Dispersed Camping in Santa Cruz County, California
Showing 71 locations in Santa Cruz County.
Anytime Fitness Aptos
Anytime Fitness parking lot in Aptos offers a commercial option where low-profile stealth stays may be tolerated, though active membership is advised.
Arrowhead Group Camp
A scenic developed group campground in Mount Madonna County Park. Situated in a mixed evergreen forest, this group site provides privacy, picnic tables, a large campfire area, and access to nearby hiking trails.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park - Blooms Creek Campground
A developed campground nestled under giant redwoods, featuring standard drive-in sites with picnic tables and fire rings.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park - Jay Campground
A walk-in developed campground designed primarily for tent campers and backpackers, offering a quiet and secluded experience under the redwoods.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park - Sempervirens Campground
Located within the historic Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Sempervirens Campground offers developed sites nestled among impressive second-growth redwoods. It serves as an excellent base for hiking to nearby Sempervirens Falls or exploring the extensive trail network.
Big Basin State Park Road & Highway 1 Pull-offs
Roadside pull-offs along Highway 1 and Big Basin State Park Road near Rancho del Oso. Overnight parking and camping are strictly prohibited by state park regulations and coastal ordinances, with active ranger enforcement.
Camp Herbert Trail Camp
A remote backcountry trail camp nestled within the coastal redwood forest. Accessible only by foot or bicycle, this primitive hike-in camp offers a secluded wilderness experience.
Camp Loma (Future Farmers of America)
A private group facility nestled in the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains, primarily serving youth and agricultural education groups.
Camp Saint Francis
Camp Saint Francis is a private group facility and youth retreat camp situated along the scenic coast of Monterey Bay. The site features group camping areas, cabins, and multi-use facilities designated solely for registered group events and youth programs.
Capitola & Soquel Urban Stealth Parking
This zone encompasses multiple informal street-side and curb parking options in the Capitola and Soquel areas. These spots are highly exposed, situated next to active roads, and subject to strict local vehicle habitation ordinances. While overnight parking is technically restricted by municipal codes, travelers often utilize these pullouts for a quick overnight stay, though there is a high likelihood of traffic noise throughout the night.
Cityteam Camp May Mac
A private group retreat camp located in the scenic Santa Cruz Mountains near Felton.
Costanoa Campground
A large, full-service private eco-adventure resort and developed KOA campground offering standard RV sites, cabins, and glamping tents near the Pacific Coast. Features upscale amenities like a dry sauna, on-site restaurant, and spa.
Cutter Scout Reservation Campsites
Cutter Scout Reservation is a private, youth-focused camp managed by the BSA Pacific Skyline Council. The reserve features several group campgrounds situated in the redwood forest along Scout Jeep Road, including Gilwell, Duffy, Mafeking, and Ohlone.
Cutter Scout Reservation
Cutter Scout Reservation is a private Boy Scout camp managed by the Pacific Skyline Council. It features multiple named group campsites including Gilwell, Duffy, Mafeking, Ohlone, Kyber, Suez, Impeesa, Zulu, Ashanti, and Kashmir along Scout Jeep Road. Facilities are typically reserved for scouting groups and youth organizations with advance reservations.
Felton Quarry Road Pullouts
Gravel parking areas and pullouts located along Felton Quarry Road under a canopy of redwood trees. This area is heavily used as a staging point for local mountain bikers. While physically level and spacious enough for smaller rigs, overnight camping is highly restricted by local county ordinances, and visitors may experience late-night traffic disturbances.
Gazos Mountain Camp
A remote camping area nestled in the deep redwood forest along South Fork Gazos Creek Road.
Glenwood Drive North Parking Lot
A paved parking lot off Glenwood Drive near Highway 17 that serves as a local transit and commuter pull-off.
Glenwood Drive South Parking Lot
A paved parking area situated on Glenwood Drive providing access to nearby preserve trails.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
Nestled within a majestic grove of coastal redwoods, this popular developed campground provides a scenic and shady retreat near Santa Cruz. The campsites are spacious and separated by dense natural undergrowth, offering an excellent degree of privacy for a public facility. On-site amenities include clean restrooms, token-operated hot showers, picnic tables, and fire rings. Due to seasonal winter closures, overnight camping is only permitted from spring through autumn. High vehicle clearance is not required as the park roads and campsite spurs are fully paved.
Highway 236 & Lodge Road Roadside Stealth
This zone encompasses roadside pullouts along Highway 236 and Lodge Road adjacent to Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Overnight parking and camping are strictly prohibited by state park regulations, and local law enforcement actively patrols the area, making stealth camping highly risky.
Home Depot Soquel
A paved commercial parking lot located behind a retail store, offering level parking and close proximity to local services. While historically used for quick overnight stays, active security patrols and official store policy now prohibit overnight parking.
KOA Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay
A highly developed private resort located just minutes from the coast near Monterey Bay. It serves as an excellent basecamp for exploring the Pacific Coast Highway with premium amenities and full hookups.
Little Basin Cabins and Camping
An extensive group camping area and cabin site located within the Little Basin area of Big Basin Redwoods State Park. This location features numerous campsites and cabins nestled among the towering coastal redwood trees, providing immediate access to scenic hiking trails. The surrounding infrastructure has undergone recovery phases following regional wildfire damage.
Manti Trail Camp
This secluded hike-in backcountry campsite is located along the Manti Loop Trail within the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Manzanita Group Camp
A large, shaded developed group campsite in Mount Madonna County Park, surrounded by beautiful redwood trees. Ideal for youth groups or multi-family gatherings, with ample parking and group amenities.
McDonald's Parking Lot (Capitola)
A paved commercial parking lot located in Capitola. While some travelers in low-profile rigs have parked here overnight, municipal restrictions are periodically enforced by roving security patrols that ask campers to move along.
Mount Madonna County Park - Site 311
Campsite 311 is a designated site nestled in the redwood and oak forest of Mount Madonna County Park.
Mount Madonna County Park Campground
Nestled under giant redwoods and oak trees within Mount Madonna County Park, this developed campground features well-spaced sites with access to hiking trails and standard park amenities. It offers paved parking pads and a quiet, forested atmosphere perfect for families and nature enthusiasts. Reservations are highly recommended on weekends due to popularity.
Mount Madonna County Park Campgrounds
Mount Madonna County Park offers multiple camping options under beautiful redwood and oak forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This zone includes the Valley View Campground loop along with several group campgrounds, all requiring fees and advanced reservations.
Mt. Madonna County Park
Nestled in a dense coast redwood forest, Mt. Madonna County Park offers a tranquil getaway with several developed camping loops. The facility provides excellent amenities including hot showers, restrooms, a dump station, and partial hookups at RV-specific sites. While the access road is fully paved, it features steep inclines and tight curves that require cautious driving, especially for larger rigs. Campers can enjoy scenic hiking trails directly from the campsites, though site spacing is relatively close with moderate privacy.
Nephi Trail Camp
Nephi Trail Camp is a primitive walk-in backcountry campsite nestled in the scenic redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains, requiring advance registration and permits.
New Brighton State Beach Campground
A popular clifftop state park campground offering scenic views of Monterey Bay. The facility includes family campsites, premium bluff sites, group areas, and walk-in bike sites. It features easy access to the beach, hot showers, and a modern four-lane sanitation dump station.
Old Coast Road Turnout
A quiet paved turnout on Old Coast Road that serves as a staging area for day hikes and local climbing spots.
Pinto Lake City Park
This municipal campground features approximately 25 RV campsites adjacent to the scenic lake. Each site provides convenient electric and water hookups, direct sewer connections, and individual trash cans, with access to public restrooms and a fishing pier nearby.
Rancho del Oso Horse Camp
A developed horse campground located within the Rancho del Oso section of Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Features equestrian-friendly sites with direct access to local riding trails.
Rancho del Oso Walk-in & Bike-in Campground
A scenic, walk-in and bike-in campground offering five designated reservation sites as well as hiker/biker sites near the welcome center. No vehicle parking at the sites themselves.
Rios Road Pullout
A small paved roadside pullout along Rios Road, primarily serving as day-use access for nearby climbing spots and hiking trails.
