How much does camping cost at Mt. Madonna?

Camping fees at Mt. Madonna range from $41-$106/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Mt. Madonna first-come first-served or reservation?

Mt. Madonna accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Mt. Madonna before I book?

Yes! Mt. Madonna has 1 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Mt. Madonna?

Mt. Madonna is open March 1 - October 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Mt. Madonna?

Yes, Mt. Madonna has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Mt. Madonna?

Fire policies at Mt. Madonna: Designated fire rings/pits with grates are provided at campsites; use only in designated locations (amenities reported by park and visitors).. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Mt. Madonna have?

Mt. Madonna has 110 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Mt. Madonna?

Yes, pets are allowed at Mt. Madonna. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Mt. Madonna?

Mt. Madonna offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Mt. Madonna?

Popular activities at Mt. Madonna include Hiking, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Mt. Madonna

4.82

180 reviews

7850 Pole Line Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076

Top 10% in CASpring

Family FriendlyScenic Views

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

579 ft

Price

$41 - $106/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

110 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Pets Allowed

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on State Parks / Santa Clara County Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

579 ft

Price

$41 - $106/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

110 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Pets Allowed

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on State Parks / Santa Clara County Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Mt. Madonna

$41.00 - $106.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Tent $41/night, RV $53/night (with water/electric hookups), Yurts $73-$106/night. Group sites $140-$400/night. 25% off-peak discount Nov 1 - Feb 28.

Standard Site Fee$41.00

Hookup Site Fee$53.00

Group Site Fee$140.00

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Campground Map

7850 Pole Line Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076

Mt. Madonna

7850 Pole Line Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076

Nearby supplies

Gilroy (about 15 minutes by car, per visitor reports)

Weather at Mt. Madonna

Best Time to Camp at Mt. Madonna

Spring delivers the park at its greenest. Wildflowers carpet the meadows, streams run full, and deer move through the open slopes in April and May. Daytime highs sit around 55-70°F, mornings drop to 40-50°F with thick fog under the redwoods. Trails are perfect before summer heat arrives. Weekdays stay quiet, but weekend sites fill fast. Reserve ahead for spring. Year-round camping works here since the elevation keeps summer cooler than the valley floor, though you'll need layers any season. Summer Saturdays bring live music to the amphitheater.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.5 / 5

Top 10% in CA

Wildflower meadows and pleasant temps make spring especially appealing.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: March 1 - October 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Year-round

About Mt. Madonna

Mt. Madonna spreads 110 sites across redwood groves and oak woodlands in the Santa Cruz Mountains, 18 miles from Gilroy. The 3,688-acre county park runs $41-106 per night and offers yurts, partial RV hookups, and tent sites split between Valley View and Tan Oak loops. Hot showers, 14 miles of trails, and an archery range draw families and weekend riders. Book up to six months out.

Provides designated tent sites, RV sites with partial hookups, and several yurts available for lodging.

Historical Significance

Ruins of the Miller Estate sit somewhere in the park, tied to local ghost stories that campers repeat around fires. The white fallow deer near the ranger station trace back to Henry Miller's estate, later folded into Hearst's private zoo before the county took over the land.

Weather and SeasonsSpring delivers the park at its greenest. Wildflowers carpet the meadows, streams run full, and deer move through the open slopes in April and May. Daytime highs sit around 55-70°F, mornings drop to 40-50°F with thick fog under the redwoods. Trails are perfect before summer heat arrives. Weekdays stay quiet, but weekend sites fill fast. Reserve ahead for spring. Year-round camping works here since the elevation keeps summer cooler than the valley floor, though you'll need layers any season. Summer Saturdays bring live music to the amphitheater.

Natural Features and SceneryThe park straddles a ridgeline between Santa Clara Valley and Monterey Bay, layering redwood groves with oak woodland, chaparral slopes, and small meadow streams. Some sites sit deep in the shade of old-growth trees, others open onto grassy hillsides with sweeping valley views. Morning fog rolls through the redwoods most days, leaving branches dripping until noon. White fallow deer. Descendants of William Randolph Hearst's zoo collection. Graze near the ranger station. Skunks and raccoons work the loops nightly if you leave food out.

Geological RegionSanta Cruz Mountains

Scenic ViewsRidgetop areas and some campsites overlook the Santa Clara Valley to the east and Monterey Bay to the west.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2:00 PM

Check-out

12:00 PM

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations via GoOutsideAndPlay (UseDirect-based): https://gooutsideandplay.org/reservation/camping — reservations available up to 6 months in advance; limited walk-ins

Total Campsites110 campsites

Best CampsitesTan Oak loop sits farther from the busier Valley View areas and closer to trailheads, which keeps it quieter according to repeat campers. Valley View 1 has the yurts (sites 125, 128, 130, 132, 134), partial RV hookups, and hot showers if you want more infrastructure. Valley View 2 and 3 tuck tent sites under trees with faster trail access but less polish.

Need help booking Mt. Madonna?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Flush and vault toilets, hot showers (no coins), potable water spigots, picnic tables, fire rings/pits with grates, food lockers, partial RV hookups (water and electric 30/50 amp), dump station, campground host and ranger station, and an amphitheater.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

RV details

Electric hookups58 of 254 sites (23%)

Activities you can enjoy

A range of day- and overnight activities including hiking and mountain trails, archery, equestrian use, wildlife viewing, picnicking, stargazing, and family-friendly biking on camp loops.

Hiking

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsWildlife such as skunks and raccoons may raid campsites if food is not stored properly; mosquitoes can be an issue in some areas. Cell coverage is fair to poor in places. Do not feed the white fallow deer. Portions of the park/campground may be closed periodically for forest maintenance.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.8

180 reviews

Top-Rated

Mt. Madonna is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Generally highly rated for its peaceful, forested setting, clean restrooms and hot showers, and well-maintained trails. Common issues mentioned include wildlife (skunks, raccoons, mosquitoes), occasional noisy groups, limited cell coverage, and some temporary site closures for maintenance.

Review Summaries

Based on 180 reviews

What Campers Love

Shaded redwood campsites, scenic views, clean bathrooms and hot showers, yurts and partial RV hookups, family- and kid-friendly, extensive trail network, close to nearby towns/attractions.

Based on 180 reviews

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Go if

Families and weekenders who want real forest without roughing it entirely: hot showers, food lockers, yurts up to $106/night, and 14 miles of trails through redwood groves and oak woodland. Spring weekdays are the sweet spot before summer crowds arrive.

Skip if

Cell coverage is fair to poor throughout, which kills remote work. Skunks and raccoons are persistent if you slip up on food storage, and weekend sites fill fast enough that last-minute planners will find nothing left.

Nearby Campgrounds

4.6

(169)

Uvas Canyon

8515 Croy Rd, Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Uvas Canyon County Park sits in a 1,147-acre canyon on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains, where half a dozen seasonal waterfalls drop through a forested canyon just off the Waterfall Loop Trail. The 25-site campground has hot showers, clean flush toilets, and rangers who sell firewood on-site. Reservations are required year-round, and fees run $41 per night.