Tent campsites near San Martin, California sit between 300 and 2,000 feet elevation, offering varied microclimates across the eastern foothills and coastal mountains. Summer temperatures frequently reach 85-95°F during daytime hours, while winter nights can drop to 40°F in higher elevation sites. Many campgrounds enforce seasonal fire restrictions from May through November due to high fire danger in the region.
What to do
Hiking waterfall trails: At Uvas Canyon County Park, follow the waterfall loop trail system accessible directly from the campground. "The Park: Really pretty, really small. I would say in 1 full day you can explore 100% of this park. No need to make an entire weekend out of this place when you can do all of the pretty stuff in just a few hours," notes Derek B.
Birding and wildlife watching: Early mornings at Joseph D. Grant County Park provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Melissa S. mentions, "Stopped on a road trip passing through, was able to get a nice spot. No one else was in the campground, so it was definitely quiet... saw a lot of bunnies and a bobcat on the way out."
Stargazing: Head to higher elevation campsites during weeknights for minimal light pollution. "The night sky is dark and stars a plenty," reports Kathleen C. about Butano State Park, though she notes you'll need to "walk a little out" from under the redwood canopy for the best views.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the bathroom maintenance at local campgrounds. At Uvas Canyon County Park, Mon M. notes, "Well maintained/clean facilities. Restrooms and showers were clean, and some even have baby changing stations. Park ranger and County Maintenance's presence was there periodically to pick up trash and to clean facilities."
Private sites: Despite relatively close spacing, many campgrounds offer visual separation. "The sites are nicely maintained. Plenty of area to pitch a tent, all the sites have a BBQ, fire pit, and picnic table," says Derek B. of Uvas Canyon County Park.
Camping near beaches: For coastal access, Manresa State Beach Campground offers walk-in tent sites with ocean proximity. "This campsite was lovely. The sites were quite large and had the needed amenities. The shower had hot water and the restrooms were cleaned each morning. I loved that the beach was easily accessible for my morning walk," writes Fiona W.
What you should know
Cellphone service: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. Joshua H. notes about Uvas Canyon: "We had good Verizon coverage and there is wifi at the bathrooms," while other campgrounds have no service whatsoever.
Seasonal bugs: Some campgrounds report increased insect activity during summer months. "A little buggy in the afternoon and found some mosquitoes so take bug spray," recommends Mon M. about camping at Uvas Canyon County Park.
Limited water availability: Some backpacking sites require carrying all water needed. At Black Mountain Backpacking Camp, you'll find "pit toilet and bear boxes on site take a lot of the stress out for beginner backpackers," according to Lily H., but no drinking water is available.
Gate closure times: Many county parks lock entry gates in evenings. Jason R. specifically warns about Joseph D. Grant County Park: "Gate closes 8:15pm," so plan arrivals accordingly.
Tips for camping with families
Best sites for kids: Choose campsites with level ground and proximity to bathrooms. Kathleen C. reports about Ben Ries Campground: "If I were to come back and want two large sites to connect, I would choose either 6 and 8 or 10 and 13. If it's just two people, site 3 is pretty private as well as 14."
Midweek camping: For quieter experiences with children, avoid weekends at popular campgrounds. "During less crowded times (winter) this campground is one of the best. Extremely beautiful & peaceful surroundings... Once we were the only campers there. Heaven! However when the campground is filled, it's noisy and there's no privacy," shares Tom and Marianne H.
Beginner backpacking options: Castle Rock Trail Camp offers a manageable introduction to backpacking for older children. "Hike a short 2.5mi to get to the campsite. 20 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings (when allowed)," notes Esther Y., making it suitable for families with hiking experience.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for roof-top tents: At Uvas Canyon County Park, Kyle H. advises: "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. 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."
Limited RV accessibility: Most campgrounds in the area have restrictions for larger vehicles. Lisa D. notes about Joseph D. Grant County Park: "The tent spaces are sizable & you can have a fire. Some seasons there are wild pigs running around everywhere," but doesn't mention facilities for larger RVs, indicating the focus on tent camping.
Parking challenges: Several campgrounds have limited or uneven parking areas. Mon M. observes about Uvas Canyon: "Not sure if it can handle longer recreational vehicles and the road leading to the campground itself is quite narrow. If you plan to sleep in your car, you may want to take leveling blocks as I found the car parking spot to be not leveled at all."
