Cabin camping near Felton offers sheltered overnight accommodations in the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains at 1,200-2,000 feet elevation. Winter temperatures often drop into the 30s overnight, while summer days reach 85°F with cool evenings around 55°F. Sites throughout the area feature varying degrees of access to electricity, running water, and bathroom facilities depending on their remoteness and seasonal operation.
What to do
Archery in the redwoods: Mount Madonna County Park maintains a 28-target archery course winding through the forest. The trail provides varied challenges for archers of all skill levels. "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," notes a Mount Madonna County Park visitor.
Visit fallow deer: The white fallow deer compound near the Mount Madonna ranger station houses descendants of William Randolph Hearst's exotic zoo collection. "Near the ranger station there are pens with white fallow deer. They are descendants of the exotic zoo at William Randolph Hearst's mansion down the coast," explains one camper.
Tide pool exploration: Camping locations within 30 minutes of Felton provide access to marine ecosystems. "There is close proximity to multiple beaches and tide pools," reports a camper at Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA. The tide pools are most accessible at low tide, typically early morning or evening depending on the lunar cycle.
Swimming in Boulder Creek: During hot summer days, the creeks provide welcome relief. "We drove 9 miles to Boulder Creek and found an epic swimming hole by Cafe to help cool us in the 95 degree heat," writes a camper who visited Big Basin before the 2020 fires.
What campers like
Clean, accessible bathrooms: Uvas Canyon maintains particularly well-maintained facilities. "Restrooms and showers were clean, and some even have baby changing stations. Park ranger and County Maintenance's presence was there periodically to pick up trash and to clean facilities," notes one visitor to Uvas Canyon County Park.
Wildlife watching: The forests around Felton support diverse wildlife. "We didn't actually encounter anyone else as we hiked, so I can't attest to whether folks follow the rule that dogs must be on a 6 ft lead on the trails, but they certainly did in the campground," writes a camper at Mount Madonna County Park.
Parking accessibility: Sanborn County Park provides carts for hauling gear to walk-in sites. "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. The park provides carts to help with hauling gear, and storage boxes are provided at the site," explains a Sanborn County Park visitor.
Seasonal farm views: Several glamping sites in Felton provide views of working agricultural land. "Strawberry fields surround the campground and are next to the Hike and Bike area," notes a visitor to Sunset State Beach, noting the pleasant contrast between forest and farmland.
What you should know
Reservations essential: Most cabin and glamping sites book months in advance, especially on weekends. "It's on the beach... beautiful beach, amazing sunsets, whales, fall asleep to the ocean waves and more," notes a camper at Seacliff State Beach, explaining why popular sites fill quickly.
Temperature variation: The redwood forests create significant temperature drops. "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose. We weren't prepared & had to drive into town & buy more clothes!" warns a Mount Madonna visitor.
Access codes: Some facilities require gate codes for after-hours access. "Ranger was useless. You need codes for the gate after 7pm, the showers, and the RV dump and they don't volunteer that info, you have to ask," advises a Sanborn County Park visitor.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically throughout the mountains. "Barely any cell reception, but wifi worked pretty well (we could have a video conference)," notes a camper at Sanborn County Park. Most glamping sites offer at least limited WiFi near common areas.
Tips for camping with families
Bring bikes for kids: Many campgrounds have paved loops suitable for younger riders. "Nice little place. RV sites are basically parking lot with 4' strips of grass in between, But it was March and mostly empty. Tent sites are hike in up hill and nicely spaced in the woods," notes a Sanborn County Park visitor.
Check space between sites: Privacy varies significantly between campgrounds and specific sites. "Very small range between neighbors," notes one Sanborn County Park visitor, while another explains, "Great camping in the mountains of Santa Clara county. Very secluded. No cell service. Miles of Great hiking."
Kid-friendly glamping options: Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday offers extensive children's activities. "TONS of activities on site- huge bouncy pad, a climbing wall, ping pong tables, a swimming pool, pedal go karts, the list goes on and on," explains a visitor. The resort also sends daily activity schedules via text message to guests.
Consider seasonal crowds: "A nice small campground nestled in the eastern side of Santa Cruz Mountains, west of Morgan Hill, easily accessible off of Highway 101. Short hikes along the Uvas Creek and Swanson creek are right next to the campground," notes a visitor to Uvas Canyon, adding that weekends bring significant crowds and noise.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV access: Many redwood sites have narrow, twisting access roads. "To get to Sanborn you will have to drive up a narrow road. We didn't have any issue with a 21' though," reports an RV camper at Sanborn County Park.
Varying hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary widely between campgrounds. "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," notes a visitor at Sanborn County Park.
Winter availability: Off-season camping offers more solitude but requires preparation for cold. "We camped in the winter and had no reservations, but got a good spot anyway. Winter can be a very nice weekend!" advises a camper at Sunset State Beach.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven parking areas. "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," warns a camper at Uvas Canyon County Park.
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