Tent and RV camping options surround Campbell, California at various elevations within the Santa Cruz Mountains. Most campgrounds sit between 1,000-2,500 feet elevation, offering cooler temperatures than the valley floor—often 15-20 degrees lower year-round. Winter camping requires extra layers as temperatures regularly drop to the 40s at night, especially in higher elevation sites like Mount Madonna County Park.
What to do
Trail exploration: Sanborn County Park offers approximately 15 miles of hiking trails through redwood forests. "It's 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, and storage boxes are provided at the site, near the picnic table," notes Amanda P.
Beach excursions: Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground provides direct beach access with expansive shorelines. "Short walk to the beach. You can walk for miles on the beach or on the bluff trails. Everyone is laidback which makes for a peaceful experience. Great sunsets!!" writes Jill F. The campground features both tent and RV sites with electric hookups available.
Wildlife viewing: Uvas Canyon County Park offers encounters with local fauna along creek-side trails. "A nice small campground nestled in the eastern side of Santa Cruz Mountains, west of Morgan Hill, easily accessible off of Highway 101. Short hikes along the Uvas Creek and Swanson creek are right next to the campground," explains Mon M. The park features multiple waterfalls and creek access points.
What campers like
Peaceful campsites: Campers appreciate the seclusion available at certain sites. "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. Restrooms and showers are clean and in a very decent condition," reports Ignasi M. about Sanborn County Park.
Natural setting: Mount Madonna County Park offers full shade camping under redwoods. "The park is a on beautiful forested hilltop. Some areas are redwood, other parts mixed with other kinds of trees. This is the only place I've seen the redwood trees harvest the fog and make their own rain, which is pretty cool," notes April N. The park features multiple campgrounds with varying levels of privacy.
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. "Very nice and clean. Bathrooms are constantly cleaned and showers are free and clean. Parking is free with paid camping. People seem to be very aware and pick up after themselves which i love," reports Carolina M. about Mount Madonna County Park.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Temperature variations can be extreme. "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 Mount Madonna County Park.
Site variations: Sunset State Beach and other area campgrounds have significant differences between sites. "Nice lots on a cliff above the beach protected from the wind by some doug firs and eucalyptus. Beach is long and expansive with very few people on an average day," notes Mauriel O. Research individual sites before booking as some offer much more privacy than others.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies dramatically between campgrounds. "Barely any cell reception, but wifi worked pretty well (we could have a video conference)," reports Ignasi M. about Sanborn County Park. Consider downloading offline maps and information before arrival.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday offers numerous activities for children. "We have a two and a half year old and it's perfect for us in a 28' fifth wheel. Paved roads for bikes, huge playground, nice store, warm pool. It's perfect for families," shares Andrea A. The campground includes specialized amenities like a jump pillow and climbing wall.
Budget considerations: Many campgrounds require both camping fees and day-use parking fees. "Getting there: From San Jose it took me about 40 minutes. The road is windy, narrow, and not for the car sick. Be prepared to pay $6 for parking," notes Derek B. about Uvas Canyon County Park. Camping fees range from $34-65 per night depending on amenities.
Safety awareness: Wildlife encounters require proper food storage. "We suffered the consequences when we awoke to a family of raccoons raiding the box," reports Austin C. about Sunset State Beach. Most campgrounds provide bear boxes or storage lockers at campsites.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground offers varied RV options. "The RV sites have electric hook-ups and there are shared water spigots (not hook-ups)," explains Elliott B. Check site details carefully before booking as many campgrounds have limited full hookup sites.
Road conditions: Access roads to several campgrounds present challenges. "Twisty drive to a beautiful campground. Well maintained campground. Some smaller and uneven spots but worth it," cautions Tanya B. about Mount Madonna County Park. Consider vehicle size limitations when selecting glamping destinations near Campbell.
Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven parking spots at some locations. "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," advises Mon M. about Uvas Canyon County Park. Sites at higher elevations tend to have more significant grading issues.