Best Campgrounds near Morgan Hill, CA

Camping around Morgan Hill includes spots that work well for different kinds of campers. Pinnacles Campground has extras like a swimming pool and store that many campers find helpful. Some camping areas have playgrounds and planned activities that kids enjoy. You'll see wildlife in the Morgan Hill area, so you need to keep food stored properly. Some sites sit close together while others give you more space from neighbors. Trees cover many of the camping spots, which helps when the summer heat kicks in. The sites can fit both tents and RVs depending on what you bring. Water taps are easy to find throughout most campgrounds, and bathrooms with showers are common. Many places have trails and fishing spots right from camp. The busiest camping season is summer, but spring and fall bring better weather and fewer people. Winter camping works too, though nights get cold. Most campgrounds connect to decent roads that don't require special vehicles. Fire rules change based on how dry it is, so check before you plan to have a campfire. Many campgrounds fill up fast, so making reservations makes sense. Morgan Hill camping works for people who've been camping for years and those just starting out.

Best Camping Sites Near Morgan Hill, California (129)

    1. Mount Madonna County Park

    32 Reviews
    Gilroy, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 842-2341

    "Great hiking trails. Flat looks for kids to bike on. Don't miss the deer pen and the historic house hikes. One of the best local campgrounds near San Jose, Morgan Hill, Gilroy and Watsonville area."

    "We were happy to have the electric hook up since the redwood and oak tress surrounding all the sites are huge and block out the sun."

    2. New Brighton State Beach Campground

    44 Reviews
    Capitola, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 464-6330

    $35 - $185 / night

    "Camped with electricity and water, situated on a bluff near the ocean. Easy walking distance to the water, nice roomy campsites with fire rings and tables. Not too close to other campers."

    "New Brighton is a jewel on the California coast. Camping is on a bluff above beach and you must walk down stairs to get to the beach. Camping in the woods with the beach below is perfect."

    3. Coe Ranch Campground — Henry W. Coe State Park

    14 Reviews
    Morgan Hill, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 779-2728

    $20 / night

    "This is a primitive campground, no showers only vault toilets and restroom near visitor center ( 2 min walk from campground) both decently clean. Water for washing dishes is available."

    "There is a small visitor center close to the entrance, with a few souvenirs and some snacks and drinks. Visitor Center only takes cash."

    4. Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park

    11 Reviews
    San Martin, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 842-7800

    $34 / night

    "The lake is closed to any and all water-craft because the water level is too low. It is very clean and well maintained for the most part. Cell phone service for Xfinity/Verizon is spotty at best."

    "Campsites are along the beautiful Coyote lake. The lakeside sites are mostly shaded as are the sites along the road. Sites 43, 44 and 45 would be the most secluded."

    5. Uvas Canyon County Park

    11 Reviews
    New Almaden, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 779-9232

    $34 / night

    "A nice small campground nestled in the eastern side of Santa Cruz Mountains, west of Morgan Hill, easily accessible off of Highway 101."

    "Uvas Canyon County Park https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/pages/uvascanyon.aspx is located about 15 miles west of Gilroy, on the east side of the Santa Cruz Mountains."

    6. Thousand Trails Morgan Hill

    8 Reviews
    San Martin, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "New showers, nice drive thru spots, friendly people. Lots to do in the camp ground and around Morgan hill/ Gilroy area. This is my go to spot when working in the area."

    "There for a sports event in Morgan hill. Got propane filled, nice staff. No full hookups but dump station was convenient. Lots of nice activities going on."

    7. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground

    44 Reviews
    Mount Hermon, CA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 438-2396

    $7 - $35 / night

    "This is a nice campground in a great part of California with lots of hiking and beaches nearby. The bathrooms were clean and well kept."

    "There were bigger sites that would've suited us better but it was a nice little tucked in site. The poison oak is prolific. Our site was literally surrounded by it."

    8. Sunset State Beach

    27 Reviews
    Watsonville, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 763-7063

    "Dogs can be allowed on beach if you go to the right of the main entrance. No dogs to the left.  Camp sites vary but the best loop is South Loop. Some with ocean views but those are hard to reserve. "

    "Strawberry fields surround the campground and are next to the Hike and Bike area. The walk is not too difficult down to the beach."

    9. Uvas Pines RV Park

    5 Reviews
    San Martin, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 779-3417

    $60 / night

    "Nice walking trail by creek for you and your furry buddy. Dog park was large and ours loved it. Close see to Morgan Hill which is a quaint friendly little town."

    "It was super quiet, though there was a somewhat noisy road next to us. We were on the first site next to the road, so I suspect it would be a non issue for most of the sites."

    10. Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday

    16 Reviews
    Freedom, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 722-0551

    "I would recommend booking away from the jump pillow or playground, unless easy playground access is important, because the spots are pretty noisy."

    "There is also relatively quick access to Santa Cruz to the north and Monterey to the south.

    My only criticism is that it is not that woodsy. But hey, this is a KOA!"

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Recent Reviews near Morgan Hill, CA

791 Reviews of 129 Morgan Hill Campgrounds


  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Veteran's Memorial Park Campground

    Cash on arrival $53 for RV

    This campground requires cash or cheque payment. It’s at the top of a hill so make sure you’re prepared before arrival. Also not suitable for RV’s over 20ft. No hook ups but decent bathrooms. Nice and quiet.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Moss Landing KOA Express

    Beautiful beachside

    Easy access, level paved spots. Restrooms spotless. Check-in friendly and cookies a plus! Walk to the beach, feel the breeze.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Lovely site, really close to San Francisco!

