Best Tent Camping near San Jose, CA

San Jose and its surroundings provide good tent camping spots within driving distance. San Jose City Park Campground has spacious tent sites and nearby bathrooms for campers. The ground is flat and easy to pitch a tent on without much hassle. San Jose Area State Park has tent pads set back from the main areas, giving you some privacy while still being close to restrooms. The park has some good shaded spots that help when the sun gets hot. Local National Forest Sites around San Jose give you a more basic camping experience with sites scattered among trees for better privacy. You can reach these spots on good trails that work well if you're backpacking in. The ground is mostly smooth, making tent setup straightforward. Most tent sites have parking nearby so you won't have to haul your gear too far. San Jose Recreation Area has tent spots with useful additions like lantern hooks and picnic tables. You should book ahead, especially during busy times, to get the site you want. Some places limit tent sizes, so check before you go. Having water and bathrooms close by makes camping here more comfortable. San Jose County Park Campground offers tent sites with different amounts of tree cover depending on what you prefer. The weather around San Jose works for tent camping all year, though summers get hot. Spring and fall camping is best with nice temperatures and fewer people around.

Best Tent Sites Near San Jose, California (27)

    1. Uvas Canyon County Park

    9 Reviews
    New Almaden, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 779-9232

    $34 / night

    "There's 25 campsites; each with a food locker, fire ring, a picnic table, and parking space for 2 sedan sized vehicles or 1 RV. 8 people max per site."

    "We camp in a roof top tent and wish we had been more selective on our site, as parking space and the incline at each site are different."

    2. Joseph D Grant County Park - Horse Camp

    4 Reviews
    Mount Hamilton, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 274-6121

    $15 - $400 / night

    "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 &amp"

    3. Joseph D. Grant County Park

    2 Reviews
    Mount Hamilton, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 274-6121

    "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."

    "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."

    4. Castle Rock Trail Camp — Castle Rock State Park

    8 Reviews
    Saratoga, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 867-2952

    $8 / night

    "This is the main lot where the ranger station is located.  If you have reservations for the hike-in campground, you'll need to stop here first and get a parking pass. "

    "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."

    5. Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park - CLOSED INDEFINITELY

    18 Reviews
    Pescadero, CA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (650) 879-2040

    $35 / night

    "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."

    6. Seacliff State Beach

    6 Reviews
    Aptos, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 685-6442

    "Full hookups in one area and dry camping in overflow area. All camping spots are adjacent to the 'boardwalk' beach path and the beach. Yes, your rig is within 20' of the beach at all campsites."

    7. Black Mountain Backpacking Camp

    1 Review
    Los Altos Hills, CA
    19 miles
    Website

    $2 / night

    "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."

    8. Manresa State Beach Campground

    8 Reviews
    Freedom, CA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 761-1795

    $35 / night

    "The drive in was a little confusing. We got most of our turns right the first time around and still spent a while circling trying to tell if we were where we were supposed to be."

    "The shower had hot water and the restrooms were cleaned each morning. I loved that the beach was easily accessible for my morning walk. The many flowers were also lovely to wake up to."

    9. Towle Campground

    1 Review
    Los Altos Hills, CA
    20 miles
    Website

    $40 / night

    10. Coyote Hills Regional Park

    2 Reviews
    Newark, CA
    23 miles
    Website

    "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."

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Showing results 1-10 of 27 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near San Jose, CA

619 Reviews of 27 San Jose Campgrounds



Guide to San Jose

San Jose, California, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a quick escape from city life. With beautiful landscapes and well-maintained facilities, these campgrounds provide the perfect backdrop for a memorable camping experience.

Explore Scenic Trails and Waterfalls

Family-Friendly Amenities

Unique Features and Accessibility

  • Black Mountain Backpacking Camp is a hidden gem, just a short 1.5-mile hike in, offering a peaceful atmosphere and stunning sunset views.
  • Towle Campground is accessible by car and features reservable sites, making it easy for campers to plan their stay.
  • Coyote Hills Regional Park is known for its cleanliness and beautiful nature areas, providing a great spot for families to enjoy the outdoors without venturing too far from the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near San Jose, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near San Jose, CA is Uvas Canyon County Park with a 4.7-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near San Jose, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 27 tent camping locations near San Jose, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.