Tent camping options near Capitola can be found within a 30-mile radius, offering diverse terrain from redwood forests to coastal bluffs. Summer temperatures average 70-75°F in higher elevation sites, with coastal locations experiencing frequent morning fog that burns off by midday. Winter camping is possible at most locations, though seasonal creek access becomes limited after November.
What to Do
Waterfall hiking: At Uvas Canyon County Park, trails lead to multiple cascades along shaded creek paths. "The Creek Trail by the campsite if you are here in Fall, it's magical!" notes Kyle H., who recommends the short trails near the campground for seasonal water features.
Beach exploration: Manresa State Beach Campground provides direct coastal access with minimal crowds. "Beautiful views of the ocean just steps from your tent. During the summer months, whales and dolphins can be seen cruising through the ocean around sunset," shares Cara V., highlighting the marine wildlife viewing opportunities.
Rock climbing: Castle Rock Trail Camp serves as an excellent base for climbers. "This is sweet hike in trail camp. We have used it for two purposes. First when were were climbing in Castle Rock State Park and this was our hub," explains one camper, noting the proximity to popular climbing routes.
What Campers Like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good spacing between sites. At Black Mountain Backpacking Camp, "The campground is small too, and not many people actually showed up to use their sites, so we had the place mostly to ourselves!" reports Lily H., making it ideal for those seeking seclusion.
Clean facilities: Despite being in remote settings, many campgrounds maintain high standards. At Uvas Canyon, Athena J. notes, "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."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening hours offer prime wildlife spotting times. "Lots of beautiful wildlife," mentions Ashley E. about Joseph D. Grant County Park, while others report seeing "a lot of bunnies and a bobcat" during their stays.
What You Should Know
Limited water sources: During dry months, water becomes scarce. At Castle Rock Trail Camp, "the water was deemed not safe to drink when I was there, and that had been the case for a while. The water tank apparently needs to be decontaminated," reports a camper who recommends bringing filters for creek water.
Gate closure times: Some parks strictly enforce entrance hours. Joseph D. Grant County Park has gates that "close 8:15pm," according to Jason R., making late arrivals impossible.
Wildlife precautions: Small animals can become problematic. At Manresa State Beach, "There are a LOT of raccoons, so pack up your stuff well," warns Lizzy C., highlighting the need for proper food storage even at developed sites.
Noise considerations: Some locations have unexpected noise sources. Castle Rock campers report "hearing gunshots during the daylight hours" from "a nearby shooting range," an important consideration for those seeking complete quiet.
Tips for Camping with Families
Easy backpacking introduction: Black Mountain Backpacking Camp offers an accessible first backpacking experience. "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," notes Lily H., adding that "pit toilet and bear boxes on site take a lot of the stress out for beginner backpackers."
Hot shower access: When camping with children, showers become essential. At Uvas Canyon, one visitor mentions "bathrooms were super clean with showers," and another notes the facilities are "well maintained with running hot water."
Sloped sites: Check site details before booking with children. At Uvas Canyon, site 16 is described as "a good site, but too slanted," which could be problematic for tents with young children.
Tips from RVers
Loading zones for gear: Manresa State Beach Campground has a system for unloading equipment. "The loading zone was a short walk to our site," explains Laura D., while Kelly S. cautions, "It's a lot of work to haul your stuff from the drop off area to your site. It's a bit of a walk to the beach from the campground."
Limited amenities: RVers should note most sites have minimal hookups. One visitor to Manresa mentions, "Short walk from parking to camp sites. Clean bathrooms. Water spigot at many sites, Wi-Fi is pretty variable at different places around the campsites."
Shower tokens: Some parks require quarters for showers. At Manresa, one camper reports being "robbed of $2" when a shower didn't work and suggests, "They need to put a quarter change machine for coins for the showers. We had to drive to KOA to get change to shower."
