Why Youll Love Santa Cruz Ranch Rv Resort
Scotts Valley is on the opposite side of the Santa Cruz Mountains from San Jose and features some pretty scenery. Santa Cruz Ranch RV Resort is a short drive from shops and restaurants. Staying here allows you to admire the beauty of the hills and the California coast all in the same trip. At this Good Sam RV park near San Jose, California, the sites offer plenty of room for small campers.
What People Are Saying About Santa Cruz Ranch Rv Resort
Great and easy place to stay when we visit our son in Santa Cruz. I would definitely recommend this RV park, and, in fact, we have stayed here before for its ease of approach from HWY 17. It is clean, quiet, and has lovely showers. Betsy, Trip Advisor Review
Location
- Santa Cruz Ranch RV Resort
- Laundry Facilities: Yes
- Discounts: Good Sam
What People Are Saying About Gilroy Garlic Usa Rv Park
I really enjoy staying here! The staff is very friendly. We have an Italian Mastiff, which is a huge dog that they allow! There arent many RV parks that allow big dogs, so love that! Love that they have a gated area for dogs. Everyone here is quiet and keeps to themselves. Love that its right behind a shopping center. So convenient! Ali, Yelp Review
Location
Don’t Miss: Grand Teton National Park Camping Reservations
California: Alabama Hills Lone Pine
Near the base of 14,505-foot Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48, is a vast area known as the Alabama Hills. This BLM-operated land is covered with massive boulders and rock formations, which form relatively private camping areas with stunning views of Mount Whitney. To get here, drive up Whitney Portal Road, a few minutes from the town of Lone Pine, on Californias Highway 395, approximately three hours north of Los Angeles along the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada. And note that while dispersed camping is allowed here, its also extremely popular. Overuse in the area has recently led the BLM to close off certain zones to campers and install a new permitting process, so be sure to check requirements and restrictions before you go.
San Elijo State Beach
Why its worth camping at: Aconvenient location in north San Diego County, plus its a great place for snorkeling and scuba diving.Address: 2050 S. Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff, CA 92007Phone number: 753-5091Cost: $10/night , $35/night , $50/night , $60/night .Amenities: Flush toilet, camp store, fire rings, RV rentals, and can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet.
Located just south of Encinitas,San Elijo State Beach Campground is half an hour from downtown San Diego.
San Elijo State Beach is well-known for being the home of a beautiful reef, meaning its a prime spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.
In fact, the state beach is right off the coast from Swamis State Marine Conservation Area, which preserves an entire ecosystem of kelp forests and reefs to help improve ocean health.
The campground is perfectly located right on the water and has easy ocean access.
Although its good to note that the beach here is a bit narrow and its important to watch out for large waves and rip currents.
One unique service that San Elijo State Beach offers is RV rentals, where you can have an RV delivered and set up at your campsite!
Or, if that isnt your thing, there are some hike and bike campsites and standard tent camping as well.
Reservations can be made here, up to six months in advance.
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Where Can I Disperse Camp
The best way to find out what areas are open to dispersed camping is to contact the nearest Forest Service office to the area you wish to visit. Typically, dispersed camping is NOT allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, or trailheads. Many people drive out on Forest Service roads into the woods and find a clearing or a spot near a stream or with a view of the mountains. Do not drive on meadows to access your camping site. Drive on existing roads to prevent resource damage. Dispersed camping is allowed in a one-mile perimeter away from campgrounds and 100 feet from any stream. To prevent resource damage please keep your campsite within 150 feet from a roadway.
Best Free Camping Incalifornia
By Sara Sheehy
With its 840 miles of coastline, beautiful mountains, and fun cities, California is at the top of many peoples adventure lists. From the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Joshua Tree National Park, California is filled with beautiful destinations, sunny days, and plenty of those Beach Boys vibes.
California has an ample amount of dispersed camping if you know where to look. Here is where youll find the best no-cost camping in the Golden State.
See the California free camping map.
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Redwood Resort Rv Park Boulder Creek
Editor’s Note: There’s no photo available at the time of writing
This resort and RV Park is nestled in the Santa Cruz mountains, in the town of Boulder Creek. Here, you can park your RV and pitch your tent in a forest of towering redwoods and relish in the shade of the majestic trees. There are only 20 RV spots available, making this a super cosy setting for meeting fellow travellers. The spots are available only for extended stays of a month or longer, so this is not for those just passing through town.
This seasonal RV Park has a lovely swimming pool, seating and dining areas and offers hook-up of up to 30 amp electricity, water and sewer. It is within walking distance of town, where youll find cafes, restaurants and shops. Boulder Creek is a 40-minute drive away from San Jose.
