Best Campgrounds near Saratoga, CA

The Santa Cruz Mountains surrounding Saratoga, California feature a range of camping experiences dominated by redwood forests and mountain terrain. Sanborn County Park, located directly in Saratoga, offers walk-in tent sites with cart assistance for gear transport. Castle Rock Trail Camp, situated near the Saratoga Gap at the junction of Highways 35 and 9, requires a 2.5-mile hike to reach primitive campsites. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and New Brighton State Beach campgrounds, providing options from forest immersion to coastal camping. The region balances proximity to Silicon Valley with natural settings that feel remarkably remote despite being just 25 miles from San Jose.

California State Parks and county facilities in the area typically require reservations well in advance, especially during summer months. As one camper noted about Castle Rock: "Although there is a communal water source at the campsite entrance, the water was deemed not safe to drink when I was there. We brought all our water in with us as well as water filters." Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with bans common during dry summer months. Sanborn County Park prohibits fires year-round. Visitors should be aware of potential hazards; a reviewer at Sanborn County Park mentioned "Lyme-carrying ticks in the area." Cell service is limited or non-existent at most campgrounds, particularly those in deeper canyon areas or surrounded by dense redwood forest.

Redwood forests define the camping experience throughout the region. A camper at Big Basin Redwoods State Park (currently closed due to fire damage) described it as "stepping into a whole other world. Huge redwoods blanket the mountain and line every site." Many campgrounds provide amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and toilets, though site sizes and privacy vary considerably. Coastal options like New Brighton State Beach offer different experiences, with one visitor noting: "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." Most campgrounds in the area maintain clean facilities, though proximity to other campers can be an issue during peak periods, with several reviewers mentioning closely spaced sites.

Best Camping Sites Near Saratoga, California (139)

    1. Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED

    34 Reviews
    Boulder Creek, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 338-8860

    $35 / night

    "Not far from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area in California. When you arrive it's like stepping in to a whole other world. Huge redwoods blanket the mountain and line every site."

    "So sad the devastation of last month's fires on the oldest state park in California, home to thr biggest redwoods south of San Francisco."

    2. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground

    44 Reviews
    Mount Hermon, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 438-2396

    $7 - $35 / night

    "This is a nice campground in a great part of California with lots of hiking and beaches nearby. The bathrooms were clean and well kept."

    "There were bigger sites that would've suited us better but it was a nice little tucked in site. The poison oak is prolific. Our site was literally surrounded by it."

    3. Sanborn County Park

    19 Reviews
    Saratoga, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 867-9959

    $33 / night

    "This is a nice camping away from the car experience. It's a short walk up a paved path from the parking to the campsites."

    "Great walk-in campground so close to home in the South Bay Area (albeit walk is slightly uphill)."

    4. New Brighton State Beach Campground

    44 Reviews
    Capitola, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 464-6330

    $35 - $185 / night

    "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."

    5. Castle Rock Trail Camp — Castle Rock State Park

    8 Reviews
    Saratoga, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (408) 867-2952

    $8 / night

    "Castle Rock State Park is located a few miles from the "Saratoga Gap", which is the junction of Hwy 35 ("Skyline") and Hwy 9. "

    "There is a nearby shooting range and you can hear the gunshots during the daylight hours."

    6. Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort

    22 Reviews
    Felton, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 335-8312

    "They are a bit narrow, so much of the camp side you will have a close look at your neighbors utilities. When the park is full, it is close. Go on weekdays, not as busy and more room is likely."

    "Do not take highway 9 from Santa Cruz as the RV park will tell you. Our car navigation changed our route even after we were approaching 17 north. Keep your eyes out for the highway signs."

    7. San Mateo Memorial Park

    16 Reviews
    Loma Mar, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (650) 879-0238

    $35 - $50 / night

    "It's a great place to use as a basecamp for exploring the myriad of hiking trails that exist in the redwoods and nearby coastal hikes. "

    "Given all that and its proximity to SF, I’ll be aiming to get reservations here every summer, and some winter seasons too."

    8. Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park - CLOSED INDEFINITELY

    18 Reviews
    Pescadero, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (650) 879-2040

    $35 / night

    "It is a smaller park than many of the other redwoods parks in Northern California, so it was very nice and peaceful. Butano is a bit off the beaten path to get to, but so worth it."

    "Large, user-friendly campsites surrounded by redwood trees. Great ferny hiking trails for every level of camper/hiker. Very easy access to campsites and near Pescadero and Highway One."

    9. Cotillion Gardens RV Park

    15 Reviews
    Felton, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (831) 335-7669

    "Entrance is a little nerve racking on your first visit, but once your at your site you can relax. Bathrooms are a little dated, no cell service but good WiFi if your close to the office."

    "The place is old, but it has a great location. There are great hiking trails assessable from the campground."

