Soquel Campground sits in two loops along Willow Creek, where pine and fir shade primitive sites that work for both tents and small trailers. It's a solid base camp for exploring the Highway 41 corridor's sequoia groves and trail networks, though you'll need to haul your own water.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Primitive
- 💵Fee per Night
- $41
- 📍GPS
- 37.40788, -119.56358
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- spring, fall
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- 559-642-3212
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
The two loops spread along Willow Creek banks under a canopy of pine and fir. Each site comes with the basics: dirt parking spur, picnic table, fire ring with grill, and access to vault toilets. The forest cover keeps things cool, but there's no potable water on-site — pack what you need or plan a supply run.
Sites accommodate small trailers alongside tents, making this more versatile than many primitive spots. Since reservations are now site-specific, you can pick your exact spot rather than rolling the dice on arrival.
What's Around
Highway 41 west of camp accesses several trail options. The Lewis Creek National Recreation Trail runs 3.7 miles, while the Miami Motorcycle Trails offer a network of forest roads for dirt bikes and off-road vehicles.
The real draw is Shadow of the Giants, a 1-mile walk through a giant sequoia grove just a short drive north. It's part of the broader Nelder Grove area that defines this corner of the Bass Lake Ranger District.
The campground sits on the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway — the 83-mile Sky Ranch Road route that hits many of the national forest's highlights. Yosemite National Park makes for a longer day trip, while the historic Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad logging train runs closer to camp.
Reservations Note
Once your reservation dates begin, modifications are off the table. Neither Recreation.gov nor campground staff can adjust your stay, so nail down your dates before committing.