Santa Cruz & Capitola Urban Stealth Parking
This urban coastal corridor offers standard parallel street parking near residential neighborhoods and local parks. While street signs may not always denote restrictions, both Capitola and Santa Cruz enforce strict municipal bans on vehicle habitation and overnight street camping. Low-profile vans may occasionally find discreet short-term parking, but large rigs and trailers are highly visible and subject to strict local enforcement.
Santa Cruz Ranch RV Resort
An established private RV resort located close to Scotts Valley and local redwood parks. While pricing is on the higher end, it serves as a reliable and convenient fallback option in the Santa Cruz mountains with quick highway access.
Santa Cruz Redwoods Resort
This premium private RV resort is nestled directly within a majestic redwood forest along the San Lorenzo River, providing an ideal basecamp near Santa Cruz and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. It features robust facilities including a clubhouse, laundry, and flat parking pads. While nightly rates are premium, the resort offers well-leveled sites suitable for large rigs, though sites are closely spaced.
Scotts Valley Transit Lot
A paved transit center and park-and-ride facility in Scotts Valley. Paid overnight parking is permitted for empty vehicles, but sleeping inside vehicles is strictly prohibited and regularly enforced by security patrols.
Seacliff & Aptos Urban Stealth Parking
This urban coastal corridor in Seacliff features several residential street-side parking options near a local playground and river access. Overnight sleeping or camping in vehicles on public roads is strictly prohibited by Santa Cruz County ordinances, and parking enforcement is active in the area. Low-profile vans and smaller rigs are occasionally tolerated for a single night if arriving very late and departing early, but neighbors are vigilant. Public restrooms at the nearby playground generally close during the evening hours.
Seacliff State Beach Beachfront Campground
A paved beachfront RV campground offering immediate access to the sandy shoreline. Expect an open, social layout with very little privacy, but unparalleled convenience to local coastal walks and water activities.
Sequoia Group Campground - Big Basin Redwoods State Park
A developed group campground set within a beautiful coastal redwood forest. This site is ideal for larger organized groups requiring designated state park amenities and scenic trail access.
Smithwoods RV Park
An established private RV park situated in a redwood forest. The facility offers full hookups, restrooms, and showers, but strictly prohibits tent camping.
South Rapetta Road Pull-off
A roadside paved shoulder along South Rapetta Road, situated in a wooded suburban setting near Pasatiempo.
State Park - Alder Trail Camp
A secluded backcountry campground nestled along Waddell Creek under a canopy of alder and redwood trees. Situated on the lower section of the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail, it provides a scenic and tranquil backpacking spot near the coast.
State Park - Huckleberry Campground
A popular developed campground in Big Basin Redwoods State Park offering standard campsites and tent cabins beneath towering redwood trees. It serves as an excellent base for hiking and exploring the park's trail network. The campground features paved loops and standard park amenities.
State Park - Lane Trail Camp
A quiet wilderness trail camp set in a dense redwood forest along China Grade Road. This is a primitive hike-in camping area requiring a park permit and reservation.
State Park - Manresa Uplands Campground
A developed state park campground situated on the scenic coastal bluffs of La Selva Beach. It provides direct walk-in beach access and picturesque ocean views.
State Park - Sky Meadow Group Campground
An official group camping facility located deep within Big Basin Redwoods State Park, nestled under a dense redwood canopy. This location offers a private, shaded setting ideal for larger organized groups. Access is along paved park roads, and reservations are required in advance.
State Park - Twin Redwoods Trail Camp
A quiet backcountry trail camp shaded by majestic old-growth redwood trees along the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail. This walk-in camp is located on the coastal side of the park, offering a peaceful wilderness experience under a deep forest canopy.
State Park - Wastahi Campground
A walk-in, developed tent campground situated on a quiet forested hillside within Big Basin Redwoods State Park. This location is designed for tent campers looking for a quieter experience away from vehicle noise. Campsites must be accessed by foot from the central parking lot.
Sunset State Beach - Dunes Campground
This loop is situated closest to the main beach trails, featuring generally more level sites compared to the other loops. It provides direct walk-up access to the coastal dunes and shoreline. Facilities include picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby clean restrooms.