Redwood Resort RV Park
Address: 150 Grove St. Boulder Creek, CA 95006, United States
Owens River Road Dispersed Camping In Mammoth Lakes
Coordinates:37.737, -118.9677
About:Owens River Road Dispersed Camping provides easy access to Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite National Park. The area is wooded, making it an excellent option in the summer months for some shade. There are a lot of hiking trails that you can get to right from the camping area.
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Wyoming: Shadow Mountain Bridger
This spot is hardly a secret anymoreit fills up every day all summer longbut if you can snag a spot, you are one happy camper. Located within Bridger-Teton National Forests approved dispersed camping areas, Shadow Mountain and Ditch Creek have designated roadside camp spots with stellar views of the Gros Ventre and Teton ranges and are just on the outskirts of Grand Teton National Park. A toilet facility has been installed in the area due to crowds, and theres talk of this zone becoming a paid campground in the future.
Virginia: Little Fort Recreation Area George Washington National Forest
Virginia has two national forestsGeorge Washington and Jeffersonand dispersed camping is allowed as long as youre set up outside of developed recreation areas . Little Fort Recreation Area, a former stagecoach stop, has nine primitive campsites with no overnight fees. If youre into riding ATVs , this campground is located next to the largest ATV trail system in the state. Dont miss the two-mile round-trip hike to the Woodstock fire lookout tower, which you can access from camp.
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Your Ultimate Guide To The Best Free Camping In Baja Mexico
September 2, 2022 | Christopher Harvey
Last Updated on September 2, 2022 by Chris and Lindsay
Free camping in Baja, Mexico can be done safely in many places. And while we have compiled a great list of places for camping in Baja, during our travel through Baja, we found that some of the best campgrounds are also free ones.
So not only do you get to wake up in some of Bajas most beautiful places but also you get to give your wallet a break!
In this post, well give you the quick layout of our best choices for free camping in Baja.
Do note that we rely on the iOverlander mobile app to provide us the most recent user experiences for the campgrounds listed.
While we want you to know that in 2019-2022 we have 100% positive experiences in these camping sites, there is always the possibility that one person or another might have a negative experience.
Or, more likely, some of the policies or people associated with these locations may change. We want you to know why we chose these spots, but encourage you to check the most recent iOverlander updates to ensure that it is still possible to camp there.
Also, note that these recommendations are not for Class A motorhomes. If youre headed to Baja in a Class A you are going to want to plan your trip from one formal RV park to the next.
However, these campgrounds are ALL suitable for truck campers, vans and Class C motorhomes .
Iowa: Eagle Lake State Game Management Area Britt
Camping in the middle of a cornfield? Sounds like Iowa. The Eagle Lake State Game Management Area isnt exactly an official campsite, but the Iowa Department of Natural Resources allows dispersed camping on select state wildlife-management areas for up to 14 days. This unassuming spot, at the end of a gravel road in a bucolic wetland near Mason City, is set within an open grassy field near Eagle Lake and is popular with other boondockers.
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How To Find Free Camping Near Me
Below is a collection of up-to-date resources we use to find free campsites when were traveling.
*iOverlander : This app is full of user-submitted campsites as well as other traveler-friendly information like dump stations and water fills. However, since the app relies on users to add and update content, its not 100% accurate, so its worth doing some additional research once youve found a spot you are interested in. But, generally speaking, its a great place to start!
The Dyrt PRO: The Dyrt PRO offers some great resources to help you find free camping, including filters to find free campsites, offline National Forest and BLM map overlays, and a trip planner. You can try it for 30 days free by using our code FRESH90 here!
*Free Roam : This desktop and mobile app has some really helpful features. First, you can toggle on National Forest and BLM overlays, making it super easy to find public land. You can also toggle on a satellite map and zoom in to see what the roads/turnouts look like, making it easier to identify if an area might be suitable for boondocking. Second, you can also overlay Motor Vehicle Use Maps, so you dont have to go searching for the PDFs on the national forest website. Third, you can use the map layers to show cell coverage and national forest/BLM land. If you create a free account, you can also save sites or your own waypoints, making it great for multi-day planning.
Best Hikes In Big Sur
While some people just pass through for the scenery, true nature lovers absolutely have to go hiking in Big Sur. With over 80 day hikes, theres a hike for everyone. Some hikes are tougher, some will go through forests, and others to beaches, guaranteeing everyone can find a hike they love. Make sure to check the conditions before you go, but no matter when your trip, these are the best hikes in Big Sur.
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Arizona: Pumphouse Wash Coconino National Forest
Sedona has miles of trails, vast red-rock desert, and heaps of campsites, both developed and dispersed. One of more popular and regulated dispersed camping grounds in these parts is at Pumphouse Wash, on Forest Road 237, between Sedona and Flagstaff. Youre asked to stay within four designated free camping areas, but theyre large enough to accommodate RVs or groups and theres relative privacy in between sites, thanks to a pine forest. A few trailheads for hiking and biking are easily accessible from camp.
