Best Campgrounds near Berkeley, CA

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Berkeley, CA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Berkeley is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Berkeley. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Camping Sites Near Berkeley, California (151)

    1. Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    25 Reviews
    Castro Valley, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (510) 690-6676

    "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"

    "Always went here when we don't wanna drive too far. Staff is great and place is clean. Campsite #69 has the best view but is next to trail. Very nice trails and not super far from town to get food."

    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

    51 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. China Camp State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    San Rafael, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 456-0766

    $35 - $175 / night

    "You won't be able to drive up to your campsite. You have to carry your gear in a short distance from the parking lot."

    "Located on the west side of the San Rafael/Richmond Bridge, on San Francisco Bay, this park is extremely popular with mountain bikers. "

    7. 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."

    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. Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    14 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.  "

    "This is an ada compliant walkup campground situated near the top of Mount Tamalpais. Featuring 13 sites ranging from standard campground style to a few more secluded areas."

    10. Tilden Regional Park

    4 Reviews
    Kensington, CA
    4 miles
    Website

    "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!"

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Showing results 1-10 of 151 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Berkeley, CA

784 Reviews of 151 Berkeley Campgrounds



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

Which is the most popular campground near Berkeley, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Berkeley, CA is Anthony Chabot Regional Park with a 4.6-star rating from 25 reviews.

What parks are near Berkeley, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Berkeley, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.