T
Tamatha B.
Traveler
TravelerSanta Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday
This is a great camp ground. Plenty of activities. Showers are clean, laundry room takes tap pay.
Tent Camping near Newark, CA
3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Tent camping opportunities near Newark, California include several established sites within regional parks and preserves. Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont offers tent sites with park views, while the walk-in tent areas at Sunol Regional Wilderness provide more secluded camping experiences approximately 15 miles east of Newark. These locations serve as convenient tent camping bases for Bay Area residents seeking overnight outdoor experiences without traveling far from the urban environment.
The tent campsites throughout the region generally feature basic amenities for primitive camping. Most walk-in tent sites include picnic tables, fire rings where permitted, and nearby access to toilets. Campers should note that fire restrictions are common during dry seasons, with several parks prohibiting open flames entirely during high fire danger periods. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, many sites require reservations, particularly at popular locations like Joseph D. Grant County Park which offers both drive-in and walk-in tent camping options. Food storage lockers are available at most campgrounds to protect supplies from wildlife.
Regional tent campgrounds provide varying experiences depending on location and elevation. Areas closer to the coast like Butano State Park offer redwood forest camping with moderate temperatures. "The park itself has great hikes, thick with Redwoods, immediately you feel like you are in Ewok territory," noted one camper about the tent sites at Ben Ries Campground. Inland tent camping locations experience warmer daytime temperatures and cooler nights. Most walk-in tent locations require short hikes of less than a mile from parking areas, making them accessible for campers with moderate amounts of gear. Black Mountain Backpacking Camp in Monte Bello Open Space Reserve provides a more remote tent camping experience with vault toilets but no drinking water, requiring campers to pack in their supplies for overnight stays.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Newark (35)
1. Coyote Hills Regional Park
"We walked through and enjoyed the nature areas so much. We continue to go back and spend time at Cayote Hills because it is so beautiful. We can't wait until thwe next time."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $75 / night
2. Sunol
"Great backpacking getway. Many day hikers here but you can backpack as well. I camped on a beautiful ridge."
"I have never camped here but hiked many trails."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when available3. Castle Rock Trail Camp — Castle Rock State Park
"I liked the trees, picnic tables, and fire rings at the sites. The sites were spaced nicely to allow for privacy. Frog Flat seemed a bit more secluded than the main camp."
"This is sweet hike in trail camp. We have used it for two purposes. "
Check Availabilityfrom $8 / night
4. Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park - CLOSED INDEFINITELY
"It is a smaller park than many of the other redwoods parks in Northern California, so it was very nice and peaceful. Butano is a bit off the beaten path to get to, but so worth it."
"The campsite has car camping and walk-in sites. I had sites 5 and 6. The map for the campground is deceiving as they looked close together and connected but they were separate."
Check Availabilityfrom $35 / night
5. Towle Campground
Check Availabilityfrom $40 / night
6. Black Mountain Backpacking Camp
"The hike in is only 1.5 miles, but there's plenty of trail options to tack on more mileage on either the hike in or out."
Check Availabilityfrom $2 / night
7. Half Moon Bay RV Park
"From booking until leaving, we had a positive experience. Our site was a little tight, that would be the only thing I wish was better."
"The site was a pull through as well as our friends who were able to face the opposite way to have a common camp side with us. Of course the utility sides were in great position for that."
8. Joseph D Grant County Park - Horse Camp
"Lotsa shaded oak spaces. Good trails."
"Hamilton and a lake up the road a way, there’s also a mansion & rose garden on the property, shower & bathroom are clean, there are nights to gather and stargaze.The tent spaces are sizable &"
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $400 / night
9. Joseph D. Grant County Park
"Lots of wildlife to see and hear (coyotes). Didn’t get 5 starts cause it was quite busy with loud neighbors!"
"They also sell ice which was nice to grab for the cooler. Nice stay, saw a lot of bunnies and a bobcat on the way out."
10. Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park
"Angel Island is a unique backpacking experience, one I'd gladly do again."
"Angel Island is a California State Park, but it's surprising how many visitors do not know of the 10 campsites scattered around the island!"
2 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $30 / night
Drive Time
- 18 min from San Jose, CA
- 36 min from San Francisco, CA
- 42 min from Santa Cruz, CA
- 51 min from Vallejo, CA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Newark, CA
51 Photos of 35 Newark Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Sunol
Black Mountain Backpacking Camp
SkyWanda Sanctuary
Castle Rock Trail Camp — Castle Rock State Park
Joseph D. Grant County Park
Morgan Territory Regional Preserve
Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park - CLOSED INDEFINITELY
Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State ParkR
Uvas Canyon County ParkA
Bicentennial Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Hawk Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Haypress Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Tent Camping Reviews near Newark, CA
685 Reviews of 35 Newark Campgrounds
- jjacqueline P.
ScoutPelican Point RV Park
Has hot showers & laundry room! A 5 min walk to the ocean as well. Super peaceful
- jjennifer J.Traveler
Sunset State Beach Campground
It’s absolutely beautiful. There are no hook ups, but I have a solar generator. I’m working with or learning to use.
- kkelly E.
GuideUvas Pines RV Park
Nice big campsites, creek running but unsure if clean enough to go in. There’s a dog park with lights which is really awesome for our old dogs. There are definitely some long term campers here but it still has a nice feel. Only reason it’s not 5 star is we are close to the road so it’s loud.
C. K.TravelerSan Mateo Memorial Park
Redwood canopy
Around this time of year, park is practically empty during weekdays. Nice and quiet and peaceful place where you can slow things down
T T.GuideDumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay
Great safe place in sourh east bay
Great location with spaces in safe SE bay area location and reasonable prices New development small young trees limited natural shade
Kylee R.
RangerCaswell Memorial State Park Campground
Caswell Memorial State Park
Lots of sites with privacy! Bathrooms are clean and they have coin operated showers. Dumpsters and water in various spots. Right on the river, a small beach access. Saw some cats. Bear box, picnic table, and fire pit at each spot.
Tom T.ScoutDumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay
Open sky great starlink users.
Very quiet campground at night. See stars clearly. Use the fire pit after 730pm when the wind has calmed down.
- TTwindaddyGuide
Del Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District
East Bay Parks - IYKYK
Like 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.
Guide to Newark
Tent camping near Newark, California offers convenient access to regional wilderness areas within 20-30 miles of the city. Most local tent camping options sit at elevations between 300-2,500 feet, creating temperature variations that can drop to the mid-40s even in summer months. Several campgrounds maintain seasonal restrictions, with peak availability running from April through October.
What to do
Wildlife viewing in coastal wetlands: At Coyote Hills Regional Park, campers can observe migratory birds and native wildlife. One visitor notes, "We walked through and enjoyed the nature areas so much. We continue to go back and spend time at Cayote Hills because it is so beautiful."
Hiking diverse trails: Trail systems throughout the region range from beginner to advanced difficulty. At Castle Rock Trail Camp, campers access multiple trail options. "Hike a short 2.5mi to get to the campsite. 20 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings (when allowed)," mentions one camper. Another adds, "There's a couple of spots where you'll need to do some scrambling up the rock faces, but nothing to worry about."
Stargazing at higher elevations: Joseph D Grant County Park offers organized stargazing events in partnership with local astronomy groups. A camper reports, "There are nights to gather and stargaze. The tent spaces are sizable & you can have a fire."
What campers like
Private tent sites: Many campsites offer separation from neighbors. At Half Moon Bay RV Park, a reviewer noted, "The RV Park is clean and secure. There are many full time residents that take pride in their community and it shows."
Accessible backpacking: Black Mountain Backpacking Camp provides an entry-level backpacking experience. "This is such a little gem in the mountains! The hike in is only 1.5 miles, but there's plenty of trail options to tack on more mileage on either the hike in or out," writes a visitor. "The pit toilet and bear boxes on site take a lot of the stress out for beginner backpackers."
Coastal access: Several campgrounds provide proximity to beaches and coastal trails. One camper at Half Moon Bay RV Park shares, "From the park you can head about a quarter of a mile and walk or ride the coastal path all the way to the marina or south to the Ritz Carlton. Great ocean views."
What you should know
Seasonal fire restrictions: Fire regulations vary throughout the year, with complete bans common during dry periods. A camper at Castle Rock Trail Camp notes, "In January, when I was there they were allowed. Because carrying firewood on the hike would have been a huge effort, the rangers kindly stocked bundles of wood at the main entrance to the campground."
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds have little to no cellular connectivity. As one visitor to Las Trampas Regional Wilderness describes, "You'll take Bollinger Canyon Road where you'll head just north of Las Trampas Stables before coming to a round-about where there's ample parking."
Reservation requirements: Most tent sites require advance booking, particularly during weekends and summer months. At Joseph D Grant County Park, campers should note, "Gate closes 8:15pm," according to one reviewer, limiting late arrivals.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with educational features: Sunol Regional Wilderness offers nature programs specifically designed for children. A camper reports, "I've been coming here since in jr. High. Good hiking exploring is fun fishing too."
Consider short hike-in options: Sunol provides several family-friendly tent sites with minimal hiking required. "I have never camped here but hiked many trails," notes one visitor, indicating the accessibility of the area for day exploration before committing to an overnight stay.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for wildlife interactions with proper food storage. At Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, a camper observed, "When we were there we saw deer, cattle, raccoons and many other four legged vermin running around the area."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Few campgrounds near Newark accommodate RVs, with most being tent-focused. Half Moon Bay RV Park offers full hookups within reach of coastal activities. "The site was a pull through as well as our friends who were able to face the opposite way to have a common camp side with us. Full hook ups with 30 amp (used my 50 amp adapter), no issues," notes one RVer.
Consider season-specific challenges: Winter camping brings different conditions to consider. One RVer at Half Moon Bay mentions, "We enjoyed our 4 week stay. We stayed thru the month of Nov 2021, and left Dec 3, 2021," indicating year-round accessibility despite seasonal changes.
Access limitations: Many roads leading to campgrounds have width and length restrictions. Roads to inland campgrounds like Joseph D Grant County Park can be challenging, with one camper noting, "Ride up the mountain is nauseating."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Newark, CA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Newark, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Newark, CA is Coyote Hills Regional Park with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Newark, CA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Newark, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 35 tent camping locations near Newark, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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