Best Campgrounds near American Canyon, CA

Camping options around American Canyon in California's wine country include several developed campgrounds and RV parks within a short drive of the city. Skyline Wilderness Park, just 8 minutes from downtown Napa, offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins across its 800+ acres of natural terrain. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA provides glamping accommodations and cabin rentals alongside traditional camping options. Other nearby options include Napa Valley Expo RV Park, Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, and Benicia State Recreation Area, all situated within the scenic landscape of vineyards and rolling hills that characterize this region of Northern California.

Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during peak wine tourism seasons. Many camping areas feature full hookups for RVs, with rates generally ranging from $40-$65 per night depending on amenities and location. Facilities typically include restrooms with showers, picnic tables, and trash collection. While tent camping is available throughout the region, RV sites dominate the local camping scene due to the popularity of wine country tourism. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, making planning and navigation straightforward. One visitor noted, "Clean showers and bathrooms, some trees, close to Raley's Grocery store. Easy drive to the wineries of Napa Valley, a little further to Sonoma but a nice drive."

Campers consistently praise the proximity to wineries and downtown areas while still enjoying natural surroundings. Skyline Wilderness Park receives particular attention for its trail system and wildlife viewing opportunities. Several visitors mentioned seeing wild turkeys and deer near their campsites. The campgrounds in this region serve as convenient bases for wine tasting excursions, with many campers taking advantage of rideshare services to safely enjoy vineyard visits. According to visitor feedback, "It's a good getaway into nature" while being "literally 5 mins outside of the town of Napa." Many campgrounds in the area offer limited shade, so travelers camping during summer months should prepare accordingly with shade structures or by selecting sites under the scattered oak trees when available.

Best Camping Sites Near American Canyon, California (162)

    1. Skyline Wilderness Park

    29 Reviews
    Napa, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 252-0481

    "A ton of great hiking and horseback riding trails. Literally 5 mins outside of the town of Napa. Ate at an amazing Brazilian Steakhouse and came to camp in just a short drive."

    "Nice, clean place with beautiful hiking trails. The garden is very cute, perfect for a quiet walk or meditation. Sites are close to each other. This place is a good getaway into nature."

    2. Napa Valley Expo RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Napa, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 333-6014

    $60 - $80 / night

    "Rv park at the fairgrounds, walk to downtown Napa. Concrete pads, full hook ups. Basic but great!"

    "The site is very clean but noise from the traffic outside of it. It’s difficult to sleep."

    3. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    Kenwood, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 833-5712

    $35 - $45 / night

    "Easy access to a lot of trails. The view from the campground is nice and relaxing. Some sites are very tight and close to each other. Some are spacious enough."

    "There are certainly some that are better situated than others regarding size, shade, and other amenities--but the entire campground is nice."

    4. Benicia State Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Benicia, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 648-1911

    $12 / night

    "The area is beautiful and lots of people come here to walk and exercise, and once I took my dog on a walk I saw why nobody brings their dog - TICKS! So many!  "

    "Near the freeway so there was road noise almost all night. Great option for when you just need a cheap overnight."

    5. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA

    31 Reviews
    Penngrove, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 763-1492

    "showers were always clean. there was some construction going on, since it was the off season. it looked like they were renovating some of the bathrooms and aisle end sites to add grass and decks. the location"

    "For us, this is a great spot to shoot down the highway and pull in for a few days to get away from the hustle and bustle of normal life!"

    6. Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    53 Reviews
    Lagunitas, CA
    29 miles

    $35 - $225 / night

    "This campground is less than an hours drive from San Francisco. It is along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard which takes you through a bunch of very cute tiny towns."

    "Beautiful trees and wonderful California charm. The campsites were decently located. Above the Mendocino coast the mornings are wet and Cold. Loved this place"

    7. Tradewinds RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Crockett, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 643-4000

    $42 - $47 / night

    "Close to highway. Noise not a problem. Very friendly staff. Sites are close together but easy entry. Level sites with FHU’s. Would stay here again."

    8. Ritchey Creek Campground — Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

    27 Reviews
    Deer Park, CA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 942-4575

    $43 / night

    "We just stayed here for 2 nights, great location very close to Calistoga and not to far from Saint Helena! Next time i would love to try out a cabin or yurt."

    "Good access to wineries close by.  Only real downside was that because of the dry conditions we could not have a campfire."

    9. Travis AFB FamCamp

    5 Reviews
    Fairfield, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 424-3583

    "Commissary and PX within walking distance. Plenty of available sites, both h/u and dry."

    10. Marin RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Larkspur, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 461-5199

    $99 - $115 / night

    "30 mins away from the City. A bit pricy but that is to be expected in SF."

    "Great location to the city and Muir woods. Good stores near by. Narrow sites. No room for awning. Close to gather. Sites are gravel and level. Nice area for pets with view."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 162 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near American Canyon, CA

880 Reviews of 162 American Canyon Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

    Loved Bodega Dunes

    We spent two nights at Bodega Dunes in the middle of September. The campground was clean with sites that were easy to back into. The sites were separated by trees and shrubbery, give the feeling of a more privacy. We were in site 60 and thought it was very nice.

    The folks manning the checkin hut were friendly and helpful. We had a grand time exploring Bodega Bay and enjoying the seafood available. This is the second campground we’ve visited in Bodega Bay and enjoyed the more private campsite found here.

    We’ll definitely go back!

  • Sary W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    San Francisco RV Resort

    Close to City

    We stayed here as we had baseball game tickets in SF during our RV trip. Close to city and in a safe area. Liked sleeping to the sounds of crashing waves and was able to use full hookups.

    Bathrooms were pretty dirty - not as pictured. Although I liked that the showers locked. Rec area was very run down. Laundry has mobile payment and was clean and accessible.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    Pantoll

    Very nice small campground on Mt Tam. All sites are a small walk up on a hill kind of steep. Ranger station at parking lot that sells firewood. Water faucets, bathrooms. No showers. Bear lockers.

  • Jake M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    Very quite/ beautiful sites

    We’re hoping to get a spot with less of a hill to climb but on the top it’s a nice flat terrain. Nice view some campsites are closer to watch other than others.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Lake Solano County Park

    Great campsite, loud road

    I loved staying here for one night and wish I could’ve been there for longer. The bathrooms are accessible, I had a beautiful spot by the water, my neighbors were friendly, the staff were welcoming. The only catch was that the road parallel to the lake is super loud and for me bothersome at night. I did not get good sleep because of this, i recommend bringing ear plugs if you are sensitive to noise and sleeping outside (i was in a tent). I don’t know how noisy it is for other spots farther away, but I would guess the sound still travels but is not as bad as having a spot along the water. Normal site are $30 per night, sites along the water are $40.

  • Leafe Z.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Johnson's Beach

    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

  • yThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA

    Great area, safe, kid friendly

    I planned to stay here just one night and stayed like 4. Great spot, I loved downtown Petaluma and enjoyed the safe feeling and convenience of this location. Great amenities for children too.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground

    Feels much more remote than it is

    Great campsite, awesome staff. Tucked away off highway 12 in wine country it feels much more remote than it actually is. It's a great fast getaway from the northbay, but it can be hard to reserve a site ahead of time but they do have first-come first serve sites too. Excellent hiking with both fairly flat trails, to challenging trails with lots of elevation change. It's often very hot in the summer, and there can be lots of rattle snakes sunning themselves on the rocks. This is one of my favorite camping spots.


Guide to American Canyon

Camping spots near American Canyon, California range from basic RV parks to wooded state campgrounds. The area sits at the southern edge of Napa Valley where temperatures average 70-80°F in summer and 40-60°F in winter, with rainfall concentrated between November and March. Most campgrounds require advance reservations during peak wine country season from May through October, when spaces fill quickly and rates increase by 10-20%.

What to do

Hiking trails access: At Skyline Wilderness Park, campers can explore multiple trails directly from their sites. "The 800+ acres of hills, woods and fields offers archery, disc golf, hiking, horseback riding and more," notes a visitor. The park provides immediate trail access for morning or evening walks with minimal driving.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning and evening wildlife sightings are common at several campgrounds. "Wild turkey, deer, wood peckers regularly seen!" reports one Skyline camper. At Samuel P. Taylor State Park, campers frequently observe "rabbit, turkeys, lizards, deer, & quails" along the nature trail that winds through the campground.

Astronomy and stargazing: Sugarloaf Ridge State Park offers unique night sky programs at the Robert Ferguson Observatory. "We went on a night hike for a star gazing tour and had a great time!" shares one camper. The park's location away from major city lights creates favorable conditions for stargazing, especially during summer months.

