Henry W. Coe State Park sits at an elevation of around 2,600 feet in the Diablo Range near Morgan Hill. The area features oak woodlands, pine forests, and chaparral across steep terrain with temperature variations of up to 30 degrees between valley floor and hillsides. Summer temperatures regularly reach the high 90s with cooler evenings, while winter brings occasional frost and moderate rainfall.
What to Do
Hiking the waterfall trail: At Uvas Canyon County Park, follow the creek for scenic waterfall views. "The campsites and bathrooms are well maintained, and the camp host sells firewood. The campground map shows a creek, but there is a pretty steep drop between the campsites and the creek so it's not something you can play in easily," notes Joshua H.
Wildlife viewing: Mount Madonna County Park offers opportunities to spot native animals. "Near the ranger station there are pens with white fallow deer. They are descendants of the exotic zoo at William Randolph Hearst's mansion down the coast," explains April N. The park also features "an archery trail with 28 targets on a trail through the woods."
Backcountry exploration: Henry W. Coe State Park provides extensive backcountry access. "Obtained permit from the ranger station and had to pick a district I would camp in the first night. Hiked about 8 miles southwest to a lake the first night and camped in my hammock by the lake," reports Austin C. Most water can be filtered from lakes throughout the park.
What Campers Like
Redwood shade: The tall trees at Mount Madonna create natural climate control. "The campgrounds are really well maintained. Bathrooms have soap & TP and kept clean. Tan Oak campground seems to have bigger sites than the others," mentions April N., who adds that sites 416 and 417 are "big with hidden spots back off the road for pitching your tent."
Clean facilities: Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park maintains well-kept restrooms and showers. "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," notes Quyen W. The campground also provides food lockers for secure storage.
Quiet weekday camping: Many parks offer more solitude midweek. "As a fan of quiet camping, I would recommend this campground for a week day get away where you can enjoy more quiet surroundings and its nature sounds," suggests Mon M. about Uvas Canyon, while Michelle W. reports having "a big spot and no neighbors my entire half of the campground on a Monday night in June" at Coyote Lake.
What You Should Know
Terrain challenges: Campsites at Henry W. Coe State Park require careful planning. "We were surprised when we made it to this campground that it was built on the side of a hill. The walk-in sites may be different, but all of the pull in sites were extremely off-level and the roads through the campground itself is so steep/narrow and windy," warns Karen.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for animal visitors at some parks. "Wild pigs come out at night. Be sure to lock all food up! They will roam through the camp ground all through the night if anyone has left any food out," cautions Quyen W. about Coyote Lake. Several campgrounds report frequent wildlife sightings including deer, skunks, and turkeys.
Summer heat precautions: Pack for significant temperature fluctuations. "It was fairly hot in mid-spring, and there is not much shade on the trails, especially the dirt roads," reports Austin C. about Henry W. Coe, while another camper notes the temperature can be "40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose" at Mount Madonna.
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly activities: Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday offers numerous family amenities. "TONS of activities on site- huge bouncy pad, a climbing wall, ping pong tables, a swimming pool, pedal go karts, the list goes on and on," describes Daniel D., who suggests booking "away from the jump pillow or playground" if you want quieter spots.
Biking opportunities: Several parks feature good cycling terrain for kids. "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," advises Weston W. about Mount Madonna's trails.
Dog-friendly trails: Mount Madonna allows dogs on all trails, unlike many parks with restrictions. "This is a county park that allows dogs on ALL the trails. It's hard to find that sometimes so we greatly appreciated how dog friendly it was," shares Lori T., adding that "folks follow the rule that dogs must be on a 6 ft lead on the trails."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At New Brighton State Beach Campground, premium sites offer scenic views. "The premium spots seem super worth it with panoramic views of the Pacific," notes Alma L., though she warns "the line for the dump station wound through nearly the entire park."
Leveling requirements: Bring adequate leveling equipment. "I needed to raise one wheel about 5 inches and another 2 to get level," shares David C. about Uvas Pines RV Park, while Karen notes sites at Henry W. Coe are "extremely off-level (even with all our blocks we couldn't get close)."
Dog-friendly facilities: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Morgan Hill provide designated pet areas. Uvas Pines features "a really nice stream to hike along" and "extremely well-maintained" dog park with "beautiful grass, very nice fence, a bench to sit on, water for your pets and plenty of space to run," according to David C.
Traveler
