Sites

Water

20 Amp

30 Amp

50 Amp

Sewer

WiFi

Cable TV

Facilities

Club House

Laundry Room

Swimming Pool

Hot Tub

Fitness Center

Game Room

Rec Hall

Pavilion

Exercise Room

Restroom/Shower

Restroom Only

Shower Only

Restaurant

Groceries

RV Supplies

ATM Machine

Dog Park

Cocktail Lounge

Dog Washing Station

Pit Toilet

Snack Bar

Play Ground

Services

Escort to Site

Self-Service RV Wash

Metered LP Gas

Firewood

Fishing Supplies

Pet Supplies

Onsite Rentals

Worship Services

Golf Carts

Fishing Guides

Onsite RV Service

Staffed RV Wash

Fishing Licenses

Complimentary Breakfast

Policies

RV Age Restrictions

Pets Welcome

Pet Restrictions

Pet Restriction on Quantity

Pet Restriction on Breed

Pet Restriction on Size

No Pets

Tent Camping Allowed

Folding Tent Campers Allowed

No Tents

No Overnight Guests

Recreational activities in or near the park

Recreational Activities

Archery Range

ATV Riding

Biking

Boating

Body Of Water

Casino

Climbing

Dock

Driving Range

Fishing

Golf

Heated Pool

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Horseshoes

Kayaking

Lawn Bowling

Mini Golf

Paddle Boats

Pickle Ball

Putting Green

Ramp

Sauna

Shuffleboard

Snow Sports

Splash Pad

Swimming

Tennis

Wading Pool

Water Slide

Water Sports

Water Umbrella

Whitewater Rafting

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Carmel By the River RV Park offers a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the Central Coast from a refined, valley setting. Unlike the more rugged campgrounds found further south in Big Sur, this park provides a <strong>boutique atmosphere</strong> characterized by lush foliage and a tranquil environment. It serves as a peaceful sanctuary for travelers looking to explore the Monterey Peninsula while maintaining a comfortable and well-managed home base. It provides an intimate experience for those who appreciate the slower pace of the California countryside and the high standards of a privately owned facility.</p><h2>Location & Surroundings</h2><p>Situated roughly five miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, the park is nestled within the scenic <strong>Carmel Valley</strong>. This location often places visitors above the coastal fog line, resulting in warmer, sunnier days than the immediate coastline. The surrounding landscape features rolling hills and mature trees, with the seasonal Carmel River running nearby, creating a serene backdrop that feels miles away from the bustle of Highway 1. The park's geography offers a distinct microclimate that is often several degrees warmer than the nearby shoreline, making it a pleasant retreat year-round.</p><h2>Amenities & Park Features</h2><p>The park is well-equipped to handle modern RV needs while maintaining its rustic charm. The facility is meticulously maintained to ensure a high-quality stay for every guest. Essential amenities include:</p><ul><li><strong>Full hookup sites</strong> including water, sewer, and 30/50 amp electricity.</li><li>A well-stocked general store providing groceries, RV supplies, and local gifts.</li><li>A comfortable <strong>recreation room</strong> featuring games, cable TV, and a communal space for relaxation.</li><li>Clean, modern restroom and shower facilities alongside convenient laundry stations.</li></ul><p>Each site is thoughtfully designed with a picnic table, allowing guests to enjoy the fresh valley air and the sound of the wind through the trees.</p><h2>Nearby Attractions & Things to Do</h2><p>Adventure is never far away, as the park is positioned near some of California's most iconic landmarks. A short drive takes you to the pristine trails of <strong>Point Lobos State Natural Reserve</strong> or the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Wine enthusiasts can spend an afternoon tasting local vintages in Carmel Valley Village, while those seeking urban charm can explore the galleries and upscale boutiques of Carmel-By-The-Sea. For those who enjoy scenic drives, the <strong>17-Mile Drive</strong> offers breathtaking views of the coastline and legendary golf courses just minutes away from your campsite.</p><h2>Who This Park Is Best For</h2><p>This destination is ideal for travelers who prioritize peace and quiet over large-scale resort activities. It is perfectly suited for <strong>couples and retirees</strong> looking for a sophisticated camping experience near the coast. It is a prime choice for nature photographers and hikers who want to stay close to the trailheads of the Central Coast. Because of its valley location and size constraints, it is best for those with standard-sized rigs who want to balance outdoor exploration with easy access to fine dining and cultural attractions.</p>



Carmel by the River RV Park is a family-friendly RV park located in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. The park is situated on the banks of the Carmel River, offering stunning views of the river and the surrounding hills. The park offers a variety of amenities, including full hookups, a heated pool, a playground, a clubhouse, and a laundry facility. The park also offers a variety of activities, such as fishing, kayaking, and hiking. The park is conveniently located near the beach, shopping, and dining.

