WOW! this place is a 5 star on ALL levels! First let me start with the staff - WHOA - they are the most accommodating, chill, laid back team EVER. They clearly like what they do and trust their customers all the way - it's truly appreciated! Then moving on to the facility - WHOA - first - I drive a 26' RV with a Smart Car in tow - and I can't imagine driving anything bigger up the long, narrow entrance - but I did it and was able to manuver my way around. We were in spot 24 - which was the BEST! across from the pool - just down from the restrooms - and had a Astroturf pad on the hill with a beautiful trumpet vine. The hiking was spectacular - and it's SUPER dog friendly. I highly recommend Saddle Mountain Ranch - it's a rare jewel! read more

Saddle Mountain RV & Campground - Spot #24 at Saddle Mountain Ranch in Carmel Valley. The BEST. - Campgrounds Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Yay! What a wonderful gem! SMR was our first stop on our coastal trip from San Diego! We arrived to a smiling face at about 4 pm. Our kids ran straight to the pool. There was so much to do there!! It was absolutely adorable. The grounds are picturesque. It was so sweet and quiet. We decided to stop in Monterey because we wanted to visit the Aquarium. It was just down the hill, super close! It was wonderful to jump in the pool after our long day. The amenities are awesome! The restrooms are immaculate! I highly recommend this campsite for families and couples! It's great!! read more

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We made a last minute reservation at this place because no other campgrounds were available. No regrets. Lynn, the host on duty was extremely accomdating and friendly. The camp sites were clean and they had free Wi-Fi/charging station. They also had a pool if that's what you're into. One downside is that this place is pet friendly so we were woken up pretty early in the morning due to barking dogs. Overall, our stay was great definitely come here if you're looking for a place. Also say hi to the cat! read more

Saddle Mountain RV & Campground - Cat on the office porch - Campgrounds Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Booked 2 nights stay in our RV for April 8 and 9 to attend a wedding. On April 4th I called to cancel due to my mother in law's imminent passing. She died on April 9, Easter Sunday. I left a voicemail on the 4th at 2:06 PM and made the cancellation request and advised of the circumstances. This was 4 days prior to reservation start date, outside of their 48 hour cancellation window. I did not receive a call back advising me of any fees, so expected that the reservation was canceled. My credit card statement showed the charges, but no refund. I called and couldn't get through to a person or voicemail, so emailed. Email response was that they only accept cancellations via email. They had 4 days to respond to my voicemail, when they could have simply told me that I had to send an email to cancel, which is unlike other commercial RV parks that I've dealt with over 24 years of RVing--phone cancellations were never an issue. They are refusing to refund a penny. You'd think under the circumstances of calling as soon as I knew about my mother in law, 4 days before arrival, they could have amended their email only policy or called me back when they received the voicemail. I don't understand businesses that don't return phone calls or amend unreasonable, nonsensical business policies. I thought businesses were supposed to serve the customer, not the other way around? They charged the balance due long before the reservation date, even though they had a 50% deposit. That was unusual for an RV park. At this point, since the death of my wife's mother didn't cause them to amend their policy of cancellations via email only, I can only imagine their inflexibility and callousness about any and all other customer service issues. I have to conclude that avarice and greed is their business model instead of hospitality towards travelers. We had stayed here previously. Never again. read more

We stayed in the deluxe luxury tent with 2 queen beds site 41 for my daughters birthday weekend. The tent was very clean and adorable. The beds were very comfortable and had nice heated blankets. The deck was nice with a gas BBQ and fire pit. We enjoyed the pool as well. We enjoyed near by wineries and restaurants. The only down side is the bathroom situation. During the day the walk to the bathrooms is fine, but at night it is very inconvenient. You have to either walk up a steep dirt/steps to a bathroom or down a semi steep dirt/cobblestone path. Also the parking is not close to the tent so you have to haul your cooler and bags to the tent. This was not an inexpensive place to stay. If the bathroom situation was better and they offered some check in assistance with heavy items this would be a 5 star rating. Nice Carmel get away. read more

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The campground is clean and the staff are friendly. The tent sites look amazing -we stayed in an RV site. The RV sites have full hookups with a bathroom and shower a few feet away. The lounging area has propane fire pits and comfortable seating as well. They have badminton, horseshoes, and other fun activities for the family including a heated pool. There's also a small but well equipped playground for kids of all ages. Unfortunately, the heated pool was cold enough for a young man who dared enter to exclaim "IT'S COLD!!!" loud enough to be heard from several hundred yards away. WiFi is available, but you won't be able to do more than check your email with the available connection, ie. don't plan on getting any work done on the road -or streaming Netflix for the kiddos. However, there are several Starbucks within a short drive with WiFi if you truly need it. Since most of us remain tethered to our smartphones these days, I'll note we had 1-2 bars of LTE service from Verizon at our site. read more

