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New Almaden is surrounded by a diverse range of camping options within the eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains and nearby valleys. Uvas Canyon County Park provides 25 tent and RV campsites nestled in a wooded canyon setting with access to waterfall trails, while Mount Madonna County Park offers tent camping alongside yurt and cabin accommodations. The camping areas extend from Morgan Hill to Santa Cruz, with established campgrounds concentrated along Highway 9 and in the coastal mountains west of Silicon Valley.
Many campgrounds in the region require reservations, particularly during spring and summer weekends when cooler temperatures draw visitors from nearby urban areas. "The campsites are nicely maintained. Plenty of area to pitch a tent, all the sites have a BBQ, fire pit, and picnic table," noted one camper about Uvas Canyon, though they cautioned that "the sites are close together so maybe bring ear plugs in case you have loud neighbors." Road access varies significantly, with campgrounds like Uvas Canyon requiring navigation along narrow, winding roads approximately 15 miles west of Gilroy. Most established sites offer amenities including drinking water, toilets, and fire rings, though facilities range from primitive to developed depending on location and managing agency.
Campers consistently highlight the natural beauty of the region's redwood groves and seasonal waterfall trails. A review for Uvas Canyon mentioned that "there are a number of trailheads that start in the campground, or close by, that lead you to a collection of waterfalls and streams." The proximity to both nature and urban conveniences makes this area particularly appealing, with several campers noting the contrast between feeling immersed in nature while being relatively close to Silicon Valley. Cell service is inconsistent throughout the region, with some areas maintaining Verizon coverage while others offer complete disconnection. Most campgrounds in the area maintain clean facilities with showers and running water, though sites at popular locations like Uvas Canyon tend to be close together, limiting privacy during peak seasons.
"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."
from $35 - $185 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $7 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Great spot if you're looking for a quick escape from the Bay Area with that classic California redwood experience."
"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."
"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."
"This is a great spot for people looking to get away and camp but not trying to drive for 3-4 hours to do so."
from $34 / night
Check Availability"This is a nice camping away from the car experience. It's a short walk up a paved path from the parking to the campsites."
"Great walk-in campground so close to home in the South Bay Area (albeit walk is slightly uphill)."
from $33 / night
Check Availability"They are a bit narrow, so much of the camp side you will have a close look at your neighbors utilities. When the park is full, it is close. Go on weekdays, not as busy and more room is likely."
"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. Keep your eyes out for the highway signs."
"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."
"Not far from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area in California. When you arrive it's like stepping in to a whole other world. Huge redwoods blanket the mountain and line every site."
"So sad the devastation of last month's fires on the oldest state park in California, home to thr biggest redwoods south of San Francisco."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"We got a nice spot close to the dump station near front. Their pool is huge and very very well kept. The spot was 30amp and back in however they have 50amp/pull through also."
"The nature around it is amazing, and the convenience of being so close to all the things around you about 20 min to town and county parks."
"I would recommend booking away from the jump pillow or playground, unless easy playground access is important, because the spots are pretty noisy."
"Although this is not our preferred type of camping, after five nights in California State parks with limited amenities, we stayed here for hot showers, laundry, and full hookups for van maintenance."
GuideThis is at a racetrack. During the week, there's a handful of campers and some track noise during the day only. Evenings are very peaceful.
Coming from San Francisco, the spacious sites and price are a welcomed change. There are trails all around. The views are great. There are squirrels and birds all around.
GuideThere are many spot. It's a parking lot and the spots are very snug. The edge by the ocean lost a few.
Staff is kind, helpful and responsive. Area is clean and very peaceful. It's a bit pricey. Our standard spot was $150.
GuideLike 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.
TravelerNothing like camping under the redwoods with sounds of streams nearby. Restrooms and facilities are clean and well maintained. Park Rangers are extremely nice and helpful.
GuideRVs only. No tent camping. Some sites have partial hookups and some have full hookups. This is at the edge of the Monterey Pines Golf Course. In fact you check in at the golf course office. Sites 1-14 have a view of the course. Mature shade trees, picnic tables and bbq’s in each site. No fire rings.
The bathrooms are nice and clean and have heaters! Laundry is free! Four washers and eight dryers.
As of Sept 2026 they’re actively building a new dog park.
It’s right next to a private airport and there are 2-3 planes (jets and smaller planes) taking off each hour. It stopped at 10pm and started up again at 5am. Suggest earplugs at nighttime.
Verizon service is pretty poor. They have free Wi-Fi but it didn’t reach to site 1.
GuideGreat park. Monthly rates are the most expensive in the country, for a military camp, but still about 2/3 of what it is off base. Watch out for golf balls, stay in spots 7-10. Whatever you do, do not let the door open and let your dog run out by accident...the Navy Knives, err Wives club is always watching. Anyway, close to all Monterey, Big Sur, Salinas, Carmel Valley. Really nice, clean Park. Bathhouses are very clean. Laundry requires quarters, but they work well. Shaded spots, so if you need Starlink stay on the east side row to point north.
TravelerIt’s quite large compared to to other campsites. It was pleasant and have no complaints. Nothing special but hiking trails are fantastic.
GuideVery well run & clean. Mostly quiet. 20 minute walk to Capitola Village (north) or Seacliff (south). Some shady sites, some are exposed.
LegendLas Trampas is one of those wonderfully odd camping experiences that almost feels like you’ve discovered something you weren’t supposed to know about. Despite sitting on the doorstep of Danville and San Ramon, this 6,050-acre preserve quickly trades suburbia for steep ridges, oak woodland, grasslands and some terrific views across the East Bay. And camping here is decidedly primitive: the Corral Area is a single reservable group campsite for 17–50 people, rather than a conventional campground with individual sites. That means lots of privacy, lots of space and very little resembling a traditional developed campground.
