- Day Valley
Sun/Moon Rise Camp W/ Valley View
Hosted by Noah · Day Valley, California
10 sites · RV, Tent · 20 acres
Amazing views
Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.
Staff verified
Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.
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Tent-only sites
1 site
Instant book
#8 UAP Tent Site
83%
(9)Toilet
Pets allowed
Picnic table
RV/tent sites
9 sites
Instant book
#1 Sand Point Panoramic Valley View
98%
(157)Toilet
Pets allowed
Instant book
#3 Scenic Valley View
90%
(78)Toilet
Pets allowed
Instant book
#2 Secret Shaded Grove (No view)
94%
(42)4WD recommended
Toilet
Pets allowed
Instant book
#4 Stargazer
89%
(33)4WD recommended
Toilet
Pets allowed
Instant book
#6 Epic private camping
88%
(17)Toilet
Pets allowed
Water hookup
Instant book
#7 Private Sunrise Plato
93%
(15)Toilet
Pets allowed
Water hookup
Instant book
#10 Private Shaded Woods
100%
(7)Toilet
Pets allowed
Water hookup
Instant book
#5 Beautiful View at Chipper Point
88%
(4)Toilet
Pets allowed
Water hookup
Instant book
#9 possible UFO sightings
100%
(3)Toilet
Pets allowed
Water hookup
Reviews
94% Recommend368 ratings · 249 reviews
Amazing spot to go camping, feels like you’re on top of the world. Worth the hype for sure!
The good; the camp is isolated, high atop a mountain overlooking Watsonville, and sites are spread out and big.
The bad: the sites are scraped level and all dirt, surrounded by very dry chaparral. Very fine silt that gets into everything. A PortaPotty is a short walk away. For $75/ night, that’s all you get: no potable water, no electric,
The ugly: Gnats were an ever present swarming nightmare. (To be fair, there’s nothing the host can do about that.) The gnats never let up during our early August stay. The road up to the camp is four miles of rocky rutted dirt and gravel. Figure 30 minutes at 5 mph Between the gnats, the road, the silt and the heat, we bugged out a day early, leaving $75 bucks on the table.
Also, to be fair, the listing did suggest that the road was rough, that the PortaPotty was the only option and that there would be no potable water. We booked anyway. We won’t do that again.
Recommends
· August 2026
All we could ask for (and more!)
14 ft travel trailer · With pets ·
#1 Sand Point Panoramic Valley View
Booked on Friday and arrived on Saturday. The location is isolated despite being relatively close to civilization. Sites are a nice distance from each other where each has a good amount of privacy. A water spigot at the sight was a pleasant surprise and nice to use to splash some water on our faces and fill the dog bowl. Toilet was clean and well kept. We got a nice welcome text from the host, but didn't reply until we left and realized we had misplaced an earring. The host immediately went to our site with a metal detector (wow!) and helped us out as we had already left. Truly above and beyond.
We appreciated knowing the roads to get there are unpaved, but driving slowly with our trailer we made it just fine. We were glad to have our awnings for some shade. Bug spray is also a good idea, but there really weren't swarms or anything that would keep us from coming again. Thank you so much!
We had the most pleasant experience car camping there, beautiful views, clean area and very helpful and responsive host.
Would definitely recommend!
Nice campsite but not as private as I had thought, could see and hear other campers maybe 30yds away. Loved the view and the fire pit add on! View is facing towards Morgan Hill, not the ocean and is slightly obstructed by trees, but all in all nice spot. Great directions and instructions on how to get there as well! Definitely some windy mountain roads, so be prepared for that.
Mixed feelings
· August 2026
Tent ·
#8 UAP Tent Site
Since I was only one person the site size was small but with open high view, close to bathroom. The bathroom facility needs some work as there is no water, no flush water, no hand disinfectant.
There was a water faucet at site but I was afraid it would drain down the short hill to tent, so didn’t use.
The road up from Watsonville area is interesting and parts are beautiful, with amazing views near and at the top.
