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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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.
