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Best Campgrounds near Benicia, CA

752 Reviews

Camping options near Benicia, California range from developed state recreation areas to full-service RV parks within a short drive of the Bay Area. Benicia State Recreation Area provides limited overnight RV parking with self-contained vehicles only, while nearby Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. Several mixed-use campgrounds within 30 miles provide varying levels of amenities, including Napa Valley Expo RV Park, Tradewinds RV Park in Vallejo, and Anthony Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley.

Many campgrounds in the region operate year-round, though specific restrictions apply at certain locations. Benicia State Recreation Area strictly limits stays to one night with mandatory departure by 9 AM, catering primarily to self-contained RVs rather than tent camping. Reservations are available at some parks like Skyline Wilderness, while Benicia SRA operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The Mediterranean climate provides generally favorable camping conditions, though summer heat can be intense, and winter brings occasional rain. Cell service is typically strong throughout the area due to proximity to urban centers. According to one visitor, "This state recreation area has 3 spots for overnight parking. It's meant to be a quick overnight spot, not a camping destination."

Campers particularly appreciate Skyline Wilderness Park for its balance of natural setting with convenient access to urban amenities. The park receives high ratings for its trails, wildlife viewing, and proximity to downtown Napa. One reviewer noted it offers "beautiful views of vineyards and sunset and people riding their horses," with convenient access to downtown just "8 mins" away. The limited overnight spots at Benicia State Recreation Area, while basic, provide a practical option for travelers needing a simple stopover. Noise from nearby highways affects some campgrounds, particularly Tradewinds RV Park, with one visitor mentioning it can be "noisy being right against the freeway." Most developed campgrounds in the area provide drinking water and toilet facilities, though amenities vary significantly between locations.

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Best Camping Sites Near Benicia, California (149)

    1. Skyline Wilderness Park

    29 Reviews
    Napa, CA
    15 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. Benicia State Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Benicia, CA
    2 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."

    3. Live Oak Campground — Mount Diablo State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Diablo, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (925) 837-2525

    $30 / night

    "This mountain has many of hiking trails for various levels of hikers."

    "Live Oak is the closest to the entrance (and town), and features some cool rock formations to explore, but it's colder, has terrible cellular data service, and doesn't quite have the sunset / sunrise views"

    4. Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    29 Reviews
    Castro Valley, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $25 - $200 / night

    "as usual some spots are better than others but most close to restrooms and/or water. lots of poison oak and star thistle right off trail. great deterrent for kids to stay out of tick areas but id worry"

    "Midweek in June the park, which is fairly large, is still nearly empty."

    5. Tradewinds RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Crockett, CA
    5 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."

    6. Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    53 Reviews
    Lagunitas, CA
    32 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. Tilden Regional Park

    4 Reviews
    Kensington, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $75 - $120 / night

    "Tilden is great for anyone looking for a close park right outside of the Berkeley/San Fran area. It is a rather large park area that overlooks Berkeley."

    "Tilden offers a lake in the middle to swim in and fish. The campsites have lots of fire pits. The weather is always great too!"

    8. Briones Regional Park

    1 Review
    Pleasant Hill, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $75 - $200 / night

    "Good parking and turn around. Lots of opportunities for horse riders in area. Pets on leash."

    9. Napa Valley Expo RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Napa, CA
    17 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."

    10. Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park

    9 Reviews
    Tiburon, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 435-5390

    $30 / night

    "Angel Island is a California State Park, but it's surprising how many visitors do not know of the 10 campsites scattered around the island!"

    "Campsites are walk in throughout the island.  Remember there will be fog and there will be wind. We try to get what they call the "group" kayak site. "

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Recent Camping Photos near Benicia, CA

180 Photos of 149 Benicia Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Benicia, CA

752 Reviews of 149 Benicia Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Lovely site, really close to San Francisco!

    On visiting San Francisco we were looking for a site that wasn’t a car park. This really met the mark! Beautiful place with great sites. Nice picnic tables & fire pits! Was very quiet

  • S
    Aug. 28, 2025

    smittle creek

    Hidden Gem

    This sweet little spot is a paddle boarding and fishing dream. Primitive site where Smittle Creek flows into Lake Berryessa.

Guide to Benicia

Camping near Benicia, CA, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "The local trails and creeks were breathtaking," making it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Beach Access: Visit Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park for a relaxing day at the beach. A camper noted, "The beach itself was quiet and only a few folks were out there after the storm."
  • Wildlife Watching: At Doran Regional Park, you can enjoy birding and beachcombing. One visitor shared, "Access to both the cove and ocean" makes it a lovely spot for wildlife enthusiasts.

What campers like

  • Scenic Views: Campers appreciate the stunning surroundings. One reviewer at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground said, "It’s a lovely campsite with most sites being under tree canopies."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds, like Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground, are praised for their cleanliness. A camper remarked, "The showers were clean and spacious with great pressure and warm water."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: The San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA is popular for its kid-friendly amenities. One parent noted, "Great playground, jumping pillow, petting farm and mining fun."

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Lawson's Landing, lack certain facilities. A visitor mentioned, "Porta pottys were very dirty and TP less," so it's wise to come prepared.
  • Crowded During Peak Times: Popular spots like Doran Regional Park can get busy. One camper expressed frustration, saying, "It sucks that so many people go here now."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife at places like Anthony Chabot Regional Park. A camper shared, "We had two new types of visitors...wild turkeys came to pick up the dropped food."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA that offer activities for kids. One reviewer said, "This place is busy and expensive...but great for kids."
  • Pack Extra Supplies: At campgrounds like Bodega Dunes Campground, it's good to bring your own firewood and food. A camper advised, "The wood cost is high here so I recommend getting some before you arrive."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Be mindful of noise, especially at busy campgrounds. One camper at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground noted, "You might experience some of the most ridiculous first-time campers."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: RVers should be aware that some sites, like at Bodega Dunes Campground, can be smaller than expected. One reviewer mentioned, "Not much space to pitch a larger size tent."
  • Bring a Lock for Food Storage: At campgrounds like Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground, securing food is essential. A camper noted, "Make sure you bring a pad lock as there is no locking mechanism on the door."
  • Be Prepared for Slopes: Some campgrounds, such as Anthony Chabot Regional Park, have sloped sites. One visitor mentioned, "A lot of the sites are on a slant," so plan accordingly.

Camping near Benicia, CA, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Benicia State Recreation Area camping located?

Benicia State Recreation Area is situated along the Carquinez Strait on the outskirts of Benicia, offering scenic waterfront views. The recreation area features basic camping with water access and both drive-in and walk-in sites. Located at 1 State Park Road in Benicia, it serves as a convenient stopover point when exploring the region. The park spans 720 acres of marsh and grassland with easy access to the waterfront and hiking trails.

What tent camping options are available near Benicia?

While Benicia itself has limited tent camping, several excellent options exist within driving distance. Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa offers a dedicated tent section separate from RVs, with basic amenities on grassy sites. For a more immersive nature experience, Anthony Chabot Regional Park provides family-friendly sites with access to restrooms and water. Both locations are within an hour's drive of Benicia and offer hiking trails. Weekday stays typically have better availability, especially during summer months.

Are there RV parks available in Benicia, CA?

While Benicia itself has limited dedicated RV facilities, nearby options provide excellent alternatives. Tradewinds RV Park in neighboring Vallejo offers full-service RV sites with water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly spaces. For those willing to travel a bit further, Napa Valley Expo RV Park provides convenient access to wine country with full hookups. Both parks typically require reservations, especially during peak tourist seasons, and offer convenient base camps for exploring the Benicia area.

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