Tent campsites near Aptos, California offer year-round camping opportunities within the dense redwood forests and coastal mountains of Santa Cruz County. The region sits at elevations ranging from sea level to over 2,000 feet in the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains, creating diverse microclimates for campers. Winter temperatures rarely drop below 40°F at most camping areas, though coastal fog can create damp conditions even during summer months.
What to Do
Waterfall hikes: At Uvas Canyon County Park, campers can access multiple waterfall trails within walking distance of campsites. "Getting there: From San Jose it took me about 40 minutes. The road is windy, narrow, and not for the car sick," notes Derek B. The trail system features "small waterfalls as the highlights of the trail, but kids will enjoy playing in the water on hot days," according to Mon M.
Ridgeline hiking: Black Mountain Backpacking Camp offers a short 1.5-mile hike to camp with spectacular sunset views. "The hike in is only 1.5 miles, but there's plenty of trail options to tack on more mileage on either the hike in or out," shares Lily H. The campsite serves as a perfect base for exploring the Monte Bello Open Space Reserve trail system.
Beach access: Most campsites are within a 10-20 minute drive of several beaches. Manresa State Beach features a large, less crowded shoreline compared to other area beaches. A camper noted, "It was an easy 5-7 minute walk down to the beach. Beach was clean and not crowded."
What Campers Like
Privacy between sites: Manresa State Beach Campground earns praise for its site layout. "The sites were quite large and had the needed amenities. I loved that the beach was easily accessible for my morning walk," explains Fiona W. Another camper mentions, "Sites are very private and separated by bushes and trees."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness stands out at several campgrounds. At Uvas Canyon, "Super clean and maintained. Especially the bathrooms and showers. The sites are spaced out nicely and there is a water faucet and trash bins plus recycle every couple of sites," according to Athena J.
Wildlife viewing: The Santa Cruz mountain camps offer abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. At Joseph D. Grant County Park, one camper reports, "Nice stay, saw a lot of bunnies and a bobcat on the way out." The park also features seasonal wildflower displays and bird watching.
What You Should Know
Weather patterns: Coastal fog affects camping conditions year-round. Morning fog often burns off by midday but returns in evening, creating damp conditions. Pack appropriate clothing layers.
Fire restrictions: Seasonal fire bans are common, especially in summer and fall. At Castle Rock Trail Camp, a reviewer mentioned, "In winter, this isn't a problem. The way the drought has been going for the last decade in all of CA, I'd guess these creeks are running dry by mid May, if not sooner."
Reservation windows: Most established campgrounds require reservations, often available 6 months in advance. Popular weekends fill quickly, especially for summer dates.
Insects: Bug activity varies by location and season. At Uvas Canyon, one camper warned about "a ton of wasps near site 25" while another noted it gets "a little buggy in the afternoon and found some mosquitoes so take bug spray."
Tips for Camping with Families
Best sites for children: Some campgrounds offer more child-friendly configurations. At Ben Ries Campground in Butano State Park, "Large, user-friendly campsites surrounded by redwood trees. Great ferny hiking trails for every level of camper/hiker," says Renee W. The campground features a nature trail along the creek suitable for younger hikers.
Safety considerations: Poison oak is prevalent on many trails. At Uvas Canyon, a camper advises: "On the trails there's quite a bit of poison oak so keep dogs close."
Food storage: Wildlife encounters require proper food management. Raccoons are particularly active at Manresa State Beach, while Uvas Canyon provides bear lockers at each site, noting it's "a crumb free park and they take it very seriously."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many campsites in the mountains require leveling equipment. At Joseph D. Grant County Park, a tip notes: "If you plan to sleep in your car, you may want to take leveling blocks as I found the car parking spot to be not leveled at all."
Site selection for roof-top tents: At Uvas Canyon, Kyle H. advises: "We camp in a roof top tent and wish we had been more selective on our site, as parking space and the incline at each site are different. 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."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. Uvas Canyon offers "wifi at the bathrooms" and "good Verizon coverage" according to Joshua H. However, at other nearby campgrounds like Ben Ries, a reviewer states "There is no cell service."
