Glamping options close to Fremont, California extend beyond the popular sites of Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA and Mount Madonna County Park. The eastern side of Santa Cruz Mountains offers several established campgrounds within a 60-minute drive, ranging from 800 to 2,000 feet in elevation. Winter temperatures can drop 40 degrees cooler than valley floor locations, especially in redwood-shaded areas where morning fog creates natural precipitation under the canopy.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Uvas Canyon County Park offers multiple cascades along well-maintained trails. "The 25-site campground is relatively small, so camp sites are not big. That means this may not be for campers who like more privacy or quietness," notes Mon M. The park features short hikes along Uvas Creek and Swanson Creek with narrow, steep sections that remain mostly shaded.
Beach walking: Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground provides direct beach access with miles of shoreline. "You can walk for miles on the beach or on the bluff trails. Everyone is laidback which makes for a peaceful experience. Great sunsets!!" shares Jill F. The coastal walking/bike trail runs approximately 4 miles along the shore.
Redwood hiking: Mount Madonna County Park features numerous trails through ancient forests. "There are a lot of trails to explore. The site has a lot of space. The bathroom is clean," says Yaqi W. The park uniquely offers archery trails with 28 targets positioned throughout the woods, providing a different outdoor experience.
What campers like
Free showers: Uvas Canyon County Park provides clean bathroom facilities. "Facilities well constructed and maintained. Off the beaten path. Once we were the only campers there. Heaven! However when the campground is filled, it's noisy and there's no privacy," reports Tom and Marianne H. The campground has wifi available at the bathrooms and clean shower facilities.
Wildlife viewing: Some campgrounds feature unique opportunities to view protected animals. "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 April N. at Mount Madonna. These remaining deer are part of a legacy collection that once numbered in the hundreds.
Microclimate diversity: Sanborn County Park offers camping in redwood forests with temperature variations. "It's 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," shares Amanda P. The walk-in sites are situated in what one camper described as "a dreamy redwood forest."
What you should know
Gate access timing: Francis Beach Campground has specific entry restrictions. "Made a reservation night-of on a Friday, wasn't going to make it there before sunset, so I called and they gave me a gate code in case the gate is closed by the time we arrived," explains Kyle H. Sites closest to the beach typically fill first during reservation periods.
Equipment assistance: Several parks provide transport options for gear. "The campground provides big carts to take your stuff. The only issue is they didn't have a lot of the carts available, so we had to wait for someone to return theirs," notes Julie D. about Sanborn County Park. During peak check-in times on Fridays, cart availability becomes competitive.
Temperature preparation: Coastal region temperatures can fluctuate dramatically. "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 April N. Morning fog frequently creates damp, cool conditions even during summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for privacy: Sunset State Beach has varying site configurations. "There are some more private-ish spots to be found here. I like to have space and at least shrub lined sites that separate you from the other campers," explains Kelly S. Sites in the outer loops typically offer more seclusion than central locations.
Biking options: Children can enjoy bike-friendly campgrounds with proper preparation. "Great campground for the kids to bike at but there are a few big hills so make sure they know how to use their brakes," advises Weston W. Loop roads within campgrounds often provide safe cycling zones away from main vehicle traffic.
Wildlife awareness: Parents should prepare children for encounters with local wildlife. "There are some critters here, I saw a few skunks and one wandered right into our campsite at night, so keep an eye out for them," warns Darin D. Additionally, ticks carrying Lyme disease are present in certain areas, requiring regular checks after hiking.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Lower Blooms Creek and similar areas require preparation for uneven terrain. "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," suggests Mon M. RV sites in redwood regions frequently require additional stabilization due to forest terrain.
Proximity considerations: RV campsites often sacrifice privacy for location benefits. "The RV sites have electric hook-ups and there are shared water spigots (not hook-ups)," notes Elliott B. regarding coastal campgrounds. Many locations pack RVs closely together, with limited vegetation barriers between sites.
Seasonal preparation: Winter and spring camping require additional planning. "We stayed here the summer before it burned down. It was 95 degrees in this redwood forest. I am grateful to have visited these big trees. We had a great trip," recounts Jeannie B., highlighting the importance of weather monitoring even in traditionally cool forest locations.
