Veterans Memorial Park Monterey - American flags in Southampton park.
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Veterans Memorial Park Monterey

4.4
·849 reviews·Monterey, United States

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

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday Mornings

Secure a campsite easily

CrowdLow
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Veterans Memorial Park Monterey - American flags in Southampton park.

Veterans Memorial Park Monterey

Best Time

Weekday Mornings

Secure a campsite easily

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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

4.4
(849 reviews)

"It's a beautiful park, and so close to everything it's just the perfect place to stay if traveling through!"

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 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.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Stairway to Heaven

Stairway to Heaven

Huckleberry Hill Nature Preserve

Conquer 185 steps for breathtaking views of Monterey Bay and surrounding hills.

Instagram
Kid-Friendly Playground

Kid-Friendly Playground

Main Park Area

A spacious and engaging playground that kids love, perfect for family fun.

Reddit
Shaded Campsites

Shaded Campsites

Campground

Enjoy peaceful camping under beautiful oak and pine trees offering ample shade.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

First-Come, First-Served Camping

Veterans Memorial Park operates on a first-come, first-served basis for its campsites. Arrive early, especially during peak season or weekends, to secure a spot. Look for vacant sites and confirm they aren't claimed before registering at the self-registration booth. Reddit

Mountain Lion Awareness

While a beautiful park, be aware of potential mountain lion sightings. It's advised to make noise while hiking to avoid surprising them. Stick to main trails and keep an eye on children and pets. TikTok

Best Times

When
Weekday Mornings
Why
Secure a campsite easily
Crowd
Low
When
May to August
Why
Pleasant weather for camping
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekends & Holidays
Why
Can fill up quickly
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Veterans Memorial Park in Monterey #veteransmemorialpark #monterey#forest#trails
davidmichaelconley
18 likes • 291 views

🎯 Arrive Early for Camping

Campsites are first-come, first-served. Arrive early, especially on weekends, to snag a spot. Reddit+1

⛰️ Hike with Caution

Be aware of potential mountain lion sightings. Make noise on trails to avoid encounters. TikTok

https://youtu.be/PC3A94eewKM Located at Veterans Memorial Park in Monterey, California, the Stairway to Heaven steps comprise of 185 individual stairs that lead up to the Huckleberry Hill Nature Preserve. One can get an amazing view of the Monterey Bay and the surrounding forested hills. The park is easily accessed either from Hwy 68 or Pacific Ave in downtown Monterey and is located only 1 mil...
monterey_peninsula_homes
3 likes • 130 views
reddit.com

Is Veteran's Memorial Park in Monterey Open?

💰 Veteran & Senior Discounts

Veterans and seniors receive a $5 discount per day on camping fees. Reddit

🚿 Shower Access

Non-campers can use showers for a fee, but check availability and times. Reddit

reddit.com

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. Reddit+1

⛰️ Hike with Caution

Be aware of potential mountain lion sightings. Make noise on trails to avoid encounters. TikTok

💰 Veteran & Senior Discounts

Veterans and seniors receive a $5 discount per day on camping fees. Reddit

🚿 Shower Access

Non-campers can use showers for a fee, but check availability and times. Reddit

🌲 Enjoy the Shade

The park's oak and pine trees provide lovely shade, making it comfortable year-round. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.4
(849 reviews)

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. Reddit+1

"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

Shaded, peaceful campsites
Kid-friendly playground
Affordable camping rates

What People Dislike

First-come, first-served system
Potential for noise
Facility cleaning times

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Veterans Memorial Park is accessible from Highway 68. The park is located in Monterey, California. Instagram

Yes, parking is available, though the trailhead parking lot can fill up, especially during busy periods. Reddit

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. Reddit

The park is easily accessed from Hwy 68. Specific routes can be found using GPS navigation. Instagram

The park offers camping spots that can accommodate RVs, often referred to as a veterans RV park in Monterey, CA. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, campsites are first-come, first-served. You can check in at any time of day and find a vacant site. Reddit

