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Best Campgrounds near Berkeley, CA

799 Reviews

The East Bay hills surrounding Berkeley, California feature a mix of urban-adjacent campgrounds and more secluded natural areas within a short drive. Anthony Chabot Regional Park, located just 30 minutes from the city in Castro Valley, offers year-round camping with both tent and RV sites, while Tilden Regional Park sits directly in the Berkeley Hills with sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay. Within an hour's drive, campers can access coastal options at Point Reyes National Seashore, redwood forests at Mount Tamalpais State Park, or island camping at Angel Island State Park. The proximity to urban amenities combined with diverse ecosystems makes this region distinctive for overnight outdoor experiences.

Reservations are essential for most campgrounds in the Berkeley area, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill months in advance. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans common during dry summer and fall months. As one camper noted about Mount Diablo State Park, "No open fires allowed when we were there because of the dryness of the area." The Mediterranean climate brings mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, though coastal areas often experience fog and cooler temperatures. Wildlife considerations include poison oak along trails and raccoons that require secure food storage. Cell service varies significantly, with better coverage at urban-adjacent sites like Tilden and spotty or non-existent service in more remote locations.

Hiking and mountain biking opportunities consistently receive praise from visitors to Berkeley-area campgrounds. According to one Tilden Regional Park camper, "This location makes up for by putting you smack dab in the middle of some very phenomenal hiking in all of the Eastbay." Many sites offer family-friendly amenities, with Anthony Chabot Regional Park described as having "family sites and there were families with kids all over." Noise levels vary considerably, with urban sounds noticeable at closer parks while coastal campgrounds provide more natural soundscapes. Sites with water views or under redwood canopies tend to book fastest, while those seeking solitude might prefer the walk-in tent sites at Mount Tamalpais State Park or the boat-in options at Angel Island.

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Best Camping Sites Near Berkeley, California (151)

    1. Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    29 Reviews
    Castro Valley, CA
    15 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."

    2. Kirby Cove Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    15 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 331-1540

    $40 - $75 / night

    "The walk to the beach was 60 seconds and the ocean can be seen from the site. Cool ww2 structures. You get a code to open the gate uptop and drive down to park for your stay."

    "If you plan to leave your cooler outside of the bear box make sure it has a lock or secure latch. 3- you get a gate code and parking pass to drive down, but have to walk your gear the last 500-1,000 ft"

    3. Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park

    9 Reviews
    Tiburon, CA
    7 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. "

    4. H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound

    11 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    10 miles
    Website

    "I decided to stay here, because it was the right location for my road trip, it was free, and I thought the view of the city would be excellent."

    "Reasonably quiet on the side away from the road. Very safe, police patrols throughout the day/night. Good hiking areas nearby. Bathrooms and trash cans. Highly recommend as it is also completely free."

    5. Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Lagunitas, CA
    26 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"

    6. Marin RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Larkspur, CA
    13 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."

    7. Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    15 Reviews
    Stinson Beach, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 388-2070

    $7 - $25 / night

    "Pantoll is a pretty campground located adjacent to the entrance to Mount Tamalpais.  You can hike to, bike to, take the bus to, or even drive to this campground.  "

    "Don't let the fact that it's behind a ranger station fool you-- they clock out by 10pm, and if you have an issue after that, good luck."

    8. Steep Ravine Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    15 Reviews
    Stinson Beach, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 388-2070

    $25 - $100 / night

    "1 to get to the entrance, and then another steep, curvy ride down to the campground."

    "The entire Mount Tamalpais watershed is within 30 minutes drive from this location."

    9. Tilden Regional Park

    4 Reviews
    Kensington, CA
    4 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!"

    10. Bicentennial Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    7 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 331-1540

    $25 / night

    "All three sites here are next to each other and have no seperation, but if you’re okay with that it’s a wonderful place to camp Site 3 is closest to the views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the trails connected"

    "It has great hiking nearby and an incredible view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city, and is a short drive into the city. you definitely want to reserve a space well in advance, especially during peak"

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Recent Camping Photos near Berkeley, CA

215 Photos of 151 Berkeley Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Berkeley, CA

799 Reviews of 151 Berkeley Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • T
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Nice location and activities, but a bit cramped

    I just needed/wanted a short getaway without driving hours from home. Since I'm used to this place for mountain biking, I figured I'd try camping here for a couple nights. 

    I did a recon ride previously on my mountain bike, so knew which spots I'd prefer and booked site 35 for a Thursday and Friday night. 

    Arrived at about 5PM and found my spot. The ranger booth was closed, but I didn't feel the need to chat with them anyway. The place was largely unoccupied at this point. Maybe a dozen or so spots appeared taken. 

    The weather, though hot in the Bay Area at this point, was quite nice. The breeze and shade of the park made for a very comfortable setting. I believe it was 88 in Castro Valley, but felt about 78 at the campground. I don't have AC for the van, but didn't feel I needed any. 

    I got setup and then headed out for a short ride, followed by a warm shower, cold beer and dinner. It was quiet that evening and I slept well. 

    I worked through the morning Friday, though the Starlink suffered some interruptions due to the tree cover. Early afternoon more people started to show up, as I expected. I went for a long ride and when I returned the place was much more occupied and people were setting up tents, starting their bbq's, etc. Though a bit close to the neighbors, none of them were obnoxious. 

    My advice would be to know the spot you're selecting and know that in the summer months the grass isn't green :) 

    I'd score the individual aspects as follows (1-5):

    Bathrooms: 4

    Location: 5

    Activities: 5

    Privacy: 3

    Cleanliness: 4

  • g
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Olema Campground

    Nice spot, little privacy

    Lovely large meadow with scattered trees. RC/van spots are arranged in cul de sacs, tent spots on the edges of fields.

    Somewhat noisy - kids, dogs, radios - but settled down by 9. Friendly vibe. Expensive at $83/nt but good showers. Wifi was slow when I stayed.

    Decent backup option for the area if Samuel Taylor is booked.

  • g
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    Small and lovely

    Lovely site in redwoods. Sites are close, but have some privacy. Stream is accessible shallow. Beautiful trees.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2025

    San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA

    Best KOA

    Paid a premium price for a Saturday one nighter, but it certainly is a great VIP campsite. The host says they will come around in the morning and empty our tanks! No need to hook up our sewer hose!

  • Patrick J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA

    Great for Families and groups, but not for just one night.

    Check in was fine. Got wrong direction how to get to the site. After looping around to approach the site, I found the streets all very tight for RV maneuvering. The place was packed. Had a pull through FHU site. Pretty narrow. Seems like a common theme. Great things for kids to be entertained by and enjoy for sure. We were passing through and I think we would have been better served elsewhere. Our site was patches of grass and looked like it needed some TLC. Tested the water-Water tested as acceptable tap water after running it through an external filter. 21 elements checked, all within range. Dissolved solids were 251...pretty high. The worst water in our 6 week trip. Must be a California thing.

Guide to Berkeley

Camping near Berkeley, California, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The local trails and creeks were breathtaking," making it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Beach Activities: Head to Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground for beachcombing and sunbathing. A reviewer said, "Campsites are right by the beach," which is perfect for a relaxing day by the ocean.
  • Wildlife Watching: At Lawson's Landing, you can spot wild turkeys and other wildlife. One camper shared, "We were able to take a closeup look at them," highlighting the area's natural beauty.

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. A visitor at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground said, "This is a gorgeous campground! It's big and busy, but the sites are mostly very private and lush and green."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A reviewer at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground noted, "Restrooms are clean. Showers are clean and tidy and warm."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Families enjoy the amenities at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA. One parent mentioned, "This place is busy and expensive, but great for kids," thanks to the variety of activities available.

What you should know:

  • Poison Oak: Be cautious of poison oak at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. A camper warned, "It's full of poison oak!!!! But you can get around it."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Lawson's Landing, lack showers and toilets. A visitor advised, "Bring your own TP!" due to the condition of the facilities.
  • Busy Seasons: Expect crowds during peak times. A reviewer at Francis Beach Campground noted, "The campground was full so the bathrooms were not very clean," during Labor Day weekend.

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, "Great playground, jumping pillow, petting farm and mining fun."
  • Plan for Clean Facilities: Check reviews for cleanliness. A camper at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground mentioned, "Restrooms are clean," which is a plus for families.
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Keep everyone happy with plenty of snacks. A visitor at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground suggested, "Make sure you bring a padlock as there is no locking mechanism on the door," for food lockers.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: RVers should be aware of site sizes at campgrounds like Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground. A visitor noted, "Not sure that this place would be good for giant rigs."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Choose campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A reviewer at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA mentioned, "The pool was great during the oven-like temperatures."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Expect busy campgrounds, especially on holidays. A camper at Lawson's Landing said, "Most people have RVs so the generators start early," which can be noisy.

Camping around Berkeley, California, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Berkeley, CA?

Berkeley offers several excellent nearby camping options. Tilden Regional Park is immediately accessible from Berkeley, offering a convenient escape with hiking trails and views overlooking the city. For those willing to drive a bit further, Live Oak Campground — Mount Diablo State Park Campground provides desert terrain hiking with hammock-friendly sites and grills. Other notable options include Anthony Chabot Regional Park (about 30 minutes away) with family-friendly sites, and Kirby Cove Campground in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area for stunning bay views. Each offers distinct environments from redwoods to coastal settings, providing varied camping experiences all within driving distance of Berkeley.

How can I find last-minute camping reservations near Berkeley?

Finding last-minute camping near Berkeley requires flexibility and persistence. Check for cancellations at Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground where walk-up sites occasionally become available even when online reservations show full capacity. Spring Lake Regional Park is another option with newer facilities that sometimes has availability when coastal parks are full. Use ReserveCalifornia.com to monitor for cancellations at state parks, especially midweek. Some county parks offer first-come, first-served sites. Consider less popular parks or visiting during shoulder seasons (late fall or early spring). Call campgrounds directly in the morning to ask about no-shows or same-day cancellations, which often aren't reflected in online systems.

Are there any RV parks available near Berkeley, CA?

Half Moon Bay RV Park offers full-service RV camping with helpful staff and pull-through sites about 45 minutes from Berkeley. The park provides assistance with site assignments and entry guidance. For those who prefer state parks, Skyline Wilderness Park near Napa accommodates RVs in a dedicated section separate from tent camping areas. While not directly in Berkeley, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and Anthony Chabot Regional Park also accept RVs with varying hookup options. Most parks within an hour's drive require reservations, especially during summer months. Consider San Francisco RV Resort in Pacifica or Candlestick RV Park for additional options with city proximity.

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