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

WiFi

Dog Park

Cocktail Lounge

Dog Washing Station

Pit Toilet

Snack Bar

Play Ground

Sites

Water

20 Amp

30 Amp

50 Amp

Sewer

Cable TV

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

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

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

<h2>Overview</h2><p>Veterans Memorial Park in Monterey, CA, offers a quiet, forested retreat for those looking to experience the natural beauty of the Central Coast. Tucked away from the coastal hustle, this city-run campground provides a rustic atmosphere that feels miles away from the city center. It is an ideal spot for travelers who prefer a <strong>serene park setting</strong> over the concrete pads often found in commercial RV resorts. The campground maintains a peaceful environment surrounded by towering trees and local wildlife.</p><h2>Location & Surroundings</h2><p>Situated within the hillside landscape of Monterey, the park is perfectly positioned for those who enjoy a mix of forest tranquility and coastal access. You are just a short drive from the famous Monterey Bay shoreline, making this a <strong>prime basecamp location</strong> for exploring the peninsula. The surrounding area is characterized by pine groves and cooling coastal breezes, providing a comfortable climate for RVers throughout the year. The park feels tucked away yet remains accessible to major local roads.</p><h2>Amenities & Park Features</h2><p>While this is not a luxury resort, Veterans Memorial Park provides the essential facilities needed for a comfortable stay. The campground offers <strong>spacious wooded campsites</strong> that accommodate various RV sizes, though it is best suited for those who appreciate a more natural environment. Facilities include basic restrooms and water stations, prioritizing a traditional camping experience. The park layout utilizes the natural terrain, ensuring that visitors feel fully immersed in the outdoors while maintaining proximity to their vehicles.</p><h2>Nearby Attractions & Things to Do</h2><p>The park puts you in the heart of Monterey, where iconic destinations are never far away. You can easily spend your mornings at the world-renowned <strong>Monterey Bay Aquarium</strong> or walking along the historic Cannery Row. For those who enjoy active days, the nearby coastal trails and municipal beaches offer excellent opportunities for hiking, biking, and sightseeing. Whether you want to explore the scenic 17-Mile Drive or grab fresh seafood downtown, the park serves as a convenient gateway.</p><h2>Who This Park Is Best For</h2><p>This park is best suited for independent travelers who prioritize a <strong>natural, quiet atmosphere</strong> over high-end resort amenities like pools or clubhouses. It is a fantastic choice for families, retirees, or solo adventurers who want an affordable home base while exploring the rich cultural and natural history of the California coast. If you enjoy a rustic, park-like environment where you can wake up to birdsong and forest air, this Monterey destination will be a perfect fit.</p>



Veterans Memorial Park is a city park located in Monterey, California. The park is dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. The park features a memorial wall with the names of local veterans, a flagpole, and a memorial garden. The park also has a playground, picnic tables, and a walking path. The park is open to the public and is a great place to honor and remember those who have served our country.

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Veterans Memorial Park (City Park)

Stay at Veterans Memorial Park in Monterey, CA. Enjoy a peaceful, forested camping experience close to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and coastal attractions.

Veterans Memorial Park: RV Camping in Monterey, CA

I love it here. I've been hiking the mountain every weekend for about 7 months, & for the last month or so I've been camping here with my dog. There are tons of places to hike/explore, it's considerably safe, & even though it's cash-only & the office hours are limited, the Rangers are darling & helpful, & most everything can be handled by oneself. I only have two major issues with this place, &both have to do with entitlement of campers, namely those with dogs &kids.
I adore & cherish both, but still expect their guardians to follow societal rules of politeness. To start, I've had several issues with off-leash dogs, including a pair of aggressive pitbulls that ran away from their owner 2x & terrorized people on the trail. Lately since I've been camping with my own dog, there are an astounding number of people who become obnoxiously snippy because I don't automatically let their dogs run up to mine or vice versa. This isn't a dog park - I'm not required to sit & let your dog come up to mine, especially if yours isn't leashed. My dog has been attacked,  & I've seen others' dogs attacked here, yet other dog owners act incredibly rude about me not allowing their dogs to just run up to mine.
The second issue I have is with parents letting their kids run across & into my campsite. I understand this is probably a novel experience for them, but that doesn't give them a right to ignore the clear boundaries of my paid space. The lots are not huge - it takes less than 5 seconds to go around, & there is a giant, no-fee park attached. I don't let my dog sniff around others' areas, so when their kids run up to & around my tent it's annoying, no matter how much I cherish children.
The bathrooms are clean, the Rangers are polite, it's fairly easy to find a spot in the mornings, there are tons of activities around this well-placed park. The only thing that puts me on edge is the disrespect from neighboring campers. Hopefully the rumors aren't true & they keep it first- come first-serve here. It's definitely a credit to the city of Monterey.