I would recommend #8 for a single or couple for one night.
There are other spaces that are larger and with expansive views.
Mixed feelings
· August 2026
16 ft car ·
#3 Scenic Valley View
A very unique site with an incredible view over San Jose. After the sun went down, it became even prettier. We saw Venus and a ton of stars given how little light pollution there was. Site 3 was fairly secluded by parking a vehicle in the line of sight of the road. It is the closest to the restrooms so there was a bit of foot traffic we could see/hear from other guests but nothing too disturbing. The other guests staying at site 1 (closest) were awesome! Quiet and respectful.
There were 2 big downsides that I didn’t account for: TONS of bugs (gnats, flies, a couple wasps), and no shade. Even with layers of bug spray it was almost impossible to sit still since the bugs were everywhere. Long sleeves are a must! As for the shade, I would highly recommend arriving later (7pm+) if staying just one night during the summer. It got up to 102 in direct sun even though the weather app said 85.
All in all, a very solid stay. Probably best if weather is in mid 70s and with long sleeves.
Recommends
· July 2026
Tent · With pets ·
#2 Secret Shaded Grove (No view)
We loved this spot! The views are amazing, and it's close to the trails.
Just a heads up. There's not much shade, so be prepared!
Recommends
· July 2026
29 ft pop-up camper · With pets ·
#1 Sand Point Panoramic Valley View
Nice views, fairly isolated and private. Rough roads to get there especially pulling a trailer but not terrible just have to drive slowly for the last few miles.
Great views with very little shade, pack some sort of canopy or plan on leaving the site during the day. Portopottie filled up over the weekend so also advise to bring your own toilet and bags.
Awesome campsite would do it again although next time gotta keep in mind that it’s a bit dusty so prepare for that. The views are incredible and you can see the stars in the night.
Recommends
· July 2026
Great views
15 ft travel trailer · With kids ·
#1 Sand Point Panoramic Valley View
I loved camp spit #1 on this mountain. The views in the morning and stargazing in the night was amazing. Directions were clear!
Recommends
· July 2026
Tent · With pets ·
#6 Epic private camping
Great spot. A bit secluded from trails and an hour away from Santa Cruz but made for a great beach day in Capitola. Very sunny at this site so bring shade.
This is a well planned out and maintained private campground! It is remote and definitely tucked in the mountains. I stayed at #10, and loved the amount of shade I had, even though the large site is mostly sunny. It has a smaller but nice view of the valley, with the woods coming right up to the one side of the site. It is extremely private. I could hear the campers at site number 6 but couldn’t see them (and no one can see sight 10). There is a water spigot at the site which was helpful when washing off the dogs and cleaning up. The picnic table was new, sturdy, clean and painted. It was a luxury to have a garbage can right at the site.
Noah was super helpful, and ran right down to the site when I couldn’t get the propane fire pit to work. (Operator error - I didn’t tighten my propane tank tight enough and there’s a fail safe.) The fire pit worked great, but I eventually turned it off because the stars in the sky were the real show in this lovely, high elevation spot.
Great little private campground!
A group of us had a nice time camping here. The altitude above the clouds made for some great views and the night time temperature was beautiful. The provided fire and propane were very nice. I'd suggest updating the toilet and the cooking tops. The toilet situation was a bit of a downer for much of the group as it did not flush well and was pretty backed up.
Lastly, the directions provided worked fine, but I'd say the written instructions could use an update.
Despite this minor setbacks, it felt like a magical place to be on top of the mountain and we are grateful to have found it!
Recommends
· July 2026
Wonderful site with good privacy. Gorgeous views. Remember to bring shade - it can get very hot- and bug spray. Access instructions were clear/helpful.
Before I say anything about my stay, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND staying here!!! My dog Ringo and I THOROUGHLY enjoyed every moment of the most peaceful and serene campsite we’ve ever stayed at. No UFO 👽 sightings, but the show that the stars put on was absolutely breathtaking. The air was also so crisp and clear, which was very much appreciated, being I live in San Francisco.
