Top Tent Camping near Woodside, CA
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Best Tent Sites Near Woodside, CA (36)
1. Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park
Pescadero, California18 Reviews•46 Photos•60 SavesBEN REIS CAMPINPGROUND is CLOSED as a result of fire-related damage to the park's water system.
Updated Nov 2022: This park unit is partially open. Please take the time to read the information contained on this webpage to find out what is open and closed, and what COVID-19 guidelines are in place: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=536
Due to the CZU Fire, areas of Butano State Park will remain closed. The fire has left many trees compromised and other trail hazards exist. Crews are continuing to work on repairs. For your safety, please stay out of closed areas.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
$35 / night
2. Castle Rock Trail Camp — Castle Rock State Park
Saratoga, California8 Reviews•18 Photos•252 SavesCastle Rock State Park is a land of sculpted sandstone, lush forests, and sweeping vistas. From one of the highest ridges in the Santa Cruz Mountains, park visitors enjoy hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. Rock climbers explore the park's caverns and rocks, including the namesake Castle Rock. Plant-lovers come for California black oaks, knobcone pines, and high-elevation coast redwoods. The park’s 34 miles of rugged trails conveniently connect to an extensive trail system that links the Santa Clara and San Lorenzo valleys to nearby Big Basin Redwoods State Park and open space preserves on the Skyline to the Sea Trail.
The Castle Rock Trail Camp is open year round on a first-come, first-serve basis. The campground is a 2.5 mile (4 kilometer) hike from the parking area and you will have to carry all of your equipment into the camp. Castle Rock Trail Camp has trash receptacles, bathrooms, and 20 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. Wood is available for sale during the wet season. Fires are not allowed during fire season.
Camping is permitted only in designated camps. Campers are required to be in their campsites from sunset to 6 a.m.
To register and pay your fees, check in at the Entrance Station at the Castle Rock parking lot. If you arrive when the station is not staffed, you can use the self-registration envelopes. Make sure you bring exact change or a check to use in case you must use the self-registration. Place your receipt on the dashboard in a visible place as proof of payment. Rangers will verify payment. For more information about camping and fire closure dates, please call Castle Rock State Park at (408) 867-2952. For more information and reservations for Waterman Gap Trail Camp, please visit the Santa Cruz Mountain State Parks Backcountry Trail Camp Page.
- Fires
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Drinking Water
$8 / night
3. Little Basin Cabins and Campground — Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Boulder Creek, California5 Reviews•19 Photos•199 SavesCAMPGROUNDS CLOSED TEMPORARILY
This park unit is partially open. Please take the time to read the information contained on this webpage to find out what is open and closed, and what COVID-19 guidelines are in place: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=540
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
4. Steep Ravine Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park
Stinson Beach, California15 Reviews•60 Photos•481 SavesS Rav Camp Area (sites E1-E7)
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
$100 / night
5. Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park
Tiburon, California9 Reviews•21 Photos•257 SavesIn the middle of San Francisco Bay sits Angel Island State Park, offering spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline, the Marin Headlands and Mount Tamalpais. The island is also alive with history. Three thousand years ago the island was a fishing and hunting site for Coastal Miwok Indians. It was later a haven for Spanish explorer Juan de Ayala, a cattle ranch, and a U.S. Army post. From 1910 to 1940, the island processed thousands of immigrants. During World War II, Japanese and German POWs were held on the island, which was also used as a jumping-off point for American soldiers returning from the Pacific. In the '50s and '60s, the island was home to a Nike missile base. Today, there are two active Coast Guard stations - at Point Blunt and Point Stuart - on the island. Angel Island became a State Park in 1958.
CAMPSITES
11 environmental, including an ADA site (each site accommodating up to 8 people) and a kayak-accessible site (holds up to 20 people).
For more information contact the rangers office: 415-435-5390
Please check in with the park staff upon arrival on the island.
Be prepared to carry and/or transport your equipment up to 2.5 miles. Some sections are uphill, total elevation gain may be over 300 feet. Tables, food-lockers, running water, pit-toilets, and a barbecue are located at each site.
Bring charcoal or a stove as no wood fires are allowed. Raccoons are active making food-locker storage very important. Travel on the island after sunset is prohibited in some areas for park security and public safety.
