1. Saddle Mountain RV & Campground

1. Saddle Mountain RV & Campground

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Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

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Saddle Mountain RV & Campground

3.5 (195 reviews)
Open Open 24 hours
Updated 1 week ago

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Jessie M.

We just had the most special weekend at Saddle Mountain! I booked a luxury text stay to surprise my boyfriend for his birthday. I asked the staff if I could ship them a banner I made to set up prior to our arrival. They were so helpful and made this weekend extra special. The grounds were clean, the luxury text has everything you need- heated blankets/ power/ bbq, gas fire pit, gas provided, even a little coffee station. Will for sure be back and reccomending!

slug
Pranamee S.

We just got back from our camping trip from Saddle Mountain, (glamping in essence) and don't have those negative experiences like few others here, thankfully. We did also hear party songs and loud voices from a campsite but our site was really a bit more secluded on the top, than others so it didn't really bother us or our noise sensitive toddler. Other than that, pretty good stay! Clean sheets, blankets, comfortable mattress and pillow. Cabins are darker and smaller but the tent was nice. We stayed at the Bunker House, we had our decent patio space with picnic tables, chairs, fire pit (gas), bbq grill, tools, microwave, coffee machine, mini fridge (it was smaller on the inside, space was so limited). The bunker also has trash and recycle bins well situated inside the place so we didn't have to step out for anything. The restrooms were literally 5 yards or less, 2 restrooms and 2 showers (more restrooms would have been nicer). Note; They say 2 parking spots BUT the other parking spot is so narrow our SUV couldn't fit. We had 2 SUVs and it was not possible to park them so that felt odd. There is a steep hike on the top. No shop or restaurant on the property but safeway complex and some restaurants on Rio Road are just 3.5 mile"ish We all slept in the tent space, it was cozy and open than the cabin.

walk-in site
Bernadette T.

This was a pretty nice glamp site! We stayed 1 night during our road trip to Big Sur, which is about an hour away from Carmel. We booked a Luxury Tent - Lower Grove through Airbnb for about $200 for 1 night (we did book pretty late - about 1 week in advance - so the price might be cheaper if booked earlier). Instructions on getting there were pretty easy, and check in is in their central office building 3-8pm. Staff were super friendly! The office closes at 9pm, and then security comes onto the site, so I felt very safe. The whole campsite is small so a lot of the sites are pretty close to each other. They have cabins, RV spots, drive-in sites, walk-in sites, and some really nice luxury tents. Some spots have a nicer view up the hill, but the Luxury Tents in the Lower Grove were on the steep downhill road near the exit, more tucked in under some trees. I did like that the Lower Grove felt a little more private than the Upper Grove. But we did have to walk up the steep hill to get to the nearest bathroom. Our Luxury Tent (50Q) was pre-built and sturdy, and had space for our car right on the site. Our tent came with a queen sized bed, heated blanket, 2 side tables with reading lights, USB plug, a small shelf at the foot of the bed with some towels, and a small side table with a electric kettle and coffee packets. Outside on the small patio was also 2 adirondack chairs for lounging, and a propane grill with grilling utensils. I do wish we got a small table outside for our food, and a fire pit at the site would have been nice. We also ran out of propane in the morning but I'm sure they would refill it if we were staying longer. Our tent was perfect for 2 people. Some other Luxury Tents are much larger and can fit many people, and had large patios, tables, and firepits. Since our site was under some trees, it was quite shaded, which I'm sure would be awesome in the summer! We stayed during early November, so the evening was cool and morning was brisk, but it wasn't freezing. The campsite amenities were very cool: a heated pool, sauna (can fit 6-8 people), multiple fire pits and lounging areas, ping pong table, cornhole, horse shoes, basketball hoop, playground, and hiking trail. There were some sports equipment and games at the front that were available to use as we please. I super enjoyed the clean bathrooms, showers, and dishwash area - with provided hand soap, paper towels, dish soap, and body soap in the showers! It was always clean and never crowded. I thought this was worth it for our site and luxury tent - super duper convenient to not have to bring & set up a tent/sleeping bag. We basically arrived and were able to get comfortable right away. Saddle Mountain is a good choice if visiting the Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey, or Big Sur areas.

