136 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
San Martin, California sits at the gateway to diverse camping environments ranging from redwood forests to coastal beaches. County parks like Mount Madonna and Uvas Canyon offer tent and RV camping within 15 miles of town, with Mount Madonna providing yurt options for those seeking a glamping experience. Henry W. Coe State Park, California's second-largest state park, lies just east of San Martin and features primitive walk-in sites ideal for hikers and backpackers seeking solitude. For RV enthusiasts, Thousand Trails Morgan Hill and Uvas Pines RV Park provide full hookup options with amenities like showers, dump stations, and picnic tables.
Reservations are essential for most established campgrounds in the region, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. The Santa Cruz Mountains create varied microclimates, with coastal areas experiencing cooler temperatures and inland locations reaching high heat in summer months. As one camper at Henry W. Coe State Park noted, "From the main road it takes about 35 minutes to drive up the hill through a narrow road which is paved but not appropriate for RVs." Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans common during dry summer and fall months. Cell service is limited in many campgrounds, particularly those in canyon areas or at higher elevations.
Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the region's campgrounds. Visitors to Pinnacles National Park, about an hour south, regularly spot California condors, while deer are common at Henry W. Coe and Mount Madonna. A camper at Thousand Trails San Benito remarked, "We had condors above our cabin, deer around us, wild pigs crossing the roads." Campsite privacy varies significantly between locations. Coastal state beach campgrounds like New Brighton and Sunset State Beach tend to have more exposed sites, while mountain locations often provide better separation between campers. Mosquitoes can be problematic near water sources, particularly in summer months, and ticks are present in grassy and wooded areas year-round.
"Great spot if you're looking for a quick escape from the Bay Area with that classic California redwood experience."
"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."
"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 lake is closed to any and all water-craft because the water level is too low. It is very clean and well maintained for the most part. Cell phone service for Xfinity/Verizon is spotty at best."
"Campsites are along the beautiful Coyote lake. The lakeside sites are mostly shaded as are the sites along the road. Sites 43, 44 and 45 would be the most secluded."
from $34 / 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"We got a nice spot close to the dump station near front. Their pool is huge and very very well kept. The spot was 30amp and back in however they have 50amp/pull through also."
"The nature around it is amazing, and the convenience of being so close to all the things around you about 20 min to town and county parks."
"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."
"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"I would recommend booking away from the jump pillow or playground, unless easy playground access is important, because the spots are pretty noisy."
"Although this is not our preferred type of camping, after five nights in California State parks with limited amenities, we stayed here for hot showers, laundry, and full hookups for van maintenance."
"It is just off Highway 101 but the noise is not distracting. Mostly the park is concrete with little patches of beautiful landscaping. Campers are pretty close, but quiet and privacy rule."
"Tiny dog park, gravel, but grassy areas around too. Right behind shopping center with Walmart, Target, Lowe's and much more."
"Definitely in a canyon around the corner from Thousand Trails. You can see the stars at night and it is a very quiet campground. We were surprised at all the high-end rigs there, some full-timers. "
"It was super quiet, though there was a somewhat noisy road next to us. We were on the first site next to the road, so I suspect it would be a non issue for most of the sites."
from $60 / night
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TravelerThis is a 10 out of 10 stay. The outdoor kitchen and gardens are to die for and the owners are incredibly hospitable and kind we stayed for five days. It’s really the type of place you just have to see for yourself. Multiple showers and bathrooms. I stayed in my RV, but there are a cabin options as well as tent options booked to be a Hipcamp and beyond worth the cost. I highly recommend more than one night.
TravelerAround this time of year, park is practically empty during weekdays. Nice and quiet and peaceful place where you can slow things down
GuideGreat location with spaces in safe SE bay area location and reasonable prices New development small young trees limited natural shade
RangerLots 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.
TravelerIt’s about the only campground we could find in Monterey, it’s clearly city camping. It’s expensive, crowded on the weekends and the campsites are close together. We managed to get in on a Thursday and snag site 22. It’s technically a “walk in” site, where your car is not parked AT the site but it’s honestly about 60 feet, and you get SO MUCH more space. They charge extra for a shower, which seems crazy to me and there’s no electric, which is wild for $50/night. But we needed to be in the area so here we are. It’s not terrible, there’s just a lot of noises. Oh and you hear the various songs and calls from the military base.
ScoutVery quiet campground at night. See stars clearly. Use the fire pit after 730pm when the wind has calmed down.
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.
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.
Elevations vary dramatically among San Martin camping areas, with coastal locations staying cool most of the year while inland areas in the eastern foothills reach elevations of 2,000+ feet. Summer temperatures can range from 60°F at night to over 90°F during peak daytime, making spring and fall often the most comfortable camping seasons. Many campsites in the region have uneven terrain that requires careful setup, especially for RVs and larger tents.
Hiking waterfall trails: At Uvas Canyon County Park, multiple trails lead to cascading waterfalls just minutes from the campground. "There are a number of trailheads that start in the campground, or close by, that lead you to a collection of waterfalls and streams, and I highly recommend doing at least the waterfall loop," notes one visitor.
Bat watching at dusk: Head to the stream at Uvas Pines RV Park to witness wildlife in action. "There a really nice stream to hike along. And underneath a bridge there are bat houses. We went under there at sundown and watched the bats come out. Strongly recommended," reports one camper.
Beach excursions: While not directly in San Martin, New Brighton State Beach Campground makes a great day trip just 45 minutes away. "Direct access to the beach. Showers kinda meh but the rest made up for it! The temperature was perfect," writes one visitor who appreciated the coastal escape from inland heat.
Archery in the redwoods: Try the dedicated archery trail at Mount Madonna County Park, which offers a unique outdoor activity. "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."
Private sites in oak woodlands: Henry W. Coe State Park offers more secluded sites than many area campgrounds. "This small and quite campground is our favorite in Bay Area. Each site has a picnic table and a fire pit, with enough of trees and privacy. The camp is a great base for hikes and bike rides all over the park."
Reliable cell service: Cell coverage varies by carrier and location. At Uvas Canyon County Park, you can stay connected if needed. "We had good Verizon coverage and there is wifi at the bathrooms," notes one camper who appreciated staying in touch while camping.
Abundant wildlife viewing: Many San Martin area campgrounds feature active wildlife. At Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park, "We were here in November while my house was fumigated. Nice open campsites with hook ups. Dump station was available although I did not see it listed on web site."
Dog-friendly trails: Finding campgrounds with dog-accessible trails can be challenging, but Mount Madonna County Park stands out. "This is a county park that allows dogs on ALL the trails. It's hard to find that sometimes so we greatly appreciated how dog friendly it was."
Campground elevation impacts: Higher elevation campgrounds can be significantly colder than San Martin proper. "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!"
Limited shower facilities: At Sunset State Beach, be prepared for pay showers. "Pay showers (so bring quarters-25 cents a minute)," notes one visitor. Most state parks in the area have similar coin-operated systems requiring quarters.
Wildlife precautions needed: Wild pigs can be an issue at some campgrounds, particularly Coyote Lake. "They will roam through the camp ground all through the night if anyone has left any food out. They also leave lots of droppings that are pretty sizable."
Narrow access roads: Several campgrounds have challenging approach roads. At Henry W. Coe State Park, "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."
Bike-friendly campgrounds: For families with kids who bike, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground offers paved roads suitable for young riders. "If you have littles the roads are paved so a scooter or bike could be fun."
Kid-oriented activities: Thousand Trails Morgan Hill provides organized programming for children. "In mid October the campground is still running kids activities daily and they're good! Great culture here - friendly, lots of things to do (pool, basketball, volleyball, horse shoes, playground, billiards, karaoke, tennis)."
Playgrounds and swimming: For families wanting maximum amenities, Santa Cruz KOA offers extensive recreation options. "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."
Wildlife education opportunities: Mount Madonna Park features unique wildlife viewing chances. "Near the ranger station there are pens with white fallow deer. They are descendants of the exotic zoo at William Randolph Hearst's mansion down the coast."
Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven sites. At Uvas Pines RV Park, one camper noted: "However, I needed to raise one wheel about 5 inches and another 2 to get level."
RV size limitations: Be cautious about RV length at certain campgrounds. At Mount Madonna, "Site 211 was listed as 30' trailer but that was definitely not the case as it was a weird triangle parking area. We made it work and enjoyed the park."
Site selection strategy: For RVs at Henry Cowell Redwoods, careful site selection is important. "We loved camping 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."
Dump station access: Plan for potentially long waits at popular campgrounds. "Warning: the line for the dump station wound through nearly the entire park," reports a camper at New Brighton State Beach, highlighting the need to time your departure strategically.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make camping reservations for San Martin in Big Sur?
To make camping reservations near San Martin, book well in advance through each park's reservation system. Laguna Seca Recreation Area offers dry camping sites ranging from $40-50, though availability information isn't always comprehensive online. For a unique experience, Sanborn County Park features walk-in sites with provided carts to help transport gear from the parking area to your campsite. Most campgrounds in the region require reservations through ReserveCalifornia for state parks or Recreation.gov for national parks.
What amenities are available at San Martin camping areas?
Camping areas near San Martin offer various amenities depending on the location. San Mateo Memorial Park provides immaculately maintained facilities, with staff keeping the area spotless, and serves as an excellent basecamp for exploring redwood hiking trails. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground features clean, well-kept bathrooms, though sites are relatively small and close together. Many campgrounds in the region provide fire rings, picnic tables, and access to toilets. Some locations like Sunset State Beach and Thousand Trails offer water hookups and facilities suitable for both tent and RV campers.
What are the best camping spots in San Martin, Big Sur?
While San Martin itself has limited camping options, the surrounding regions offer excellent alternatives. Pinnacles Campground — Pinnacles National Park is worth planning a trip for, with ample exploration opportunities in this unique volcanic landscape. For a coastal experience, New Brighton State Beach Campground offers campsites on a bluff with easy beach access. Other notable options include Mount Madonna County Park and Thousand Trails San Benito for those wanting to explore Pinnacles National Park from a different approach.
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