Mount Madonna County Park sits at approximately 1,800 feet elevation in the Santa Cruz Mountains, offering cooler temperatures than surrounding valleys with average summer highs of 75-80°F. The park features several hundred acres of redwood forest with a network of trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. Year-round camping options include both traditional sites and various glamping accommodations that remain available during cooler winter months.
What to do
Explore hiking trails: Visitors to Mount Madonna County Park can access several miles of hiking paths through redwood forests. "The park is on a beautiful forested hilltop. Some areas are redwood, other parts mixed with other kinds of trees. This is the only place I've seen the redwood trees harvest the fog and make their own rain, which is pretty cool," notes a camper.
Visit historic sites: The park contains ruins of cattle baron Henry Miller's summer home. "Great hikes right from the site or you can drive up to where the old homestead was and see some ruins," explains a visitor to Mount Madonna. The ruins provide a glimpse into early California ranch life.
Try archery: The park maintains a dedicated archery range with multiple targets. "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 camper about their experience at Uvas Canyon County Park.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many glamping locations near New Almaden feature generously sized campsites. "We stayed in Valley View 3 - site 325. Initially, the plan was to camp the weekend before, but bad weather made us change our plans last minute. The parks service was helpful in getting the reservation changed to the next weekend," reports a Mount Madonna visitor.
Clean facilities: The region's campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. "Absolutely soo clean and a great place to camp without having to travel so far. Bathrooms are constantly cleaned and showers are free and clean. Parking is free with paid camping," notes a visitor to Mount Madonna County Park.
Wildlife viewing: Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park offers opportunities to observe local fauna. "I had a big spot and no neighbors my entire half of the campground on a Monday night in June. I was under 2 big oaks that were buzzing with bird activity," shares a camper. Another mentions, "We saw lots of wildlife - deer, wild pigs, turkeys, frogs just to name a few."
What you should know
Temperature variations: Mountain locations can experience significant temperature drops at night. "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," warns a camper at Mount Madonna.
Seasonal considerations: Some campgrounds have limited water access during dry periods. At Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park, "The lake is closed to any and all water-craft because the water level is too low," according to a recent visitor.
Poison oak awareness: Trails may contain hazardous plants. "On the trails there's quite a bit of poison oak so keep dogs close," warns a visitor to Uvas Canyon, highlighting the importance of staying on marked paths.
Tips for camping with families
Bike-friendly options: Some glamping locations near New Almaden provide good cycling opportunities for children. "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 a visitor to Mount Madonna County Park.
Playground access: Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday provides numerous recreational facilities. "This KOA is great for a family getaway. 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," reports a camper.
Creek exploration: Several parks feature streams where children can play. "The campground has a creek that runs through it that the kids loved playing in all day. The slugs were hanging out in trees all around us and it was so much fun looking for them," notes a visitor to Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many glamping accommodations near New Almaden require preparation for uneven terrain. "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 a visitor to Uvas Canyon County Park.
Limited hookups: Some campgrounds offer only partial services. "RV sites have both water and electric hookups which was great! There is a very convenient FREE dump station just inside the entrance to the park that we used as we departed," mentions a camper at Sunset State Beach.
Narrow access roads: Several glamping areas have challenging approach routes. "Getting to the park is fairly easy compared to other parks in the Santa Cruz Mountains like Big Basin. There is an entry fee of $6 per vehicle if you park in the lot," explains a visitor to Sanborn County Park.