Glamping tent
Dawn A.

I'll preface this with saying I'm not the camping type, but I also don't need a 5 star hotel. Also, it was Jan and very cold and we only stayed for one night. It was one of the glamping tents with two queen beds Likes: beds were super comfy and warm despite the lows getting into the upper 30s. We also had our own little "yard" that included a fire pit and grill. We did use the fire pit. You are, in essence, showering outside. If you choose the showers at the top of the hill it's at least nice and steamy in there after you take your shower. They do have sinks to wash and plates, that you've used, and at the one by the bathrooms at the top of the hill there is also a spout for filtered water. Although we did not use them, the pool looked great and there is a small sauna in the pool area. There is also a small playground. Dislikes: first and foremost, if you need to use the restroom, you're taking a little walk. It's not far, but it does involve steps and stones, and uneven ground. There are solar lights in the ground that seem to be there to light the trails , but none of them worked. So this could be a safety issue. Also, although it was not offered to us we did ask if they had a heater. They did. But here's the thing, the electric strip we plugged it into kept shorting after about 5 min so it kept going off. Didn't want to plug it in elsewhere overnight because we didn't want to risk a fire. Going back to the showers, they were warm with great water pressure, but limit what you take in the stall. The water condensation makes things pretty soggy.

Check-in instruction.
Kathleen E.

Red Flag - Unfair Charges I would not recommend Saddle Mountain based on my recent stay. While the property itself is nice, I had an extremely disappointing experience after checkout. Right after leaving, I was emailed an "incident report" claiming that we burned charcoal directly in their propane fire pit and that this caused damage. We were immediately charged $150 without warning or any real proof. This was shocking because: * We followed the rules during our entire stay. * Their own check-in rules specifically say charcoal is allowed in fire pits/BBQs. * No one from staff contacted us while we were still on-site to verify or discuss the issue. Instead, they simply sent pictures after the fact and charged my card on file automatically. This feels unfair and like a setup, especially since there was no clear evidence that we caused any damage at all. I've stayed at many campgrounds and resorts, and I've never experienced being accused and charged this way. If you're considering booking here, be very cautious--apparently even if you follow the rules, you might still get hit with surprise "damage fees."

Luxury Tent - Q  (48)
Emily L.

I stayed in a pet friendly luxury tent on the lower grove (48). The tent was ambient, spacious and clean. Grounds and were clean and kempt. Bathrooms were a little dirty but definitely acceptable. Great glamping experience! A short drive to Carmel and Folktale Winery.

Chana S.

My husband and I stayed at Saddle Mountain RV Park last week and had such a peaceful and relaxing experience. Our trailer is about 29 ft, and there were several spacious spots available that could easily accommodate it. The directions and instructions for getting there were clear, and the ease of booking online made the whole planning process seamless. Julie at the front desk was incredibly helpful when we checked in and even helped me grab a lounge chair from the pool area (which was unfortunately closed for the season while they prep for summer--but still looked lovely!). The setting itself is absolutely beautiful--tucked into the trees with great views and a quiet, laid-back vibe. It felt like a hidden gem, yet it's just a short drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea and other stunning coastal spots. There are grocery stores and restaurants within walking distance (we did the roundtrip walk twice--about 4 miles total), but they're also easy to reach by car. One of the highlights was the ~4.5 mile hike on the property. It has a good set of switchbacks and climbs about 800 ft in elevation, leading to stunning views of the ocean and Carmel Valley. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Our RV site was clean and surrounded by nature, with just enough privacy and space to feel comfortable. The hookups worked great, and the campground overall was very well maintained. We also appreciated the communal bathrooms and showers--they were clean and well-kept. Both my husband and I used the men's and women's facilities one evening and had a great experience. The staff were friendly, helpful, and incredibly accommodating. Drew, the property manager during the day, was warm, easygoing, and super helpful. The camp host, Gage, was also great--chill, easy to talk to, and just an overall lovely presence around the campground. Just a heads-up for future guests: the road into the campground is a bit narrow and steep in spots, so take it slow if you have a larger rig. That said, it's totally manageable and 100% worth it once you're settled in. All in all, we really enjoyed our stay and would absolutely come back again. It's the perfect blend of rustic charm and convenience!

The pool was shut down and he said it was too cold for us to go in ? I don't know ‍
Courtney P.

This place is now under new management and is worlds away from our last experience here! We stayed in cozy cabin #9 this time! When we arrived we were met with a very friendly staff and were given tips and rules for the campgrounds. We even were able to park closer to the cabin this time. We never knew there was parking spaces nearby! We enjoyed the recommendation for the hike, though it IS a very steep climb, the views are absolutely beautiful and worth it if you can muster up the energy! My family very much enjoyed seeing the toys and things added to the pool area and they even tried out the sauna! We made dinner one evening on the grill and it was really nice to have that ready to go if you want to cook up some food right outside! It was awesome to come back here and experience it again, with my daughter older and make some great memories! Definitely will be back again!

Entrance to Saddle Mountain Ranch
Jennifer H.

This is a nice tent camping and RV campground for families. Set along the Carmel Valley Hills most sites get a view of the beautiful valley and have lots of shade trees. There are recreation opportunities such as a swimming pool and sauna, basketball court, and hiking trail. I love that this campground is in a mountain area away from the highway and roads. The one downfall is that the campground is set on a steep hill with fairly narrow roads. If you are pulling a trailer or driving a large RV it may be intimidating and difficult. We didn't have any trouble driving on the windy roads. Our van is 21 feet and we were assigned a tent site with a pad that we could drive onto. Luckily we arrived in daylight to assess the road conditions and the campsite. When we went back for the night it was already dusk and there was little sunlight to help us navigate the road. Overall this is a pleasant and relaxing campground.

Banana slug! We saw multiple in camp.
Brandon S.

Enjoying the lovely campsite and full amenities. The elevation across the site really allows things to feel like there is space between sites. My kids love playing on the open play equipment area, and I was able to do some work with the free wifi on the deck. Plus there was a pool and sauna, along with multiple fire pits and lounging spaces. It was close enough to other local towns to run around and do some adventures, but secluded enough to really feel like we were in the middle of nowhere. It's definitely on our list of places to come back to, and the trip is only half over!

Fire pit right outside the tent
Alex L.

So recently for my Birthday my wife made my day special with some camping. Well I should say GLAMPING lol. It's winter, and of course Carmel is next to the ocean so it's already cold. To meet me halfway my wife found this campsite and saw the awesome Glamping tents they offer. It's a tent sure, you're in the forest, but it's like a room outside. Once you step into your tent you have a wood floor, a bed with a heated blanket, outlets with power for your lamps and anything else you need. Plus the fire pit is propane, which is provided by the campsite, you get a bbq bit which is also propane. We did have neighbors but they were quiet too so we didn't mind them. It was so much fun to relax by the fire at night, and once it started raining we went inside, zipped up the tent and went to sleep listening to the rain hitting our tent. A plus...place is super clean. You're in the forest, but there are so many amenities here. The bathrooms are clean, showers are provided with warm water, there's a pool, a kids play area, lots of places to sit around and relax. There's a hiking trail that goes up the mountain, we did about half way up and back. Nice views. Definitely recommend this place, the pictures don't do it justice.

Jane E.

Nice camping facility. Amenities were a plus - clean bathrooms, showers, soap etc there's plenty of rooms for tents but also cabin setups for glamping. Great for families or large groups of framily. There is a pool, playground, basketball courts, horse shoe, etc. if you like. Ice and duraflame available for purchase at the office. Quiet hour starts at 10pm. Lots of trees, beautiful outdoors. We'll definitely be back!

Stayed for a couple of days during the week and it was awesome. Our cabin was great, staff was helpful and nice.

View from the top of the hiking path over Carmel Valley

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Ask the Community - Saddle Mountain RV & Campground

How is cell service is this area?

I have cell service here.

Does this place do long term stays? 1-2 months?

Yes!!

Are dogs allowed in the pool area?

No, they do not allow dogs in the pool area or on the playground. It’s a beautiful campgroud though, I highly recommend it 😊

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Review Highlights - Saddle Mountain RV & Campground

If you want to experience this area in an RV, Saddle Mountain Ranch is the place to set up.

