Tent campsites near Cupertino, California range from 800 to 2,400 feet in elevation across the Santa Cruz Mountains, offering cooler temperatures than the valley floor in summer. The camping season typically runs April through October, with some year-round options available. Fire restrictions become increasingly common during the dry summer months when temperatures can exceed 90°F.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Uvas Canyon County Park features multiple waterfall trails within easy reach of the campground. "Short hikes along the Uvas Creek and Swanson creek are right next to the campground. Trails are narrow and steep at some places but mostly shaded. Small waterfalls are the highlights of the trail, but kids will enjoy playing in the water on hot days," notes one camper at Uvas Canyon County Park.
Wildlife spotting: The early morning hours provide the best opportunities for wildlife sightings. Joseph D Grant County Park offers extensive oak woodlands and meadows where "Lots of beautiful wildlife" can be spotted according to one visitor to Joseph D Grant County Park.
Overnight backpacking: For experienced hikers, Black Mountain Backpacking Camp provides access to numerous connecting trails. "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 backpacker at Black Mountain Backpacking Camp.
What campers like
Redwood forests: Camping under redwood canopies provides natural cooling during warm months. "Butano State Park, Ben Reis was an excellent experience. The park itself has great hikes, thick with Redwoods, immediately you feel like you are in Ewok territory," shares a camper at Ben Ries Campground.
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer well-separated tent sites. At Ben Ries Campground, "The sites are spaced apart nicely," and despite being close to Highway 1, many campers appreciate the forest setting.
Temperature advantages: Higher elevation campsites provide relief from summer heat. Castle Rock Trail Camp sits along the mountain ridge, where according to a visitor, "The hike itself is great, offering sweeping views of the Santa Cruz mountains and the Pacific ocean to the west." Many campers note the cooler temperatures compared to the valley floor.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most tent camping options near Cupertino require advance planning. For Uvas Canyon, one camper advises, "Reservations are required. Very family friendly so expect it to be crowded on weekends and a level of noise and foot traffic by your site as well."
Limited water access: Many campgrounds have unreliable or limited water sources. At Black Mountain Backpacking Camp, there's no drinking water available, and campers must pack in all necessary supplies.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience unexpected noise. At Castle Rock Trail Camp, "There is a nearby shooting range and you can hear the gunshots during the daylight hours," reports one visitor.
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have spotty or no cell coverage. A camper at Uvas Canyon notes, "Get any supplies you will need before you head out, as it is a long, winding drive to the campground and there is no cell service (at least for ATT) when you are there."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Some tent camping sites near Cupertino work well for first-time backpackers. Black Mountain Backpacking Camp provides important amenities despite being a hike-in site. One visitor explains, "The pit toilet and bear boxes on site take a lot of the stress out for beginner backpackers, and the view at sunset was gorgeous."
Bathroom facilities: Campgrounds vary widely in bathroom amenities. Uvas Canyon County Park features "Restrooms and showers were clean, and some even have baby changing stations," according to a family camper.
Bug preparation: Insect activity increases in warmer months. "You will want to bring insect repellent in the summer," recommends a camper at Uvas Canyon County Park, while another notes it's "A little buggy in the afternoon and found some mosquitoes so take bug spray."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV access: Most tent camping areas near Cupertino aren't suitable for larger RVs. At Coyote Hills Regional Park, campers note the sites are intended primarily for tents and small vehicles, with one RVer rating it only 3 stars as a "Good walking park for the locals. As for camping I wouldn't recommend unless you want a lot of foot and car traffic."
Leveling requirements: Many parking areas at tent sites aren't level. A camper at Uvas Canyon 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."