What campers like

Convenience to wine country: Many campers appreciate the strategic locations that serve as affordable bases for wine tasting. "A shuttle stops at the park to take people into town for dinner if they don't want to drive after drinking," notes a visitor at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. This eliminates driving concerns after vineyard visits.

Urban amenities with natural settings: Campers value the balance between access to services and natural surroundings. "It's a good spot for convenience. You can walk to town to eat etc," writes a reviewer about Napa Valley Expo RV Park. While some campgrounds have road noise, their proximity to restaurants and services offsets this drawback for many visitors.

Seasonal swimming options: Summer heat relief is available at select campgrounds. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park offers a swimming pool that "looked clean and comfortably, although quite small." Bothe-Napa Valley State Park also features "yurts and a seasonal pool make this a fun place to go with the kids," providing cooling options during hot summer days.

What you should know

Limited availability: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak wine tourism season. "This non profit ecology based campground supplied each campsite its own portopotty," mentioned one visitor about Sugarloaf Ridge during COVID, showing how management adapts to maintain operations during busy periods.

Temperature variations: The region experiences significant temperature swings between day and night. "The weather was nice mid-April. Good amount of shade. Flat ground for tent," notes one camper, while another cautions, "The night is COLD up this way, and mere miles will cover several different weather systems. Bring layers."

Campsite spacing concerns: Site proximity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Marin RV Park, "the spots are narrow. The ground is made up of small rocks, but is perfectly level." Meanwhile, Samuel P. Taylor offers more privacy where "I couldn't see my neighbors."

Tips for camping with families

Junior ranger programs: State parks in the area often offer educational activities for children. At Sugarloaf Ridge, "Ask about the free quest hike. They send you on an adventure hike and there is treasure at the end of it," recommends one family. These structured activities keep children engaged while teaching about local ecology.

Animal encounters: Supervised wildlife viewing provides educational opportunities. "We had a gorgeous one [fox] visit our camp!" shares a Sugarloaf visitor. At San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA, children enjoy "a small petting zoo, a pool, playground areas, and more," offering controlled animal interactions.

Creek access: Seasonal creek play areas provide natural water features. "There is a creek" at Samuel P. Taylor State Park that children can explore during appropriate seasons, though "access to the creek is seasonally restricted for spawning, and I believe that goes from spring to about mid June or July."

Tips from RVers

Limited maneuvering space: Several campgrounds have tight access roads and limited turning radius. At Samuel P. Taylor, sites are "a bit too tight for large trailer or RV camping (unless you are an expert at maneuvering through tight spaces)." Plan arrival during daylight hours when possible.

Leveling requirements: Ground conditions vary widely between campgrounds. At Marin RV Park, sites are "perfectly level" on gravel, while at Skyline Wilderness, "Sites are level with minimal need for blocks." Bringing leveling equipment remains important despite these reports.

Hookup availability: Full hookups are concentrated in specific campgrounds. Napa Valley Expo offers "Concrete pads, full hook ups. Basic but great!" Most sites include "30 and 50 amp with water and sewer," though premium prices reflect these amenities compared to partial-hookup options in state parks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping spots in American Canyon?

While American Canyon itself has limited camping options, nearby Skyline Wilderness Park offers camping just outside downtown Napa with separate tent and RV sections. The park features hiking trails and basic amenities. For those seeking additional options, Napa Valley Expo RV Park provides convenient RV accommodations with hookups. Campers can also find sites at Benicia State Recreation Area or head slightly further to Vallejo or Fairfield for more camping facilities. Most locations require reservations, especially during peak season.

What are the best lakes for camping near American Canyon?

Spring Lake Regional Park offers excellent lakeside camping with newer bathroom and shower facilities. The park provides great access to water-based activities like swimming, fishing, and paddling, plus connects to hiking trails in adjacent Trione-Annadel State Park. Another option is Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground, which features peaceful camping near a seasonal creek with access to numerous trails. While not directly on American Canyon's doorstep, these options provide the best lake and water-oriented camping experiences within a reasonable drive.

What camping is available near American Canyon, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, American Canyon, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 162 campgrounds and RV parks near American Canyon, CA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near American Canyon, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near American Canyon, CA is Skyline Wilderness Park with a 4.2-star rating from 29 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near American Canyon, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near American Canyon, CA.

What parks are near American Canyon, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near American Canyon, CA that allow camping, notably Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore.