One of our favorite weekend getaways is going to dog-friendly Carmel, CA. There are so many fun things to do. However, this was a last-minute trip. So, most of the lodgings were unavailable. Luckily, we discovered the dog-friendly The Camp at Carmel Valley.
Dog-Friendly The Camp at Carmel Valley, CA
Story Behind The Camp
The camp sits on a beautiful 115-acre ranch surrounded by hills and forests, making it the perfect place to camp.
Mrs. Douglas started in 1925 as a camp just for girls. Her main goal is to teach these girls the importance of life skills. Also, just like boys, she wants these girls to experience nature and enjoy outdoor activities such as horseback riding, swimming, archery, and camping. Also, she wants
Today, the camp welcomes everyone, offering a camp experience for everyone.
Where is The Camp at Carmel Valley Located?
Carmel Valley, CA, is located to the east of Carmel CA. The drive is about 12 miles and Carmel Valley Road is the main road connecting the two areas.
The Camp at Carmel Valley, CA, is in the Carmel Valley region known for its scenic landscape. It is located at 33200 E. Carmel Valley Road. When using GPS, directions may overshot or undershoot the entrance so make sure to keep an eye on The Camp sign.
Dog-Friendly Accommodations: The Camp at Carmel Valley
At The Camp, there are three unique campsites; Sunset Camp, Soltice Camp, and Sunrise Camp, and offers two types of accommodations.
1. Cabins –
These cozy cabins offer comfort and charm, featuring one queen bed, two twin beds, and inviting bench seating. However, linen packs need to be rented. So if you can, bring your bedding. Cabins don’t have plumbing or electricity. There are well-equipped shared bathhouses that also provide electric outlets. (According to The Camp website, by 2024 there will be electricity in all the cabins.)
For dog-friendly cabins, there is a pet fee of $50 per dog per stay.
2. Houses –
The Camp has 4 houses: Archer’s House, Director’s House, Summer House, and Bunk House. These houses provide a perfect way to enjoy the comforts of home in a camp setting. These charming homes and bunkhouse rooms are fully furnished and offer linens, bathrooms, and kitchens. (except the bunkhouse doesn’t have a full kitchen and has shared bathrooms)
We stayed at the dog-friendly Director’s House which accommodates 5 people and has two bedrooms (1 King, 1 Queen, 2 Twin Beds), 2 full baths, a full kitchen, a living room, and a patio. However, there’s an $80 fee for the first dog per day and a $40 fee per day for each additional dog.
The door that leads to the dining room/kitchen area is considered the main door. We love that the house has wood floors and vinyl flooring in the kitchen and bathrooms – it’s good for my dogs.
There are two spacious bedrooms and bathrooms; one is equipped with a washer and dryer.
The house is furnished with necessary furniture and has a semi-camp style.
The living room was our favorite place to hang out because it is bright and has a view of the patio, a pawfect place for my dogs KB and KENZO to watch squirrels.
All in all, the Director’s House is charming. Since the house is in the midst of trees and filled with sounds of nature, it was tranquil. The air was refreshing. We (especially our dogs) were relaxed and had a peaceful sleep
It was delightful to go on several walks around the campground. The main patio gathering is located at the Treetop Terrace. My dogs adored this area just as much as the squirrels treasured the main tree on the patio. They both enjoyed squirrel watching.
Dog-Friendly Trails at The Camp at Carmel Valley
It was delightful to go on several walks around the campground. There are several trails; squirrel trail, deer trail, turkey trail, and fox trail.
My dogs love squirrels, so we did lots of sitting, staying, and watching. They were always on a leash, which is a rule at The Camp. They were also amazed to see deer.
Dog-Friendly Gathering Areas at The Camp at Carmel Valley
The main outdoor gathering area is located at the Treetop Terrace. My dogs loved this area, as the squirrels loved the main tree on the patio. They both enjoyed watching the squirrels.
Another awesome gathering area is at the Constellation Court. It’s a grassy area with many outdoor games laid out for the guests. There are seating areas to just sit and relax, which we’ve done, and my dogs enjoyed it too.
Dog Friendly Stay at The Camp at Carmel Valley
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, which exceeded our expectations. Having two large dogs, staying at Director’s House was the right choice instead of a cabin. All the amenities made our stays very comfortable, especially for my dogs. Their senses were overloaded with all the fun squirrel watching and natural sounds.
Lastly, The Camp’s hardworking staff was incredibly pleasant, and our dogs, KB and KENZO, enjoyed the attention and pets from them.
Our stay was a delightful experience, and we definitely recommend dog-friendly The Camp at Carmel Valley as an alternative lodging when visiting Carmel or Monterey.
We invite you to visit The Camp at Carmel Valley website and check out their accommodations and glamping weekends. In fact, The Camp at Carmel Valley has been recognized as one of the best places for glamping in California by Travel + Leisure magazine.
The Camp at Carmel Valley is
“committed to creating something more than a vacation, rather an internal escape and deeply rooted connections to the world around you.”
