The Santa Cruz Mountains offer tent camping options near Woodside, California at elevations between 1,000-2,500 feet. Winter temperatures drop to the low 40s while summer highs typically reach the mid-80s. The region's mixed redwood and oak forests create microclimates that can significantly affect camping comfort, with coastal sites experiencing more fog and cooler conditions than inland locations.
What to do
Hiking through mixed terrain: Trails near Castle Rock Trail Camp provide panoramic ocean views from exposed ridgelines. "Very green and lots of great vistas along the ridgeline on the hike in," notes Esther Y. The camp serves as a strategic first stop when hiking the longer Skyline to the Sea Trail.
Rock climbing opportunities: Castle Rock State Park offers climbing routes for various skill levels. "This is sweet hike in trail camp. We have used it for two purposes. First when were were climbing in Castle Rock State Park and this was our hub," reports MarinMaverick.
Beach access and coastal exploration: Campers at Ben Ries Campground can easily reach nearby beaches. "The campground is very close to PCH/Highway 1 and the beaches are lovely. PCH is also dotted with farms and fruit stands, artisan pies, etc," writes Kathleen C.
What campers like
Mild coastal climate year-round: Temperature variations make tent camping comfortable in multiple seasons. According to Kathleen C. at Ben Ries: "Great weather, lots of shade at the campsite and on the hikes. Coast was a cool 60's-70's but warm in the sun, night time was a lovely 55-59 degrees, easy to sleep, not too cold."
Stargazing conditions: Black Mountain Backpacking Camp offers clear night skies away from urban light pollution. Lily H. reports, "The campground is small too, and not many people actually showed up to use their sites, so we had the place mostly to ourselves! The view at sunset was gorgeous."
Privacy between sites: Most tent sites offer good separation from neighbors. "The sites are spaced apart nicely," notes Kathleen C. about Ben Ries Campground. Similarly, Juliana S. remarks about Castle Rock: "The sites were spaced nicely to allow for privacy. Frog Flat seemed a bit more secluded than the main camp."
What you should know
Fire restrictions vary seasonally: Check current regulations before arrival as fire bans are common. For winter camping at Castle Rock, "the rangers kindly stocked bundles of wood at the main entrance to the campground with an iron ranger for making payment via the honor system," according to Nathaniel S.
Water access challenges: Many sites have unreliable water sources. "Although there is a communal water source at the campsite entrance, the water was deemed not safe to drink when I was there, and that had been the case for a while," warns Nathaniel S. about Castle Rock Trail Camp.
Wildlife precautions required: Food storage protocols are strictly enforced. "It is also a crumb free park and they take it very seriously," explains Kathleen C. about Ben Ries. At Black Mountain, "The pit toilet and bear boxes on site take a lot of the stress out for beginner backpackers," adds Lily H.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly backpacking: Black Mountain Backpacking Camp provides an accessible introduction to backcountry camping. "This is such a little gem in the mountains! The hike in is only 1.5 miles, but there's plenty of trail options to tack on more mileage on either the hike in or out," shares Lily H.
Nature trails for children: Look for shorter, educational paths suitable for younger hikers. Ben Ries Campground offers "a nature trail along the creek," according to MarinMaverick, making it ideal for families with children of varying hiking abilities.
Campsite selection strategy: Study campground maps carefully as layouts can be confusing. Kathleen C. advises about Ben Ries: "I had sites 5 and 6. The map for the campground is deceiving as they looked close together and connected but they were separate. If I were to come back and want two large sites to connect, I would choose either 6 and 8 or 10 and 13."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options with size restrictions: The best tent camping near Woodside offers few dedicated RV facilities. Half Moon Bay RV Park provides full hookups but sites may be compact. Patrick J. notes, "Our site was a little tight, that would be the only thing I wish was better. Most of the other available sites are much larger with picnic tables and grills."
Consider walk-in tent sites instead: Many RVers enjoy tent camping in this region due to size constraints. "Large, user-friendly campsites surrounded by redwood trees," says Renee W. about Ben Ries, which offers a better forest experience than RV-oriented facilities.
Access road challenges: Roads to campgrounds often involve steep, narrow, or winding sections. As Gary R. advises about coastal access from Half Moon Bay RV Park: "Just a couple of minutes to downtown Half Moon Bay and 10 minutes to Pillar Point. Lots of great beaches and an excellent trail that goes on forever within walking distance."
