Map showing campground location near Guerneville, California

Johnson's Beach

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Kayaking and swimming on the Russian River draw most visitors to Johnson's Beach, where the water sits just a two-minute walk from the campsites. Kayaks, canoes, and other watercraft are available to rent on-site, making it easy to get on the river without hauling your own gear. The campground's location in Guerneville also puts shops, bars, and a Safeway within a five-minute walk, so it functions well as a base for exploring the town rather than a remote getaway. Campers interested in campgrounds near Guerneville will find several other options in the area, including Parker's Resort and Highlands Resort nearby.

Sites vary noticeably in character. Some sit in full sun with no shade, while others are heavily shaded by trees, though that tree cover comes with crows that can be loud and leave a mess around the grounds. Sites numbered 20 through 25 run particularly small and cramped. A road used by cars to reach the beach passes alongside the campsites and kicks up dust during busy periods. Noise from adjacent properties, including a bar, carries into the campground at night.

Electric and water hookups are available for RVs, and each site has an outlet. Bathrooms and showers are consistently noted as clean and well-maintained. One important note for dog owners: pets are allowed in the campground, but as Leafe Z. points out, dogs "don't allow the dog on the beach or in the boat with you," which limits options during a stay. Reservations are accepted, and rates run $50 to $100 per night.

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Map & DirectionsJohnson's Beach is located in California near Guerneville

Private Campground

Coordinates

38.4999808 N
122.9974404 W

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Connectivity

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Excellent Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 8/28/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 8/28/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 8/28/26

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 8/28/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 8/28/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 8/28/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
WiFi
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Water Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

23 min from Santa Rosa, CA
1 hr 3 min from Vallejo, CA
1 hr 7 min from Napa, CA
1 hr 17 min from San Francisco, CA

Reviews7 Camper Reviews - Johnson's Beach

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

7 Reviews

SweetT J.

Scout

Reviewed May. 29, 2026

Johnson's Beach

Really chill, very relaxing vibe and the locals are crazy wonderful 😊

Sitewe rented a cabin

Month of VisitMay

Leafe Z.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 8, 2025

Perfext location for river

Russian River is right out front of the campground. They offer kayaks canoes, and whatever else you want to rent however, if you have a dog, they don’t allow the dog on the beach or in the boat with you and they’re not allowed to stay behind in the tent, so you’re kind of stuck if you have a dog

Month of VisitSeptember

Henry M.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 5, 2025

Good location but mediocre camping

Just got back from a 2 night stay at Johnson's Beach campsite. We found the camp grounds to be so-so and not the most maintained. While we were there, we saw more than a few families come for a night and leave earlier than expected because of complaints of their sites.

If you are interested in Johnson's Beach, I'd rather do one of their glamping tents or bungalow instead.

Pros:

Good location to the beach; 2 minute walk from camp site to the beach.
Nice clean and well maintained bathrooms and showers.
5 minute walk to downtown / Safeway
Host (Chris) was nice and did his best.
Outlets at each site.
Well shaded by trees (although is also a con).

Cons:

Camp sites too cramped/small, especially from 20 - 25. Hardly any breathing room.
Camp sites are right behind a bar (?) and homes so we heard a lot of partying, singing, dog barking well into the night
Road next to the camp sites used by cars to reach the beach. Cars would stir up dust.
A lot of trees but frequented by crows. The crows can be very noisy and loved to poop all around the camp grounds.

Month of VisitJuly

Maria O.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 28, 2021

Sweet little spot

This is our second time here. This is our little spot when we just don’t want to be in the wilderness. There is an access to the river and few steps away from an old small town feel. Lots of local shops and bars right outside the campsite. We spent one afternoon just strolling on the strip and checking out stores. The campground is small. Some sites are sunny and has no shade at all but some are cool and shady. Also, Chris, who manages the site is pretty awesome and nice.

Site17

Month of VisitAugust

godon J.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 21, 2021

Nice place to walk to the river

Nice place to walk to the Riverwalk down for dinner

Site50

Month of VisitJuly

isaac F.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 5, 2021

Swim, shop, hike

Great spot in the middle of town. walking distance from all shops and bars while still on the river. Friendly staff, friendly neighbors.

Sitecampsite 10

Month of VisitJuly

Reza T.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 9, 2019

Location location location

If you enjoy Guerneville and want a simple campsite where you can easily walk to every bar, restaurant, and the redwoods, this is the spot. Clean toilets, warm showers, river access, electrical outlets, what's not to like?

Frequently Asked Questions

What do visitor reviews say about Johnson's Beach Cabins and Campground?

Johnson's Beach Cabins and Campground offers a unique camping experience in Guerneville with convenient access to town amenities. Campers appreciate the prime location on the Russian River with easy walking distance to local shops, restaurants, bars, and the redwoods. While most visitors enjoy the social atmosphere and town proximity, some note that the grounds aren't always well-maintained. It's an ideal spot for campers who prefer a less remote experience while still enjoying outdoor recreation opportunities along the river.

What facilities and amenities are available at Johnson's Beach Cabins and Campground?

Johnson's Beach Cabins and Campground provides clean toilets, warm showers, and electrical outlets for campers. The campground offers direct river access to the Russian River, where visitors can rent kayaks and canoes for water recreation. The location is particularly notable for its proximity to town amenities, putting shops, restaurants, and bars within walking distance. Note that dogs are not permitted on the beach or in rental boats, and cannot be left unattended at campsites.

Is there a map of Johnson's Beach Campground showing campsite locations?

There's no specific information about a campground map for Johnson's Beach. For detailed site layouts and campsite locations, contact the campground office directly or check their official website. When making reservations, ask about site specifications and locations, particularly if you have preferences regarding proximity to facilities, the river, or town access. Understanding the campground layout will help ensure you select a site that meets your specific camping needs.

How much does it cost to stay at Johnson's Beach Cabins and Campground?

Specific pricing for Johnson's Beach Cabins and Campground is not detailed in the available information. For current rates, it's recommended to contact the campground directly or check their official website. Pricing likely varies based on season, type of accommodation (cabin vs. campsite), and length of stay. Consider calling ahead to inquire about any additional fees for amenities or recreation equipment rentals.

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