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Carmel By the River RV Park

Experience Carmel By the River RV Park in Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA. Enjoy full hookups and a peaceful valley setting near Monterey and Point Lobos landmarks.

Carmel By the River RV Park | Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA

We stayed at this RV resort the last week of April 2026. Originally, we booked for three nights but loved it so much we extended our stay to five nights! We stayed in the Lily site, which was perfectly located near the bathrooms, showers, rec room, and the wonderful dog park. Our dog absolutely loved it — she had the best time sniffing all the new smells, and we really appreciated that the park is gated and secure.

Upon our arrival, we were welcomed with warm cookies, fresh fruit including oranges, apples, and bananas, along with refreshing cold lemon water. Such a thoughtful touch! The service was outstanding, the grounds were spotless, and the atmosphere was peaceful and relaxing. Everything was very well managed.
Another huge plus is the location, it’s only a few miles from the beach, and there are plenty of nearby stores and conveniences if you need anything during your stay.

We highly recommend this resort and were so impressed that we already recommended it to close friends who will be staying there in mid-June. We enjoyed it so much that we decided to book another stay and join them as well!

We love this quaint RV park! Close to everything! There is a long road to just get to the entrance, then it narrows as you get closer to the entrance of the park. But, other than that its been great. Has a small enclosed dog area too. We would definitely come back!

After an 11-day journey from Florida to California — our very first adventure as new RVers — this stop was pure peace. A full week surrounded by nature, calm mornings, and the kind of quiet that lets everything sink in. 🌲🚐☀️

We are in a double site. Bbq and propane fireplace have been used often.

The staff was very friendly.  Office and restroom/showers were clean and welcoming.  Unfortunately, those were pretty much the only positive parts of our week long stay.  1. The road getting in for almost a mile is very narrow. And guests must leave prior to noon and can only come into the park after 1pm.  We were told to stop on the road prior to getting to the RV park to unhook our tow vehicle (about a mile before actually getting to the park). Then had drive down the middle of VERY narrow road and tree limbs hitting both sides of the RV. 2. Our site was not well maintained.  Weeds growing tall enough to touch the underside of the rig, leaves everywhere as the hedge on our door side was dying.  It looked like the drip system was clogged up.  3. The entire week we were there, I never once saw any maintenance people anywhere.  Guests would leave and not once did I see anyone check the lots that had just been vacated.  4. The name of the park seems to indicate a river—there was no river! 5. For almost $1,000 a week, I was surprised to find no laundry facilities at the park.  Instead we had to plan our grocery and laundry trips to begin before noon and not come back til after 1. And 6. It seemed long term residents were allowed to have all kinds of bins and trash on their spaces and dogs were never kept on leashes.

This was actually our second time staying here, this time we stayed long term, from  May to August.
During the week we were one of a handful of guests, but they were fully booked every weekend, so plan accordingly if you we be here during the summer!

This park is super peaceful, at night you can hear owls and frogs, and there is no light pollution. It has a country feel as you have to go down a road with boar and horses, with the occasional deer and turkey.
My toddler enjoyed looking for frogs in the pond by the office, as well as reading in the clubhouse, and walking down Schulte road to feed the boar.

I wish I could give 4.5 stars, the only things lacking for a perfect score would be a designated play/green area for kids (separate from dog potty area) and access to the river. But we will definitely come back if in the area, and would recommend you staying here too!

We enjoyed our stay for one night at this site! Our only (big) complaint is that the showers felt unsafe. Rather than shower stalls for privacy, they use curtains. There was no ease of mind while I was showering, especially since I was showering at night and the door into the women's restroom is quiet (in the case that someone snuck in). Please renovate inside the showers to make your guests more comfortable, especially since we paid $140 to be there!

Beautiful Stay with lots of greenery and flowers. Clean amenities. Loved the frog theme 🐸

We booked Holly space at the park and it was lovely and more.  Friendly staff and Jeff helped us maneuver RV's in and out perfectly.  Ease of making reservations and getting registered when we arrived. Very nice campgrounds and is clean two of us love the canopy site which was extra fantastic! Very nice place - quiet, pretty grounds, great pet area, etc. We would definitely recommend it and return!

Carmel by the River RV park was such a fabulous place to visit. The camp is very accommodating, and we very much enjoyed our trip there! We had a large group of 20 family members this weekend. The inside space was great for the kids at night when the weather got cold. We also enjoyed s'mores around the fire pit. Everything was perfect. Highly recommend.

So well maintained! If you get a spot with patio furniture, it is great quality! Even the fences in the park are impeccably painted. Tons of plants and flower beds.  Very quaint and quiet place to stay yet close enough to Carmel by the Sea and Monterey towns.
Definitely will be back!

I am a first time RV'r and Jeff was absolutely the best! The other campers were very nice and I really enjoyed my visit and will be back. Wish there was a fenced dog area, but everything was great. They were very accommodating. I highly recommend this park. Very helpful!

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Carmel By the River RV Park

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