How much does camping cost at Soquel Campground?

Camping fees at Soquel Campground are $41 - $43/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Soquel Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Soquel Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Soquel Campground before I book?

Yes! Soquel Campground has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Soquel Campground?

Soquel Campground is open May 15 to September 11. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Soquel Campground?

Soquel Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Soquel Campground?

Fire policies at Soquel Campground: Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Soquel Campground have?

Soquel Campground has 30 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Soquel Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Soquel Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Soquel Campground?

Soquel Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Soquel Campground?

Popular activities at Soquel Campground include Hiking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Soquel Campground

4.25

104 reviews

Top 15% in CASummer

C+Report Card

Quick Facts

5,364 ft

Price

$41 - $43/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

30 campsites

Season

Season opens May 16 ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on null Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

5,364 ft

Price

$41 - $43/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

30 campsites

Season

Season opens May 16 ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on null Official Website

Get Directions

Soquel Campground

$41.00 - $43.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $41.00 (+$2.00 holiday); Single: $41.00 (+$2.00 holiday). Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone...

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Provider

559-642-3212clm@clm-services.com

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Campground Map

Soquel Campground

Nearby places

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Weather at Soquel Campground

Current alerts(10)

Be bear aware; keep all food out of site in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating; always keep a clean camp and do not feed any wild animals.
Bring your own drinking water
Click here for more information about Sierra National Forest
Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.

Best Time to Camp at Soquel Campground

Best season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit for reliably warm afternoons (typically mid 70s to mid 80s °F) and cool, refreshing nights (40s–50s °F) that make creekside camping comfortable and mosquito activity lower. Trails and forest roads are fully accessible, making hiking, mountain biking, and early-morning wildlife viewing peak activities, while Willow Creek provides pleasant creekside ambience. Expect the campground to be busiest on holiday weekends and mid‑July through August, but overall it feels t Peak months: July, August, June, May Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 15% in CA

Best season per sources; reviewers praise cool nights and comfortable summer days.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 15 to September 11. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Season opens May 16 and closes September 13 annually, marking the peak camping period.

About Soquel Campground

Soquel Campground sits in mid-elevation Sierra National Forest, offering tent, RV, and primitive sites among the trees. The small campground operates seasonally during peak months and provides vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Reviewers consistently praise exceptionally clean facilities and a helpful camp host, while hikers appreciate the forest access and creekside setting along Willow Creek.

Soquel Campground offers primitive camping with no hookups, tailored to tents and small trailers. Reservations are site-specific.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit for reliably warm afternoons (typically mid 70s to mid 80s °F) and cool, refreshing nights (40s–50s °F) that make creekside camping comfortable and mosquito activity lower. Trails and forest roads are fully accessible, making hiking, mountain biking, and early-morning wildlife viewing peak activities, while Willow Creek provides pleasant creekside ambience. Expect the campground to be busiest on holiday weekends and mid‑July through August, but overall it feels t Peak months: July, August, June, May Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation5364 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryWillow Creek runs through the campground, providing constant background sound and cool morning mist. Towering pines and firs create dense shade across both loops. The campground sits near Nelder Grove, where some of Earth's largest sequoias grow within a short drive. At this elevation, views open to forested ridges and the surrounding Sierra Nevada foothills.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging or similar accommodations are available at this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are specifically mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Campers can stay for up to 14 nights per visit, as per the year-round stay limit rule.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Null

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made on Recreation.gov.

Site SizeCampsites can accommodate small trailers and tents, as noted in the official description. Reviews confirm that even smaller sites can fit two tents and a trailer.

PrivacyPrivacy at campsites varies, with some reviewers noting that sites are "nicely spread apart," while others commented that campsites "were too close together.

Total Campsites30 campsites

Recommended SitesReviewers frequently praise sites near the creek, such as site #4 and site #1, for their proximity to water and serene soundscapes.

Need help booking Soquel Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Soquel Campground offers a basic but well-maintained camping experience with facilities tailored for primitive camping. "Each site has a dirt parking spur, picnic table, campfire ring and grill," as described in official materials. Vault toilets are provided, but users are advised to bring their own drinking water as it is not available onsite. The campground host plays a central role in maintaining the campground and assisting campers, as highlighted in reviews such as "Host Mike was awesome...being straight forward and very helpful," and "Mike (camp host) did a great job keeping the place clean and checking in on new arrivals."

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Soquel Campground

Soquel Campground offers a range of recreational activities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, and proximity to natural attractions. Trails nearby include the 3.7-mile Lewis Creek National Recreation Trail and the Miami Motorcycle Trails for off-road enthusiasts. "The Shadow of the Giants, a grove of giant sequoias, is a popular 1-mile hike just a short drive north of the campground," according to official materials.

Hiking4.0/5

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Sequoias nearby, creek, towering pines and good night skies offer diverse photo ops.

Wildlife viewing3.5/5Wildlife viewing noted; bear sightings warned — good viewing but with safety cautions.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available. Vault toilets are provided instead, and their cleanliness is frequently praised in the reviews. One user mentioned, "The vaulted toilet is the cleanest one I have ever seen."

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.3

104 reviews

Satisfactory

Soquel Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, user sentiment about Soquel Campground is positive, with an average rating of 4.319 for campgrounds specifically. Campers appreciate its serene, remote location and natural beauty, but they also highlight challenges such as the absence of potable water, uneven dirt roads, and occasional safety concerns.

Review Summaries

Based on 104 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviewers frequently praise the cleanliness of the facilities, the helpfulness of the camp host, and the serene environment. Quotes include: "The vault toilet is the cleanest one I have ever seen,"...

Based on 104 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the absence of potable water and showers, rough access roads, and occasional issues with insects like yellow jackets. One reviewer noted, "The road to get there is dirt for...

Based on 104 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites along the creek are highly preferred, with Site #1 mentioned positively for its proximity to water. One camper remarked, "Our host put us in site #1 right along the creek, which was great."

Based on 104 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing plenty of water and being prepared for dirt roads. Tips include: "Bring your own drinking water," and "Review the weather for the next day before you enter the campsite due...

Based on 104 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is most active in summer, with reviewers emphasizing cool nights and serene conditions. However, some note that holiday weekends can bring increased activity and noise. Winter closures...

Based on 104 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Great clean campground. Restrooms were available. Dumpster on-site." (Rico Mcgrady) "Mike (camp host) did a great job keeping the place clean and checking in on new arrivals." (Alvaro Picado) "What...

Based on 104 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific reviews address accessibility features for campers with disabilities.

Based on 104 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but campers are reminded to leash them at all times. "No more than two pets per site and leashed at all times," according to official rules.

Based on 104 reviews

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Soquel Campground

$41.00 - $43.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $41.00 (+$2.00 holiday); Single: $41.00 (+$2.00 holiday). Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone...

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

559-642-3212clm@clm-services.com

Nearby Campgrounds

Frequently Visited

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Greys Mountain Campground

Bass Lake Ranger District, Sierra National Forest, California

Greys Mountain Campground sits at 5,400 feet along Willow Creek in Sierra National Forest, offering 24 primitive tent sites split between two distinct sections. The left section has a rustic, dispersed feel with excellent privacy. Sites run $26.22-$82 per night and operate first-come, first-serve during the summer season.

Soquel Campground

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

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About Soquel Campground

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Amenities available

RV details

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How campers graded it

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Current alerts(10)

Best Time to Camp at Soquel Campground

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Need help booking Soquel Campground?

Amenities available

Things to do at Soquel Campground

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews