Mount Madonna County Park offers camping in a redwood forest just 25 minutes from Gilroy. The park sits at an elevation of 1,900 feet in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with temperatures typically 10-15°F cooler than the valley floor. Winter campers should pack extra layers as morning fog can create a unique phenomenon where it "rains" under redwood trees while remaining dry elsewhere.
What to do
Archery trail access: Mount Madonna provides a 28-target archery course through the woods for visitors to test their skills. "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," shares one Mount Madonna County Park visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park offers excellent wildlife observation, especially in early morning or evening hours. "We saw lots of wildlife - deer, wild pigs, turkeys, frogs just to name a few," notes a reviewer who enjoyed the park's diverse animal population.
Beach activities: Sunset State Beach provides a stark contrast to forested camping with expansive shoreline access. "Beach is long and expansive with very few people on an average day. Nice place to take a stroll and relax," according to one camper at Sunset State Beach.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Gilroy maintain excellent bathroom facilities. "Bathrooms are extremely clean and well kept. The lake is nice (and you may spot geese or ducks), and there's plenty of room for kids to run around," reports a visitor to Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park.
Waterfall trails: Uvas Canyon County Park offers unique waterfall hikes not mentioned in other regional campgrounds. "There are a number of trailheads that start in the campground, or close by, that lead you to a collection of waterfalls and streams, and I highly recommend doing at least the waterfall loop," suggests one camper who enjoyed Uvas Canyon County Park.
Convenient location: Gilroy's camping options provide easy access to urban amenities while maintaining a natural setting. "This gem of a county park is just 15 minutes from the Gilroy outlets but you'd have no idea," mentions a camper about the convenient location.
What you should know
Temperature variations: Mountain campgrounds near Gilroy experience significant temperature drops compared to the valley. "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!"
Wildlife encounters: Wild pigs are common at certain campgrounds and require proper food storage. "They will roam through the camp ground all through the night if anyone has left any food out. They also leave lots of droppings that are pretty sizable."
Cell service limitations: Most pet-friendly campgrounds around Gilroy have limited connectivity. "Important to note that you can actually get a cell signal if you walk to the dump station!" points out a visitor to Mount Madonna County Park.
Tips for camping with families
Best sites for privacy: When camping with kids, certain sites offer more seclusion. "Sites 43, 44 and 45 would be the most secluded. Bring kayaks here (must be inspected first). No swimming allowed."
Kid-friendly recreation options: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's activities. "Huge bouncy pad, a climbing wall, ping pong tables, a swimming pool, pedal go karts, the list goes on and on," describes a family who stayed at Santa Cruz KOA.
Biking opportunities: Many campgrounds have terrain suitable for children's biking adventures. "Nice hikes right from the site or you can drive up to where the old homestead was and see some ruins. 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."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: RVers should research specific site dimensions when booking pet-friendly campgrounds near Gilroy. "When booking campsites here, I recommend taking some time to research the campsites as they vary in size and privacy."
Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the hills require additional equipment for comfortable parking. "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."
Hookup availability: Thousand Trails Morgan Hill offers various RV amenities depending on location within the park. "The spot was 30amp and back in however they have 50amp/pull through also. There is multiple lodges and a recreation center so plenty to do," according to a camper at Thousand Trails Morgan Hill who enjoyed the variety of options.
Traveler
