Mount Madonna County Park offers cabin and yurt camping in redwood-covered hills just 11 miles from Freedom, California. Located at elevations between 1,100 and 1,800 feet, the park provides a cooler climate than the nearby valley floor, sometimes 40 degrees colder than Gilroy or San Jose. The region experiences fog that creates its own microclimate, where redwoods can harvest moisture directly from the air.
What to do
Hike through diverse ecosystems: Mount Madonna County Park contains multiple trail systems running through redwood forests and along ridgetops. "Beautiful county park in the redwood forest of the coastal range. Varied sites and multiple campgrounds make for a choice option for everyone," notes Patrick H. from Mount Madonna County Park.
Practice archery: The park maintains a dedicated archery range with 28 targets along a forest trail. "There is an archery trail with 28 targets on a trail through the woods. We were there 3 days in a row and did 20 of the 28. It's really pretty and a cool challenge," reports April N.
Beach access from campgrounds: Sunset State Beach offers camping just 15 minutes from Freedom with immediate beach access. "Nice campsite within driving distance on the Bay area on a 1 night stop on the way down to Big Sur," states Austin C. from Sunset State Beach. "You can walk down to the beach, take a trip to the henry cowel redwoods, go ride bikes in santa cruz."
What campers like
Secluded yurt options: Mount Madonna County Park offers dog-friendly yurts for glamping close to Freedom, California. "Our friends stayed in one of the yurts and it was great, albeit a little cold for them at night. I believe there are 2 dog friendly yurts," reports Lori T.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the maintenance standards at local parks. "Absolutely soo clean and a great place to camp without having to travel so far. Bathrooms are constantly cleaned and showers are free and clean," notes Carolina M. from Mount Madonna County Park.
Wildlife viewing: Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch provides opportunities to see diverse wildlife near your campsite. "We saw lots of wildlife - deer, wild pigs, turkeys, frogs just to name a few," mentions Kate L. from Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park. Another camper adds, "Beautiful view of the preserve with wild pigs off in the brush and the call of turkeys in the a.m. a nice refresh from the city."
What you should know
Weather considerations: The coastal mountain climate can change drastically with elevation. "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose. We weren't prepared & had to drive into town & buy more clothes," warns April N.
Campsite selection matters: At Uvas Canyon County Park, site placement affects your experience. "If you have a roof top tent, we scoped out a few sites which are more flat, and also have the picnic table near the parking spot. They are: 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 12," advises Kyle H. from Uvas Canyon County Park.
Seasonal flooding effects: Some campgrounds in the Freedom area face seasonal closures. "Campground has been closed since winter storms washed most of it away in 2023," notes Chip C. about Seacliff State Beach, indicating the need to check current conditions before planning.
Tips for camping with families
Biking-friendly options: Some parks offer better biking experiences for children. "Great campground for the kids to bike at but there are a few big hills so make sure they know how to use their brakes," suggests Weston W. about Mount Madonna Park.
Playground access: Thousand Trails Morgan Hill offers extensive recreation facilities. "Cute place. Very large. The kids loved the resident cats. The pool was huge and well loved. Lots of recreation," shares Jennifer H. from Thousand Trails Morgan Hill.
Waterfall explorations: Uvas Canyon provides family-friendly waterfall hikes. "This place is clean and family friendly. There were many families with small children. Many waterfalls along the trail," states xi C. who also notes the camp host is "super friendly and helpful."
Tips from RVers
RV site selection: At Mount Madonna, certain campground sections accommodate RVs better than others. "Valley View 1, site 106. There was really no road noise at our site, though a few sites further around the loop did have noise. The RV sites have both water and electric hookups which was great," shares Lori T.
Dump station availability: "There is a very convenient FREE dump station just inside the entrance to the park that we used as we departed," notes Lori T. about Mount Madonna County Park, providing essential information for self-contained camping near Freedom.
Water level effects: Some RV parks have seasonal changes to consider. "The lake is closed to any and all water-craft because the water level is too low," advises Toni R. about Coyote Lake, indicating that campers should check current conditions before planning water activities.