T T.
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GuideH. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound
Rest Stop
This is more of a rest, stop in a camp area and there’s signs all over that say do not leave valuables exposed in vehicle. Amazing dude perfect time to be here for a airshow
Camping near Cupertino, CA
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The Santa Cruz Mountains surrounding Cupertino, California provide a range of camping experiences within an hour's drive of Silicon Valley. Several state parks and county facilities offer developed campgrounds with tent and RV sites, including Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Sanborn County Park, and Castle Rock State Park. Most campgrounds in the region feature redwood forest settings with varying levels of amenities. Some locations like Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA offer glamping options and cabins, while others like Castle Rock Trail Camp cater specifically to tent campers seeking a more primitive experience.
Reservations are essential at most developed campgrounds in the area, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. Many state park campgrounds book up months in advance, especially those with ocean views or redwood settings. The region experiences mild temperatures year-round, though coastal fog can make evenings cool even in summer. Winter brings occasional heavy rainfall that may affect trail conditions and campground access. Cell service varies significantly throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains, with better coverage near towns and limited or no service in more remote areas. A visitor noted, "Castle Rock State Park is located a few miles from the Saratoga Gap. The campground is about a 2.5-mile hike in from the trail head at the parking area, so be prepared to carry everything on your back."
Campers consistently praise the redwood settings and proximity to hiking trails at campgrounds near Cupertino. The combination of forest camping with nearby beach access makes the region particularly appealing. Several visitors mentioned the contrast between the busy urban environment of Silicon Valley and the peaceful natural settings just a short drive away. Campgrounds with full hookups like Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort tend to be more crowded with limited privacy, while hike-in sites at places like Castle Rock offer more seclusion. Sanborn County Park provides a middle ground with walk-in sites that require minimal hiking but still offer some separation from vehicles. Reviews frequently mention the clean facilities at county parks, though some note that sites can be close together at the more developed campgrounds.
Best Campgrounds near Cupertino (147)
1. Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED
"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 Availability2. Sanborn County Park
"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 Availability3. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
"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 Availability4. San Mateo Memorial Park
"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 Availability5. Castle Rock Trail Camp — Castle Rock State Park
"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 Availability6. New Brighton State Beach Campground
"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 Availability7. Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park - CLOSED INDEFINITELY
"It is a smaller park than many of the other redwoods parks in Northern California, so it was very nice and peaceful. Butano is a bit off the beaten path to get to, but so worth it."
"Large, user-friendly campsites surrounded by redwood trees. Great ferny hiking trails for every level of camper/hiker. Very easy access to campsites and near Pescadero and Highway One."
from $35 / night
Check Availability8. Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort
"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."
9. Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay
"What they do have are scores of hookup sites for $60 / night and three tent / drive-in no hookup water-only sites for $45 / night."
"Since it's a new campground, the trees are young and don't supply much shade, but since it's close to the SF Bay, the bay breeze helps."
from $45 - $65 / night
Check Availability10. Costanoa Coastal Lodge & Campground
"But for a quick weekend jaunt for RV campers, this location slightly more than an hour from the Bay Area is hard to beat."
"There is a nice playground next to an equally nice café called the pinecone. The weather here is cold just a heads up be prepared for wind and overcast weather."
from $100 - $200 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 16 min from San Jose, CA
- 28 min from Santa Cruz, CA
- 42 min from San Francisco, CA
- 56 min from Salinas, CA
Recent Camping Photos near Cupertino, CA
219 Photos of 147 Cupertino Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Sanborn County ParkK
Black Mountain Backpacking Camp
Castle Rock Trail Camp — Castle Rock State Park
Sunrise Point at Candlestick Point SRA - TEMPORARILY CLOSEDN
SkyWanda Sanctuary
Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSEDA
San Mateo Memorial ParkC
Redwood Resort RV Park & Campground
Van Life Campgrounds @ Enchanted Forest
Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay
Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park - CLOSED INDEFINITELY
Grant County Park
Recent Reviews near Cupertino, CA
856 Reviews of 147 Cupertino Campgrounds
- MMargaret B.
TravelerSecret Gardens By the Bay
Secret garden enchantment
This is a 10 out of 10 stay. The outdoor kitchen and gardens are to die for and the owners are incredibly hospitable and kind we stayed for five days. It’s really the type of place you just have to see for yourself. Multiple showers and bathrooms. I stayed in my RV, but there are a cabin options as well as tent options booked to be a Hipcamp and beyond worth the cost. I highly recommend more than one night.
