RV parks around Los Gatos occupy diverse terrain ranging from coastal mountains to inland valleys, with elevations varying from 100 to 2,000 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F, while winter lows rarely drop below 40°F. Cell service quality diminishes significantly in canyon areas between Los Gatos and Felton, with AT&T coverage particularly limited throughout the region.
What to do
Hiking at Henry Cowell State Park: Access trails directly from Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort in Felton. "There is a little trail that goes down to the River where you can find a neat little beach. It's a goofy little descent/climb to get there and out but worth it," notes one visitor. Trails range from easy 1-mile loops to challenging 5-mile climbs.
Steam train rides: Located near Felton campgrounds, the historic steam locomotive provides unique redwood forest tours. "Take a ride through the forrest on the steam train," recommends a camper from Cotillion Gardens RV Park. The train operates daily during summer and weekends in winter, with tickets starting at $32 for adults.
Wine tasting excursions: Multiple vineyards within 15 minutes of Morgan Hill. "Close to local wine tastings and even had Safeway close enough for grocery delivery," mentions a visitor. Tours typically run 11am-5pm with tastings starting at $15-25 per person.
What campers like
Clean bathing facilities: Smithwoods RV Park maintains well-kept shower buildings. "The staff is great and helpful. We had a small issue with our cable tv(no fault of theirs) and they came right over and fixed our issue," explains one camper. Most parks provide coded access to restrooms after hours.
Swimming pools: Several parks offer heated pools during warm months. "Kids could ride bikes freely, heated pool (90 degrees), clean shower and restroom, plus laundry room," notes a family who stayed at Smithwoods. Most pools operate seasonally from May through October.
Recreation facilities: On-site amenities provide entertainment options. "There is a large clubhouse with foosball, ping pong and arcade games which is open from 9am - 9pm," reports a visitor to Cotillion Gardens. Common hours for recreation buildings are 8am-9pm, with quiet hours starting at 10pm.
What you should know
Site spacing and privacy: Expect varied site configurations throughout the region. "Sites can get a bit tight, but there are definitely some gems hidden in the redwoods," notes a camper at Santa Cruz Ranch Campground. Most parks operate at full capacity during summer weekends.
Road conditions: Highway access requires careful driving. "Getting there takes some attention. Do not take highway 9 from Santa Cruz as the RV park will tell you. Our car navigation changed our route even after we were approaching 17 north," warns an RVer. Highway 17 provides the most direct route from San Jose.
Internet connectivity: Wifi quality varies significantly between parks. "The WiFi was outstanding!" reports a visitor to Gilroy Garlic USA RV Park, while others note limited coverage in mountain locations. Several parks offer wifi only near office buildings or communal areas.
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