T
Tamatha B.
Traveler
TravelerSanta Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
This is a great camp ground. Plenty of activities. Showers are clean, laundry room takes tap pay.
Tent Camping near Los Altos Hills, CA
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State parks and open space preserves surrounding Los Altos Hills, California offer several tent-only camping options within a short drive, ranging from walk-in tent campsites with picnic tables to primitive backpacking camps. Black Mountain Backpacking Camp in Monte Bello Open Space Reserve provides primitive tent camping year-round with required reservations. Castle Rock Trail Camp in Castle Rock State Park, located about 15 miles southwest along Skyline Boulevard, offers walk-in tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Towle Campground in Palo Alto Foothills Park provides tent camping from May through October, though reservations are restricted to Palo Alto residents. Uvas Canyon County Park, approximately 25 miles south, features 25 tent campsites with amenities suitable for tent campers.
Most tent campgrounds in the region require moderate preparation for varying conditions. Castle Rock Trail Camp requires a 2.5-mile hike to reach the campground, with campers needing to carry all supplies. According to reviews, the water source at Castle Rock has been unreliable, so bringing sufficient water is essential. Black Mountain Backpacking Camp features basic amenities including pit toilets and bear boxes, making it accessible for beginner backpackers. Tent pads at many sites are relatively small, typically accommodating standard backpacking tents rather than larger family-style tents. Fire restrictions are common during dry summer months, with some locations permitting only camp stoves for cooking.
In early spring, tent campers often find less crowded conditions at walk-in tent sites. One visitor to Black Mountain Backpacking Camp noted that "not many people actually showed up to use their sites, so we had the place mostly to ourselves." The pit toilets and bear boxes "take a lot of the stress out for beginner backpackers." At Castle Rock, campers reported that sites "were spaced nicely to allow for privacy" with Frog Flat area being "more secluded than the main camp." Wildlife sightings are common, with raccoons frequently visiting campsites after dark. Tent campers should secure food properly, as most locations provide food storage lockers to protect supplies from wildlife. Weekday visits typically offer more solitude than weekends at these backcountry tent camping locations.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Los Altos Hills (34)
1. Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park - CLOSED INDEFINITELY
"It is a smaller park than many of the other redwoods parks in Northern California, so it was very nice and peaceful. Butano is a bit off the beaten path to get to, but so worth it."
"The campsite has car camping and walk-in sites. I had sites 5 and 6. The map for the campground is deceiving as they looked close together and connected but they were separate."
from $35 / night
Check Availability2. Castle Rock Trail Camp — Castle Rock State Park
"I liked the trees, picnic tables, and fire rings at the sites. The sites were spaced nicely to allow for privacy. Frog Flat seemed a bit more secluded than the main camp."
"This is sweet hike in trail camp. We have used it for two purposes. "
from $8 / night
Check Availability3. Towle Campground
from $40 / night
Check Availability4. Black Mountain Backpacking Camp
"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."
from $2 / night
Check Availability5. Coyote Hills Regional Park
"We walked through and enjoyed the nature areas so much. We continue to go back and spend time at Cayote Hills because it is so beautiful. We can't wait until thwe next time."
from $75 / night
Check Availability6. Half Moon Bay RV Park
"From booking until leaving, we had a positive experience. Our site was a little tight, that would be the only thing I wish was better."
"The site was a pull through as well as our friends who were able to face the opposite way to have a common camp side with us. Of course the utility sides were in great position for that."
7. Portola Redwoods State Park Campground
from $35 - $335 / night
Check Availability8. Sunol
"Great backpacking getway. Many day hikers here but you can backpack as well. I camped on a beautiful ridge."
"I have never camped here but hiked many trails."
9. Uvas Canyon County Park
"There's 25 campsites; each with a food locker, fire ring, a picnic table, and parking space for 2 sedan sized vehicles or 1 RV. 8 people max per site."
