Highest-rated campgrounds in the Salinas area by visitors
Camping is a favorite leisure activity among Americans of all stripes. According to KOA's 2025 Camping & Outdoor Hospitality report, the number of camping households in the United States has increased by 67% over the last decade. As of this year, 1 in 4 leisure trips involves camping.
When planning a camping trip, many factors must be considered, including the amenities. Car camping usually means driving up to your campsite, which allows campers to haul a few more amenities to the campgrounds. These sites may offer electrical outlets, public restrooms (including showers), and a grill or fire pit for cooking. RV camping and cabin rentals may also have these amenities within their units.
On the other side, backcountry or primitive camping usually involves hiking into a campsite with few to no amenities. For example, at primitive sites, campers may need equipment light enough to carry to their campgrounds. They may also need to hang toiletries to keep wildlife away and treat their drinking water.
The National Park Service manages campgrounds inside 130 park units across the United States. Each state also manages parks with campgrounds, and there are a myriad of privately-owned campgrounds, too. According to the Camping & Outdoor Hospitality report, more than half of people tend to camp within 150 miles of their home, but there are endless options for where and how to camp.
People typically must reserve a campsite ahead of time—up to a year in advance for some of the most popular sites. To help you get a head start on planning, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated campgrounds in the Salinas area using data from Yelp as of Aug. 19, 2025. Rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.