    10. Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA

    16 Reviews
    Pescadero, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (650) 879-7302

    $100 - $200 / night

    "But for a quick weekend jaunt for RV campers, this location slightly more than an hour from the Bay Area is hard to beat."

    "There is a nice playground next to an equally nice café called the pinecone. The weather here is cold just a heads up be prepared for wind and overcast weather."

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Recent Reviews near Saratoga, CA

831 Reviews of 139 Saratoga Campgrounds


  • C
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Cotillion Gardens RV Park

    In the trees

    Some spaces are tight to back into. Marginal cell coverage. Camp WiFi is acceptable. Need to use WiFi to supplement cell service.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2025

    H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound

    Really cool place to camp out.

    DO NOT eat or make food. My partner and I tried eating and got surrounded by a whole bunch of raccoons 😂

    Honestly, it’s so cool that you’re able to stay overnight by the golden gate. It was peaceful at night.

  • Patrick J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort

    Our Second visit here

    This was our second visit, and by chance the same campsite. Prior, I had to change the dates and was rewarded a$35 change fee. I did it online, so it wasn't like I put anyone to any tedious task. With that, not sure I will be back just on principle. So now, moving on to the review. The sites are well marked. They are a bit narrow, so much of the camp side you will have a close look at your neighbors utilities. When the park is full, it is close. Go on weekdays, not as busy and more room is likely. Bring your sewer hose extension. Most other sites had them from what I could see. My Starlink was heavily obstructed by trees so worked at 40% speed.

  • Sary W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    San Francisco RV Resort

    Close to City

    We stayed here as we had baseball game tickets in SF during our RV trip. Close to city and in a safe area. Liked sleeping to the sounds of crashing waves and was able to use full hookups.

    Bathrooms were pretty dirty - not as pictured. Although I liked that the showers locked. Rec area was very run down. Laundry has mobile payment and was clean and accessible.

  • Sary W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Redwood Resort RV Park & Campground

    Friendly and quiet

    Was able to book the night before and get the last full hookup spot. The man who checked us in was super friendly and answered all of my partners questions and even helped us with some basic RV knowledge as we’re new.

    Redwoods are super pretty. Area outside of the RV park isn’t super walkable though. Bathrooms are fine for the price and very clean.

    Situated near the people who live in the park and they were super friendly and quiet.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Santa Cruz Harbor RV Park

    Clean, safe place to park, fairly busy.

    Well maintained, friendly host. Clean, feels safe. Bridge construction at the mouth of the harbor, use the path next to the bridge (don’t let Apple Maps send you though miles of residential streets, just walk around the construction). Lots of things to do and see, e-bike rental racks all over the city (get the BCycle app). Best tacos at Las Palmas at the foot of the pier! It’s a University town UC Santa Cruz) so enjoy all that culture.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Veteran's Memorial Park Campground

    Cash on arrival $53 for RV

    This campground requires cash or cheque payment. It’s at the top of a hill so make sure you’re prepared before arrival. Also not suitable for RV’s over 20ft. No hook ups but decent bathrooms. Nice and quiet.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Moss Landing KOA Express

    Beautiful beachside

    Easy access, level paved spots. Restrooms spotless. Check-in friendly and cookies a plus! Walk to the beach, feel the breeze.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Lovely site, really close to San Francisco!

    On visiting San Francisco we were looking for a site that wasn’t a car park. This really met the mark! Beautiful place with great sites. Nice picnic tables & fire pits! Was very quiet


Guide to Saratoga

Camping sites near Saratoga, California extend beyond the main attractions into diverse terrain ranging from 400 to 3,000 feet elevation within the Santa Cruz Mountains. The region experiences mild temperatures even during summer months, with coastal influence creating cooler evenings that typically dip into the 50s after sunset. Water access varies significantly by campground location, with several sites requiring campers to plan ahead for limited resources.

What to do

Creek exploration: During spring months, the San Lorenzo River running near Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort creates small beach areas perfect for cooling off. "There is a little trail that goes down to the River where you can find a neat little beach. It's a goofy little descent/climb to get there and out but worth it," notes a visitor.

Educational wildlife programs: Join guided nature walks at Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA which runs weekend presentations on local fauna. A senior camper shared, "We attended a presentation on the wild birds in the area that an employee provided, and then he took us on a hike through Costanoa and over to the ocean. He was awesome and the hike was great!"

Waterfall hiking: Sempervirens Falls offers a shorter, more accessible hike option near Big Basin. As one reviewer points out, "We stayed here for a few nights and thought it was clean and spacious. Close to the visitor center. We did some hiking as well, a popular and short hike is to Sempervirens Falls."

Ridge trails with ocean views: Hike the western ridge trails at Castle Rock State Park for sweeping Pacific Ocean panoramas. "Hike a short 2.5mi to get to the campsite. 20 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings (when allowed). Very green and lots of great vistas along the ridgeline on the hike in," shares one hiker.

What campers like

Private tent sites with natural barriers: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground offers a range of site types with varying privacy levels. A camper notes, "This is a great classic car camping site. Every site had a picnic table, fire pit and bear box. Sites had a variety of sizes and 'styles'. Some were very woodsy and some more open and sunny."

Convenience to nearby towns: The proximity to small coastal towns provides easy access to supplies. One camper at Henry Cowell mentions, "Great spot to camp, close to grocery stores and gas stations."

Efficient gear transport for walk-in sites: Sanborn County Park provides equipment to make walk-in camping more accessible. "It's a short walk up a paved path from the parking to the campsites. The park provides carts to help with hauling gear, and storage boxes are provided at the site, near the picnic table," explains a reviewer.

Hot shower availability: Several campgrounds offer quarter-operated hot showers. At San Mateo Memorial Park, a camper observed, "The staff does an excellent job at keeping the place spotless and cleaning the bathrooms and showers."

What you should know

Water source reliability: Several campgrounds have intermittent water issues. At Castle Rock State Park Trail Camp, "There was no water running at the site when I stayed there, but vault toilets were available. There is a nearby shooting range and you can hear the gunshots during the daylight hours."

Cell reception limitations: Most campgrounds have minimal connectivity. At Cotillion Gardens RV Park, campers report "no cell service but good WiFi if your close to the office."

Campsite spacing considerations: Site proximity varies widely across campgrounds. At Sanborn County Park, a camper noted, "Each and every group was fighting for the 'wagons' to haul stuff up the hike-in campsites. Some groups even got aggressive with me and my husband for not 'returning' the wagon to them."

Noise factors: Several campgrounds experience community noise challenges. One camper at Sanborn County Park reported, "There was a large group of guys who had booked the campsite 29, and they were cooking biryani well beyond 1 am, and were drinking and running about noisily."

Tips for camping with families

Short-distance hikes with rewards: San Mateo Memorial Park offers creek access without long walks. "There is a little creek that's only about a quarter mile hike down a trail," notes a father who visited with his children.

Recreation facilities for kids: Several campgrounds provide dedicated play areas. At Cotillion Gardens, "There were lots of kids around using the playground, bicycling, playing basketball, and swimming in the pool."

Nature scavenger hunts: Children enjoy searching for local wildlife. One Memorial Park visitor noted, "The slugs were hanging out in trees all around us and it was so much fun looking for them. The sites were very spacious and this has probably been one of my favorite campgrounds!"

Consider noise level scheduling: Weekends tend to be busier and louder. A parent suggested, "We stayed here for a night on a weekday and thought that it was a clean campground. Our site was on the smaller side, but it accommodated us all."

Tips from RVers

Tight maneuvering spaces: Cotillion Gardens RV Park requires careful navigation. An RVer cautions, "Entrance is a little nerve racking on your first visit, but once your at your site you can relax. Bathrooms are a little dated, no cell service but good WiFi if your close to the office."

Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven sites at several campgrounds. At New Brighton, one RVer noted, "Our paved site was decently unlevel."

RV size limitations: Height clearance can be an issue among the redwoods. A camper with a 25ft trailer at Henry Cowell stated, "There was plenty of room for it on site 105, however if it was any higher it would be hitting tree limbs."

Dump station planning: Some facilities experience congestion. A New Brighton visitor warns, "The line for the dump station wound through nearly the entire park."

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any free camping options near Saratoga?

Free camping options near Saratoga are extremely limited. Most campgrounds in the area charge fees, like Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground, which offers paid sites with access to hiking trails and natural attractions. San Mateo Memorial Park is another paid option that serves as an excellent basecamp for exploring redwood hiking trails. For budget options, consider looking further out at dispersed camping in nearby national forests, though these require longer drives from Saratoga. Always check current regulations as free camping policies can change.

Where are the best camping sites in Saratoga, CA?

The best camping near Saratoga includes Castle Rock Trail Camp — Castle Rock State Park, located just a few miles from Saratoga Gap at the junction of Highways 35 and 9. This area is popular with hikers and cyclists. Another excellent option is Sanborn County Park, which offers a unique walk-in camping experience. It's a short walk up a paved path from parking to campsites, with carts provided to help transport gear. Both locations provide a peaceful escape in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains while remaining close to Saratoga.

What amenities are available at Saratoga campgrounds?

Campgrounds near Saratoga offer varying amenities. At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, you'll find sites close to restrooms and water sources, though be aware of poison oak and star thistle near trails. Family-friendly sites are available. For those seeking coastal amenities, New Brighton State Beach Campground provides electricity and water hookups, spacious campsites with fire rings and tables, all situated on a bluff near the ocean with easy beach access. Most campgrounds in the region offer basic facilities like picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms, with some providing storage boxes, cart assistance for gear transport, and access to hiking trails.