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
- Market
$30 / night
6. Towle Campground
Los Altos Hills, California1 Review•27 Saves- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Trash
- Picnic Table
$40 / night
7. Black Mountain Backpacking Camp
Los Altos Hills, California1 Review•3 Photos•63 Saves- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Toilets
$2 / night
8. Coyote Hills Regional Park
Newark, California2 Reviews•22 Saves- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Drinking Water
9. Uvas Canyon County Park
New Almaden, California9 Reviews•53 Photos•294 SavesWelcome to Uvas Canyon County Park. This lushly wooded park of 1,147 acres, is nestled in upper Uvas Canyon on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz
Mountains. This mountain park offers hiking, camping and picnicking opportunities throughout most of the year. Enjoy your visit today and return often to experience the many features of Uvas Canyon County Park.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
$34 / night
10. Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park
Stinson Beach, California13 Reviews•62 Photos•329 SavesLocated half way up Mount Tamalpais' forested southern slopes, Pantoll Campground is one of two first-come, first-served walk-in campgrounds within Mount Tamalpais State Park (Bootjack being the other). With 16 historic campsites lying beneath a quiet Douglas fir forest, time spent next to the campfire here will quickly expunge thoughts of the big city that lies just a few miles to the south.
The campground has an assortment of sites that are distributed on the hill that extends from the Pantoll Day Use Area; sites located further uphill offer greater privacy and more room. All 16 sites are within a short, 100-yard walk from the car park. Each comes equipped with campfire pits and historic, stone-built campfire grills to accommodate all of your cooking and warming needs. Since advance reservations cannot be made for Pantoll, arriver earlier on weekend days to ensure you’ll have a site. You’ll likely have the campground to yourself if you are there mid-week.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
$7 - $25 / night
Showing results 1-10 of 36 campgrounds
Recent Tent Reviews In Woodside
592 Reviews of 36 Woodside Campgrounds
Morgan Territory Regional Preserve
Backcountry campsite.
Feels very off grid. Camp experience was smooth and the sun was shining.
Joseph D Grant County Park - Horse Camp
Gate closes 8:15pm
Nice bathrooms no tokens needed, hot water, clean sink for dishes. Lotsa shaded oak spaces. Good trails.
Portola Redwoods State Park Campground
It sucks. Don’t go there.
Cold. Foggy. No amenities. Don’t go there.
-Coastside Local
Anthony Chabot Regional Park
Great time inconvenienced by yellow jackets
We love to camp here for barbecuing, mountain biking and hiking. We always do it during 7/4 holidays except for this year when the park canceled our reservation due to high heat. So we booked for the Labor Day weekend. Temperature was perfect and biking and hiking were enjoyable as usual. This year we had two new types of visitors to the the site. A couple of wild turkeys came to pick up the dropped food on the ground. We were able to take a closeup look at them and they were beautiful birds with big eyes spotting tiny bits of crumbs. They come and go from one site to the next quietly and gently. Very cute and we took pictures with their presence. Then came the aggressive yellow jackets. We never had yellow jackets in our previous 7/4 outings here. Oh boy, they fought for the meat relentlessly. At the end of the outing, both my finger and my wife’s were stung. We reported the experience to the attendant at the gate when leaving. She said the park is looking for a solution. In the meantime, she suggested contacting them early on so they might be able to provide another site. Hopefully, next year, we won’t encounter so many nasties.
Beach RV Park
Yeye
Happy
Gilroy Garlic USA RV Park
Great Layover
We had a quick three-day trip here to visit family. The pool is small, yet well-kept and we had it to ourselves every time we went each day. The park was perfect for the kids biking around through the short- and long-term areas.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
Gorgeous - and so much poison oak
This is a gorgeous campground! It's big and it's busy, but the sites are mostly very private and lush and green. Each site has a different configuration, but this place books up fast, so you have to look at photos online and the dimensions of the site and hope it works out.
We were a little worried when we arrived in our 26ft class c, we worried that we wouldn't make it through the narrow roads and overhanging trees, but we were ok. Not sure that this place would be good for giant rigs though. Getting into our spot was a bit tricky, and when coming out a ranger truck was blocking our road (he was cleaning the bathrooms, I believe), which made leaving very tricky as well.
There are beautiful hiking trails all over this campground, but there is so much poison oak - everywhere. All over the camp sites, trails to the bathroom, hiking trails, etc, it was everywhere.
Showers and toilets looked clean, showers are coin operated, $0.50 for 2 min.
If you arrive before checkin they will have you wait at the day use area several miles away - heads up.
New Brighton State Beach Campground
Good spot with availability
Despite the website showing every site booked, we drove in about 4 pm to a decent number of sites. Entry ranger was available pretty late. Site was $35 I believe, and has paid showers and restrooms. Site had a fire pit, paved parking for a larger vehicle, table and decent amount of shade. Lots of families and lots of kids. Cool weather along the beach, can't ask for much more.
Manresa State Beach Campground
Right on beach!
First time visiting, We stayed at site 63 for two nights June 30 and July 1st. Sites are very private and seperated by bushes and trees. The loading zone was a short walk to our site. It was an easy 5-7 minute walk down to the beach. Beach was clean and not crowded. Beautiful sunset views. Only complaints are that the bathrooms were filthy. One of the showers wasn’t working and robbed us of $2. They need to put a quarter change machine for coins for the showers. We had to drive to KOA to get change to shower. We will definitely come back !
Pinto Lake City Park
Small City Park... Good Option for short and/or Longer Stays
Small city park with RV Parking on grass between lake and baseball fields. Sites almost level; however, might need to use a few blocks. Park was busy with locals using pavilions for birthday and other parties when we visited on a Saturday in June. Adjacent baseball field was busy on Sunday morning with little league game and parking lot was full. Cars were being parked in unused RV spots. Many people were fishing from the shoreline. Many Candian geese (with poop) were in the dock area and alone the shoreline. Some ducks made themselves at home in the shade under our RV. Temperature was considerably cooler versus the very hot temps only a few miles further inland. Nice that each site has electric / water / sewer hook-ups. Two rest rooms (one by lake and one by baseball field) were a little dirty due to heavy use. Unfortunate there are no showers and that you can only walk around perhaps 10% of the lake shoreline. Quiet at night as they lock the park gate... they give you an access card ($25 deposit req'd) if you need to leave and return after gate is locked at night. Called and requested my $25 credit after refund was not automatically received a few days later. Credit was immediately made. A good option especially if parks along the coast are booked and you want reasonably cool temperatures. Would stay again.
Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park
So many animals and birds
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.
The bathrooms were clean and I had water on my site. I had some AT&T service.
Sunset State Beach
Clean and quite
This is a beautiful place, camp site behind woods, this, waving sound won’t bother at night.
Very clean and friendly staffs
Mount Madonna County Park
Great Campground
Loved everything about this campground! Registration online was really easy as was the check-in process. We stayed in Valley View 1, site 106. There was really no road noise at our site, though a few sites further around the loop did have noise. This particular site has a trail leading directly to the vast network of hiking trails. Huge bonus for us and we were pleasantly surprised that not one person used our site as a cut through. On the subject of hiking, 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. 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. There are quite a few trails that are currently closed due to storm damage, but crews were actively working on them.
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. We didn’t use the restrooms or showers, but peeked in them anyway. Like everything else in this campground, they were clean and well maintained.
The RV sites have both water and electric hookups which was great! There is a very convenient FREE dump station just inside the entrance to the park that we used as we departed.
Our friends stayed in one of the yurts and it was great, albeit a little cold for them at night. I believe there are 2 dog friendly yurts. 106RV
What a gem of a campground! We’ll definitely come back!
Important to note that you can actually get a cell signal if you walk to the dump station!
Del Valle Regional Park
Distance from home was the highlight
I had a very different take on this place than the others. The RV spot was a fair distance from the neighboring spots, it was low-density, quite, all good qualities, but there was very little see or do near the loop. There were no hikes suitable for young kids as far as I could tell. There was a little store for ice cream and camping supplies and dump station on the loop. HOWEVER, WARNING: the road around the campground looks wide but there are boulders every 10 feet or so making it insanely hard to back into our spot - and we had only a 22ft trailer! I can't see myself coming back here. The maps do accurately depict the relatively narrow space you have for back in spots. Once we were in, it was fine. The pedestal and sewer set-up was just fine. No issues there. It's just not worth the hassle.
As for the park/water part of the park, well, it was covered in garbage from the day-trippers. It was packed and only accessible by driving to it. Truly not a place I wanted to BBQ or picnic at. Cars, people, dogs, loud music, and garbage. A gross diaper on the shore. We took a very nice hike starting at the dog run. That was beautiful, but not worth the trip.
I didn't bother to photograph our site. There were all adequate, just avoid back in site here. There are so many better places to visit. I checked this off the list, no reason to return. I don't believe there was reception either from the campsite.
Last thing, we peaked in on the cabins in our loop. They looks very nice and maintained.
Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area
1 Night
We stayed 1 night and it was perfect. The staff was very nice and the place was clean and quiet. There are toilets and showers on the campground and it only cost 10$!
the campsite is perfect for traveling through and getting a night's sleep.
Bicentennial Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area
No parking on the site
Had to walk all the way down to get to the camp site with all the gear, it was to windy to put up our tent
Thousand Trails Morgan Hill
Good location
We liked the surrounding area and gorgeous rolling hills and while we were able to get a good spot it was not a campground that stood out too much to us. The pool is great though it was too cold to use it while we were there. No sewer hook up but dump station was close from our side. Overall happy with the stay
East Bay Regional Park District Del Valle Family Campground
Bay Area escape
This is nice little campground that is only about 15 minutes from downtown Livermore. It’s a great escape from the craziness of the Bay Area without having to drive too far. The lack of cell reception really helps the feeling of being away from the city life. There was quite a bit of wildlife roaming through the park mainly in the early morning. I saw deer and turkeys roaming the campground.
The restrooms and showers were clean and functional. Maybe a bit outdated, but I don’t see that as a negative considering everything works. It’s also nice that the showers are free, no need to bring your roll of quarters.
The close proximity to the lake and all the hiking trails is a huge plus.
The only negatives I can mention are the camp store and the lack of privacy at each site. It seems like the camp store is only open on Saturdays which means if you need anything, it’s close to an hour long commitment to drive into Livermore, buy what you need, and drive back. I’m not sure if that’s always the case but when I visited in April that was what the sign had posted. As far as the lack of privacy, I don’t think it’s a deal breaker since there is a good amount of space between sites but they are all fully exposed. I can see these being a bit of a problem especially on a crowded weekend.
Overall a nice campground in a good location with plenty to do in the area.
Lower Blooms Creek — Big Basin Redwoods State Park — CAMPGROUND CLOSED
Closed to camping
Big Basin is unfortunately closed to camping. You can't even bring a trailer in for day use as parking is very limited. This is due to a fire a few years back that devastated the park and completely burned down all structures, including ranger station, store, and all restrooms.
It is a shame because it is/was a fantastic place.
Santa Cruz Ranch Campground
Clean and tidy but very expensive!!!
122 US$ for one night
Kirby Cove Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Great Location with AMAZING Views
My family and I spent two nights at campsite #5. We had a really great experience here!
We visited Kirby in March 2024 and the weather was not as bad as I thought it would be. The temperature was in the 50's for the most part. There was decent amount of wind but not enough to make a stink about. I was comfortable in pants and a sweatshirt the whole time, never had to break out my jacket. During the day, it was warm enough to wear a t-shirt. It rained a little bit overnight both nights we were there but we were equipped to deal with the conditions.
Each site has three square shaped wood-framed plots to pitch your tent on. Two of them are covered in a bed of rocks and one of them was raised about two feet off the ground. The third plot on our site did not have rocks. I would recommend bringing a tent footprint to prevent the rocks from damaging the bottom of your tent. Our site's fire ring was equipped with a thick steel BBQ grate that swivels laterally over the fire ring. Our fire ring's grate covered a good portion of the fire ring so it was useful for cooking. I'd like to note that not all campsites are equipped with the same style of fire ring as our site had. Campsite #5 also had three picnic tables (two of them were bolted to the ground, one of them was not) and a bearproof storage container.
The campgrounds itself is relatively small (only 5 overnight sites). You will receive a gate code emailed to you upon reservation which you will need to unlock a gate that leads you down a long dirt road to the bottom of a valley where the campgrounds are located. The parking lot is sort of small but finding a spot wasn't an issue. The parking lot is sitting on top of a hill, overlooking the entire campgrounds. The sites themselves aren't too far away from the parking lot, but hauling your gear back uphill to your vehicle after camping a couple nights can be tiresome. There are a few pit toilets scattered throughout the campgrounds that were relatively clean. There is no running water at Kirby, so make sure you bring enough water! The old military ruins (I believe from the late 1800's) were also cool to explore. The views of the Golden Gate and the city are breathtaking. We got to watch between 10-12 large shipping vessels float in and out of the bay, very cool!
All in all, we loved our stay at Kirby and will definitely be camping there again during the warmer months!
Del Valle Regional Park
Close to home but like a different world
Great lake and fishy, clean sites, bathrooms are great. All around awesome camping
East Bay Regional Park District Del Valle Family Campground
Great weekend
Stayed at one of the hookup sites with my son for a night in our 21ft trailer. We had a great time. With much of the campground closed we had lots of places to hike right near our site. Sites were well spaced apart and even though our loop was full it did not feel crowded. Would go back.
Sunrise Point at Candlestick Point SRA - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Wild rose camping
Dispersed camping outside the campground perimeters. Very quiet and this is the place if solitude is your thing. Bring lots of water. Walk in or 4wd accessible. Never have seen another human here.
Cotillion Gardens RV Park
Great RV park
Has a small store river access and BbQ areas with efficient staff
Rob Hill Campground
Nice
Amazing
Anthony Chabot Regional Park
Love it
Me and my family went there and had a ball everything was perfect
Guide to Woodside
Camping near Woodside, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
What to do:
- Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "The local trails and creeks were breathtaking," making it a great spot for both novice and experienced hikers.
- Beach Access: Visit New Brighton State Beach Campground for a day at the beach. A camper shared, "Great views and easy access to the beach," perfect for sunbathing or beachcombing.
- Wildlife Watching: At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, you might spot wild turkeys wandering through the campground, as one visitor noted, "We were able to take a closeup look at them."
What campers like:
- Scenic Views: Campers rave about the views at Mount Madonna County Park. One happy camper said, "What a gem of a campground! We’ll definitely come back!"
- Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground mentioned, "Showers and toilets looked clean," which is always a plus when camping.
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like California Veterans Memorial Park Campground are noted for being family-friendly. One reviewer said, "Showers, restrooms, tables, and fire rings make it really sweet for the family on a light camping adventure."
What you should know:
- First-Come, First-Serve: Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. A visitor at California Veterans Memorial Park Campground advised, "Your best bet to get a site is to show up a day or two early."
- Wildlife Caution: Be aware of wildlife, especially at Anthony Chabot Regional Park. One camper warned about aggressive yellow jackets, saying, "We reported the experience to the attendant at the gate when leaving."
- Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may have limited amenities. A reviewer at New Brighton State Beach Campground noted, "There is NO dump station or water for RVs anywhere at this campground."
Tips for camping with families:
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground, where one reviewer mentioned, "More good people who know how to camp SHOULD camp here."
- Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or plan hikes to keep kids entertained. A family at Mount Madonna County Park enjoyed the trails, stating, "There are lots of trails to explore."
- Check Amenities: Before booking, check what amenities are available. A camper at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground suggested testing the showers first, as "some don’t work."
Tips from RVers:
- Look for Big Rig-Friendly Sites: Campgrounds like New Brighton State Beach Campground are big rig-friendly, making it easier for larger RVs to navigate.
- Check for Dump Stations: Ensure the campground has a dump station. A visitor at California Veterans Memorial Park Campground mentioned, "The dump station was in good working order."
- Be Prepared for Slopes: Some sites may be on a slope, which can be tricky for RVs. A reviewer at Anthony Chabot Regional Park noted, "A lot of the sites are on a slant."
Camping near Woodside, California, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're hiking through redwoods or relaxing by the beach, there's something for every outdoor enthusiast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Woodside, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Woodside, CA is Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park with a 4.8-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Woodside, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 36 tent camping locations near Woodside, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.