C. K.TravelerSan Mateo Memorial Park
Redwood canopy
Around this time of year, park is practically empty during weekdays. Nice and quiet and peaceful place where you can slow things down
- T T.Guide
Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay
Great safe place in sourh east bay
Great location with spaces in safe SE bay area location and reasonable prices New development small young trees limited natural shade
- NNameTraveler
Veteran's Memorial Park Campground
City camping
It’s about the only campground we could find in Monterey, it’s clearly city camping. It’s expensive, crowded on the weekends and the campsites are close together. We managed to get in on a Thursday and snag site 22. It’s technically a “walk in” site, where your car is not parked AT the site but it’s honestly about 60 feet, and you get SO MUCH more space. They charge extra for a shower, which seems crazy to me and there’s no electric, which is wild for $50/night. But we needed to be in the area so here we are. It’s not terrible, there’s just a lot of noises. Oh and you hear the various songs and calls from the military base.
Tom T.
ScoutDumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay
Open sky great starlink users.
Very quiet campground at night. See stars clearly. Use the fire pit after 730pm when the wind has calmed down.
KrystleScoutMineral Springs Trailhead
Overnight stays not allowed
I was woken up by law enforcement and asked to leave on my second night staying here. They will issue a citation (luckily they took mine away and gave me a warning) this needs to be removed as a dispersed site.
Dawn S.GuideSan Francisco RV Resort
Great for visiting the City
There are many spot. It's a parking lot and the spots are very snug. The edge by the ocean lost a few.
Staff is kind, helpful and responsive. Area is clean and very peaceful. It's a bit pricey. Our standard spot was $150.
- TTwindaddyGuide
Del Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District
East Bay Parks - IYKYK
Like most/all east bay parks, this is well appointed for the masses. It’s also surrounded by rolling hills and close to suburbia. For many, these are positives. As an east bay resident they are for me as well. Del Valle is a bit more removed than many east bay parks. From my location in Fremont, it’s a one hour drive. A pleasant drive for the most part. I camp to get away for a bit and almost always to mountain bike. As such, I seek parks that have trails. Del Valle has a map of many trails. They also appear on many of the mapping services used by mountain bikers. Review those and digest them if this is also your intention - these are east bay parka style trails. In other words, mostly steep and loose fire roads, with many “social trails” sprinkled between. If you are compelled to stay legit/legal trails, bring an ebike. Now on to the camping. I picked a spot as far removed from any booked spot on the map. I triple checked this up until the day before I arrived. I want solitude! When I arrived Thursday afternoon, I was surprised to see the sites just 3 spaces away, on both sides, occupied. This is a fairly compact area. And while I’m sure they’re lovely folks, this isn’t what I expected on a Thursday. Saturday? Sure. Anyway… be aware that these reservation services aren’t completely reliable in that regard. The bathrooms and showers are amazing! Clean, smell good, cared for. Noteworthy is the hot showers in the camp grounds are free and your one push of the button provides water for two minutes I'd guess. Very nice! The space, 135 for me, is okay. A couple trees for shade, a nice table and fire pit. It’s now dark and the noise is minimal - mostly from the group campsite just down the hill. I’ll update this with more details in the coming days since it’s a 4 day visit.
Update 1: it’s my first morning here. Using starlink as there is no cell signal to be found. What I noticed last night was that this park is directly below the flight path to the local airports. Every couple minutes last night, a plane would fly overhead. According to flight aware, they’re at about 10,000 feet. If this will ruin your getaway, you’ve been warned.
Update 2: On Friday night, the majority of the spots were filled. Many large groups of people with varying degrees of consideration, but to their credit almost all (except the barking German Shepard) were quiet by 10PM. It was a bit more crowded come Saturday morning. Some friends came to visit for a mountain bike ride, and we set off at about noon. I had been complimentary of the facilities and bragged that I'd be taking a nice shower after our ride. Unfortunately, upon our return, there was no hot water and no lighting in the showers. And, sadly, someone decided to remove the tags and hangers from their TJ Maxx haul and leave them all over the floor of two of the showers.
Verdict: I'd only come back here in the springtime when it's likely to be green and have some water in the arroyo and only during the week. The density and composition of the people here was akin to being at Costco on a Saturday, and I only did that once.
