A big part of the allure of Monterey County is its scenic beauty. Camping – often more affordable than hotels – is a way to immerse in the scenery 24/7.
There is a wide spectrum, from luxurious “glamping” at a place like Alila Ventana Resort in Big Sur, to trekking through the wilderness of Los Padres National Forest with nothing more than you can carry in a backpack. Somewhere in between are accessible, urban campgrounds and an option of biking to campsites, carrying more gear than you can on foot.
“The good thing about riding your bike with all of your gear is you can go a lot farther,” says Ryan Van Duzer, a professional bikepacker and outdoor adventure television host.
Van Duzer spent some time camping at Laguna Seca Recreation Area at a first-ever bikepacker gathering sponsored by rack company Old Man Mountain in partnership with Priority Bicycles during the Sea Otter Classic in April.
Van Duzer rode his bicycle from San Francisco over two days with John Freeman, who creates bikepacking guides and never leaves on an adventure without his dog Mira. They say there are advantages to hauling camping gear on a bicycle. “The bike can take all the weight of your gear instead of being on your back like a backpacker,” Van Duzer explains.
A key advantage is traveling at human-speed. “You can travel these distances in comfort with more comforts,” Freeman says. “You can smell things. You can hear things.”
Traveling at a slower pace than a car allows you to absorb and appreciate your surroundings, plus there is a reward from traveling in a way that’s completely human-powered.
After assembling a bikepacking setup for my gravel bike, I ventured out to the Sea Otter Classic with a light tent, sleeping bag and pad, food and a change of clothes to the camp. It was the first time I ever used my setup and it’s just a seven-mile trek from my home in Monterey to Laguna Seca, but a short trip was perfect to test it out – and a reminder that camping can be a very local adventure.
“To explore my own backyard has been great,” Freeman says.
Similar to my experience, Freeman says bikepacking locally has allowed him to see where he lives in a different way at different speeds. Van Duzer calls it “life at 15 miles per hour.”
BIKEPACKING SETUPS are customizable. But Van Duzer says even though a bike is capable of it, that doesn’t mean it should carry everything in your garage. Essential bikepacking bags that fit around the bicycle are enough to get started. The type of bike is up to the rider, although you probably want something more robust than a single-speed beach cruiser.
On the other end of the spectrum of capability is Erik Binggeser, who rolls up to the Sea Otter campout gathering on a completely customized cargo bike, which he has pedaled over 100,000 kilometers as of October 2025 according to his Instagram account, @truemarmalade. He documents his adventures there having foregone a stationary home and opting for a life of travel. “I’ve earned enough money to basically do this for the rest of my life,” he explains to other campers at Laguna Seca.
One need not opt for such an all-in approach to get a feel for it. “You don’t have to start with a 140-mile ride like these guys,” says Connor Swegle, co-founder of Priority Bicycles.
Swegle adds that it’s fine to do what bikepackers call “credit-carding,” meaning to ride to a place that has a hotel for an overnight adventure just to get some miles in. And in Monterey County, bicyclists (or campers arriving by any modality) can visit campgrounds right in town with easy access to amenities, like Veterans Park in Monterey or at San Lorenzo County Park in King City.
Bikepacking Roots is a nonprofit that was founded in 2017 dedicated to removing barriers and providing resources to those interested in the activity. “In the last five years it’s become much less niche,” says Executive Director Noelle Battle. “Anyone can do it.”
At the Sea Otter campout, over 50 bikepackers are hanging around the campfire trading stories about routes. Part of Bikepacking Roots’ mission is crowdsourcing data like this to build an online network of such trails. Currently there are no recorded bikepacking trails for Monterey County on the website, but some routes discussed around the campfire that evening include Indians Road from Arroyo Seco and paved Nacimiento-Fergusson Road between Highway 1 and Jolon.
FOR THOSE WHO WOULD RATHER stick to four wheels underneath them, camping can also be done by car. At Laguna Seca, campers have an option to drive right up to a campsite to set up a tent or to rent an RV with at-home amenities like a stove, couches and even a television. Fire rings and picnic tables are just outside the RV and hookup areas, meaning the whole “camping” experience isn’t completely sacrificed. The average cost for RV rental is $70 per night, with views overlooking the racetrack or the entryway to Fort Ord National Monument.
“We’re really proud to open our space,” says hospitality and event operations coordinator Cierra Verdone.
On my night in the RV, I was able to forgo the tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad – those are all taken care of. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and didn’t bring firewood or food that would need to be stored in the fridge – some amenities that elevate the experience. Part of the allure beyond a nature experience is for travelers on a budget, something Verdone’s family also saw when they rented RVs at Laguna Seca for their daughter’s graduation from CSU Monterey Bay.
Verdone coordinates community events at Laguna Seca, which she says are growing in popularity. There is evening star-gazing, and twilight cycling invites participants to ride their bikes around the 2.238-mile track.
More events are being added, which will likely bring more campers to the area.