The Santa Cruz Mountains around Boulder Creek sit at elevations between 1,000-2,800 feet, creating unique microclimates where fog rolls through redwood stands to create natural rainfall. Winter temperatures in this region often drop 15-20 degrees lower than nearby valley areas, with overnight lows frequently in the 30s. Most glamping accommodations near Boulder Creek require advance reservations, especially during summer months when facilities reach capacity.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: Uvas Canyon County Park offers accessible waterfall trails within a short drive of glamping locations. "Great setting, awesome trails to trek, can get busy during the weekend. Redwoods galore and look out for the slugs please don't step on them," notes Francisco N. about Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Archery trails: Mount Madonna County Park maintains a 28-target archery course through forested terrain. "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," explains April N. about her experience at Mount Madonna County Park.
Beach excursions: Drive 30 minutes to reach coastal areas for day trips from inland glamping sites. "Wanna see an epic sunset? Bring your family, and camp here. Hike to the top of the dune. Don't forget your layers, the windy is chilly!" recommends J.d. E. about Sunset State Beach.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: White fallow deer descendants from Hearst Castle populate Mount Madonna County Park. "Near the ranger station there are pens with white fallow deer. They are descendants of the exotic zoo at William Randolph Hearst's mansion down the coast," shares April N. about her stay at Mount Madonna County Park.
Swimming holes: Boulder Creek town offers cooling spots during summer heat waves. "We drove 9 miles to Boulder Creek and found an epic swimming hole by Cafe to help cool us in the 95 degree heat," explains Jeannie B. after staying at Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Seasonal fog phenomena: Redwoods harvest moisture creating a natural rainfall under tree canopies. "This is the only place I've seen the redwood trees harvest the fog and make their own rain, which is pretty cool. In the morning it's raining under the redwood trees but not under the madrone or tan oak trees," reports a camper at Mount Madonna County Park.
What you should know
Temperature variations: Pack layers as mountain temperatures drop significantly after sunset. "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. about Sanborn County Park.
Insects: Bring repellent for summer camping as mosquitoes can be prevalent in redwood areas. "The ONE nit I have is that the lack of air movement during the summer = LOTS of bites. I highly recommend camping in the spring or fall if you are prone to welt-y bug bites," advises Tai W. about Big Basin.
Cell service: Limited connectivity in canyon locations with specific hotspots available. "Barely any cell reception, but wifi worked pretty well (we could have a video conference)," notes Ignasi M. about camping at Santa Cruz KOA, while another camper shares "Important to note that you can actually get a cell signal if you walk to the dump station!" at Mount Madonna.
Tips for camping with families
Wagon assistance: Hike-in sites at some parks provide carts to transport gear. "This is a nice camping away from the car experience. It's a short walk up a paved path from the parking to the campsites. The park provides carts to help with hauling gear," explains Amanda P. about Sanborn County Park.
Kid-friendly amenities: Pools and activities enhance glamping close to Boulder Creek for families. "This KOA is great for a family getaway. TONS of activities on site- huge bouncy pad, a climbing wall, ping pong tables, a swimming pool, pedal go karts, the list goes on and on," shares Daniel D. about Santa Cruz KOA.
Creek exploration: Natural water features provide entertainment for children. "This campground has great bathroom facilities and has a creek that runs through it that the kids loved playing in all day. The slugs were hanging out in trees all around us and it was so much fun looking for them," notes Adventure M. about Big Basin.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Research carefully as RV sites vary significantly in size and leveling. "Not every site is able to car camp due to rocks blocking off the parking area but every campsite is pretty nice," explains Athena J. about Uvas Canyon County Park.
Mountain driving: Prepare for narrow roads when accessing higher elevation glamping sites. "To get to Sanborn you will have to drive up a narrow road. We didn't have any issue with a 21' though," advises Ignasi M. about driving to campsites.
Space considerations: Expect proximity to neighboring sites at most developed campgrounds. "The RV area has ~20 sites. They all have water and 30 amps hookups. RVs are pretty close to each other, but not too invasive," reports Ignasi M. about Santa Cruz KOA.