Guide to Cupertino
Camping sites near Cupertino, California range from sea level to over 3,000 feet elevation in the Santa Cruz Mountains, creating distinct microclimates within short distances. Winter temperatures in these mountain campgrounds can drop below 40°F at night even when daytime valley temperatures reach 70°F. Rainfall typically occurs from November through April, with occasional summer fog keeping overnight temperatures cool in forest campsites.
What to do
Explore the ridge trail system: Castle Rock Trail Camp in Castle Rock State Park offers access to panoramic vistas after a modest hike. "Hike a short 2.5mi to get to the campsite. 20 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings (when allowed). Very green and lots of great vistas along the ridgeline on the hike in," notes Esther Y.
Visit nearby beaches: Memorial Park puts you close to several coastal options. "The campground is only a 10 minute drive down to Pescadero State Beach so we went there after we broke camp. The kids all loved it," shares Carl N. from Memorial Park.
Rock climbing opportunities: Castle Rock State Park provides excellent climbing routes for various skill levels. "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 and second when we were doing the Skyline to the Sea Trail," explains a reviewer.
Swim in natural water holes: During summer heat, locals know where to cool off. "We drove 9 miles to Boulder Creek and found an epic swimming hole by Cafe to help us cool in the 95 degree heat," shares Jeannie B. about her experience near Big Basin.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: San Mateo Memorial Park offers good separation at many sites. "Some sites are very private, some right on top of each other," notes Lisa H., adding that the park is "Family friendly, easy hiking, creek running through, clean but old bathrooms, spacious sites."
Access to running water: Butano State Park provides creek access that enhances the camping experience. "There is a little creek that's only about a quarter mile hike down a trail," notes one camper, while another mentions "Fun creek behind campground for pups to splash around."
Tent cabins for comfort: For those seeking a hybrid camping experience, tent cabins offer convenience. "We camp here every year in May or June. It's always fun. The tent cabins are super convenient," shares Carl N. about his stays in the region.
Proximity to urban areas: Dumbarton Quarry Campground provides camping without long travel times. "The best parts about this campground in my opinion are: close to town, excellent cellular reception on all carriers, warm/hot and clean showers, nice sound of train off in the distance at night, sunrise views," explains Blake H.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Most mountain campgrounds have spotty coverage. At Sanborn County Park, one camper noted: "Great camping in the mountains of Santa Clara county. Very secluded. No cell service. Miles of Great hiking."
Wagon availability for walk-in sites: Some campgrounds provide carts to help transport gear. "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," explains Amanda P. about Sanborn.
Peak season crowds: Many sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. "We were camping for 1 night and boy, was it crowded! Each and every group was fighting for the 'wagons' to haul stuff up the hike-in campsites," reports Pranj D.
Bear-proof storage: Many campgrounds provide bear boxes. "There is potable water throughout the campground, recycle bins, trash bins (animal proof) and bear lockers and firepits at each site," reports Kathleen C. from her experience at Butano.
Tips for camping with families
Short hiking options: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park offers family-friendly trails. "There were a few trails that started from the campground, which was nice," shares Queenie M., making it easy for families to explore without long drives.
Playground access: Some campgrounds include play areas. At Dumbarton Quarry, "There's a great playground if you have small children, and lots of gentle hiking trails," notes a reviewer.
Creek exploration: Children enjoy water features at several campgrounds. "The sites were very spacious and this has probably been one of my favorite campgrounds! This campground has great bathroom facilities and has a creek that runs through it that the kids loved playing in all day," shares Adventure M.
Nature discoveries: Local wildlife provides education opportunities. "The slugs were hanging out in trees all around us and it was so much fun looking for them," notes one family at a redwood campground.
Tips from RVers
Site sizing considerations: Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort can accommodate various RV sizes but with limitations. "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.
Level site challenges: Some campgrounds require leveling equipment. "Sites, though asphalt, require some leveling," notes Kim G. about Dumbarton Quarry Campground.
Dump station timing: Plan accordingly for busy checkout times. "The line for the dump station wound through nearly the entire park," warns one camper about New Brighton State Beach.
Low clearance awareness: Tree limbs can be an issue for taller RVs. "We loved camping here with our 25ft camping trailer. There was plenty of room for it on site 105, however if it was any higher it would be hitting tree limbs," advises Chesney S.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Cupertino, CA?
What camping is available near Cupertino, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Cupertino, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 147 campgrounds and RV parks near Cupertino, CA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Cupertino, CA?
Which is the most popular campground near Cupertino, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cupertino, CA is Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED with a 4.7-star rating from 34 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cupertino, CA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cupertino, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Cupertino, CA.
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