Love it up here. It feels like a secret. If you dont know that its up in the mountain here you would never find it. You can see everything from the view. Bathrooms and trails and play structures available too. Great place to camp or throw a birthday party.

I really enjoyed my time here.  I was originally only going to stay for two nights but decided to extend to 3.

It's a really fun location, at the top of a pretty steep hill with with some beautiful views of the Bay and the city below.   It is a short, easy drive to most Monterey attractions such as fisherman's wharf and 17 Mile drive, not to mention whatever sort of shopping you may need to do.

The sites were roomy and amongst some beautiful trees which made for a very pleasant atmosphere.

The bathrooms were clean and well-tended.  The showers were free during my visit in April of 2026 but there was a sign on the board that they will soon be going to paid showers.

The Presidio of Monterey is close by so be prepared to hear Revelry every morning at 7 a.m. and Taps every night at 10:00 p.m.  it's noticable but not obnoxious .  Though it took me by surprise the first time, I found myself looking forward to it each morning and evening.

Driving through for the aquarium... and needed a dump site. Don't go here. Its backing up waste. YUCK. I tried calling and after their long message you are unable to leave a message. The voicemail is full. Walked over to try to find someone at the check in/ pay area... no help either. Quite the job to get everything hooked up to dump... to not be able to.

The campsites looked very nice and peaceful though.

A cyclist's perspective:

I've camped up and down the west coast, staying at hiker/biker sites. This one is a bit different. Cost is $10/night, but you can stay up to 3 nights (hiker/biker sites typically have a one-night limit). Showers were free when I camped here (2/19/26), but that's about to change. Signs posted said all showers would soon require a $4 token for a 5 minute shower. Men's bathroom has just 2 showers for the whole camp, so you may have to wait if the camp's full. Shower temp is not adjustable, and shower is just a stall (no seat or bench).

The hiker/biker site is spacious, and can easily handle 12-15 small tents. Some areas flood, so pick high ground if you're there when it rains. With just one super-long picnic table in the center, this site seems designed for groups. The grounds are thickly wooded and you feel like you're in the wilderness. A local cyclist told me there's a hiking trail just above the hiker/biker site that has beautiful views, but unfortunately it was closed while I was there. I was surprised when taps played loudly in the evening, and reveille the next morning. Rise and shine!

Cyclists note: expect a steady climb to get here (steepest at the end). Something to look forward to after a long day's ride!

Loved this campground! The restrooms were clean and offered showers if needed [with charge]. The playground is updated and well kept. Go early to secure a spot. Cash only.

This is a very useful campground in the middle of Monterey. Handy to everything from Point Lobos to Pebble Beach and Monterey itself. First come first serve, which is great, as you don’t have to find a half empty campground that is “full”. The sites are too crowded together and hard to level for rvs. But it has showers and a dump station. I like the three day only limit, as it keeps it limited to real visitors/tourists rather than long-timers filling the campground.

Warning. My wife and I have camped at the park for several years, and returned in 2025. The cost has nearly doubled, although they do give a discount to seniors and Vets. The men's showers are gross. But there is a lawn for kids. That's the good news. This year we planned on spending 4 nights, and on the last night a very strange individual parked his car next to our spot and set up a tent. About 2 in the morning I saw this person running around with a light on his head and stick in his hand. Apparently his dog had taken off. When we found the dog he beat the dog. I heard its cry. He then began talking with the dog and yelling at it. It cried again from being abused. He started his car and roamed around the camp ground again all night until we had had enough and we picked up and left. What a major disappointment. This person was totally off his rocker. I also noticed that people are staying longer than the maximum 3 days... I believe this place is a homeless encampment now. We will never go back. I called the person who was supposedly in charge and he didn't have much of a response. You've been warned.