    On visiting San Francisco we were looking for a site that wasn’t a car park. This really met the mark! Beautiful place with great sites. Nice picnic tables & fire pits! Was very quiet

  • A
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Sunset State Beach Campground

    Nice campground

    It was my first time beach camping so i didnt know what to expect. Was a bit breezier than im use to with the mountains. Not a lot of trees around. It is nice not dealing with a lot of bugs since youre by the beach and all. The bathrooms and showers were well maintained.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort

    Lovely RV site!

    Really lovely RV site. Nice toilets & showers. Lovely shady spots and really close to Santa Cruz

  • jay B.
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Sunset State Beach Campground

    Not the Best Fit for RV Campers

    We’ve camped all along the coast and had high hopes for this spot, but it didn’t quite meet expectations. The sites feel very close together and are a bit awkwardly arranged, making it a tight fit—especially for anything larger than a small camper. We're in a 22’ van/motorhome crossover and were fortunate to find a level spot, though most sites we saw were not level. The beach trails could use some maintenance as they’re currently in rough shape. This campground might be a better option for tent campers, but for RVs, it’s not ideal.

  • T
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Nice location and activities, but a bit cramped

    I just needed/wanted a short getaway without driving hours from home. Since I'm used to this place for mountain biking, I figured I'd try camping here for a couple nights. 

    I did a recon ride previously on my mountain bike, so knew which spots I'd prefer and booked site 35 for a Thursday and Friday night. 

    Arrived at about 5PM and found my spot. The ranger booth was closed, but I didn't feel the need to chat with them anyway. The place was largely unoccupied at this point. Maybe a dozen or so spots appeared taken. 

    The weather, though hot in the Bay Area at this point, was quite nice. The breeze and shade of the park made for a very comfortable setting. I believe it was 88 in Castro Valley, but felt about 78 at the campground. I don't have AC for the van, but didn't feel I needed any. 

    I got setup and then headed out for a short ride, followed by a warm shower, cold beer and dinner. It was quiet that evening and I slept well. 

    I worked through the morning Friday, though the Starlink suffered some interruptions due to the tree cover. Early afternoon more people started to show up, as I expected. I went for a long ride and when I returned the place was much more occupied and people were setting up tents, starting their bbq's, etc. Though a bit close to the neighbors, none of them were obnoxious. 

    My advice would be to know the spot you're selecting and know that in the summer months the grass isn't green :) 

    I'd score the individual aspects as follows (1-5):

    Bathrooms: 4

    Location: 5

    Activities: 5

    Privacy: 3

    Cleanliness: 4

  • A
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Uvas Canyon County Park

    A ton of wasps near 25

    Second time at the campground. Love this campground still but im pretty sure there is a wasp next near 25. We were here about 2 weeks ago at a different site and didnt have any wasp issues. It probably didnt help that it looked like previous people left trash and food on the floor. We will be coming back soon to a different site. Campground is gorgeous. Bathrooms are super clean.


Guide to Morgan Hill

Camping near Morgan Hill, California, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are amazing trails in the area. At Pinnacles Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "By day, of course, the trails are wild, like a moonscape." This makes it a great spot for adventurers.
  • Wildlife Watching: Many campers have spotted wildlife. One camper at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground noted, "Seen a ton of wildlife and overall wasn’t very crowded."
  • Star Gazing: The dark skies around Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground make it perfect for star gazing. A visitor shared, "Great views. Very dark at night which is great for star gazing."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate clean restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Mount Madonna County Park said, "The VERY cleanest restrooms, with the added convenience of hand soap!!"
  • Privacy: Many campgrounds offer private sites. One camper at New Brighton State Beach Campground mentioned, "Spot 64 was humongous and extremely private."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Big Sur Campground & Cabins are great for families. A visitor noted, "The playground was well maintained and modern."

What you should know:

  • Heat in Summer: Some campgrounds can get really hot. A camper at Pinnacles Campground warned, "It is WICKED hot in the summer."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at California Veterans Memorial Park Campground said, "Simple campground with a decent shower and bathroom."
  • First-Come, First-Serve: Many sites operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. One camper at California Sunset State Beach advised, "Arrived at like 3 pm and they still had 10 open sites."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. A reviewer at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Campground mentioned, "The Big Sur community, chill and awesome without all the tourist pressure."
  • Pack for Heat: If camping in summer, bring plenty of water and shade. A camper at Pinnacles Campground noted, "Very hot and very dry after June."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have games or activities for kids. One visitor at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground said, "Beautiful trails nearby."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Mount Madonna County Park mentioned, "The RV sites have both water and electric hookups which was great!"
  • Be Prepared for Narrow Roads: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads. A visitor at California Veterans Memorial Park Campground said, "Hilltop. Narrow roads."
  • Use Dump Stations: Know where the nearest dump station is. A camper at Anthony Chabot Regional Park noted, "The dump station was in good working order."

Camping around Morgan Hill, CA, has something for everyone. Whether you're hiking, enjoying family time, or just relaxing, you'll find a spot that suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Morgan Hill, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Morgan Hill, CA is Mount Madonna County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 32 reviews.