Mentioned in 17 reviews

Read more highlights

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This is my favorite beach in Carmel! It's a little nestled away from downtown, but the best part of…read moreit is watching the sunset over Point Lobos - it's beautiful! The beach isn't too crowded and there's a good mix of soft sand, pebbly sand, and tide pools. It's perfect for a more laid-back atmosphere. The northernmost part of the beach has some really nice sand and is secluded, with some awesome views of the ocean.

Gorgeous beach with a fun walk. I like to look at the ocean from the hike. We hired a tour guide…read morefrom our stay at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands Inn, and we enjoyed it very much. Her name is Wanda. She is a very good tour guide. You can take a lot of great photos and see this big cross that used to be there for a lost ship. It's not a hard hike but it's really nice for the views. I would definitely do it again. I am an avid hiker and this was very easy it was like a stroll but my mother really liked it. There are beautiful wild flowers and plants and lots of rocks and trees and grasslands. During May, it is pretty cold, so make sure you wear a jacket and that you are ready. I love to hike so I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes to see nature. You can even see where the salt water and lake water mix. Apparently there is a beach where a lot of children drowned near here, I think that would be a very interesting thing to write a movie about!

Photos
Pt Lobos as viewed from atop Ribera Beach.
Pt Lobos as viewed from atop Ribera Beach.
Ribera Beach from above. Carmel and Pebble Beach beyond.
Ribera Beach from above. Carmel and Pebble Beach beyond.
June 27 Sunset From Ribera Beach Cliffs

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June 27 Sunset From Ribera Beach Cliffs
Garrapata State Park

Garrapata State Park

4.7
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Had been meaning to check out this park for a long time, but usually got pulled away to Point…read moreLobos. A few weekends ago we were down in Carmel for the long weekend with some friends and got a later start to the morning. Anticipating that Point Lobos would be super crowded, I picked out a few hikes at Garrapata State Park, just a few miles south. We parked near the Soberanes Canyon trailhead and hiked the Soberanes Point trail, first going north, then doubling back to take the loop around (and up) Whale Peak. I was worried about leading a group of 20 astray (with kids who had different tolerance levels for hikes), but my fears were immediately put to ease by the gorgeous oceanside views, full of greenery, wildflowers, and the powerful ocean waves hitting the rocks below. We even spotted a sea otter in the surf. Got some nice photos and everyone made it back. At this point our group split up. A few of us went down to Calla Lily Valley. The lilies were beautiful (though I heard they were cut down recently), but there were a ton of people, and the trail was quite muddy. The beach nearby was really nice - the kids spent some time playing there. Parking immediately near the valley is tight but there is parking at this beach and trails to both the beach and the valley from there. Will definitely be back, love that there's an alternative to Point Lobos so close by.

First time in Carmel with the wife and we decided to walk the area in the noon time . A nice stroll…read morefrom the main downtown area. A nice trail to walk around. And views you can't miss. Definitely a spot worth hitting if you want to make your stay worth it. Even the dog got to enjoy some views and the walk!

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Garrapata State Park
Garrapata State Park
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"What would you like for Christmas?". "I want you to find a person who we can spend all day in the…read morewoods with and they'll have answers for all the questions." Amazingly enough, this person exists in our own backyard. Christian has passion, knows his stuff, and as a result is an incredible teacher, a cool hang, and propagates a love for nature. I specifically wanted to level up my knowledge of mushrooms, but also hoped to gain a new understanding of plants and birds on the California coast. It was a deluge of info, and explained in a way that sticks. If you love the outdoors and want to spend time with someone who really gets it and has a contagious reverence for it, spend some time with Christian.

Redwood Coast Tours is a fantastic company and I was amazed by the mushroom tour we took with them…read morein Big Basin near Santa Cruz. Our expert guide, Christian, helped us find a multitude of different mushrooms as we meandered thru the Redwood forest. He filled our brains with practically a text book of information about mycology including mycorrhizal fungi. I highly and enthusiastically recommend Redwood Coast Tours for your educational tour on mushrooms!!

Photos
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Christian Schwarz helping students work through the keys to identify local mushrooms.

Saddle Mountain RV & Campground - campgrounds - Updated July 2026

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