Camping areas near San Martin, California sit at elevations ranging from 350 to 1,000 feet in the eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The region experiences mild winters with temperatures rarely dropping below 40°F and warm summers reaching 85-90°F, making it suitable for year-round camping. This area marks the transition zone between coastal influence and the drier inland climate of California's Central Valley.
What to do
Waterfall hiking trails: Access multiple waterfalls at Uvas Canyon County Park where marked paths lead to scenic cascades. "We went in April and there weren't many bugs. The campground map shows a creek, but there is a pretty steep drop between the campsites and the creek so it's not something you can play in easily," notes Joshua H.
Redwood forest exploration: Discover old-growth redwoods at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park with accessible hiking trails starting from the campground. "There are a few trails that started from the campground, which was nice," shares Queenie M., while another camper reports seeing "the redwood trees harvest the fog and make their own rain, which is pretty cool. In the morning it's raining under the redwood trees but not under the madrone or tan oak trees, which is wild."
Archery course: Try the 28-target archery trail through the woods at Mount Madonna County Park, located 15 minutes from San Martin. "We were there 3 days in a row and did 20 of the 28. It's really pretty and a cool challenge," says April N. The trail winds through forested areas and provides a unique outdoor activity option beyond traditional hiking.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park offers abundant wildlife sightings throughout the day and night. "I had a big spot and no neighbors my entire half of the campground on a Monday night in June. I was under 2 big oaks that were buzzing with bird activity," reports Michelle W. Multiple campers report seeing deer, turkeys, frogs, and other wildlife.
Seasonal activities: Winter camping presents special advantages at coastal locations like New Brighton State Beach Campground. "We stayed here in our TT in March 2018 for spring break. It's a nice relatively quiet campground on a bluff, above a fairly calm ocean beach," shares Keith B. Another visitor adds, "We tent camped here but most people had a trailer. Translation: the bathroom was empty."
Clean facilities: Many local campgrounds maintain exceptionally clean restrooms and showers. "Bathrooms are constantly cleaned and showers are free and clean. Parking is free with paid camping. People seem to be very aware and pick up after themselves which I love," reports Carolina M. about Mount Madonna. Another camper at Uvas Canyon notes, "Super clean and maintained. Especially the bathrooms and showers."
What you should know
Uneven terrain: Many campgrounds in the area feature sloped sites that may require leveling equipment. At Coe Ranch Campground, "If you are car camping I advise NOT to choose drive-in spots as it is not leveled but the parking where you have to walk to your camp spot is okay," warns Lady L. Another visitor notes, "The campground is built on the side of a hill... all of the pull in sites were extremely off-level."
Temperature variations: Mountain locations can be significantly colder than nearby valley areas. A visitor to Mount Madonna warns, "It is a LOT colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40 degrees colder than Gilroy or San Jose. We weren't prepared & had to drive into town & buy more clothes!"
Campsite privacy concerns: Site layout and spacing varies significantly between campgrounds. "The campsites are nice with lots of shade. There's little separation between adjacent campsites - it's nice if you are in a group," reports a visitor to Uvas Canyon. Another camper advises, "Sites on the outside of the loop will be larger and more private" when referring to Mount Madonna's campground layout.
Tips for camping with families
Biking-friendly roads: Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday offers paved paths ideal for young cyclists. "Paved roads for bikes, huge playground, nice store, warm pool. It's perfect for families," shares Andrea A., though she suggests "booking away from the jump pillow or playground, unless easy playground access is important, because the spots are pretty noisy."
Site selection strategy: Reserve sites further from facilities for quieter overnight stays. "Campsite 325 was right next to the bathroom, which was convenient but made things noisy around bed time and in the morning. Wouldn't recommend this site if you like to sleep in while camping," advises Darin D.
Pet-friendly trail access: For pet owners seeking camping near San Martin with dogs, several parks offer accessible hiking with leashed pets. "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," reports Lori T. about Mount Madonna, noting "there are quite a few trails that are currently closed due to storm damage, but crews were actively working on them."
Tips from RVers
Dump station timing: Plan ahead for busy dump stations, especially on weekends. "Warning: the line for the dump station wound through nearly the entire park," reports Alma L. about New Brighton State Beach. Another camper notes that many campgrounds have dump stations near the entrance for convenience when departing.
Site leveling needs: Bring adequate leveling equipment for most area campgrounds. At Uvas Pines RV Park, one visitor noted, "I needed to raise one wheel about 5 inches and another 2 to get level" despite having "relatively large, gravel sites with some shade."
RV size limitations: Check campground specifications carefully before booking. "I don't think it is appropriate for RVs," warns a visitor about the narrow, winding access road to Henry Cowell. For Thousand Trails Morgan Hill, however, "Their pool is huge and very very well kept. The spot was 30amp and back in however they have 50amp/pull through also," reports Nicole R., making it better suited for larger RVs seeking pet-friendly camping near San Martin.
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