Best Campground Santa Clara Near Me

4worldlovers:
Welcome to Joseph D. Grant County Park, the largest of Santa Clara County's regional park and recreation areas. This 10,882 acre park includes some of the County's finest open space resources, as well as rich environmental, cultural and recreational assets. The landscape is characteristic of the east foothills of the Santa Clara Valley with grasslands and majestic oak trees. As part of the park's tradition and history, cattle grazing currently takes place in some areas, and is monitored under a resource management plan. Enjoy your visit today, and return often to experience the many features of Joseph D. Grant County Park.


Joseph D. Grant County Park is located in the east of Santa Clara Valley.

Please take note that Quimby Road is very narrow and is not suitable for RV's and large trailers. When all roads are open travel to the park by taking Highway 101 or Highway 680 to Alum Rock Avenue eastbound in San Jose. Turn right onto Mt. Hamilton Road and travel 8 miles to reach the park entrance.

Hikers and equestrians have access to an extensive 51 mile trail system. Mountain bikes are permitted on over 75% of the park's trails as designated. The diverse trail system at the park makes this a popular place to stage large-scale organized trail events such as equestrian endurance rides, mountain bike events and foot races. Dogs are also allowed on the trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds as long as they are on a 6 ft. leash.

Shaded picnic areas are available on a first-come first-served basis. Campers can choose from almost forty (40) reservable family campsites. Hot showers are available with paid campsite use. Group picnic and youth camping areas are available by reservation. One large lake and several smaller ponds are accessible for warm water fishing. Fires are permitted in designated fire rings only. Do not gather wood. Extinguish fires when unattended. When posted "NO FIRES", only camp stoves or gas grills are permitted. For further questions please call the park office: (408) 274-6121.

Get more information about summer astronomy programs, or to see images of Grant's wildflowers.

Be sure to check our online historical collections to see photos, documents, and artifacts related to Joseph D. Grant County Park. You can also view artifacts from Martial Cottle County Park or Almaden Quicksilver County Park and can request images from us.

The park is open year-round from 8 a.m. until sunset. Vehicle entry fees are collected year-round. Fees are required for camping, and for use of group picnic areas. Fees are posted at the entrance kiosk.

In compliance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ('ADA'),the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its programs, services, or activities. The Department will make reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disability have an equal opportunity to enjoy our programs, services, facilities, and activities. If you need assistance with an ADA request, please contact our ADA Coordinator.​​​​

4worldlovers: How can I host an event in the park that will be advertised?

4worldlovers: The following trail camps are currently OPEN and operating in the California State Parks in the Santa Cruz Mountains:

ALL TRAIL CAMPS in Big Basin Redwoods State Park and Butano State Park are CLOSED due to extensive fire damage. Portions of the Skyline to the Sea trail is open in Castle Rock State Park, but closed from Beekhuis Road to Waterman Gap Trail Camp and through Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

Starting Febuary 10th, Castle Rock Trail Camp will now have 15 of 20 campsites available by reservation only as part of the Backcountry Trail Camp System. You can make reservations by using the Backcountry Trail Camp Request Form, below.

Castle Rock Trail Camp will still have 5 sites available on a first come first serve basis. To get one for the first come first serve sites, check in with staff at the Robert C. Krikwood Parking Lot on Highway 35. There you will register and pay your fees. Do not hike to the Castle Rock Trail Camp and attempt to find a site before registering at the Robert C. Krikwood Parking Lot.

Castle Rock Trail Camp has trash receptacles, bathrooms, and 20 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings.

The Castle Rock Trail Camp will continue to allow fires during the rainy season in the designated metal fire rings. Fires are not allowed during fire season. Signs will be posted indicating whether or not fires are permitted. Do not gather wood for fires. Firewood will be available when fires are allowed and cost $13.00 per bundle. Please bring cash and exact change to purchase fire wood. Please call Castle Rock State Park at (408) 868-9540 to ask about fire closure.

The cost for campsites is $15 per night. This includes overnight parking for one vehicle. Each additional vehicle is $10 per night.

Big Basin Redwoods, Castle Rock, Portola Redwoods, and Butano State Parks.

The Santa Cruz Mountain Backcountry Trail Camps provide an incredible wilderness experience in the back yard of the San Francisco Bay Area. These trail camps are located within thousands of acres of redwood forest and are connected by an extensive trail system, spanning from the skyline ridge tops down to the Pacific Ocean. There are eight different trail camps open for reservation in our backpacking system across four different State Parks: Big Basin Redwoods, Portola Redwoods, Castle Rock, and Butano State Park. Along these trails, you will get to experience a variety of different scenery, wildlife, and geological features.

Trail Camps are open by reservation only. No dispersed camping is allowed.

Overnight parking for Backpackers is only in designated trail head parking lots. Do not park along highways or in other undesignated areas.

Trail Camps are primitive. Bring your own water since Butano, Lane, Alder, Twin Redwoods, Slate Creek, and Sunset Trail Camps do not have water faucets. If you chose to use surface water, you will need to treat it before drinking.

Hikers must be off trails by sunset. Please arrive early enough to reach your assigned trail camp by sunset. If you arrive after sunset you will not be permitted to embark on your trip.

No ground fires of any kind are allowed. The ONLY exception to this rule is fires are permitted in the designated metal fire rings at Castle Rock Trail Camp during the rainy season. Fires are not allowed during fire season. Signs will be posted indicating whether or not fires are permitted. Do not gather wood for fires. Firewood will be available when fires are allowed and cost $13.00 per bundle. Backpacking stoves may be used for cooking in all trail camps except in cases of extreme fire danger.

Do not wash your dishes or clothing in creeks. Do not bathe in creeks.

Never feed wildlife or allow wildlife to access your food. You are required to use the food lockers to store your food.

No bikes are allowed on the single track trails. Bikes are only permitted on fire roads and on the Multi-Use section of the Skyline to the Sea Trail between Rancho Del Oso at Waddell Beach and the bike rack below Berry Creek Falls in Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

No dogs are allowed in the trail camps or on the trails.

No horses are allowed in the trail camps. Horse camping is permitted at Rancho Del Oso Horse Camp in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Call (831) 338-8867 for information and reservations.

Campers must display permits when parking and carry their Backcountry Permit at all times.

Camp in designated areas only and only in your assigned trail camp.