Tent campsites near Gilroy, California offer camping opportunities at elevations ranging from 300 to 3,400 feet across diverse terrain. During summer months, daytime temperatures at higher elevation campgrounds can remain 10-15 degrees cooler than in Gilroy proper. Winter camping season typically runs November through April when fire restrictions are less common and water sources are more reliable.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 6-mile trail network at Uvas Canyon County Park provides access to multiple small cascades. "The park is small so in 1 full day you can explore 100% of this park. Go see the waterfalls. The trails are large and well defined for a very entry level experience," notes Derek B.
Exploring Little Yosemite: 1.5-mile hike from parking area to creek formations at Sunol. "The hike starts along a creek/river which is referred to as Little Yosemite. Fun creek area with lots of water/rock formations. Then climb and climb the hill," explains a reviewer.
Fall foliage viewing: Creek Trail is particularly scenic during autumn. "I highly recommend the Creek Trail by the campsite if you are here in Fall, it's magical!" writes Kyle H. about Uvas Canyon, where oak and maple trees provide seasonal color changes.
Ridge hiking for ocean views: Multiple trails in the Santa Cruz Mountains offer Pacific vistas on clear days. "If you hike up to the ridge on a clear day you can see the ocean. There is also an old landing strip on the hill you can hike to," states one camper about the trail network.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the bathroom maintenance at mountain campgrounds. "Super clean and maintained. Especially the bathrooms and showers. The sites are spaced out nicely and there is a water faucet and trash bins plus recycle every couple of sites," reports Athena J. about Uvas Canyon County Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The Santa Cruz Mountains host diverse fauna. "Lots of birds. As of June 30th, camp fire is still allowed in the pits," notes Mon M. Another camper at Butano mentions "we saw quite a few large banana slugs" in the redwood environment.
Disconnecting from technology: Most mountain campsites offer limited connectivity. "Good to be disconnected, but if needed, Verizon cell service worked at the campground," mentions a reviewer about Uvas Canyon. At Joseph D. Grant County Park, "no cell service, ride up the mountain is nauseating. They do not sell ice but firewood is available for $13 a bundle."
Stargazing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer night sky viewing areas. "Hard to find stars as you are canopied in trees but if you walk a little out, the night sky is dark and stars a plenty," reports a camper about redwood camping areas.
What you should know
Insect preparation: Bugs can be prevalent in warmer months. "A little buggy in the afternoon and found some mosquitoes so take bug spray," advises Mon M. Another camper at Manresa State Beach Campground notes "you will want to bring insect repellent in the summer."
Weather fluctuations: Mountain temperature drops can be significant. "It is tucked back in a canyon so once the sun goes down it can get cold quickly," warns Darin D. Coastal camping offers different challenges: "Coast was a cool 60's-70's but warm in the sun (the coast/beaches are windy)."
Parking limitations: Some campgrounds have restricted vehicle access. "Not every site is able to car camp due to rocks blocking off the parking area but every campsite is pretty nice," explains a camper at Uvas Canyon. At walk-in sites, expect "a bit of work to haul your stuff from the drop off area to your site."
Wildlife precautions: Food storage is important in mountain campgrounds. "It is a crumb free park and they take it very seriously," warns a camper about Butano State Park. Another mentions "aggressive squirrels" at some sites, recommending proper food storage.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly backpacking: Black Mountain Backpacking Camp offers an accessible introduction to overnight hiking. "This is such a little gem in the mountains! The hike in is only 1.5 miles, but there's plenty of trail options to tack on more mileage. The pit toilet and bear boxes on site take a lot of the stress out for beginner backpackers," reports Lily H.
Weekday camping advantages: Families seeking quieter experiences should avoid weekends. "This may not be for campers who like more privacy or quietness. Very family friendly so expect it to be crowded on weekends and a level of noise and foot traffic by your site as well," advises a camper about Uvas Canyon.
Trail safety considerations: Some areas require close supervision of children. "On the trails there's quite a bit of poison oak so keep dogs close," warns Athena J. Another camper notes "the creek has a steep drop between the campsites and the creek so it's not something you can play in easily."
Water play opportunities: Despite limitations, several areas offer water access. "Small waterfalls are the highlights of the trail, but kids will enjoy playing in the water on hot days," mentions a reviewer about creek access at Uvas Canyon during spring and early summer.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for level parking: RV and van campers should research specific sites. "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," advises Mon M. about Joseph D. Grant County Park.
Site numbers for rooftop tents: At Uvas Canyon, specific sites accommodate vehicle-mounted sleeping systems. "We camp in a roof top tent and wish we had been more selective on our site, as parking space and the incline at each site are different. If you have a roof top tent, we scoped out a few sites which are more flat, and also have the picnic table near the parking spot. They are: 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 12," recommends Kyle H.
Access road considerations: Several mountain campgrounds have challenging approach roads. "The road is windy, narrow, and not for the car sick," warns a camper about Uvas Canyon. Another mentions "not sure if it can handle longer recreational vehicles and the road leading to the campground itself is quite narrow."