While my earlier review goes into considerably more detail, I thought I’d revisit this campground with a quick topline of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS - along with a fresh batch of photos.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Remarkable feeling of seclusion considering you’re only minutes from the suburban East Bay, with Oakland lying just beyond; (2) Having essentially one primitive group camping area makes this feel more like your own private campground than a conventional campsite; (3) Picnic tables, BBQs, food-storage box and a drinking-water spigot provide just enough infrastructure without spoiling the primitive experience; (4) Direct access to a huge trail network with Rocky Ridge reaching 2,024 feet and panoramic views toward Mt. Diablo and the surrounding valleys; and (5) Abundant wildlife, seasonal wildflowers, grazing cattle and those beautiful rolling East Bay hills make the setting the real amenity here.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) This is group camping only, with a 17-person minimum, so it simply doesn’t work for a couple or small family looking for an ordinary campsite; (2) No hookups, showers or flush toilets - here, primitive means primitive; (3) Water at the campsite should be considered unreliable, so bring your own rather than betting the weekend on the spigot; and (4) Many of the best trails are steep, exposed and short on shade, which can make hot-weather hiking considerably more strenuous than the beautiful scenery initially suggests.
Insider’s Tip: Bring more water than you think you’ll need and make time for a ridge hike. Las Trampas is one of those places where climbing a few hundred feet completely changes your perspective especially when the suburban Bay Area seemingly disappears beneath you, which is precisely what makes camping here so unexpectedly special.
Happy Camping!
Campgrounds near New Almaden, California offer diverse camping experiences in the eastern Santa Cruz Mountain foothills, with elevations ranging from 800 to 2,000 feet creating varied microclimates. Temperatures can fluctuate 15-20 degrees between sun and shade, with coastal fog often rolling in during summer evenings. These conditions create unique challenges and opportunities for campers seeking a campsite near New Almaden.
Waterfall hiking: 6-mile routes at Uvas Canyon County Park provide access to seasonal cascades. "There are hiking trails that start in the campground, or close by, that lead you to a collection of waterfalls and streams, and I highly recommend doing at least the waterfall loop, if not taking a whole day and exploring all the trails," notes one visitor who experienced the park's natural features.
Redwood exploration: Self-guided trails through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park showcase old-growth trees. "There are very hot showers for and a buck of quarters gets you 5 minutes. The park has a bit of a yellow jacket problem that they don't really seem too concerned about addressing. Yellowjackets on trails, in campsites and near bathrooms," warns a camper, highlighting an important consideration during summer visits.
Archery practice: 28-target trail at Mount Madonna County Park offers a unique outdoor activity. "There is an archery trail with 28 targets on a trail through the woods. We were there 3 days in a row and did 20 of the 28. It's really pretty and a cool challenge," shares one visitor who discovered this less-known park feature.
Free showers: Clean facilities appreciated by visitors to several parks. "Bathrooms are great," notes a Mount Madonna visitor, while another camper mentions, "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," about their Uvas Canyon experience.
Diverse camping options: Various accommodation styles at Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort meet different needs. "We tent camped here but most people had a trailer. Translation: the bathroom was empty. Quiet with quick access to the beach via a steep paved path," shares one camper who appreciated the uncrowded facilities despite the campground's popularity.
Wildlife viewing: Deer and bird watching opportunities throughout the region. At Mount Madonna, one unique feature stands out: "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."
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites fill quickly during peak seasons. For Sunset State Beach, a visitor notes: "If you can get a reservation here (which is VERY difficult) you will have the best time. We had a spot that was facing the strawberry fields instead of the water and it was still great."
Site privacy considerations: Campground layouts vary significantly across the region. "The sites are a little close together so maybe bring ear plugs in case you have loud neighbors," advises one Uvas Canyon visitor, while a Sunset State Beach camper adds: "Campsites are close together and not private. But really, you are here for the proximity to beach."
Weather fluctuations: Mountain campgrounds experience significant temperature drops. At Big Basin, a camper observed: "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose. We weren't prepared & had to drive into town & buy more clothes!"
Kid-friendly activities: Multiple campgrounds offer specialized recreation areas. "Plenty of area to pitch a tent, all the sites have a BBQ, fire pit, and picnic table," notes an Uvas Canyon visitor, while a Sanborn County Park camper recommends: "This is a nice camping away from the car experience. It's a short walk up a paved path from the parking to the campsites. The park provides carts to help with hauling gear."
Site selection strategy: Reserve early for optimal family locations. "If you have littles the roads are paved so a scooter or bike could be fun," suggests an Uvas Canyon visitor, pointing out infrastructure benefits for families with young children.
Insect preparation: Summer brings increased bug activity throughout the region. "We went in April and there weren't many bugs," shares an Uvas Canyon camper, suggesting early spring visits might be more comfortable for families sensitive to insects.
Leveling challenges: Terrain considerations affect many campgrounds. "Not sure if it can handle longer recreational vehicles and the road leading to the campground itself is quite narrow. 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 an Uvas Canyon visitor.
Electrical hookups: Limited availability across most public parks. A visitor to Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA reports: "Sites range from tent sites, RV sites, to full size cabins. They even rent out Airstream trailers," offering options for RVers seeking full hookups.
Road access limitations: Narrow mountain roads restrict larger vehicles. "From main road it takes about 35 min drive up the hill through narrow road which is paved but I don't think it is appropriate for RVs," warns a visitor to Henry W. Coe State Park, highlighting the importance of researching routes before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near New Almaden, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near New Almaden, CA is New Brighton State Beach Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 46 reviews.
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