The San Martin area offers diverse yurt camping experiences in the rolling hills of Santa Clara County. Sites range from 400 to 2,500 feet in elevation, creating varied microclimates from cool redwood groves to warmer grasslands. Camping options typically require advance planning, with weekend reservations filling 3-6 months ahead during peak summer and fall seasons.
What to do
Wildlife viewing trails: At Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park, early morning and evening hikes provide excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. "I was under 2 big oaks that were buzzing with bird activity," notes Michelle W. "Lots of wildlife and hiking. Dogs are allowed."
Archery course: Mount Madonna County Park maintains a 28-target woodland archery trail through the redwoods. "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," shares April N.
Explore historical sites: Visit Mount Madonna's historical ruins for a glimpse into the area's past. "Nice hikes right from the site or you can drive up to where the old homestead was and see some ruins," mentions Weston W.
Day trips to outlets: The Gilroy outlets are just 15 minutes from Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park, making it easy to combine shopping with your yurt camping trip. "This gem of a county park is just 15 minutes from the Gilroy outlets but you'd have no idea," reports Kate L.
What campers like
Spacious camping areas: The Valley View campsites at Mount Madonna County Park offer substantial privacy. "Our site (418) was huge and private. Sites 416 and 417 are also big with hidden spots back off the road for pitching your tent," shares April N.
Clean facilities: The cleanliness of bathrooms and showers is frequently praised by campers staying in yurts. "Absolutely soo clean and a great place to camp without having to travel so far. Bathrooms are constantly cleaned and showers are free and clean," writes Carolina M.
Moderate temperatures: The hills provide natural air conditioning during summer months. "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose," warns April N.
Convenient hookups: Thousand Trails Morgan Hill offers quality infrastructure for glampers and RVers. "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," notes Nicole R.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Late fall offers a unique experience at Uvas Canyon County Park. "I highly recommend the Creek Trail by the campsite if you are here in Fall, it's magical!" advises Kyle H.
Cell service situation: Connectivity varies dramatically between campgrounds. "We didn't actually encounter anyone else as we hiked, so I can't attest to whether folks follow the rule that dogs must be on a 6 ft lead on the trails, but they certainly did in the campground. Important to note that you can actually get a cell signal if you walk to the dump station!" mentions Lori T.
Wildlife management: Wild pigs are common in some areas and require proper food storage. "There are food lockers since wild pigs come out at night. Be sure to lock all food up! They will roam through the camp ground all through the night if anyone has left any food out," warns Quyen W.
Temperature fluctuations: Pack layers for San Martin yurt camping, especially at higher elevations. "Sometimes the fog whistles through on a stiff breeze so not only is it cold but also clammy wet," notes April N.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly biking areas: Mount Madonna County Park offers good biking terrain with some cautions. "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," advises Weston W.
Space considerations: When booking yurt camping near San Martin with children, select sites strategically. "While the sites are a little close to each other, those on the outside of the loop had a great deal of privacy. Inner loop sites have none, but would be great if you were camping with friends," suggests Lori T.
Entertainment options: The area offers various family-friendly activities beyond hiking. "Lots of recreation. We had an Uber come get us and it worked. There for a sports event in Morgan hill. Got propane filled, nice staff," shares Jennifer H. at Thousand Trails Morgan Hill.
Tips from RVers
Site selection advice: For RV yurt camping around San Martin, look for level spots. "If you have a roof top tent, we scoped out a few sites which are more flat, and also have the picnic table near the parking spot. They are: 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 12," shares Kyle H. about Uvas Canyon County Park.
Tree coverage considerations: The redwood campsites offer natural cooling for summer RVing. "This is a great campground for hot weather (if you can get a site). Almost all the sites were fully shaded by the big redwoods," notes Weston W.
Site elevation variance: RVers should bring leveling equipment at most parks. "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," advises Kyle H.