The drive up is definitely suited for a vehicle with good suspension. Mine is ok, but wow! I enjoyed it though, and what I saw along the way was like something out of a dream.
I spoke with one of my camp neighbors and they said they had a hard time finding the place, so I thought I’d share what did: Make sure to copy and paste the coordinates into your maps. Once you get close to the campground, go back to Hipcamp and click for directions. It will take you directly to your site.
I can’t wait to camp here again. Praying I’ll be able to get the same site.
Thank you, Noah, for opening up such a wonderful place. ✌🏼🥰
Mixed feelings
· July 2026
Tent ·
#6 Epic private camping
The views from the campground are really stunning and unique. We also appreciated the privacy of our campsite (no6). But we chased every inch of (barely existing) shade during the day, it got very hot and sunny. It’s not grassy it’s very dry, dusty and rocky. For the facilities and quality of the campground I think it’s overpriced, also the charge of 40$ for propane, regardless of the time or amount of using is not faire regulated. It’s really more about the view that made it „worth it“
Mixed feelings
· July 2026
22 ft campervan ·
#3 Scenic Valley View
Cool campground, secluded with great views and good amenities (good toilets for camping and water spigot at each site is great) but not without some challenges. First is that it’s a bit hard to find. The directions tell you where not to go, but it’s not very clear which direction you should take. We got there via Loma Prieta which wasn’t mentioned in the instructions. Bring bug spray as the flies and gnats are plentiful (and pretty uncomfortable) as well as a shade structure as some of the campsites are without any tree cover and in direct sun all day. We stayed at campground #3. If we come back, we would definitely opt for campground #1 which has the best views.
Wanted a campsite up in the mountains yet close to the coast last minute on the 4th of July weekend. Everything was booked up except this listing. Scenic drive on the way up, amazing views of the valley/sunrise/sunset, toilets, running water to wash hands, trash bins and additional add-ons available to enhance the experience if you want. I was bummed I didn’t bring a group with me with the size of the site available. Noah was quick to answer when I called with questions and has the sites spread out perfectly for privacy. Site #5
Recommends
· July 2026
Tent ·
#8 UAP Tent Site
Beautiful newly developed property. My site had water, table. Only suggestion is to clarify turn-by-turn directions from 17. Google lat/longs led me astray.
Recommends
· June 2026
Tent · With kids ·
#9 possible UFO sightings
It’s simple but the location is great, directions, water and restrooms all good for the price.
At night we stargazed and in the morning we enjoyed the sun, while SJ was covered in clouds. Will come back!
Recommends
· June 2026
Tent ·
#6 Epic private camping
Incredible views and well cared-for sites! We had a great weekend at site #6.
Recommends
· June 2026
Tent · With pets ·
#8 UAP Tent Site
Excellent views and tidy campsites. Would camp here again.
Recommends
· June 2026
Tent · Group trip ·
#7 Private Sunrise Plato
Views were beautiful at camping spots, the place was huge. Overall a great experience
Absolutely beautiful and amazing! We really enjoyed our stay here and would recommend it 10 times out of 10.
Recommends
· June 2026
Tent · Group trip ·
#7 Private Sunrise Plato
Apple Maps worked better over google maps. There was cell service. Bathrooms were not functional, but the campsite was nice regardless.
Recommends
· June 2026
Tent · Group trip ·
#1 Sand Point Panoramic Valley View
Absolutely beautiful. Will go again. The view was everything I could have imagined
Recommends
· May 2026
Tent · With kids ·
#4 Stargazer
Great location with amazing views. Enjoyed the campsite. Area was well maintained with nice leveled spots to set up tents at each site.
Recommends
· May 2026
Tent · With pets ·
#10 Private Shaded Woods
Beautiful, isolated camp spot in the Santa Cruz mountains.
Would recommend.
Location
Day Valley, Santa Clara, California, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Noah S.
Joined in June 2021Things to do nearby
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