China Camp
Pleasantly nestled under a large canopy of pine trees, China Camp is a campground where peace and quiet is commonplace. The spacious campsites allow you to set up camp with more than enough space between you and your neighbors. As you drive into the campground you are overtaken by the sweet smell of pine and the natural beauty surrounding the campground.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 10 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 20 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
10 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 002 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 003 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 004 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 005 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 006 | Loop 1 | Pull-through | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 007 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 008 | Loop 1 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 009 | Loop 2 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 010 | Loop 3 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 20 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers 10 campsites, with campsites 1 - 5 open year-round and campsites 6 - 10 open only in the summer season. Fires are allowed only in designated fire rings, however, always check local fire restrictions prior to your arrival. Two vault toilets are located near the campground bulletin board. You should plan to be completely self-sustainable for the duration of your trip. There is no potable water (drinking water) onsite. There is no dump station.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Los Padres National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations: www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. Reservations need to be made at least 8 days in advance. |
| Fees | $30/per night includes one vehicle. Extra vehicles are $10/per vehicle per night. |
| Rules | 14 day maximum stay. 6-8 people per site only. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Latitude: 36.29554 Longitude: -121.567507 The road eventually turns into dirt, please drive slow and carefully. From Highway 101 North, take exit for Arroyo Seco Rd before the city of Greenfield. Continue down the road for 16.2 miles to the junction of Arroyo Seco Road and Carmel Valley Road then follow to the right.
| Coordinates | 36.2955° N, 121.5675° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- The campground is suitable for tent and car camping, but is not recommended for RVs over 20 feet.
Fire nearby
- WildfireTimber
10 mi from the campground · 25,350 acres · 97% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 13.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | The Treadmill ↗ | 25.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Camping World ↗ | 55.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Visiting China Camp State Park in San Rafael, California
Worth a stop
Hiking and biking trails are within 10 - 15 minutes from the campground. Backpacking and mountain biking the trails nearby is a popular activity in the area.
- 6.2 miArroyo Seco Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miPine Ridge ↗22.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miMiller Canyon ↗7.6 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2 miChurch Creek ↗5.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.5 miCarmel River ↗13.3 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.8 miDivide Camp0.06 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3.5 miHorse Pasture ↗4.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Ventana Wilderness.
- inVentana Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 236,726 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Deetjen's Big Sur InnHistoric district · Big Sur · 11.6 mi
- Joseph W. Post HouseBuilding · Big Sur · 11.9 mi
Natural features
China Camp is surrounded by oak and pine trees, providing ample shade for visitors. Bobcats, coyotes and black tailed deer roam the rolling, lush hills. Red tailed hawks and turkey vultures can be seen soaring above the trees, so bring along some binoculars and make sure to keep an eye out. The melody of chirping of birds during the day time complimented by the sounds of crickets at night provide the textbook balance of unspoiled nature.
Recreation
China Camp offers trails along the hillside and a trailhead which begins in the campground. The Pine Ridge trailhead begins across from the campground bulletin board. This 23-mile trail offers stunning views of the Santa Lucia mountain range which are covered in towering oaks trees.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at China Camp?
Sites at China Camp are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations: www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at China Camp?
$30/per night includes one vehicle. Extra vehicles are $10/per vehicle per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at China Camp?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is China Camp open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does China Camp have?
10 sites, including 10 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at China Camp?
The longest site here provides 20 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at China Camp?
There is no dump station.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at China Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at China Camp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at China Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. 14 day maximum stay.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at China Camp?
China Camp offers trails along the hillside and a trailhead which begins in the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if China Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are White Oaks Campground (2.2 mi), Arroyo Seco (6.3 mi), and Arroyo Seco Group Campground (6.4 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby