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Smithwoods RV Park
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About
#2 of 3 campsites in Felton
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Value
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HOTEL STYLE
Family
Mid-range
Property amenities
Internet
Pool
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Location
4770 Highway 9, Felton, CA 95018-9623
Getting there
San José Mineta International Airport
38.4 km•
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Monterey Peninsula Airport
53.2 km•
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Rental Cars
373 Restaurants
within 10 kilometers
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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Detailed Reviews
Smithwoods RV Park has been around a long time. Family owned. In a gorgeous area of Northern California, amidst a gorgeous Redwood forest. Close to Santa Cruz for things to do and right near beautiful trails in Henry Cowell State Park.
We were here when the park was completely full. Sites are narrow and on top of each other. Because of COVID-19, we were asked to avoid using the bathrooms and showers (most of which were locked) so we showered in our own truck camper.
Water pressure was fine, even with a full park.
They are very upfront with regard to no wifi or internet within the park. There is a wifi signal just outside the office. However, we did not realize that phone service is also not accessible from campsites, so you should know that. Campers were all respectful of quiet hours. Lots of kids riding lots of bikes other hours.
The one very significant problem is that they have not arranged for adequate trash pick-up. The park is full. It is summer. The trash bins are overflowing, with trash bags accumulating all around the dumpster sites. This has got to be not only unhealhy but against code. We have been here for 7 days, and there has not been a trash pick-up. Clearly they must schedule more than one trash pick up per week in the height of the season. Or furnish many more trash dumpsters. Today (a Wednesday) I complained at the office and was told that trash pick up is on Wednesdays (we've been there since last Wednesday). We will see when we return tonight if the trash has been removed. The office personnel indicated that they had reported this problem to the owners, but nothing has been done.
In this day of heightened health care concerns and with compliance to social distancing and masks, I think it is critical that RV hosts do not contribute to additional health risks.
We were here when the park was completely full. Sites are narrow and on top of each other. Because of COVID-19, we were asked to avoid using the bathrooms and showers (most of which were locked) so we showered in our own truck camper.
Water pressure was fine, even with a full park.
They are very upfront with regard to no wifi or internet within the park. There is a wifi signal just outside the office. However, we did not realize that phone service is also not accessible from campsites, so you should know that. Campers were all respectful of quiet hours. Lots of kids riding lots of bikes other hours.
The one very significant problem is that they have not arranged for adequate trash pick-up. The park is full. It is summer. The trash bins are overflowing, with trash bags accumulating all around the dumpster sites. This has got to be not only unhealhy but against code. We have been here for 7 days, and there has not been a trash pick-up. Clearly they must schedule more than one trash pick up per week in the height of the season. Or furnish many more trash dumpsters. Today (a Wednesday) I complained at the office and was told that trash pick up is on Wednesdays (we've been there since last Wednesday). We will see when we return tonight if the trash has been removed. The office personnel indicated that they had reported this problem to the owners, but nothing has been done.
In this day of heightened health care concerns and with compliance to social distancing and masks, I think it is critical that RV hosts do not contribute to additional health risks.
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Date of stay: July 2020
Room Tip: Try to get an back-in RV spot along the river. The quietest sites in the park.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My DH and I went for a little getaway for a few days. I’ve liked Smithwoods a lot in the past, but it’s not my favorite campground anymore. The employees are (mostly) friendly enough, but the WiFi is non existent at the campsites. I know we’re “camping”, but my husband also works remotely when we go, so WiFi is important. He had to sit up in a room next to the office for a day and a half. I’d I want to send a text or make a call I have to go up there.
We walked at the campground next door, and talked to someone staying there. They have WiFi extenders placed throughout that campground. Maybe that’s why it looked like that campground was full mid-week.
With a lot of people working remotely, Smithwoods would be smart to also have WiFi extenders.
We walked at the campground next door, and talked to someone staying there. They have WiFi extenders placed throughout that campground. Maybe that’s why it looked like that campground was full mid-week.
With a lot of people working remotely, Smithwoods would be smart to also have WiFi extenders.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sites are long in the 40+x20 range and they have 50/30/20 amp power in the section were in. Sites are slightly sloped but not enough to be a problem. The San Lorenzo River runs past the property and they have an easy trail to it. The staff is friendly and they guide you to your site. Quite RV park in a beautiful setting.
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Date of stay: December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So we have been going to this park a few years now and we decided this year to spend the week of Thanksgiving here. Everything was great till Wednesday when the "REGULARS" starting coming in. There are parking spaces for the over flow and we had been parking correctly in the space so other vehicles could park also. When the "REGULARS" showed up and was asking nicely to park so everyone could have a parking space, they said that they had other people coming and wasn't going to move because they have never had to in all the many many year they have been coming. When we asked the staff to talk to them, they did but nothing was done. When the situation got heated because now we didn't have a spot to park, we asked for a refund for the remaining days we were going to be there. The "REGULARS" were the ones causing the issues with their attitudes and since we didn't want to confront them, we were instructed that if we got a refund then we counldn't ever come back. How is that we weren't the ones making it nasty that we get the banning from the park? I guess unless you have been going there for many years, you don't mean crap. I will not be giving this park any more referals.
