153 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The San Jose area features a mix of county and state park campgrounds within a short drive from the city. Sanborn County Park, Joseph D. Grant County Park, and Mount Madonna County Park provide established camping options with varying amenities. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some offering additional options like cabins, yurts, and glamping. Campgrounds are generally concentrated in the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west and the Diablo Range to the east, providing nature-based recreation within 30-60 minutes of Silicon Valley.
Reservations are required at most developed campgrounds, and availability can be limited during summer weekends and holidays. Many campgrounds have gate closure times in the evening that restrict entry. A camper wrote, "Gate closes 8:15pm. Nice bathrooms no tokens needed, hot water, clean sink for dishes. Lotsa shaded oak spaces. Good trails." Cell service is limited or nonexistent in many of these parks due to the mountainous terrain. County parks like Joseph D. Grant and Sanborn offer showers and restrooms, while more primitive facilities exist at parks like Henry W. Coe State Park. During fire season (typically summer through fall), fire restrictions may be in place at many locations.
Developed campgrounds in the region typically provide picnic tables, fire rings (where permitted), drinking water, and restrooms. RV sites vary significantly in size and hookup availability, with several campgrounds unable to accommodate large rigs. A review noted, "The RV camp spots are just parking spaces on asphalt. The lower spots can flood due to uneven pavement." Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant, with campers commonly reporting deer, turkey, and other wildlife sightings. Hiking trails connect directly to many campgrounds, making them convenient basecamps for day hiking. While proximity to the Bay Area makes these campgrounds convenient for weekend trips, the same accessibility can lead to crowding, particularly at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and other redwood-featuring destinations that receive consistently high ratings.
"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"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"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"Great spot if you're looking for a quick escape from the Bay Area with that classic California redwood experience."
"Great hiking trails. Flat looks for kids to bike on. Don't miss the deer pen and the historic house hikes. One of the best local campgrounds near San Jose, Morgan Hill, Gilroy and Watsonville area."
"After time spent here at this oasis in the middle of Eastbay, California, you’ll very much feel like part of this place with its endless trails, fantastically well-kept camping grounds and the warm hospitality"
"Campsite amenities were great, easy access to water and bathrooms. Bathrooms were spotless the whole weekend, even though it was a holiday weekend and every site was booked."
from $15 - $200 / night
Check Availability"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"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"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."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"The bathrooms were a short walk down hill. They were clean with flushing toilets. There camp ground was quiet and it was mostly couples or small family groups."
"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 &"
"Good trails."
from $15 - $400 / night
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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!
Campground options near San Jose, California range from densely wooded redwood sites to open hillside areas with lake access. Elevations vary from near sea level at coastal campgrounds to over 2,000 feet at inland mountain parks. Winter temperatures can drop 40 degrees below valley temperatures at higher elevation campgrounds, creating unexpected camping conditions that require proper preparation.
Hike archery trails: Mount Madonna County Park offers a 28-target archery course through the woods. A camper noted, "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."
Explore historic sites: Mount Madonna County Park contains remnants of the Hiram Miller Estate. "You can drive up to where the old homestead was and see some ruins," one visitor mentioned. The park also features white fallow deer in pens near the ranger station, descendants from William Randolph Hearst's mansion.
Visit nearby swimming holes: When camping during hot weather, local swimming spots provide relief. At Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground, a camper recommended, "We drove 9 miles to Boulder Creek and found an epic swimming hole by Cafe to help cool us in the 95 degree heat."
Lake activities: For water recreation, Del Valle Campground offers multiple options. "Great lake for paddling as the speed limit for boats is low. Good fishing too. 'Private' covers along the lake to hang out in," shared one visitor. The park includes swimming beaches with lifeguards during summer.
Free, clean showers: Unlike many state parks requiring quarters, some county parks offer free showers. A visitor to Uvas Canyon County Park reported, "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."
Proximity to Bay Area: Many campsites allow quick getaways without long drives. About Henry Cowell Redwoods, a camper wrote, "Great spot to camp, close to grocery stores and gas stations." Another mentioned Del Valle as a "great escape from the craziness of the Bay Area without having to drive too far. The lack of cell reception really helps the feeling of being away from the city life."
Wildlife viewing: Local campgrounds offer opportunities to spot native animals. "I saw deer and turkeys roaming the campground," noted a Del Valle visitor. At Uvas Canyon, campers mention seeing many birds, though one warned, "A little buggy in the afternoon and found some mosquitoes so take bug spray."
Gate closure times: Many parks restrict entry after certain hours. A camper at Joseph D Grant County Park noted, "Gate closes 8:15pm." Plan arrivals accordingly or contact rangers for access codes when arriving late.
Temperature variations: Coastal mountain campgrounds can be significantly colder than nearby cities. At Mount Madonna, a camper warned, "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!"
Site selection importance: At many campgrounds, site quality varies dramatically. A visitor to Del Valle noted, "While proximity to the Bay Area makes these campgrounds convenient for weekend trips, the same accessibility can lead to crowding." For Mount Madonna, a camper advised, "'Tan Oak' campground seems to have bigger sites than the others."
Limited cell service: Most mountain campgrounds have minimal connectivity. At Uvas Canyon, a visitor noted, "Good to be disconnected, but if needed, Verizon cell service worked at the campground." Another mentioned Mount Madonna has signal only "if you walk to the dump station!"
Bike-friendly campgrounds: Kids can enjoy riding at some parks. A camper at Mount Madonna mentioned, "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." Flatter campgrounds like Henry Cowell offer easier riding.
Cart assistance: Sanborn County Park provides helpful equipment for families. "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, and storage boxes are provided at the site, near the picnic table," reported a visitor.
Creek exploration: Children enjoy water features at several parks. At Uvas Canyon, "Small waterfalls are the highlights of the trail, but kids will enjoy playing in the water on hot days." Watch for poison oak along trails, especially when bringing dogs.
Winter camping options: Off-season camping means fewer crowds. A Uvas Canyon camper noted, "During less crowded times (winter) this campground is one of the best. Extremely beautiful & peaceful surroundings. Lots of trees. Rock walls heavy with moss. Facilities well constructed and maintained."
Site leveling challenges: Many mountain campgrounds have uneven parking areas. At Henry W. Coe State Park, a camper warned, "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 (even with all our blocks we couldn't get close)."
Size limitations: Large rigs struggle at most area campgrounds. About Sanborn County Park, a reviewer noted, "The RV camp spots are just parking spaces on asphalt. The lower spots can flood due to uneven pavement." Another mentioned, "We stayed here with our 25ft camping trailer. There was plenty of room for it on site 105, however if it was any higher it would be hitting tree limbs."
Narrow access roads: Mountain routes to campgrounds often challenge RV drivers. An RV camper advised, "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. It is a bit of hassle getting here but worth it!"
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best camping locations near San Jose, California?
For nature lovers seeking an escape from San Jose, Mount Madonna County Park offers a beautiful forested hilltop experience with both RV sites (water and electric) and dry campsites. The park features great hiking trails, flat loops for kids to bike, and unique attractions like the deer pen and historic house hikes. Another excellent option is Castle Rock Trail Camp — Castle Rock State Park, located near Saratoga Gap along Highway 35. This park is popular among Bay Area outdoor enthusiasts and offers a true wilderness experience within easy reach of the city. Both parks provide a refreshing escape from urban life with well-maintained facilities and diverse recreational opportunities.
What campgrounds near San Jose offer lakeside camping?
Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park offers lakeside camping within easy reach of San Jose. The park features numerous sites in a pretty area with well-maintained facilities. The lake provides opportunities for fishing and water recreation, though be aware that the campground can get crowded and noisy during peak seasons. Another option is Del Valle Campground near Livermore, which offers drive-in and walk-in sites around a five-mile-long lake. Del Valle provides reservable sites with toilets and is big-rig friendly, making it suitable for various camping styles while enjoying lake access.
Are there any beach camping options close to San Jose, CA?
Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground offers the closest beach camping experience to San Jose. Located approximately 45 miles west of the city, this popular coastal destination features campsites with easy beach access. For those willing to drive a bit further, Betabel RV Park provides a convenient base for coastal exploration. While not directly on the beach, it offers great access to US 101 and is centrally located between San Jose and coastal destinations like Santa Cruz and Monterey. The park features both shaded and open sites, making it a practical option for RVers looking to explore multiple coastal areas during their stay.
What are the most affordable camping options around San Jose?
Uvas Canyon County Park offers an economical camping option about 40 minutes from San Jose. With a $6 parking fee and reasonably priced campsites, it provides nicely maintained areas with BBQs, fire pits, and picnic tables at each site. For those seeking value, Grant County Park is another affordable option with clean facilities and nearby bathrooms. This park offers a relaxing atmosphere away from San Jose's hustle without breaking the bank. Both parks provide budget-friendly alternatives to the more expensive RV resorts in the area while still offering essential amenities for a comfortable camping experience.
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