Best Campgrounds near New Almaden, CA
Searching for the best camping near New Almaden, CA? Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of New Almaden. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your California camping adventure.
Best Camping Sites Near New Almaden, California (134)
1. New Brighton State Beach Campground
44 ReviewsCapitola, CA15 milesWebsite+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."
2. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
44 ReviewsMount Hermon, CA16 milesWebsite+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."
3. Mount Madonna County Park
32 ReviewsGilroy, CA14 milesWebsite+1 (408) 842-2341"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."
"It has some privacy, we liked that it was in between two yurts away from others. The trail does go right behind the site but it wasn’t super busy."
4. Uvas Canyon County Park
11 ReviewsNew Almaden, CA6 milesWebsite+1 (408) 779-9232$34 / night
"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."
5. Sanborn County Park
19 ReviewsSaratoga, CA14 milesWebsite+1 (408) 867-9959$33 / night
"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)."
6. Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort
21 ReviewsFelton, CA17 milesWebsite+1 (831) 335-8312"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."
"Sites surrounded by redwoods, friendly helpful staff, close to attractions."
7. Sunset State Beach
27 ReviewsWatsonville, CA19 milesWebsite+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."
8. Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED
34 ReviewsBoulder Creek, CA22 milesWebsite+1 (831) 338-8860$35 / night
"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."
9. Coe Ranch Campground — Henry W. Coe State Park
14 ReviewsMorgan Hill, CA15 milesWebsite+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."
10. Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
16 ReviewsFreedom, CA17 milesWebsite+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!"
Recent Camping Photos near New Almaden, CA
278 Photos of 134 New Almaden Campgrounds
Darin D.
Uvas Canyon County Park
The Dyrt
Willow Springs Ranch Hilltop
Aidan P.
Van Life Campgrounds @ Enchanted Forest
The Dyrt
Sunrise Point
Name
Sunrise Point at Candlestick Point SRA - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
The Dyrt
Tentrr Signature Site - Redwood Grove A
The Dyrt
Tentrr Signature Site - Avocado Grove C
Nicole R.
Thousand Trails Morgan Hill
Renee W.
Joseph D Grant County Park - Horse Camp
Lisa D.
Grant County Park
Sophie S.
Joseph D. Grant County Park
Darin D.
Mount Madonna County Park
Recent Reviews near New Almaden, CA
842 Reviews of 134 New Almaden Campgrounds
- L
Lisa F.
ScoutMoss 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.
- HHelen F.
GuideAnthony 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
- AAthena J.
TravelerSunset 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.
- HHelen F.Guide
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.TravelerSunset 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.
- TTwindaddyGuide
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
- NNikolaus S.Scout
Cotillion Gardens RV Park
Redwood
Very quiet and comfortable campground
- AAthena J.Traveler
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.
Brittany F.GuideSanta Cruz Redwoods RV Resort
Redwoods galore
The camp host went above and beyond! Happily told us things to do with our kids and how close places were. Santa Cruz is only 10 miles away. The campground is all natural! Trees and nature all around. Viewing areas that allow all to enjoy the stream, at the back of the resort, and paths to take a closer look. A safe and quiet location. I felt safe, with my young kids, that everyone was driving slowly and respecting the rules.
Guide to New Almaden
Camping near New Almaden, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat in the woods or a family-friendly spot, there are plenty of options to explore.
What to do:
- Hiking: There are numerous trails in the area. Campers at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground rave about the beautiful hiking trails, with one reviewer noting, "There are beautiful hiking trails all over this campground."
- Beach Access: If you want to hit the beach, New Brighton State Beach Campground is a great choice. One visitor mentioned, "Great views and easy access to the beach."
- Wildlife Watching: Many campers enjoy spotting local wildlife. A reviewer at Sanborn County Park shared, "We saw a lot of deer and wild turkey."
What campers like:
- Privacy: Campers appreciate the spacious sites at Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park. One happy camper said, "The spots are spread out, the air feels pure to the lungs, and it’s very woodsy."
- Clean Facilities: Clean restrooms and showers are a big plus. A visitor at Mount Madonna County Park noted, "The VERY cleanest restrooms, with the added convenience of hand soap!!"
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many campgrounds cater to families. A reviewer at Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort mentioned, "Cozy tight quarters but just enough room for a picnic bench, fire pit and hanging out area."
What you should know:
- Poison Oak: Be cautious of poison oak at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground. One camper warned, "There is so much poison oak - everywhere."
- Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A visitor at Del Valle Regional Park mentioned, "Pretty much ZERO cell service, which is a good thing, helps you to disconnect."
- Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds have close quarters. A reviewer at Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort said, "They’ve really squeezed spots in to every nook and cranny of the property."
Tips for camping with families:
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots that cater to kids. A camper at New Brighton State Beach Campground noted, "Lots of families and lots of kids."
- Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities lined up. A visitor at Mount Madonna County Park shared, "There are plenty of trails for folks/kids to play around."
- Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids. A reviewer at Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA mentioned, "The restaurant at the lodge was phenomenal."
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at New Brighton State Beach Campground said, "Spot 64 was humongous and extremely private."
- Be Prepared for Tight Turns: Some campgrounds have narrow roads. A reviewer at Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort advised, "The road is too winding and narrow."
- Use Online Reservations: Many campgrounds allow online booking, which can save time. A visitor at Mount Madonna County Park noted, "Registration online was really easy as was the check-in process."
Camping near New Almaden, California, has something for everyone. From beautiful trails to family-friendly spots, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this scenic area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near New Almaden, CA?
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 44 reviews.
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