Tent camping near Campbell, California offers access to a mix of coastal and mountain environments with elevation ranges from sea level to 3,000+ feet. The region experiences a Mediterranean climate with temperatures in the 80s-90s during summer and 40s-50s in winter. Most campsites in the Santa Cruz Mountains lie under oak or redwood canopies, providing natural shade and creating microclimates that can be 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding areas.
What to do
Trail exploration at Butano State Park: The park features numerous hiking paths ranging from easy nature walks to challenging ridge trails. When open, the campground serves as an excellent base for day trips. "I absolutely love this campground. The trails are well marked, and there are plenty of them! The sites have a lot of room and privacy," reports a visitor to Ben Ries Campground.
Ocean viewing from mountain ridges: Certain trails in the Santa Cruz Mountains offer Pacific Ocean vistas on clear days. "If you hike up to the ridge on a clear day you can see the ocean. There is also an old landing strip on the hill you can hike to as well," notes a camper about the Butano State Park area.
Beach access at Manresa: For coastal camping options, Manresa State Beach provides easy beach access. "It was an easy 5-7 minute walk down to the beach. Beach was clean and not crowded. Beautiful sunset views," shares a camper at Manresa State Beach.
Wildlife observation: The parks near Campbell host diverse wildlife including deer, bobcats, and numerous bird species. "We saw a lot of bunnies and a bobcat on the way out," reports a visitor at Joseph D. Grant County Park.
What campers like
Proximity to the Bay Area: Many campgrounds near Campbell serve as quick escapes from urban centers. "Clean, quiet and quick escape in Bay Area," notes a camper from Joseph D. Grant County Park, adding that "The hiking is quite beautiful and the woodpeckers were busy storing acorns."
Private tent sites: Several campgrounds feature well-spaced sites with natural barriers. "Sites are very private and separated by bushes and trees," describes a Manresa State Beach visitor about their experience at site 63.
Beginner-friendly backpacking: Black Mountain Backpacking Camp provides an accessible introduction to wilderness camping. "This is such a little gem in the mountains! 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," explains a camper at Black Mountain Backpacking Camp.
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. "The bathrooms, shower, and water access are great. Garbage cans will be super close by your site no matter which spot you pick," notes a visitor to Uvas Canyon County Park.
What you should know
Water reliability issues: Water availability varies significantly between campgrounds. At Castle Rock Trail Camp, a camper reports: "There was no water running at the site when I stayed there, but vault toilets were available."
Fire restrictions: Seasonal burn bans frequently affect campgrounds throughout the region, particularly during summer and fall. Check current regulations before planning to build campfires.
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds near Campbell require advance booking, especially from spring through fall. Some areas like Towle Campground restrict reservations to local residents only.
Ambient noise sources: Some campgrounds have unexpected noise issues despite their remote settings. A Castle Rock visitor notes: "There is a nearby shooting range and you can hear the gunshots during the daylight hours."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with shorter hiking access: For camping with younger children, select sites with minimal hiking required. "Hike a short 2.5mi to get to the campsite. 20 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings (when allowed)," advises a visitor about Castle Rock Trail Camp.
Look for campgrounds with educational features: Joseph D. Grant County Park offers historical learning opportunities. "There is an interesting Ranch House and Museum that showcases the life of Joseph Grant and his offspring, with many eccentric and macabre details of their history in the area," explains a camper.
Consider developed campgrounds for beginners: Uvas Canyon County Park offers well-maintained sites with amenities that work well for families new to camping. "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," notes a visitor.
Watch for poison oak on trails: Be aware of this common hazard when hiking with children. "On the trails there's quite a bit of poison oak so keep dogs close," warns an Uvas Canyon County Park camper.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options in mountain parks: Most tent camping near Campbell is not suitable for larger recreational vehicles. Sites that accommodate RVs typically have length restrictions under 25 feet.
Consider coastal alternatives for larger rigs: For those with larger RVs, Seacliff State Beach historically provided oceanfront RV camping. "Full hookups in one area and dry camping in overflow area. All camping spots are adjacent to the 'boardwalk' beach path and the beach," notes a visitor, though note this campground has been impacted by recent storms.
Check road conditions: Many mountain campgrounds require navigating steep, winding roads. "The ride up the mountain is nauseating," warns a visitor to Joseph D. Grant County Park, indicating that larger vehicles may struggle on these routes.
