If you’re traveling through Northern California and looking for a place to set up camp near Silicon Valley, Morgan Hill RV Resort might be a solid option. We stayed here for a week in late February 2020, and while there were some definite pros and cons, we found it to be a quiet, dog-friendly park with a great location and access to some beautiful parts of the Bay Area and the Central Coast.
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Location
Morgan Hill RV Resort is located in a peaceful valley just outside of town, surrounded by the rolling hills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It’s far enough from the bustle of Silicon Valley to feel like a true getaway, yet close enough for easy day trips to some of Northern California’s top destinations.
Address:
Morgan Hill RV Resort
12895 Uvas Road
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
This campground sits at the southern edge of Santa Clara County, right in the heart of California’s Central Coast wine country. You’ll find more than 20 wineries nearby, along with easy access to:
- San Jose – about 40 minutes
- Santa Cruz – about 45 minutes
- Monterey and Carmel – about an hour
- San Francisco and Big Sur – within a 1.5–2 hour drive
It’s a great home base for sightseeing, wine tasting, hiking, or simply relaxing at camp. The nearby town of Morgan Hill has everything you need for groceries, dining, and supplies.
Rates and Membership Details
When we stayed, partial hook-up sites (water and 30-amp electric) were $64 per night. These are pull-through sites, and you can choose your site upon arrival. (This may have changed. A lot of Thousand Trails have moved to assigned sites.) They do offer 50-amp service, but it’s available on a first-come, first-served basis and is contingent upon availability at check-in.
There are only five full hook-up RV sites in the entire campground. If you want one, you’ll need to arrive early and get lucky.
They do offer honey wagon service for $25, which you’ll likely need if you’re there for more than a couple of days and can’t score a full hook-up site. Cabins are also available for rent.
If you’re a Thousand Trails member, your campsite is included with your membership. If you’re not a member but want to give it a try, you can click here to save $155 on a Thousand Trails Camping Pass.
How to Book
For members, visit ThousandTrails.com or call 1-800-388-7788.
Non-members can book at RVontheGo.com or by calling 1-888-481-6348.
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Our Experience
We stayed from February 24 through March 2, 2020. The park itself was clean, mostly quiet, and fairly open. The sites were dirt, and many of the roads could use some gravel or grading. If it rains, expect mud. But there was plenty of space to stretch out, and the surroundings were pleasant.
One downside we noted was an RV parked right in the middle of a road during part of our stay. It had clearly broken down and sat there for about three days. It didn’t block anything, but it was definitely an eyesore.
Despite that, we’d stay again if we were passing through the area. We’re curious to see how the ongoing renovations turn out.
Amenities
The campground includes a good variety of amenities. There’s an Olympic-size pool with newer lounge chairs and shaded tables. The playground area is great for families, and there’s plenty of open space for tossing a football or just enjoying the sunshine.
Other recreational activities include volleyball, basketball, and shuffleboard courts. While there’s no camp store on-site, you’re only a few miles from Safeway and other stores in town.
The lounge area was pretty dated, though they were in the middle of remodeling the downstairs while we were there. The upstairs lounge had a big-screen TV, a piano, and some worn-out couches. We were told they were expanding the laundry room as part of the renovation, which is a welcome upgrade.
Restrooms and Showers
The restrooms and showers were one of the high points of our stay. They were recently remodeled and are among the nicest we’ve seen in a Thousand Trails park. Clean, modern, and functional. No complaints there.
Laundry Room
The laundry room was not in great shape. One wall was just a piece of plywood, and one of the washers was leaking pretty badly onto the floor. Thankfully, there’s a floor drain to catch the mess. The machines run on laundry cards that you buy at the welcome center. Prices were $1.99 to wash and $1.99 to dry. The problem is that each Thousand Trails park seems to use its own laundry card system, so you end up with a bunch of cards you can’t use anywhere else unless you return to that specific park.
The laundry room is open daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Dog Park
The dog park here is fantastic. Our dogs had a blast running around and making new friends. The space is large and fenced, and it includes a small obstacle course, which we always appreciate for some extra stimulation and training time.
Mail and Packages
We didn’t use the mail or package service at this park, so we can’t speak to how well that works.
Things to Do Nearby
Unfortunately, our Jeep broke down while we were staying here, so we didn’t get out as much as we’d planned. Still, we managed a day trip to Monterey for some excellent clam chowder and fish and chips. We also spent a day in San Jose visiting the Winchester Mystery House, which was quirky and fascinating.
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If your vehicle is running, there’s a ton to explore in the area. San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur, and even Pinnacles National Park are all within driving distance.
Final Thoughts
Morgan Hill RV Resort is a good spot to explore California’s Central Coast and Silicon Valley. It’s not perfect — the lack of full hook-up sites and the condition of some facilities bring it down a notch — but the location and peaceful surroundings make up for it. For Thousand Trails members, it’s worth the stay. For others, it’s a decent value if you don’t mind dry camping or using a honey wagon service.
We’d stay again, especially if we’re in the area for wine tasting or looking for a quiet basecamp close to Monterey or San Jose.
Gear We Recommend for This Park
- Camco RhinoEXTREME Sewer Hose Kit – Great to have if you score a full hook-up site.
- 28-Gallon RV Tote Waste Tank – Essential at parks like this with limited sewer options.
- Stylish Outdoor Mat – Helps cut down on mud and dirt when the sites are all gravel-less.
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