I'm not really into camping I'm more of a glamper, but I must say this has been a pleasant experience. This site in particular has a more Mediterranean vibe. There are gazebos, terraces, planters with flowers, trees galore, and plenty of other foliage. It is really pretty. We stayed in a premium tent site (we can drive in) and we have a view of the valley, but there are also cabins and RV sites available. The tent sites do not have electricity or water right next to them, but within a few feet of each you have access to water. Next to each bathroom there are sinks to clean dishes and the bathrooms were surprisingly clean. They have hot showers here. Yes you heard right. Hot running water. You can tell the staff takes care of the area and are totally willing to address any needs you may have. Lynn and her assistants were awesome. I have to write this review from the perspective of a tenter because that's all I know at this point. If you are disabled or have any medical conditions that would limit walking up an incline, I would recommend staying in an RV site because the ground is more level. The tent sites are a bit of a steep hike from the office level. They are also on dirt roads. So unless you have an SUV or have 4 wheel drive vehicle, I also would not recommend going up the hills. It is possible. I have a sedan, but luckily I have someone that can navigate through dirt. The pool is spectacularly clean and the pool area looks like a resort area. They have board games, badminton, volleyball, and a foosball area. There is plenty of shade and a hiking area. There are a few grocery stores nearby, vineyards, and small mom and pop stores to shop at and grab something to eat. There is a laundry mat right near the grocery store and gas station. Everything you may need is within a two to two and a half mile radius. So if you forgot to pack anything don't panic you can get it and still have a wonderful time. I hope this helps have a fabulous time! read more

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We have stayed at Saddle Mountain about four times. We love the owners and the friendly atmosphere! Very cozy place. Close to Monterey, Carmel, many great restaurants! Will definitely return! read more

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This place is terrible if you want to get any sleep. They have these horrible white LED lights wrapped all around a huge tree and it acts like a flood light and does not go off all night. It is like trying to sleep with a spotlight glaring right down on you. It lights up the whole hillside and you cannot enjoy the stars or night sky. Just terrible! read more

Just warning anyone who might look at this that their covid notice stating they are open does NOT mention the fact that their pool is closed. We booked the weekend being under the impression that they were fully opened so we're bummed to discover the pool was closed. The cabin we stayed in was cute and the people were helpful. One of the workers was rebuilding their trailer right beside our cabin so Saturday was filled with the sound of electric saws and slamming wood. Made it difficult for our 5 month old to nap and wasn't really the serene experience we thought we'd have. The staff however was understanding when I asked them about it and they said they would text to let them know of the noise. Everything here is super compact and the cabins don't have parking spaces. The view of Carmel is gorgeous from certain places but you'll mostly be seeing the parking lot from the cabins and trailers surrounding it. Our thermostat was also broken and would completely turn off. The maintenance man was so great and tried to fix it numerous times before he went out to buy a new one on the third day we were there. I felt bad going back and forth to ask for help but not being able to control the temperature at night with a 5 month old was too challenging for us to ignore. Again, the maintenance man was terrific and we really appreciated him fixing the problem. I'm glad we got away for a weekend and thought the cabin #5 we stayed in was the cutest tiny house but we will probably find somewhere else to camp once more options are available again. read more

Don't be fooled- we made a reservation for the "pool House" only to discover the pool was not even open which they did not mention upon booking. Totally misrepresented their version of social distancing- evidently 150 people at a time on the weekend? We cancelled two days ahead of our arrival after discovering this- and have not been refunded our money. These people are crooks. No stars. read more

Update, they corrected the error and refunded us. My husband passed away recently. Actually, the day after we came back from Saddleback. He loved it there so much. read more

Saddle Mountain RV & Campground - Campgrounds Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

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I get this is the only place open right now but the staff was not helpful when we had a disclosed issue on site. This place is not good for enjoying your typical camping trip. This is a trailer park. Didn't even stay the night. read more

From the office staff, manager , camp hosts, maintenance and housekeeping staff. Everyone is so helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. The grounds are beautiful with a large pool, several areas to sit and a playground for the kids. The views are amazing of the mountains and higher up where they have an area for weddings you can see the ocean. Paul the campsite manager goes out of his way to make sure everyone is doing well and happy. The camp hosts, Athena and Dave, friendly, hard working and so well organized, Austin the grounds keeper, kind and a hard worker. Our stay was so peaceful and relaxing. The drive up is a little step but it is well worth it. Looking forward to our stay next year, our spot is reserved and waiting for our return. Thanks again Saddle Mountain for making our stay so beautiful. read more

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This place used to be nice before the new owners bought it and decided to turn it into some high-end place. Now they're just out for the money and don't care about the people. Not enough bathrooms for the entire campground at $80 a night to camp. Total rip off. read more

My son recently married out in Monterey. -june 25th 22 and my birthday was the next day Sunday- so I booked a 4 night stay in a luxury tent. Pulled in Thursday evening, checked in and was very pleased with the young lady at the registration center,pleasant answered my questions with knowledge . Just about immediately I left camp to start preparations for the wedding. and see my children whom I missed a lot. Returned late. The camp was quiet We sat by the fire and enjoyed the late evening. Friday same except I was able to get a swim in before heading out. The pool was beautiful ,clean played some beach ball with other campers. another long night, returned to quiet again. Almost too quiet. I think they stress the 10 pm quiet time so much it sends everyone to bed. Sat. wedding day. Come Sunday I was ready to decompress and enjoy the grounds, my birthday and the stress of the wedding being over. I was not disappointed . I took some flowers from the wedding up to the ladies at the check Inn center they gave me a birthday banner and crown. I cant say enough about the staff, in person, on the phone and emails. Fantastic. I would like to return to take advantage of all the amenities. ..........There must be some kind of negative because they didn't get 5 stars. Camp 49 had to walk past my car basically through our camp to get to their site no big deal there should just be a little walkway of their own. There was an issue with a young very inconsiderate, inappropriate couple camped below us. They took a good amount of my peace away Sunday night, Monday morning the minute staff found out I believe it was taken care of although I was packed and leaving by then. 99% I'd recommend them read more

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Told me they don't allow service animals and that I could stay outside and figure out my own accommodation. The rudest I have EVER been spoken to in my life. read more

Just do not stay here. I wish we had read more reviews before our trip. This is NOT an RV friendly location. The road to the site and down from is VERY narrow and steep. We have a 26 foot trailer towed by a full-size pickup. Then we find the RV spots are basically a glorified parking lot and honestly I think we have more room at our storage spot at home. Other negatives points which many other reviews noted - very limited parking, limited shower facilities, self-service check-in mid-afternoon, rude staff, etc. If you are a tent camper, the spots are equally as small and crowded. I can't speak to the cabins although they too are very closely situated. My husband described it as a hobbit village. I was really looking forward to the hike they tout on the website with "360 degree views of the mountains of Big Sur, Carmel Valley and the Pacific Ocean" which turns out is not accessible near the end due to downed trees. Another group warned me on my way up the trail and I went to check it out. These were not recently fallen so I question how often any staff member checks it out. The final straw - we were in town for a wedding and en route heard my husband's aunt had a stroke so obviously we needed to change plans and wanted to leave one night early. I inquired about a refund from the office staff and was told flatly "no". In fact the woman practically gloated about how Paul, who I assume is the owner, refused a refund to a guest whose father had a heart attack. My comment to her was that was not good business practice and her reply was "actually it is". Well - I will be sharing our experience on every social media site I can to ensure others do not have the same as we did. read more

Not my favorite campground. Trailer/RV spots are in a parking lot type location and are very small. Enough room for the picnic table but if you want to hang out, you'll have to be in very close quarters. They do a great job with their location. They've got lights through the trees, a fire pit, playground and pool. The road to get to this campground is sketchy! It's a one lane road, so if you have a larger RV, you'll have a tight squeeze. Again, not my favorite campground but it is beautiful and a great place to stay if you're going to take advantage of the area. read more

Packed like sardines at a very premium cost. My truck was damaged by someone backing up. No room!!!! Found price much higher than verbally quoted! When we tried to understand the bill, the owners called us "liers". Avoid this place, despite the beautiful nearby surroundings. read more

Our site was so small that people arriving late were driving 1-2 feet past our tent to get to their site while we were sleeping. (Yes. Right by our heads.) We also woke up to the sound of a rat eating what turned out to be the transmission wires on our car. Rats tend to be territorial so I wonder how many people have had to spend thousands to get their car repaired like we did. read more

My boyfriend and I loved our stay in the luxury tent! The layout was so nice and it was a very relaxing weekend. The views of Carmel Valley are absolutely gorgeous, it was a wonderful location to stay. The staff was so helpful with anything we needed and very friendly. 10/10 would stay here again, can't wait to be back. read more

I had an excellent stay with some close friends. Very peaceful and serene spot overlooking the Carmel Valley. The showers were hot and very clean, the same can be said for the bathrooms read more

First the road up to the campground was VERY NARROW & STEEP (pretty much a one lane road)!! Same for inside the campground! The RV sites are very small and tight! Out electrical did not work and they did not discount us for it! I would never recommend this place! We camped at Saddle Mountain Ranch Campground in a Travel Trailer. read more

Do not BOOK a reservation with this company. I initially paid $381 first deposit for a cabin. I had to cancel well before the recommended 30 days before camping. They told me I would be charged $30. Instead, I was charged a $100 for not being able to stay and I cancelled well in advance. This company is GREEDY and I will never stay or recommend to anyone. They are a rip off and I wish I would've read all the other reviews before booking. BOOK at YOUR OWN RISK!!!! I book hotels, cabins all the time and have never been charged this type of cancellation. read more

The three stars are for the views, pool, fire pits and playground. Otherwise this site needs some improvements. First: they have bathrooms facilities but only one shower and toilet for women. With at least 10 RV spots there is always someone in the shower or bathroom so you are going back and forth waiting for it to clear. This needs to change. At one point there around 15 families all parked here so more showers and toilets are a must. I won't return because of this. Second the BBQ pits don't get much heat. We payed the $5 for the coals and our two chicken breasts had to be finished in the microwave after an hour. The fire pits are great. The views of the Carmel Valley Hills are really what you are paying for. I can't speak for the cabins or campings sites only for the RV park. read more

We spent five nights in cabin #5, and it was just lovely--perfect for two adults in the bedroom downstairs, and our teen could have comfortably accommodated a friend in the upstairs loft. Great base for our exploration of the Monterey and Carmel areas. The cabin was spotlessly clean, and the kitchen had everything we needed to prep meals. Pool and common areas are just lovely, though too cold when we visited to take full advantage. We'd stay again! read more

We came midweek and it was definitely less busy. We stayed in drive in tentsite #28 which seemed the most private of all the tent sites with a decent view. We travelled with my parents who were in an RV site. The rv sites are really close together and the walk from main pool/RV area to the tent sites is pretty steep-but do able. Great amenities if traveling with littles. The maintenance staff is incredible. Constantly cleaning the grounds. Hot showers and exceptionally clean toilets for a campground. Very quiet and safe area. Would definitely come again as it is convenient to Monterey activities. read more

A great retreat but missing a few key aspects. The office staff is so unpleasant it makes every interaction with them extremely uncomfortable. I've worked in hospitality for years and the 4 office employees I encountered there need a refresher on customer service, including the manager. The groundskeeper however were very cheery. We wanted a specific site, we requested it over a month in advance knowing we may not get it. When we got there we noticed it was vacant and asked if we could have it and they said someone just called and requested it.......ugh I requested it over a month ago! They need a ice machine. $30 for one extra car is ridiculous. Aside from that it really is a lovely place. read more

Hidden gem! We found this place by a simple Google search. Stayed for two nights. The camp host was very helpful and the facilities are better than expected, especially for the price. Coast camping can be expensive, but we found Saddle Mountain to be reasonable in price and had everything we needed. The showers offer plenty of privacy and hot water, and the pool is hotel quality. There is even a play ground for the kids. We will definitely come back! read more

Saddle Mountain RV & Campground - One of the sites with room for a tent and trailer. - Campgrounds Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

I stayed here on a Friday in June. They have hot showers, a pool, a playground, horse shoes, badmitten, a hiking trail, and are dog friendly. The trail goes up to a nice area with benches and a view of the area. Good for sunsets. The campsites aren't private, and aren't in the woods. But it still does the trick. read more

Good vacation destination for RVs, camping but not Cabins. There is no parking for cabins and they asked you to park at available parking spots around the area. I believe they converted what used to be parking lots for these cabins as RV spots to generate more revenue. It becomes a hassle and inconvenient to park far from your cabin and sometimes there are no available parking. read more

This was a treasure I was happy to find. My son is attending school in Monterey, and we came up from San Diego to get him settled. While we were in town, I reserved a campsite here for the time I would be staying in town. First of all, when we checked in, the woman that greeted us was so welcoming. She was so sweet and friendly. She explained everything to us, showed us around a bit, and then let us be to explore the campground. We had a tent site with a vehicle. The view was beautiful, alongside a mountain. Also, the pool is a grand size and well-kept. The same goes for the toilets and showers. I'll most likely be staying here again. I've already recommended Saddle Mountain to friends that visit the area often. read more