Sunset State Beach - Group Camp
Designed specifically for large gatherings, this group site accommodates multiple vehicles and tents in a shared space. It requires coordination and booking well in advance.
Sunset State Beach - Hike/Bike Camp
A budget-friendly walk-in area reserved strictly for campers arriving on foot or by bicycle. It features basic shared facilities and is set in a pleasant, wind-protected section of the park.
Sunset State Beach - Pine Hollow Campground
Tucked away in a coastal pine grove, this loop offers protection from ocean winds. The densely forested environment makes it ideal for tents and smaller campervans, but tight turns make it less suitable for larger RVs. Standard amenities like picnic tables and fire rings are provided at each site.
Sunset State Beach - South Camp
Sunset State Beach's southern camping loop offers paved back-in sites right behind the dunes. Developed amenities include coin-operated hot showers, clean restrooms, and drinking water. While the sites are somewhat close together and can be unlevel, the campground provides immediate walking access to miles of beautiful shoreline.
Sunset State Beach Campgrounds
Sunset State Beach features multiple distinct camping areas nestled behind coastal sand dunes. From the more open Dunes Campground to the sheltered Pine Hollow and the dedicated Hike/Bike site, the park caters to various camping preferences, all within walking distance of the beach.
Sunset Trail Camp (Big Basin Redwoods)
A backcountry trail camp nestled deep in the coastal redwood forest of Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Accessible only via hiking trails, this walk-in site is located near the scenic Berry Creek Falls loop, offering an immersive wilderness experience. Overnight stays require a pre-booked backcountry permit and campsite reservation.
UCSC Campus Parking (Heller Drive)
A collection of campus parking lots and pull-offs along Heller Drive and adjacent connector roads on the University of California, Santa Cruz campus. While surrounded by beautiful redwood forests and scenic coastal foothills, the entire campus is subject to strict university policies that outlaw overnight sleeping in vehicles.
Urban Stealth Parking (Rio Del Mar & Aptos)
An urban stealth corridor covering Parade Street and nearby blocks in Aptos and Rio Del Mar. It provides easy walkability to coastal areas and local conveniences, but sits directly within residential areas with active neighborhood monitoring. Stealth protocols are necessary to avoid friction.
Urban Stealth Parking (Santa Cruz)
An urban residential area in the Live Oak neighborhood of Santa Cruz. Local county and municipal ordinances strictly restrict or prohibit overnight vehicle habitation on public streets. While neighborhood streets can be quiet, staying here carries a high risk of citation. Parking is heavily utilized by local residents, leaving minimal space for larger vehicles.
Urban Stealth Parking (Twin Lakes)
An urban road shoulder on Bostwick Lane situated near commercial establishments and residential street transitions. Santa Cruz municipal codes strictly enforce bans on vehicle habitation, making overnight stays highly risky and generally discouraged.
Valley View Campground - Loop 400
A developed camping loop within Mount Madonna County Park, nestled under towering redwoods and oak trees. These sites are well-suited for families, vans, and smaller RVs, offering picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby restroom facilities.
Waterman Gap Trail Camp
A rustic, hike-in trail camp situated along the historic Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail. Nestled within a shaded redwood forest, it serves as a primitive overnight stop for backpackers. There is no vehicle parking at the campsite itself; access is strictly via hiking trails.
Watsonville Urban Parks & Stealth
This urban area covers day-use municipal parks and surrounding residential streets in Watsonville. The vicinity features paved parking lots alongside neighborhood playgrounds and walking paths.
West Deer Pen Youth Camp
A specialized youth group camp located in Mount Madonna County Park. This spacious site is reserved for registered youth organizations, offering a secluded mountain setting among the trees.
West Ridge Trail Camp
A remote, hike-in backcountry trail camp located along the West Ridge Trail in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. Nestled in a quiet redwood forest, the camp features six designated campsites and a vault toilet, offering a peaceful wilderness experience for hikers and mountain bikers.
West Road Parking
This paved parking area along West Road is located near the university campus and popular local hiking trails, but overnight stays are strictly prohibited.
Wilder Ranch State Park Horse Camp
A developed equestrian group campground situated within Wilder Ranch State Park, providing direct access to coastal bluffs and trail systems.