. We are basically a petting zoo and kid-friendly destination! You can stay in our "Flying Pig" cabin (sleeps up to 5), or our "Room with a view of a Ewe" (sleeps 3)....or bring friends 'n' family - and reserve both :-) We provide a continental breakfast for free or you can add on a hot breakfast. Wake up to sheep and goats outside your door with a view of the pasture. Please PLEASE read further for more information! and read again just before you come :-) ** To assure you of our cleanliness standards, I clean and air out the cabin, clean the restroom thoroughly, wash bedding and towels and sanitize surfaces. The guest restroom (outside entry in the main house) is shared with other guests. I clean it every day, between every group or guest. One mile away is Harvey Bear County Park, with trails for bikes, horses or walking. We are 5 minutes from the Gilroy Outlets, yet a world away from the hustle and bustle! Come, relax and enjoy nature! Enjoy Gilroy Gardens (seasonally) or go hiking at a nearby State or County Park. Or just relax at the Farm. We will make this a special day for you! Let us know if you are celebrating an event :-). **Starting Jan 2024, we will have the "Room with a view of a Ewe" as a separate listing. CHECK-IN is after 4:00pm and please give us a 30 min heads-up before your arrival. CHECK OUT is 10am, unless previous arrangements have been made. Please be as specific as you can regarding your arrival time (so I can make the temp in there as comfortable as possible, turn on lights as needed, etc.) ** We are a "Bed and Breakfast"; most days we have other day-guests and events here, so please respect the arrival and check-out times. If you stay 2 nights, please be aware that you most likely won't have the whole farm to yourselves during the day. This is an animal farm. If you love new animal experiences, this is the place for you! If you are scared of or allergic to cats or dogs, this might not be the place for you! If you can't handle new smells and sounds, this might not be the place for you. You will feed and enjoy the animals; please respect their space, no chasing and no going into their enclosures. There is dirt, dust and various country critters. If you are adventurous and love animals and want a unique experience, come check us out! Restroom available in the main house (short walk from the cabin). Small fridge and microwave next to the restroom. There is no kitchen/oven/stove available. Gas Fire pit available ; there is no BBQ. We are exceptionally cautious with camp fires. If it is particularly hot and windy, there will be no fires. We now have a gas fire pit where you can create smores or just enjoy the campfire ambiance. Price is $175 for the Flying Pig (up to 5 total). And $99 for the Room with a view of a Ewe :-) (up to 3 total). Another option (as an add-on): you can pitch a tent for $45. "The Flying Pig" has a queen bed, bunk beds twin size, and a loft with a twin mattress, all bedding included. You are not just paying for a place to sleep; you are paying for an experience and the enjoyment of our property :-). We serve a continental breakfast (free) or hot breakfast ($35/cabin) between 8-9am. (we can accommodate vegetarian and dairy free diets; let us know before you come). We provide bedding and towels. There is A/C and a plug-in heater in The Flying Pig. Please do not bring additional things to plug in except for chargers for phone/electronic devices. We are approximately 1 1/2 hours south of San Francisco, 30 min south of San Jose (without traffic). Gilroy Gardens is 15 min away; Harvey Bear County park is 1 mile away; Monterey and Santa Cruz and the Pinnacles National Park are approximately 1 hour away. We recommend bringing dinner or eating before arrival to maximize your evening. In the area: Amazing experience available at the Royal T Ranch nearby, but must book well in advance. They have a camel, ostriches, emus, a cow, mini horses, etc. Also Gilroy Gardens is just 15 minutes away. Contact us for more info. If you want to celebrate a birthday and bring friends for the evening, there is an additional fee for parties. (Please contact us about this). If you want to bring a few friends just to enjoy the evening, we now have that as an add-on. SPECIAL PACKAGES :-). Must be PRE-ordered and paid thru Hipcamp or upon arrival ~ *smore's kit (Everything -- including use of our gas fire pit -- that you will need to create amazing roasted marshmallows and smores sandwiches!) $20 *Child Birthday package: small gift and special treat $10 *use of fire pit (propane expense) $10

The best camping near Pinnacles National Park guide

Overview

About

Formed more than 20 million years ago by volcanic eruption, the park’s namesake pinnacles are a defining feature of this unique landscape in central California. The towering and jagged rock formations draw rock climbers, while hikers can explore more than 30 miles of trails leading to wildflower meadows, scenic overlooks, and through talus caves teeming with bats. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife and birds, including the famed California condor. One established campground offers tent sites, RV sites, and group sites, and even includes a swimming pool, amphitheater, showers, and a campground store.

Notable campgrounds

Best for RVs: Pinnacles Campground offers 36 RV sites with electric hookups near the campground entrance and condor viewing area.
Best for comfort: Ten tent cabins with beds are available both with and without electricity, though campers must bring their own bedding.
Best for groups: Fourteen group sites offer plenty of space for up to 20 people each

Tips for snagging a campsite

Reserve a campsite as soon as you know your dates. Regular campsites can be reserved up to six months in advance.
If traveling with a group, book a group campsite, reservable up to 12 months in advance.
If your plans are flexible, visit on a weekday or in summer, when soaring temperatures make the park less popular.

When to go

The park is extremely busy in spring, over weekends, and on holidays. Spring is a beautiful time to visit, with extensive and varied wildflower displays. The campground swimming pool is usually open from April to September. Be aware that the Bear Gulch Cave is typically closed from mid-May to mid-July for pupping season. Nesting peregrines and eagles may cause some climbing areas to close from January through July.

Know before you go

The campground is only accessible from the east side of the park. There are no connecting roads between the two park entrances, though there are hiking trails.
Bring a flashlight or headlamps for caving and binoculars for birdwatching.
Extreme summer temperatures can make hiking and outdoor activity dangerous. Bring plenty of water, and watch out for poison oak.
There is no cell service in the park, but visitors can purchase wifi at the East Pinnacle Visitor Center campground store.