What can I say about Saddle Mountain RV/Camping Park in Carmel Valley? We've RV'd here numerous times- each time gets better than the last. The breathtaking valley views, the convenient location (all within striking distance: HW1, the beach, Aquarium, 17 Mile, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur, Garland State Park, restaurants, and grocery stores), pet friendly (must be on leash), hiking trails, nice clean bathrooms, hot showers, free Wi-Fi, and plenty of parking. Our 4 year old especially enjoyed swimming in the pool, playing badminton and horseshoes, exploring on her bike, and nature walks. The only disappointments were not being able to have a fire-pit wood campfire (only propane), a very chilly "heated" pool, and no on-site laundry facility. However, the pleasant staff made-up for it by being so professional and accommodating; they referred us to local launderettes within 1.5 miles. As world travelers and having lived in other countries, I must say this is one of our favorite places on earth. Cheers and happy travels! The Bryants read more

We camped at Saddle Mountain Ranch this past weekend on a tent site. We found a nice, quiet, flat site under old oak trees. This campsite has a pool! We didn't use the pool since it is November, but if you visit in the warmer months, bring your bathing suits! As others have written - the bathrooms are very clean. The showers do not require coins, yay! This place is quite close to Carmel and is very close to the Quail Lodge - any one riding in the Best Buddies Hearst Castle Challenge each year could consider camping here prior to the event. I am really happy we found this campsite because we had a lovely, peaceful experience here. Thanks, Saddle Mountain Ranch! read more

This was the second of three stops on our honeymoon. We drove down from San Francisco (take Highway 1 if you can!) and set up camp in Site #50. The area is phenomenal! As soon as you pull up to the office area, the view in to the valley below is beautiful. Check-in is a breeze! Make sure you set up camp and get your firepit and duraflame logs before it gets dark. The campground is dog friendly (there seems to be a little old grey dog running around the place like he owns it, lol), but keep them on a leash if they like to wander. My pups stayed at the site with no problem, but definitely wanted in our sleeping bags when it came time to go to bed. PACK WARM! The nights got down to around 40 or so - which made the suuuuper cheap price for the firepit that much more worth it. This place is very conveniently located near Monterrey, Carmel-By-The-Sea (take Scenic Drive), Carmel Dog Beach, and Pfeifer Beach (you'll thank me later)... not to mention the shopping centers all less than 5-miles from camp for those last minute details you forgot about. It's a tiny bit wet on the ground when it comes to cleaning up a tent site, but who goes camping expecting to keep their hands clean? I'm already trying to convince my parents to change this to their campground of choice for their next trip (we're an Eastern Sierra's family). Which reminds me... facilities were awesome! Warm shower, clean toilets, a pool, horseshoes, and hiking trails... it's really the best of everything. read more

This place is beautiful. We spent 4 nights here for the cali roots festival and had a blast!! It's quiet and peaceful and only 15 minutes from downtown Monterey. I drove a 40' rv up the main road without much problem. Its tight dont get me wrong but certainly not dangerous. The bathrooms are clean and the hot shower is a nice touch. Heather and Lynne were very friendly and made it an easy decision as to where we would stay next year . I have already booked my reservation for next years festival. Highly recommended!!! read more

Saddle Mountain RV & Campground - Lively up yourself - Campgrounds Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

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What a beautiful, quiet, friendly RV park!!! It's not far from the heart of Carmel and Monterey, yet completely away from the busyness and crowds of people. The park is filled with lovely trees and flowers, and has common areas to sit and have a picnic or a glass of wine under the lighted gazebo. There is a large, fenced play area for the kids, and a very large, gorgeous pool. The grounds are impeccably maintained and everything is very clean and well kept. The RV sites have full hook-ups, and there are tent sites and cabins to rent as well. Lynne (the manager) is a delight...helpful, kind, and very welcoming. She made us feel right at home! We stayed 9 nights, and we will definitely be back again! We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Saddleback Mountain....it was absolutely perfect!! read more

This campground is a nice, cheap alternative to hotels in the area during the Summer. We had a really nice stay in tent site 37, which is one of many sites that has a gorgeous view of Carmel Valley. We were offered an upgrade to a premium tent site when we checked in! Good thing too, we had some trouble sleeping and got up in the middle of the night, and sound really seems to carry, so it was probably better to get us out of the way. The premium rent sites up the hill have a decent amount of privacy and all the beautiful trees and hanging moss and views Carmel Valley has to offer. read more

Saddle Mountain RV & Campground - View from #37 - Campgrounds Near Me - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Loved staying here. Will definitely come back. The staff was so nice and the campgrounds were clean and beautiful. Really cute location and our campsite, 31, was quiet and private with a short 2min walk to bathroom. Cute cafes and cantinas nearby with Carmel Beach only about 15 min away and Carmel Valley is beautiful. read more