Best Tent Camping near Belmont, CA
Tent campsites in the Belmont area of California provide a mix of coastal and redwood forest settings. Ben Ries Campground in Butano State Park offers tent sites nestled among redwoods, though it is currently closed indefinitely. Black Mountain Backpacking Camp in Monte Bello Open Space Reserve provides hike-in tent sites with toilets but no drinking water, requiring advanced reservations. Castle Rock State Park's Trail Camp offers walk-in tent sites with drinking water, picnic tables, and toilets in a wooded setting.
The terrain at these tent-only locations varies significantly, with most sites situated on forest floors with minimal site preparation. Potable water is available at several campgrounds, including Castle Rock Trail Camp, though Black Mountain requires campers to carry in their own water or use filtration systems. Fire regulations differ between locations, with fires prohibited at Black Mountain Backpacking Camp but allowed at most other tent campgrounds. According to a visitor at Black Mountain, "The pit toilet and bear boxes on site take a lot of the stress out for beginner backpackers, and the view at sunset was gorgeous."
Walk-in tent sites near Belmont provide more secluded camping experiences compared to drive-in options. The tent-only backcountry campsites typically require a short hike, keeping noise levels lower and creating a more immersive outdoor experience. Areas like Towle Campground in Palo Alto Foothills Park offer tent-specific sites with picnic tables, drinking water and toilets, though reservations are restricted to Palo Alto residents. A camper noted that Ben Ries Campground, when open, provided "ample room to park" with "space between campsites so you're not on top of each other." Most primitive tent areas maintain good separation between sites, with natural features like redwood groves creating privacy barriers that enhance the camping experience.