Camping near Boonville, California spans from developed state park campgrounds to free primitive sites, set among redwood forests and Anderson Valley wine country. Hendy Woods State Park Campground offers tent, RV, and cabin camping with proximity to the Navarro River and redwood groves. The region also features Manchester Beach KOA with full hookup sites and cabin options about 30 miles west toward the coast. Dispersed camping opportunities exist at BLM Sheldon Creek near Hopland, providing free primitive sites with basic amenities. Campground options range from fully developed facilities with showers and electricity to more rustic experiences within old-growth forests.
Road conditions and seasonal factors impact camping experiences throughout the area, particularly during winter months when rain can affect trail access. Many campgrounds in the Anderson Valley require reservations, especially during summer and fall weekends. One camper noted, "The campsite was very quiet. The space in our site was large and there was a good buffer with other sites. The trees also offered a lot of shade during the hot summer days." Cell service varies significantly across the region, with some visitors reporting limited connectivity except with specific carriers. Winter camping provides solitude but requires preparation for cold temperatures, while summer offers better river access but increased visitation.
Developed campgrounds near redwood groves receive particularly high ratings from visitors. The proximity to Anderson Valley wineries and breweries enhances the camping experience for many, with several campgrounds situated within easy driving distance of tasting rooms. A recent review highlighted, "Great campground in the Anderson Valley. Anderson Valley is a Pinot Noir region so wineries surround the campground. Booneville is a cute nearby town with kid-friendly Anderson Valley Brewery and Pennyroyal Cheese Farm." The Navarro River provides swimming opportunities during periods of adequate flow, though reviewers mention that late summer can see reduced water levels. Wildlife viewing, hiking trails through old-growth forests, and stargazing are frequently mentioned activities. Campground noise levels generally remain moderate even during busy periods, with most reviewers noting respectful adherence to quiet hours.
$45 - $70 / night
"This California State Park is located in the Anderson Valley, a historic agricultural area located in the Navarro river watershed. While only 120-ish miles from San Francisco, this area is remote. "
"The sites are situated among towering redwoods. Which blocks the amazing clear night skies, but offer there own beauty.
It was great! The nearby towns or phill and boonville are super cute."
$35 - $45 / night
"Water spigot right next to the site. You can park near the campsite to unload, but need to go and park at the front of the entrance to the campground."
"Surrounded by thick redwoods, trails run off every campsite."
"We've spent most of our twenty years of camping together off the beaten path, avoiding the likes of anything KOA, but for our RV's maiden voyage we thought we'd start with the Machester Beach KOA, and"
"The location is surrounded by a lot of fun things to do. The site has 2 parks, trails, pool/hot tub, and so much more."
$66 - $83 / night
"Beautiful scenery around the campground as it lays right in the edge of the ocean, instant walk to the beach."
"We found this campsite tucked away near Gualala during the lockdown in January. Almost every campground was closed after CA hospitalizations peaked, so this private campground saved our trip!"
"Surrounded by thick redwoods, trails run off every campsite."
"Nice campsite situated amongst beautiful trees with a great kids play area. River was running low but was very pretty - fun for the kids to paddle in. Our site was spacious and pretty."
$35 / night
"Next to koa. Just a power plant between you and the ocean via a long walk."
"The campground is just above the driftwood beach offering walks in solitude with the breaking waves in the background."
$10 - $35 / night
"The camp is right next to the road, but traffic was minimal. There is some hiking in the area, but no trails from the campground, you will need to drive to a trailhead."
"Nice campsite with around 27 ish spots. First come first serve at $35 as of 2025. I went tent camping but you can probably bring in a small RV."
"Location to the river/ creek is great."
$45 - $160 / night
"Simple campground just outside of Mendocino/Ft Bragg. Steps from a beautiful sandy beach."
"My family and I stayed here once on a road trip to California."
ScoutLike to end trips at an RV park and this was what I was looking for. Easy to check in, to park, hookups worked. Near spectacular natural beauty.
I didn’t use any other amenities on site or go to the restaraunt, which seemed lively.
No privacy.
ScoutEnjoying this campground a lot. It’s a 10-15 minute walk down to Salt Point Trail head and it is STUN-Ning.
Could hear the sea lions barking from the campsite.
I moved from site 4 to 1.
4 had trees over it which was messing with the starlink.
1 is much better for starlink.
Another commenter mentioned the overflow parking lot and I agree that would be a nice option, I wasn’t able to find a staff member to ask to move there. It would be very cold and windy at night and no fire pits.
What I ended up doing was driving down to the Salt Point trailhead lot for the day to work and look at the view of the ocean then I’d come back up to the campsite for the night.
A very peaceful location!
There is pretty much nothing around here so need to come prepared.
GuideStayed April 22, 2026. Only one other person camping. The folks that run the campsite were friendly and helpful. They have walk-ins, car camping, and spots for RV’s. There were heated outdoor showers, handwashing stations, and potable water.
Lots to do around the campsite. There’s swimming nearby and I think there was even a road that led to paintball. It was a clear night so the stars were so bright and visible. Got my spot for around $35 which I think is a steal for the amount of amenities there are. I would definitely visit again.
GuidePeople here are so friendly. We live a couple of hours away. We come here and do our monthly Costco runs and sometimes stay the night here. On our long vacations, this is our first stop, we stock up on groceries, lots of grocery stores, Costco, Walmart, restaurants in the area. The campground is clean and well maintained. Sites are a little close but for $37.00 with senior discount and full hookups, you can’t complain.
TravelerThis site is okay. It's fairly full on a Tuesday night in April. I haven't used pay showers before, but $2 for 3 minutes of hot water seems very expensive. I use a Cricket phone, which uses AT&T cell phone towers, and I have absolutely no signal. Luckily, Starlink is working very well in drive-through RV space 15, and I can turn on WiFi calling.
TravelerWe three generations, grandfather, mother and son, only had one night. We wanted awe inspiring and not too far from the Bay Area. Hendy Woods was a perfect match. The campground is well maintained and the sites are smallish but the layout and forest provide a lot of privacy. Trails go directly from the campground and are easy to walk. Take your map because there are a lot of crossings. Little Hendy Grove is a good one: a half mile or so to The Trees. There are some magnificent mature redwoods there.
TravelerStayed at bodega dunes. Our site was the worst one in the loop, but we had great neighbors who were quiet
ScoutWent there in a van with my mom. Amazing views. There’s a park right next to it and a store across the street for supplies. We went in June so it was a bit cold. Pack layers.
ScoutVery bad experience. Place was a mess.
Camping spots near Boonville, California cluster along the Navarro River and surrounding redwood forests, with many positioned at elevations between 200-500 feet. The area experiences a coastal-influenced microclimate with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day and dropping to 45-55°F at night. Cell service between campgrounds can vary dramatically with Verizon typically offering the most reliable coverage in this remote region.
River swimming spots: 1 mile hike from campground. Gualala Point Regional Park provides access to the Gualala River with swimming areas that require a bit of walking. A camper shared: "There is a trail from the campground to the park and beach area which is nice for a stroll. The campground is amongst the trees along the river."
Mushroom photography: Best in late winter. Hendy Woods State Park Campground offers exceptional mushroom viewing opportunities during the wetter months. "I always come to Hendy Woods with my camera, especially in the late winter, early spring to do some mushroom photography. So much to see here! Oh and not to mention the beautiful river about a 10 min walk from the campground," explains one visitor.
Whale watching: Visible from coastal sites. At Mackerricher State Park Campground, campers can view whale migration from their sites. "This campground delivers a stay next to the beautiful coastal waters which allows the camper to view whale migration, sea lions swimming and a quick visit to glass beach and the adjacent lighthouse."
Beach exploration: Varied shoreline 30-45 minutes west. Manchester State Park offers beach access with remarkable driftwood collections. "The campground is just above the driftwood beach offering walks in solitude with the breaking waves in the background."
Privacy between sites: Trees create natural barriers. In Paul M. