Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Elkhorn Slough is one of the relatively few undisturbed coastal wetlands remaining in California.
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Outdoors
Hiking near Santa Clara
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Santa Clara, closest first.
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
30 to 75 miles (18)
Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK)
Aquatic Park Cove is a vibrantly urban harbor that mimics a natural anchorage and is located on the Pacific shores of one of America's great West Coast cities.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
Rob Hill Group Campground
As San Francisco's only group campground, Rob Hill offers a national park camping experience just minutes from the city.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- History
Contra Loma Reservoir
Contra Loma Dam and reservoir are part of the Central Valley Project - Delta Division and offers recreational opportunities for the East Bay area near San Francisco.
- Biking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
- Water sports
John Muir National Historic Site
John Muir’s life was a tapestry of roles—fruit rancher, family man, writer—each interwoven with his deep love for nature.
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Kirby Cove Campground
Kirby Cove is located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge at historic Battery Kirby. Visitors are awarded breathtaking views of San Francisco, its famous Golden Gate Bridge, and the rugged Pacific Coast of northern California.
- Birding
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Mountain Biking
- Picnicking
- Water Access
San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge
The San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge located in Stanislaus County encompasses more than 7,300 acres of riparian woodlands, wetlands, and grasslands that host a diversity of wildlife native to California’s Great Central Valley.
- Birding
- Hiking
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
San Luis Lake and State Wildlife Area
Recreation facilities at San Luis Lake were constructed under a cost-share agreement between the Bureau of Reclamation and the State of Colorado during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Haypress Campground
Haypress Campground is nestled within the coastal scrub of Tennessee Valley, near Mill Valley. The hike to this campground is 1 mile from the Tennessee Valley Trail head parking lot, which means car or RV camping is not allowed.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Muir Woods National Monument
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog.
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the most spectacular marine protected areas. This sanctuary also has one of the largest underwater canyons and closest-to-shore deep ocean environments.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Diving
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Paddling
O'Neill Forebay
O'Neill Dam and Forebay are joint Federal-State facilities located on San Luis Creek 2.5 miles downstream from San Luis Dam. O'Neill Forebay Dam is a feature of the Central Valley Project - San Joaquin Division - San Luis Unit .
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
Los Banos Reservoir
The Los Banos Dam and Reservoir are on Los Banos Creek above the San Luis Canal, near Los Banos, California. The dam and reservoir are features on the Central Valley Project - San Luis Unit .
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Picnicking
Point Reyes National Seashore Campground
Point Reyes National Seashore offers four backcountry hike in campgrounds and thirteen boat in campsites along Tomales Bay. Note: For reservation purposes, our campgrounds are organized under the "loop" column of the reservation grid.
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- History
- Horse Camping
White Oaks Campground
Amid a grove of towering trees, eight campsites create a loop within White Oaks Campground, just off Tassajara Road.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Coyote Point
Coyote Point sits along New Hogan Lake in the brush-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Swimming
- Water Access
Pinnacles Campground
Pinnacles Campground is located in the unique Pinnacles National Park, 32 miles south of Hollister, California. The park encompasses 26,000 acres of spectacular rock formations and remnants of an extinct 23 million-year old volcano.
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (6)
China Camp Campground
Pleasantly nestled under a large canopy of pine trees, China Camp is a campground where peace and quiet is commonplace. The spacious campsites allow you to set up camp with more than enough space between you and your neighbors.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Arroyo Seco
Arroyo Seco Campground is a semi-rustic, but developed facility in California's westernmost national forest.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Deer Flat Boat In Campground
New Hogan Dam and Lake is located in the oak- and brush-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The 4,400 acre lake was created in 1964 with the completion of New Hogan Dam.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Water Access
- Wildlife viewing
Acorn Campground
Acorn Campground is a sunny campground in the brush-covered hills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The area is generally characterized by a warm, dry climate with summer temperatures regularly soaring above 90 degrees.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca)
Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs east of Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa provides ample public recreation opportunities.
- Birding
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Guided Interpretive Walks
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Nature education
Oak Knoll Campground
Oak Knoll Campground sits along New Hogan Lake in the brush-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Recreation Boating is a popular pastime, with boat ramps conveniently located around the lake.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Santa Clara. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
More outdoors near Santa Clara
- Camping near Santa Clara
- Fishing near Santa Clara
- Boating and kayaking near Santa Clara
- Biking and mountain biking near Santa Clara
- Picnic spots near Santa Clara
- Horseback riding near Santa Clara
- Wildlife viewing and birding near Santa Clara
- Swimming holes and lakes near Santa Clara
- Parks in Santa Clara
- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for hiking near Santa Clara?
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), about 39 miles south of Santa Clara as the crow flies. Next are Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK) (40 mi) and Rob Hill Group Campground (41 mi).
When is the best time for hiking near Santa Clara?
Based on Santa Clara’s average highs, all year. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.