We go there about once or twice a year for friends' birthdays. Great park with play structure that kids enjoy, quality tables. I think there are grills there but may be misremembering. We've never camped there, but we have friends who do and who love it, even though they live close by.

This is a great campground. I stated here for two nights for Monterey Car Week because Hotel/Motel rates were 3-4x the normal going rates this week.

Rates here are $47/night if you're camping with one vehicle. It $13 more for an additional vehicle.

The system is first-come-first-served and you're able to check in at anytime of the day. First you go around and look for a vacant site. They will either have no reservation slip clipped to the site marker post or if the site is empty and there is a slip, check to make sure the that group has already departed for the day. Some people come by in the morning, claim a site and leave for the day to come back at night, so make sure your aren't taking someone's site. Then when you do find a site you want to take, either leave belongings or someone from your group there to show that the site has been claimed. You go to the Self registration booth and pay your appropriate fee. Make sure you do pay your fees because they have someone checking every morning.

They do allow non-campers to use the showers for a $4 fee and limited to 10 minutes You pay at the self registration booth. Fill out an envelop, enclose your fee, display the reservation slip on your dash and park near the showers. I'm not sure how much they enforce this, but why risk it to save $4.

My only (very minor) complaints:

They typically don't allow overnight parking on the grounds if you're not a registered camper, but my first night there, the trail head parking lot was full of cars with people sleeping in them. I'm not sure if they let them slide because it was Monterey Car Week, but the next night they were all gone. I was a little mad because I was car camping as well and felt like I paid the fee for nothing. These people were also using the restroom and showers, keeping us registered people from using them.

Now on to my second complaint. Check out time is 12 noon. On the day of my check out, I decided to pack up the van, leave to grab breakfast and come back to shower and get ready for the day. I left at 10am and when I came back 30 mins later, the hosts have removed my reservation slip that was clipped to my site marker, rendering my site up for grabs, even though I'm technically paid up until 12 noon. Luckily when i came back, my spot was still empty.

My third complaint. They close the restrooms and showers around 10am for about half an hour to clean them (which I'm thankful for). But closing them at this time poses an inconvenience if you're trying to get ready before you check out at 12 noon (hence why I left as mentioned above). Once the restroom/showers open back up around 11, everyone bombards it, hoping to get ready before check out time.

Overall, still a fantastic campground and will definitely be coming back.

Hidden gem, wonderful place to RV camp in the middle of everything aquarium, tide pools, shopping, breakfast, but you are in the woods.  Self check-in bring cash for fee, water and dump site available, no hookups. Very dark at night, sky full of stars to greet you. Super friendly/helpful Ranger even at 10pm when we came in.

This place is extremely overpriced for the skimpy slab they give you.  Its more like a parking lot than a campground. The bathrooms are too small for the volume of people they get.. and worst of all are the dufusses that run the place. They should be fired. One time when a disabled person complained about something they shut the disabled bathroom down on them for the entire day. SERIOUSLY! That is illegal as the day is long--but nothing is too petty for these bozos that run the place. I would give this a minus 5 if it were possible. Stinks. Get some new staff.

Hillside park, campground centrally located to many local walking, food, coffee, shop, Aquarium, Museum destinations. Clean, bathroom, shower, dump station facilities. Majority of the camper sites are short ~20 foot lengths. Bicyclists, hikers tent sites. Monitored.

Great local place to grab a camp spot at for some light camping. Kids, teens, or just a night out.

I will say, that the potential of NOT finding a spot was a little inconvenient. But, that's part of the fun.

I love running the stairs here!! It’s so relaxing and the views are great! Also perfect for a quick hike!

Reviews

Veterans Memorial Park (City Park)