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Developed campgrounds near Los Gatos, California include Sanborn County Park and Castle Rock Trail Camp, which provide a range of camping experiences beneath towering redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Sanborn County Park offers RV sites with water and 30-amp electrical hookups, while Castle Rock State Park provides more primitive hike-in tent sites for those seeking a more remote experience. The region includes several additional camping areas within a short drive, including Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz and Mount Madonna County Park, offering tent sites, RV spots, and yurt accommodations across varying terrain and ecosystems.
Road conditions vary significantly depending on the specific campground location, with some sites requiring navigation along narrow, winding mountain roads. Many campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, particularly during summer and weekends when demand is highest. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at most sites, especially those tucked deeper into the redwood forests. Weather conditions remain relatively mild year-round, though winter brings increased rainfall and potential for muddy conditions. A camper at Sanborn County Park noted, "The park gates are locked at sundown but they give you the combination. Free open WiFi is provided but recommend a security app just to be safe."
Campers consistently highlight the towering redwoods and natural beauty as primary draws to the region's campgrounds. Tent sites at Sanborn County Park require a short uphill hike from the parking area, with carts provided to transport gear. The RV camping area is described as more of a parking lot setup with limited spacing between vehicles. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, some campgrounds can become crowded, particularly on weekends when larger groups are common. Wildlife sightings, including deer and wild turkeys, are frequently mentioned in visitor feedback. While proximity to the South Bay Area makes these campgrounds convenient for quick getaways, the trade-off can be reduced solitude at more accessible locations. A visitor to Sanborn County Park remarked that it offers "great camping in the mountains of Santa Clara County. Very secluded. No cell service. Miles of great hiking."
"This is a nice campground in a great part of California with lots of hiking and beaches nearby. The bathrooms were clean and well kept."
"There were bigger sites that would've suited us better but it was a nice little tucked in site. The poison oak is prolific. Our site was literally surrounded by it."
from $7 - $35 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Great walk-in campground so close to home in the South Bay Area (albeit walk is slightly uphill)."
from $33 / night
Check Availability"Camped with electricity and water, situated on a bluff near the ocean. Easy walking distance to the water, nice roomy campsites with fire rings and tables. Not too close to other campers."
"New Brighton is a jewel on the California coast. Camping is on a bluff above beach and you must walk down stairs to get to the beach. Camping in the woods with the beach below is perfect."
from $35 - $185 / night
Check Availability"Not far from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area in California. When you arrive it's like stepping in to a whole other world. Huge redwoods blanket the mountain and line every site."
"So sad the devastation of last month's fires on the oldest state park in California, home to thr biggest redwoods south of San Francisco."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"They are a bit narrow, so much of the camp side you will have a close look at your neighbors utilities. When the park is full, it is close. Go on weekdays, not as busy and more room is likely."
"Do not take highway 9 from Santa Cruz as the RV park will tell you. Our car navigation changed our route even after we were approaching 17 north. Keep your eyes out for the highway signs."
"Great spot if you're looking for a quick escape from the Bay Area with that classic California redwood experience."
"We were happy to have the electric hook up since the redwood and oak tress surrounding all the sites are huge and block out the sun."
"The parking lot for the trail head is just a bit further down Hwy 35. "
"There is a nearby shooting range and you can hear the gunshots during the daylight hours."
from $8 / night
Check Availability"Uvas Canyon County Park https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/pages/uvascanyon.aspx is located about 15 miles west of Gilroy, on the east side of the Santa Cruz Mountains."
"This is a great spot for people looking to get away and camp but not trying to drive for 3-4 hours to do so."
from $34 / night
Check Availability"Entrance is a little nerve racking on your first visit, but once your at your site you can relax. Bathrooms are a little dated, no cell service but good WiFi if your close to the office."
"The place is old, but it has a great location. There are great hiking trails assessable from the campground."
from $60 - $100 / night
Check Availability"It's a great place to use as a basecamp for exploring the myriad of hiking trails that exist in the redwoods and nearby coastal hikes. "
"Given all that and its proximity to SF, I’ll be aiming to get reservations here every summer, and some winter seasons too."
from $35 - $50 / night
Check Availability
ScoutWe love doing road trips and we don't have a destination so this time it was hard to find a spot to camp, everything was full but we fund this nice spot that we could stay for the night. We love the this 😍 camping spot it's not in the forest but is near the beach at walking distance and they have showers!. Can't wait to come back again. Thank you!
RangerGreat spots, awesome views, but even if there’s no “event” there may be cars on track 8am-5pm, and it ain’t quiet. Check the community calendar as well. Oh, the water has too much arsenic to drink, so be prepared on that front.
ScoutStayed here for 2 nights. Staff was very nice and the restrooms looked great and worked perfectly fine. Very quiet.
ScoutObviously a long term lot with a very “wrong turn” kind of vibe. Website on apple is blocked for deceptive practices . There was but link from here works. Never got confirmation e,ail so I called.. 800 number, no answer.. local number answered said I wouldn’t get confirmation until noon tomorrow. Then told me to come on as a walk in. We pulled up, pulled through, left quickly.. bad decisions unless you are on hard times.
ScoutThey clean the bathrooms daily, there's trash cans everywhere, a couple water spouts, 2 play grounds, trails, beautiful trees, and more! Fires are not allowed during fire season and you cannot stay for more than 3 days but it's still a very fancy campground in my opinion. Reasonably priced too!
ScoutGreat camp hosts and relaxing quiet site
TravelerNice level sites, not too close together….nice trees provide shade. Excellent beach for strolling. A dump station with potable water is $10.
TravelerJessica helped as to reserve the site 10a but when we went there it was so hard to access the site with our car .so we did call her and explain the situation she proposed a refund .we left the area waiting for the promised refund we called her the same night she didn’t answer and she send a message saying she will refund the day after .we called her the day after she said I will do when I get internet after that she said because of your behavior (calling her and asking for our money) she said I will not refund and go to the police
GuideReservations and check-in were very easy. Stay at site 5 and and site 4 was right next us. Their house door was face our house door (see picture) and very little privacy. Otherwise, it is a very nice campground and everyone we met were so friendly. Their house door bathrooms and laundry room were very clean.
Camping near Los Gatos, California offers a unique combination of coastal mountain terrain at elevations ranging from 400 to 3,000 feet. The Santa Cruz Mountains create distinct microclimates where summer temperatures typically remain 10-15 degrees cooler than nearby valley areas. Many campgrounds in this region have historical significance, with some dating back to the Civilian Conservation Corps era of the 1930s.
Hiking to waterfalls: At Uvas Canyon County Park, follow the Waterfall Loop Trail for a moderate 1-mile hike showcasing multiple cascades. "This is a great spot for people looking to get away and camp but not trying to drive for 3-4 hours to do so," notes Kyle H. The park features "hiking trails that we haven't yet had time to explore" according to Tom and Marianne H.
Mountain biking: Castle Rock Trail Camp offers excellent access to challenging single-track routes. The camp is "a short 2.5mi to get to the campsite" with "20 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings," according to Esther Y. Many bikers use this as a base for exploring the extensive trail system.
Beach exploration: From New Brighton State Beach Campground, you can access coastal areas within minutes. "Direct access to the beach. Showers kinda meh but the rest made up for it!" reports Shanelle W. The campground offers "a walk to the beach via a steep paved path" according to Alma L.
Archery: Mount Madonna County Park features a designated archery range with 28 targets. April N. describes the experience: "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."
Redwood forests: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground offers camping directly beneath towering trees. "This is a great classic car camping site. Every site had a picnic table, fire pit and bear box. Sites had a variety of sizes and styles," shares Kelly. The campground is particularly known for its accessible ancient redwood groves.
Wildlife viewing: San Mateo Memorial Park offers opportunities to spot native animals. "The beauty and greenery, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails make this place and the surrounding area a real natural treasure," writes Michael H. The park is known for deer, rabbits, and numerous bird species.
River access: Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort provides a pathway to the San Lorenzo River. "There is a little trail that goes down to the River where you can find a neat little beach. It's a goofy little descent/climb to get there and out but worth it," notes Jaime C. The resort also features a clubhouse with "a deck with public BBQ area and plenty of seating that oversees the San Lorenzo River" according to GotelRV.
Natural shade: Mount Madonna County Park offers naturally shaded sites. "This is a great campground for hot weather (if you can get a site). Almost all the sites were fully shaded by the big redwoods," explains Weston W. The park's elevation and tree cover maintain cooler temperatures even during hot summer days.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the Los Gatos area require advance booking, especially during summer months. At Mount Madonna County Park, "Registration online was really easy as was the check-in process," according to Lori T. For some parks, reservations open 6 months in advance.
Seasonal closures: Several parks have temporary or seasonal closures. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park has experienced closures with a camper noting, "Read up on the Ca State park website. Campground was scheduled to reopen 8/1/25 not yet."
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have limited connectivity. San Mateo Memorial Park offers "Wifi for the phone addicts at the main office" according to Michael H., while at Uvas Canyon County Park, a reviewer mentioned "we had good Verizon coverage and there is wifi at the bathrooms."
Fire restrictions: Fire regulations vary by location and season. Castle Rock Trail Camp sometimes restricts fires, though Juliana S. noted "fire rings at the sites." Always check current fire restrictions before your trip as they change frequently based on conditions.
Playground access: Cotillion Gardens RV Park offers multiple family-friendly amenities. Jessica R. shares, "There were lots of kids around using the playground, bicycling, playing basketball, and swimming in the pool. There was also a large clubhouse with foosball, ping pong and arcade games which is open from 9am - 9pm."
Kid-friendly trails: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park features accessible nature paths. "If you have littles the roads are paved so a scooter or bike could be fun," suggests Chesney S. The park's main loop trail is relatively flat and educational.
Water play options: Uvas Canyon County Park provides creek access for hot days. Mon M. notes, "Small waterfalls are the highlights of the trail, but kids will enjoy playing in the water on hot days." Stream access points are available at several points along the trail system.
Family-sized campsites: Mount Madonna County Park offers spacious sites. Lori T. reports, "While the sites are a little close to each other, those on the outside of the loop had a great deal of privacy. Inner loop sites have none, but would be great if you were camping with friends."
Hookup availability: Sanborn County Park offers water and electrical connections. Ignasi M. explains, "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." For those needing full hookups, Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort provides "Water, Shore power, Cable" according to GotelRV.
Dump station access: New Brighton State Beach has a dump station, though be prepared for waits. Alma L. warns, "The line for the dump station wound through nearly the entire park." Mount Madonna has "a very convenient FREE dump station just inside the entrance to the park" according to Lori T.
Size limitations: Most campgrounds in the area have restrictions on RV length. At Cotillion Gardens RV Park, one camper noted "spots are way too small. My slide almost sat on the neighbors table," while another mentioned "Entrance is a little nerve racking on your first visit, but once your at your site you can relax."
Leveling challenges: Consider bringing leveling blocks as many sites are uneven. At Uvas Canyon County Park, Mon M. advises, "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there free boondocking available near Los Gatos?
Free boondocking options are extremely limited near Los Gatos due to the area's proximity to the Bay Area and strict regulations. Laguna Seca Recreation Area offers dry camping, but it's not free, with rates ranging from $40-50 per night. For more affordable options, you might need to venture further from Los Gatos into less populated areas of the Santa Cruz Mountains or toward the Central Valley. Anthony Chabot Regional Park provides camping options but also charges fees. Public lands where free dispersed camping might be permitted are scarce in this region. Always check current regulations and obtain any required permits before attempting to boondock, as rules are strictly enforced in this high-traffic area.
Where are the best camping spots near Los Gatos, CA?
Los Gatos offers several excellent camping options within a short drive. Castle Rock Trail Camp — Castle Rock State Park is just a few miles from Saratoga Gap, offering a peaceful setting popular with hikers. For redwood enthusiasts, Sanborn County Park provides a walk-in camping experience with cart assistance for gear and storage boxes at each site. Other nearby options include Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park for redwood camping, San Mateo Memorial Park as a great basecamp for exploring hiking trails, and Mount Madonna County Park. Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during peak seasons, as they can fill up quickly due to their proximity to the Bay Area.
What amenities do Los Gatos camping grounds offer?
Camping grounds near Los Gatos typically offer a range of amenities to enhance your outdoor experience. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground provides clean, well-maintained bathrooms, fire rings, and picnic tables, though sites are relatively close together. Lupin Lodge Nudist Resort, a private option, offers accessible bathrooms, water, and a communal kitchen area. Most campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities like potable water, toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Some parks also offer storage boxes for food, hiking trails directly from camp, and cart assistance for gear transport at walk-in sites. Shower facilities vary by location, with state parks typically offering better bathroom facilities than more remote options.
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