Veterans Memorial Park Monterey
A serene park with shaded campsites, hiking trails, and a playground, offering a peaceful escape near Monterey.

Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Secure a campsite easily
Veterans Memorial Park Monterey
Best Time
Secure a campsite easily

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A serene park with shaded campsites, hiking trails, and a playground, offering a peaceful escape near Monterey.
"It's a beautiful park, and so close to everything it's just the perfect place to stay if traveling through!"
🎯 Arrive Early for Camping
Campsites are first-come, first-served. Arrive early, especially on weekends, to snag a spot.
⛰️ Hike with Caution
Be aware of potential mountain lion sightings. Make noise on trails to avoid encounters.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Stairway to Heaven
Huckleberry Hill Nature Preserve
Conquer 185 steps for breathtaking views of Monterey Bay and surrounding hills.

Kid-Friendly Playground
Main Park Area
A spacious and engaging playground that kids love, perfect for family fun.

Shaded Campsites
Campground
Enjoy peaceful camping under beautiful oak and pine trees offering ample shade.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
First-Come, First-Served Camping
Mountain Lion Awareness
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Arrive Early for Camping
Campsites are first-come, first-served. Arrive early, especially on weekends, to snag a spot.
⛰️ Hike with Caution
Be aware of potential mountain lion sightings. Make noise on trails to avoid encounters.
Is Veteran's Memorial Park in Monterey Open?
💰 Veteran & Senior Discounts
Veterans and seniors receive a $5 discount per day on camping fees.
🚿 Shower Access
Non-campers can use showers for a fee, but check availability and times.
Overnight Camping Options
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Arrive Early for Camping
Campsites are first-come, first-served. Arrive early, especially on weekends, to snag a spot.
⛰️ Hike with Caution
Be aware of potential mountain lion sightings. Make noise on trails to avoid encounters.
💰 Veteran & Senior Discounts
Veterans and seniors receive a $5 discount per day on camping fees.
🚿 Shower Access
Non-campers can use showers for a fee, but check availability and times.
🌲 Enjoy the Shade
The park's oak and pine trees provide lovely shade, making it comfortable year-round.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Veterans Memorial Park is praised for its beautiful, shaded campsites and family-friendly playground, offering a peaceful retreat close to Monterey. While the first-come, first-served camping system can be challenging during peak times, the affordable rates and natural setting make it a popular choice. Some minor inconveniences related to site claiming and facility access have been noted, but overall, visitors find it a great value and a lovely place to stay.
"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."
David Falby
"A lovely not oversized Campground. Well-maintained always clean bathrooms on a daily basis sterilized. Beautiful Oak and pine trees offering plenty of shade even though it doesn't get hot there. Water spickets available near campsites. And a beautiful green playground park. A 3-day Max you can stay for $47 a day, if you are a veteran or a senior you can take $5 off. The Rangers are friendly and helpful."
Lisa Andersen
"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."
Louis V.
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Veterans Memorial Park is accessible from Highway 68. The park is located in Monterey, California.
Yes, parking is available, though the trailhead parking lot can fill up, especially during busy periods.
While the park is in the Monterey Bay Area, it's at the top of a significant hill, so walking distance to the beach is not practical.
The park is easily accessed from Hwy 68. Specific routes can be found using GPS navigation.
The park offers camping spots that can accommodate RVs, often referred to as a veterans RV park in Monterey, CA.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, campsites are first-come, first-served. You can check in at any time of day and find a vacant site.
Camping fees are approximately $47 per night for one vehicle, with an additional $13 for a second vehicle. Veterans and seniors receive a $5 discount.
Check-out time is typically 12 noon. Be mindful that hosts may clear your site marker before then if you leave early.
Yes, non-campers can use the showers for a $4 fee, limited to 10 minutes. Payment is at the self-registration booth.
The provided information focuses on camping. Day use fees, if any, are not explicitly detailed but the park is generally accessible for recreation.
🎫 🌲 Onsite Experience
The park offers hiking trails, a basketball court, a playground for kids, and beautiful green spaces for relaxation.
Yes, there are hiking trails, including those leading to the Huckleberry Hill Nature Preserve, which features the 'Stairway to Heaven' steps.
While not explicitly stated in all sources, dog-friendly policies are common in many Monterey parks. It's best to confirm on-site or with park management.
The bathrooms are well-maintained and cleaned daily. Showers are available for campers and for a fee for non-campers.
Information regarding campfires is not explicitly provided. It's advisable to check local fire restrictions and park regulations upon arrival.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The park has quality tables and potentially grills, making it suitable for picnics and gatherings.
Being in Monterey, there are numerous dining options available in the surrounding town, easily accessible from the park.
There are no indications of a store or food sales within the park itself. It's recommended to bring your own food and supplies.
Campers typically prepare their own meals using provided picnic tables and potentially grills. Bringing a portable stove is also an option.
Yes, water spigots are available near the campsites for camper use.
📸 📸 Photography
The 'Stairway to Heaven' offers panoramic views of Monterey Bay, making it a prime photography location. The shaded forest trails also provide scenic opportunities.
Absolutely. The park's diverse landscape, with pine trees and hiking trails, is ideal for capturing natural beauty.
Early morning or late afternoon light can be beautiful for capturing the forest and bay views, especially from the 'Stairway to Heaven'.
Drone usage regulations vary by park. It's essential to check with park authorities or local ordinances before flying a drone.
The 'Stairway to Heaven' steps leading to Huckleberry Hill Nature Preserve are a notable landmark for photos.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While camping, the shaded campsites offer a comfortable base for families. The availability of water spigots and clean restrooms adds to the convenience. Parents should, however, remain vigilant about mountain lion awareness on the trails and ensure children stay within designated play areas.
🏕️ Budget Travelers & Campers
The first-come, first-served system means you can potentially snag a spot without advance booking, though arriving early is key. The availability of basic amenities like water spigots and clean restrooms makes it a practical option for budget-conscious travelers who enjoy camping.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Camping at Veterans Memorial Park
The park has a maximum stay of 3 days. While standard rates are around $47 per night, veterans and seniors can enjoy a $5 discount per day. Some reviews mention that non-campers can utilize the showers for a fee, though this service has specific times and limitations. Be aware that the park is situated at the top of a hill, which is a factor if you're seeking proximity to the beach.
Despite its many positives, some campers have noted minor inconveniences such as the potential for overnight parking by non-registered individuals, and the timing of restroom cleaning which can coincide with check-out times. However, the overall sentiment remains highly positive, with many visitors expressing a desire to return due to the park's beautiful location and proximity to Monterey attractions.
Hiking and Nature Trails
When exploring the trails, visitors should be mindful of their surroundings. There have been reports of mountain lion sightings in the area. To minimize the risk of encounters, it's recommended to make noise while hiking, which helps alert wildlife to your presence. Sticking to established trails and keeping a close watch on children and pets are also crucial safety measures.
The natural beauty of the park, with its pine trees and serene environment, makes it an appealing destination for nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful walk. The trails offer a chance to immerse yourself in the local flora and fauna, providing a tranquil experience away from the busier parts of Monterey.
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