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Date of stay: November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The people at Smithwoods are the friendliest and most helpful people that you will meet while travelling! They helped from making initial reservation to extending our stay and making it as easy and comfortable as they possibly could. Understanding our needs and finding a way to accommodate us was very much appreciated. We are looking forward to another stay when the opportunity presents itself. I recommend this camping area to all.
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Communicate! Arrive early and/or call them to le them know your ETA. If things happen let them...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have been here before and enjoyed it. But they now have a Frenchman who insists on telling you how to park your trailer, speaking very fast and yells at you if you don’t listen to him and do it quickly. I am a senior citizen who needs a little more time to process information. He also came right up to my car window with no mask on yelling in my face. He told me I had to listen to him and hurry up. I have a disability and a placard and was told there was no where to park on the upper level and was told I had to walk up the hill from my campsite. I am not sure that is legal. I had a daughters friend visit, who is from the south and I had not seen in several years. She was coming for 2 hours, for breakfast. I was told she had to pay $20 to park her car when there were empty spots on either side of me. I also said I would pay for it, assuming it would go on my bill. They came down to yell at me while we were trying to have breakfast and said we had to immediately go and register her. Registration had not been mentioned to me. They also said she tried to sneak in by speeding by the entrance and almost hitting a staff person. This was a total lie. I met her up top and she stopped to greet me and let me in the car. There was no one around at all. They completely ruined our visit.
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Date of stay: August 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We made reservations for our 5th wheel over the phone about a month before our visit to the area they didn’t tell me that they have a 40’ limit on trailers but I was thinking mine was 40’-5”. When we got there at night they came out with a wheel measuring device and measured our trailer. Said we were 41’-9”. I was shocked for one thing but also wondered why they are so strict about it when they have sites that are 70’+ feet long. This place was very old and is part of a mobile home park. The RV spaces were almost empty it was just us and one other. Even though they told me I could stay this time but never again. I don’t think I would be back anytime in the future.
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This RV park has the feeling of being secluded in the forest but is right off the 9 interstate. It has tall beautiful trees that will captivate you. It is close to anything you could want from trails to a railroad and a large creek to delicious restaurants and bars. The staff are friendly and helpful. The facilities are clean. It would be easy to just stay for as long as you could. You don't even have to leave the property to enjoy yourself with a warm swimming pool, pool tables and ping pong ! You might even spot some fury creatures who live in the forest !
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Smithwoods RVPark, Owner at Smithwoods RV Park
Responded 21 Aug 2022
Thank you so much for your kind review. We are so glad you enjoyed your stay here, please come again soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We have several RV ownerships and have stayed in parks all over North America. We travel full time with 5 children. We have never met a staff so helpful in the last several years of RV life. We interacted with about 7 staff members, and kept expecting our experience to normalize. These folks must be trained by Disney. We were sincerely wowed and plan to do an episode on this park on our travel YouTube channel. Just wow! Oh yeah, great Redwood views and location too
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Date of stay: March 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Loved this campground. We had a nice quiet spot under the trees. Went mid-week when school was in session so wasn’t crowded. A nice young man shows you to your spot and helps you back in. Make sure you follow their directions to the park. Don’t let the first set of trailers you see upon entering the park dissuade you. They are long term, leased spots and supposedly Smith Woods is doing away with them as each lease comes up for renewal. Several are old and have clutter around them. We were worried we’d made a mistake until we went entered the center of the campground where short term campers stay. Great location. Woodsy. Not a “parking lot” camp experience…which we don’t like. Close to Santa Cruz for day trips. We went on the Roaring camp railroad. Lots of fun….dogs were welcome aboard. Tip: makes reservations ahead of time. We went on a waitlist. We’ll definitely be back!!
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How do I make reservations for your RV park? We want to bring our trailers and stay at a campsite not your lodge. I don't see an option to do this. I only see lodging...?
"Communicate! Arrive early and/or call them to le them know your ETA. If things happen let them know. They have seen it all. "Read full review
LOCATION
United StatesCaliforniaFelton
NUMBER OF ROOMS
130
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Smithwoods RV Park
Which popular attractions are close to Smithwoods RV Park?
Nearby attractions include Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (0.6 km), University of California at Santa Cruz (3.9 km), and Mystery Spot (5.6 km).
What are some restaurants close to Smithwoods RV Park?
Conveniently located restaurants include Marianne's Ice Cream, Laili Restaurant, and Walnut Avenue Cafe.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Smithwoods RV Park?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Are pets allowed at Smithwoods RV Park?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Are there any historical sites close to Smithwoods RV Park?
Many travellers enjoy visiting San Lorenzo River Railroad Bridge (7.8 km).