Indiana: Blackwell Horsecamp Hoosier National Forest
Theres a reason drivers with horse trailers and RVs like the big, grassy field at Blackwell Horsecamp: the sites are spacious enough to turn around a big rig. Yet tent campers and van dwellers will find plenty to enjoy here, too, including easy access to 36 miles of hiking trails in the Charles Deam Wilderness and the scramble up the nearby historic Hickory Ridge fire lookout tower for a view of Lake Monroe. The campsite, on Tower Ridge Road and within Hoosier National Forest, is about 30 minutes from the town of Bloomington and just a mile off Highway 446.
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New Brighton State Beach
The New Brighton State Beach campground is a beach lovers dream. The campground sits atop a steep bluff overlooking the vast Monterey Bay. The campground has reservable sites for tents and RVs, with electric hookups, flush toilets, showers, and storage lockers. The forested bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean are a sight to remember. You have direct access to trails leading down to the beach, where you can enjoy some of South Bays best surf and sand.
Great campground and location. Walk the beach or hike a trail, lots of options. Short walk or bike ride to the beautiful Capitola Village. Observe the local wildlife including birds, whales, otters, seals, the list goes on. Amazing tide pools. Many activities to do here bicycling, kayaking, skatepark, pump track, hiking, running, the list goes on again.Eric J.
Kansas: Woodbridge Primitive Park Lawrence
Just 30 minutes outside Topeka, you can find yourself campingfor free!on the shores of Clinton Lake at 450-acre Woodbridge Primitive Park, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Primitive tent camping is allowed in the large grassy area at the park entrance, or if you want a bit more seclusion, you can hike the 4.5-mile trail that skirts the lake and choose a campsite with a designated fire pit along the trail. This spot is about 15 miles off Interstate 70 and makes for a good overnight spot if youre passing through.
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+ Kirk Creek Campground
This oceanside paradise has 34 campsites that all overlook the Pacific Ocean. Beach access and scenic trails are nearby, securing Kirk Creek as one of the best places to camp in Big Sur. Bring a tent or RV, but bear in mind while there are vault toilets, no water, dump station, or hookups are on-site. When it comes to the best ocean view camping in Big Sur, look no further than Kirk Creek.
Aquatic Park Cove Black Point Overnight Anchoring Sailing Vessels Only Auxiliary Engine Ok Campground
San Francisco , California
Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels Only Auxiliary Engine Ok campground situated in San Francisco county with only 12 sites available would be one considered a small campground. Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels Only Auxiliary Engine Ok is part of San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and…read more
- 47 miles from San Jose
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Stone Creek Campground And Idyllwild Campground
Why its worth camping at: Mount San Jacinto offers a stunning wilderness to explore.Address: 2118 CA-234, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 92549 25905 CA-243, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 92549 .Phone number: 659-2607Cost: $25/night , $35/night , and $45/night Amenities: Picnic tables, fire ring, barbeques, amphitheater, pit toilets , flush toilets , electric hookups, RVs up to 24 feet, full hookups , and showers .
Mount San Jacinto State Park has two developed campgrounds within about five miles of one another.
To give you an idea of location, Idyllwild Campground and Stone Creek Campground are two hours northeast of San Diego, off Highway 243 near Palm Springs.
Idyllwild is the more developed of the two campgrounds and includes showers, flush toilets, and full RV hookups. It has 28 tent and RV sites and is frequented by Pacific Crest Trail hikers.
Stone Creek Campground has 44 sites and is a bit more primitive, but still has vault toilets and potable water, along with standard campground amenities like picnic tables and fire rings.
Both campgrounds follow the same fee schedule.
Reservations for either campground can be made here.
Oregon: Summit Rock Fremont
Just a few miles from the northern entrance to Crater Lake National Park, youll find Forest Road 960, in Fremont-Winema National Forest. Camping is allowed in designated sites along this road, but larger vehicles like RVs or trailers should stick to the first few sites. If you have four-wheel drive and more clearance, you can continue up the bumpy dirt road toward Summit Rock, which has panoramic views from the top. Camping is popular here in the summer months, but if its completely full, there are campgrounds and other dispersed zones in the surrounding area.
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Texas: Grapevine Hills Big Bend National Park
This spot isnt technically freeits within Big Bend National Park and youll need a $10 backcountry permit to camp overnight here. But the five scenic sites along the gravel Grapeville Hills Road, just west of Panther Junction, offer quiet solace, views of the Chisos Mountains, and first-come, first-served primitive camping along a rugged backcountry road. There are no amenities or services here and youll need a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle, so plan accordingly.
Free Camping Sites In California National Forests
Free camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors but remember, more often than not, there will be no or limited amenities like potable water and toilets on the grounds if a camping spot is free. We’ve picked 14 free dispersed camping sites across eight different national forests that have some facilities .
All these spots are under six hours’ drive away from San Francisco.
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