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. Reddit

Check-out time is typically 12 noon. Be mindful that hosts may clear your site marker before then if you leave early. Reddit

Yes, non-campers can use the showers for a $4 fee, limited to 10 minutes. Payment is at the self-registration booth. Reddit

The provided information focuses on camping. Day use fees, if any, are not explicitly detailed but the park is generally accessible for recreation. Reddit

🎫 🌲 Onsite Experience

The park offers hiking trails, a basketball court, a playground for kids, and beautiful green spaces for relaxation. TikTokReddit

Yes, there are hiking trails, including those leading to the Huckleberry Hill Nature Preserve, which features the 'Stairway to Heaven' steps. TikTokInstagram

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. Reddit

The bathrooms are well-maintained and cleaned daily. Showers are available for campers and for a fee for non-campers. Reddit

Information regarding campfires is not explicitly provided. It's advisable to check local fire restrictions and park regulations upon arrival. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

The park has quality tables and potentially grills, making it suitable for picnics and gatherings. Reddit

Being in Monterey, there are numerous dining options available in the surrounding town, easily accessible from the park. Reddit

There are no indications of a store or food sales within the park itself. It's recommended to bring your own food and supplies. Reddit

Campers typically prepare their own meals using provided picnic tables and potentially grills. Bringing a portable stove is also an option. Reddit

Yes, water spigots are available near the campsites for camper use. Reddit

📸 📸 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. Instagram

Absolutely. The park's diverse landscape, with pine trees and hiking trails, is ideal for capturing natural beauty. TikTok

Early morning or late afternoon light can be beautiful for capturing the forest and bay views, especially from the 'Stairway to Heaven'. Instagram

Drone usage regulations vary by park. It's essential to check with park authorities or local ordinances before flying a drone. TikTok

The 'Stairway to Heaven' steps leading to Huckleberry Hill Nature Preserve are a notable landmark for photos. Instagram

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Veterans Memorial Park is a fantastic spot for families. The park features a large and engaging playground that children absolutely love, providing hours of entertainment. Reddit The picnic areas with quality tables are perfect for family gatherings and meals amidst the natural surroundings. Reddit

While camping, the shaded campsites offer a comfortable base for families. The availability of water spigots and clean restrooms adds to the convenience. Reddit Parents should, however, remain vigilant about mountain lion awareness on the trails and ensure children stay within designated play areas. TikTok

🏕️ Budget Travelers & Campers

For those looking for an affordable stay in the Monterey area, Veterans Memorial Park campground is an excellent choice. The competitive camping rates (around $47/night) are significantly lower than typical hotel prices, especially during events like Monterey Car Week. Reddit The veteran and senior discounts further enhance its value. Reddit

The first-come, first-served system means you can potentially snag a spot without advance booking, though arriving early is key. Reddit The availability of basic amenities like water spigots and clean restrooms makes it a practical option for budget-conscious travelers who enjoy camping. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

Camping at Veterans Memorial Park

Veterans Memorial Park offers a unique camping experience, particularly noted for its peaceful atmosphere under mature oak and pine trees. The campground is described as well-maintained with clean bathrooms and available water spigots near campsites. Reddit It operates on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning securing a spot requires arriving early, especially during peak times like weekends or holidays. Visitors are advised to scout for vacant sites and confirm they are not claimed before proceeding to the self-registration booth. Reddit

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. Reddit Some reviews mention that non-campers can utilize the showers for a fee, though this service has specific times and limitations. Reddit 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. Reddit

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. Reddit 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. Reddit

Hiking and Nature Trails

The park boasts several hiking trails, offering a refreshing escape into nature. A prominent feature is the path leading to the Huckleberry Hill Nature Preserve, which includes the famous 'Stairway to Heaven'. This set of 185 steps provides a good workout and rewards climbers with impressive views of the Monterey Bay and the surrounding forested hills. Instagram

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. TikTok Sticking to established trails and keeping a close watch on children and pets are also crucial safety measures. TikTok

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. TikTok

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