"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."
from $34 / night
Check Availability10. SkyWanda Sanctuary
from $75 - $95 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 18 min from San Jose, CA
- 34 min from Santa Cruz, CA
- 37 min from San Francisco, CA
- 1 hr 7 min from Vallejo, CA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Los Altos Hills, CA
51 Photos of 34 Los Altos Hills Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Black Mountain Backpacking Camp
SkyWanda Sanctuary
Castle Rock Trail Camp — Castle Rock State Park
Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park - CLOSED INDEFINITELY
Sunol
Joseph D. Grant County Park
Uvas Canyon County ParkA
Manresa State Beach Campground
Morgan Territory Regional Preserve
Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State ParkR
Bicentennial Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation AreaC
Hawk Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Tent Camping Reviews near Los Altos Hills, CA
639 Reviews of 34 Los Altos Hills Campgrounds
- jjacqueline P.
ScoutPelican Point RV Park
Has hot showers & laundry room! A 5 min walk to the ocean as well. Super peaceful
- DDoug O.Traveler
Marina Dunes RV Park
Our favorite place. We have stayed here 14 times. Always clean.
- jjennifer J.Traveler
Sunset State Beach Campground
It’s absolutely beautiful. There are no hook ups, but I have a solar generator. I’m working with or learning to use.
- kkelly E.Traveler
Uvas Pines RV Park
Nice big campsites, creek running but unsure if clean enough to go in. There’s a dog park with lights which is really awesome for our old dogs. There are definitely some long term campers here but it still has a nice feel. Only reason it’s not 5 star is we are close to the road so it’s loud.
C. K.TravelerSan Mateo Memorial Park
Redwood canopy
Around this time of year, park is practically empty during weekdays. Nice and quiet and peaceful place where you can slow things down
T T.
GuideDumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay
Great safe place in sourh east bay
Great location with spaces in safe SE bay area location and reasonable prices New development small young trees limited natural shade
Tom T.ScoutDumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay
Open sky great starlink users.
Very quiet campground at night. See stars clearly. Use the fire pit after 730pm when the wind has calmed down.
- TTwindaddyGuide
Del Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District
East Bay Parks - IYKYK
Like most/all east bay parks, this is well appointed for the masses. It’s also surrounded by rolling hills and close to suburbia. For many, these are positives. As an east bay resident they are for me as well. Del Valle is a bit more removed than many east bay parks. From my location in Fremont, it’s a one hour drive. A pleasant drive for the most part. I camp to get away for a bit and almost always to mountain bike. As such, I seek parks that have trails. Del Valle has a map of many trails. They also appear on many of the mapping services used by mountain bikers. Review those and digest them if this is also your intention - these are east bay parka style trails. In other words, mostly steep and loose fire roads, with many “social trails” sprinkled between. If you are compelled to stay legit/legal trails, bring an ebike. Now on to the camping. I picked a spot as far removed from any booked spot on the map. I triple checked this up until the day before I arrived. I want solitude! When I arrived Thursday afternoon, I was surprised to see the sites just 3 spaces away, on both sides, occupied. This is a fairly compact area. And while I’m sure they’re lovely folks, this isn’t what I expected on a Thursday. Saturday? Sure. Anyway… be aware that these reservation services aren’t completely reliable in that regard. The bathrooms and showers are amazing! Clean, smell good, cared for. Noteworthy is the hot showers in the camp grounds are free and your one push of the button provides water for two minutes I'd guess. Very nice! The space, 135 for me, is okay. A couple trees for shade, a nice table and fire pit. It’s now dark and the noise is minimal - mostly from the group campsite just down the hill. I’ll update this with more details in the coming days since it’s a 4 day visit.
Update 1: it’s my first morning here. Using starlink as there is no cell signal to be found. What I noticed last night was that this park is directly below the flight path to the local airports. Every couple minutes last night, a plane would fly overhead. According to flight aware, they’re at about 10,000 feet. If this will ruin your getaway, you’ve been warned.
Update 2: On Friday night, the majority of the spots were filled. Many large groups of people with varying degrees of consideration, but to their credit almost all (except the barking German Shepard) were quiet by 10PM. It was a bit more crowded come Saturday morning. Some friends came to visit for a mountain bike ride, and we set off at about noon. I had been complimentary of the facilities and bragged that I'd be taking a nice shower after our ride. Unfortunately, upon our return, there was no hot water and no lighting in the showers. And, sadly, someone decided to remove the tags and hangers from their TJ Maxx haul and leave them all over the floor of two of the showers.
Verdict: I'd only come back here in the springtime when it's likely to be green and have some water in the arroyo and only during the week. The density and composition of the people here was akin to being at Costco on a Saturday, and I only did that once.
Guide to Los Altos Hills
Tent campsites near Los Altos Hills are located primarily in the western Santa Cruz Mountains at elevations ranging from 600 to 2,800 feet. The region experiences cool coastal fog in summer mornings and mild winter temperatures between 40-60°F. Most campgrounds have limited cell coverage with Verizon offering the strongest signal at higher elevation sites.
What to do
Hiking creek trails: At Uvas Canyon County Park, the 6-mile waterfall loop offers multiple falls with minimal elevation gain. "The 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 Mon M.
Rock climbing access: Castle Rock Trail Camp serves as an excellent base for climbers. "This is sweet hike in trail camp. We have used it for two purposes. First when were were climbing in Castle Rock State Park and this was our hub," shares MarinMaverick.
Ridge hiking: For experienced hikers, the Skyline to the Sea trail runs through several campgrounds. "There is another route in but used this one due to the creek access at the beginning appears more scenic," notes MarinMaverick about Sunol, which connects to ridge trails with panoramic views.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Uvas Canyon receives praise for maintenance. "Extremely beautiful & peaceful surroundings. Lots of trees. Rock walls heavy with moss. Facilities well constructed and maintained," reports Tom and Marianne H. Another camper adds, "Restrooms and showers were clean, and some even have baby changing stations."
Privacy levels: Site spacing varies significantly across campgrounds. At Ben Ries Campground, "The sites are spaced apart nicely. If I were to come back and want two large sites to connect, I would choose either 6 and 8 or 10 and 13," advises Kathleen C.
Seasonal availability: Winter camping offers more solitude. "Camped here in off season in November and it was us and maybe 2 other campers. Feels super remote and primitive," shares Amber D. about Ben Ries Campground.
What you should know
Water availability: Water sources can be unreliable at several campgrounds. "Although there is a communal water source at the campsite entrance, the water was deemed not safe to drink when I was there, and that had been the case for a while," warns Nathaniel S. about Castle Rock Trail Camp. "Bring all our water in with us as well as water filters."
Access challenges: Most tent sites require carrying gear. "The campground is about a 2.5mi hike in from the trail head at the parking area. Although there was a fire road at the campgrounds that looked like it maybe could be used to drive in and drop off gear, I didn't see anybody doing it," explains Nathaniel S.
Food storage requirements: Wildlife encounters are common. At Black Mountain Backpacking Camp, "The pit toilet and bear boxes on site take a lot of the stress out for beginner backpackers," explains Lily H.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for vehicles: At Uvas Canyon, roof top tent users should choose specific sites. "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.
Bug preparation: Insect activity varies by season. "A little buggy in the afternoon and found some mosquitoes so take bug spray," notes Mon M. about Uvas Canyon, while Joshua H. reports "We went in April and there weren't many bugs."
Noise considerations: Campground size affects noise levels. "The sites are close together so maybe bring ear plugs in case you have loud neighbors," suggests Derek B. At Ben Ries, "Fellow campers were there to camp, not to party, so that's always a plus," notes Kathleen C.
Tips from RVers
Alternative options: Half Moon Bay RV Park provides coastal access for larger vehicles. "The site was a pull through as well as our friends who were able to face the opposite way to have a common camp side with us. Full hook ups with 30 amp. (used my 50 amp adapter), no issues," shares Patrick J.
Tent camping at RV sites: Some RV parks accommodate tent campers. "From the park you can head about a quarter of a mile and walk or ride the coastal path all the way to the marina or south to the Ritz Carlton. Great ocean views," notes Patrick J. about Half Moon Bay RV Park's tent camping options.
Weather preparation: Coastal fog affects tent comfort. "Great weather, lots of shade at the campsite and on the hikes. Coast was a cool 60's- 70's but warm in the sun (the coast/beaches are windy), night time was a lovely 55-59 degrees," explains Kathleen C.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Los Altos Hills, CA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Los Altos Hills, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Los Altos Hills, CA is Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park - CLOSED INDEFINITELY with a 4.8-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Los Altos Hills, CA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Los Altos Hills, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 34 tent camping locations near Los Altos Hills, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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