Guide to Camping in Sonoma County

Redwood forests, mountains, lakes, rivers, and beaches highlight the region’s beauty, and these four Sonoma County state parks offer extraordinary camping too.

Austin Creek State Recreation Area

With nearly 6,000 acres and 20 miles of trails through woodlands and rolling hills, Austin Creek is a recreational dream. It’s also next to Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve with its majestic groves of redwood trees. Austin has 23 campsites on a secluded pond available on a first-come, first-served basis for tent camping (no hook-ups or trailer sites). For camping information, visit the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods. Please visit the official park’s website for updates.

Salt Point State Park

Located on the county’s far northern coast, Salt Point has 20 miles of hiking trails, more than six miles of rugged coastline, a pygmy forest, and an underwater park. Other recreational activities include hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and skin/scuba diving. There are two main campgrounds, as well as sites for group camping:

• Gerstle Cove atop bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, contains 30 family campsites.
• Woodside Campground on the east side of Highway 1 holds 79 sites.
• Group camping on the ocean side of Highway 1 accommodates a maximum of 40 people.
• Hikers and Bikers can use 10 sites located behind the ranger office.
• Overflow camping for self-contained vehicles is available in the day use parking lot below the Gerstle Cove campground.

Sonoma Coast State Park

A series of beaches, separated by rock bluffs and headlands, stretches north along the coast from Bodega Head to four miles past Jenner (a total of 17 miles). This park offers some of the most beautiful campsites you’ll ever find anywhere. Campsites are in three locations.

• Wright’s Beach has 27 developed campsites adjacent to the beach. Maximum trailer length is 27 feet; no hookups are available. Reservations recommended.
• Bodega Dunes offers 98 campsites with hot showers, flush toilets, and a trailer sanitation dump station. The maximum trailer length is 31 feet; no hookups are available. Campfire and Junior Ranger programs are held during the summer. The day-use area includes an accessible boardwalk out to a classic sandy beach. Reservations recommended.
• Willow Creek Environmental Campground, closed in winter, offers 11 primitive campsites with fire rings, pit toilets and tables, within one-quarter mile of the parking lot. No running water. First come, first served.

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

Nestled into the majestic Mayacamas Mountains between Sonoma and Napa valleys, Sugarloaf Ridge holds the headwaters of 33-mile-long Sonoma Creek, a 25-foot seasonal waterfall, and 2,729-foot Bald Mountain.

The nearly 4,000-acre park is known for fabulous hiking through tree-covered ridges and a canyon redwood forest. Sugarloaf has 47 family campsites in a large meadow; sites accommodate RVs up to 27 feet long and campers up to 23 feet. Each site has a table and fire ring; flush toilets and drinking water are nearby. A group campsite is available to accommodate 50.

To learn about all of Sonoma County’s 11 state parks, read our Guide to Sonoma County State Parks.

Sonoma County’s thriving regional park system consists of more than 50 parks — including trails and open spaces — and encompasses nearly 60,000 acres. Parks run the length and breadth of the county, stretching north from Bodega Bay to The Sea Ranch and Gualala, and east from the Pacific Ocean to Sonoma Valley.

Six of the regional parks offer more than 250 campsites.

Doran Regional Park

Just south of Bodega Bay, Doran is situated on a lovely two-mile sandy beach. It’s a popular spot to picnic, build sand castles, fly kites, surf, fish, and stroll. The campground is open year-round, with 112 campsites and one hiker/cyclist group site. Restrooms have electrical outlets, flush toilets, and coin-operated showers; there are no RV hook-ups. A free EV charging station is located in the Cypress day-use parking lot.

Gualala Point Regional Park

Located where the Gualala River enters the Pacific Ocean, the campground nestles under redwood trees beside the river, within walking distance of the crashing surf. There are 18 reservable campsites and non-reservable sites intended for hikers and cyclists. Amenities include flush toilets, electrical outlets, a coin-operated shower, and a dump station. There are no RV hook-ups.

Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve

With nearly 2,000 acres, Hood Mountain offers 19 miles of hiking trails with sweeping views (the view from Gunsight Rock is often written about). Camping here is geared toward backpackers, with four environmental campsites reachable after a two-mile hike from the parking lot. One site is for groups, with three tables and space for seven tents. Sites contain tables, food lockers, and tent pads, with primitive toilets nearby. You must carry in drinking water and carry out all trash. Campfires are not allowed; cooking stoves are permitted. 

Spring Lake Regional Park

Located on the bucolic outskirts of Santa Rosa, Spring Lake is the most-used regional park in the county, thanks to its beautiful setting, swimming lagoon (with a floating water playground), seasonal café, small boating lake, and hiking trails. The park’s 30 individual campsites are available from May — September (the rest of the year, it’s only open on weekends and holidays). A group campground is available by reservation only. Three sleeping cabins are available, each with sleeping platforms and bare mattresses, decks with seating, porches, a picnic table, a prep table, a fire ring, a charcoal grill, and a food locker.

Stillwater Cove Regional Park

Located on the Pacific Ocean in Jenner (near Fort Ross State Historic Park), Stillwater offers fabulous ocean-view hiking, a beach launch suitable for kayaks and other small boats, and immensely popular abalone diving. Stillwater has more than 20 campsites available (two with disabled access) and a hiker/bicyclist group site. Amenities include coin-operated showers, flush toilets, a dump station, and electrical outlets; no RV hook-ups.

Westside Regional Park

On the north side of Bodega Bay, this campground is tucked away from crowds in a beautiful setting. It offers a boat ramp and both a boat-rinsing and fish-cleaning station and is near stores and tackle shops. Westside has nearly 47 trailer/camper sites available (two are configured for disabled access), along with restrooms with electrical outlets, flush toilets, and coin-operated showers; no RV hook-ups.

For a comprehensive overview of Sonoma County Regional Parks, read our Guide to the Sonoma County Regional Park System.

Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Geyserville’s Lake Sonoma — with 2,700 acres of lake surface and 50 miles of shoreline — was created by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1983 during construction of Warm Springs Dam. The lake, surrounded by steep hills and vineyards, offers extensive opportunities for recreation, including hiking, swimming, horseback riding, archery, fishing, hunting, boating and camping.

Lake Sonoma has two different types of campsites:

RV/Tent Camping

Liberty Glen Campground at Lake Sonoma has 97 drive-in campsites for RVs and tent campers (no electrical or water hook-ups available). Reservations for campsites are required. During the summer, there are many special events and fun campfire programs.

Boat-in Camping

There are 106 boat-in campsites scattered along the lake. Each “primitive” campsite has its own fire ring, picnic table, and lantern holder, and chemical toilets are available. However, you’ll have to bring your own drinking water or a dependable filter device for purifying lake water.

Reservations are required for boat-in camping sites. If you don’t have a boat, Lake Sonoma Marina rents everything from a one-person kayak to a double-decker patio boat for 12.

Known as luxurious camping, glamping is the perfect way to experience the great outdoors with the luxuries that typically come with a hotel.

AutoCamp Russian River

Choose between a custom-designed Airstream trailer or a luxurious canvas tent with a plush, modern interior in this glamping (glamorous camping) destination under the redwoods along the Russian River. The trailers include spa-inspired bathrooms with walk-in showers; both trailers and tents offer luxurious hotel bedding, linens, towels, and bath products.

boon hotel + spa

This popular hotel in the quirky riverside town of Guerneville offers plush tent cabins seasonally from Memorial Day through September, with the hotel’s usual luxuries: platform beds, organic linens, great bath products, terrific breakfasts, and more. The tent cabins come equipped with lanterns and have shared bath facilities.

Cloverdale Wine Country KOA Camping Resort

This Cloverdale campground offers deluxe lodges with central heating and air conditioning, a front deck with wide-ranging views of Alexander Valley, a large fire pit/barbecue, and a fully equipped kitchen. Bring your own linens or purchase a linen package for your stay.

Safari West Wildlife Preserve & African Tent Camp

Tour this 400-acre animal preserve in an open-air vehicle and then spend the night in a luxury tent made of pale green canvas. The tent features plush beds, hot showers, and rustic but elegant trappings. More than 800 animals reside in this wildlife preserve in conditions close to their natural African habitat.

San Francisco North/Petaluma KOA Campground

A variety of deluxe cabins allow you to “camp” in style. Loft Lodges have a master bedroom and a separate sleeping loft, Bunk Bed Lodges are pet friendly, Wine Country Studio Lodges are perfect for a couple, Buddy Lodges let you can vacation with friends with your own space, and the Accessible Loft Lodge is handicap accessible.

Wildhaven Sonoma

Located in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country, Wildhaven features an elevated camping experience. Kick back on the front deck of the extra-large, safari-style tent cabins, or enjoy private access to the Russian River, where you can dip your toes in the clear water. Rent a bike and take a self-guided wine tour of Sonoma County’s famous Alexander Valley.

Other popular camping spots in Sonoma County include:

Bodega Bay RV Park

Located in Bodega Bay near the beach, this full-service RV park offers 72 sites with various levels of hook-ups, in a wind-protected area. Amenities include a laundromat, hot showers, restaurant, RV supplies, and group facilities. Business services (fax, copying, etc.) available. No tent camping.

Burke’s Canoe Trips

Located on the Russian River, Burke’s has long been famous for its self-guided, 10-mile canoe trips from Forestville to Guerneville — but it also offers riverfront camping near the river or in the redwoods. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Tents, trailers and RVs accommodated; restrooms and hot showers on site.

Casini Ranch Family Campground

Situated one mile along the Russian River — just four miles inland from the Pacific Ocean — Casini Ranch has RV and tent sites, guest cottages, cabins, and rental RVs. There’s a convenience store on-site, and campground activities can include outdoor movies, beach bonfires, duck feedings, guided hikes, summer ice cream socials, and hayrides!

Johnson’s Beach Camping

Located on the Russian River in downtown Guerneville, Johnson’s offers tent campsites, rustic cabins, and a lodge, all built in the 1920s. Guests have access to a game room, laundry, and barbecue area. The beach below the campground has a snack bar, plus canoe, kayak, and paddle boat rentals.

Ocean Cove Campground

Situated around a sheltered cove, this scenic Pacific Coast campground offers oceanfront sites on the bluff or secluded camps tucked in the trees. A group campsite is also available. Amenities include fire pits, hot showers, chemical toilets, and a boat ramp. A store is nearby, as are Stillwater Cove Regional Park and Salt Point State Park. This is a great place to watch a sunset. RV and tent sites are available from April through November.

Porto Bodega RV Park

Located in Bodega Bay, Porto Bodega has 56 waterfront or water view RV sites, most with hook-ups (no tent sites). Amenities include a picnic table and burn barrel at each site, hot showers, sanitary dump station, boat launch, bait and tackle shop, and a lend-out video and book library.

River Bend Resort

On the Russian River, this RV and tent camp offers riverfront sites; it can handle 40-foot motorhomes or small tent camping trailers. A separate tent camping area can accommodate RVs, but has no drains. Amenities include Internet access, coin laundry, dog walk area, children’s play area; tent campers have hot shower facilities, fire ring, picnic tables, electricity, and water.

Schoolhouse Canyon Park

Tucked into a redwood grove with 30 acres along the Russian River, this family-run campground is part of a pioneering ranch dating from the 1850s (and still in the same family). This is geared to tent camping, but small RVs are allowed, primarily on weekdays. Reservations can be made, but first-come sites often available. Bathrooms and showers available.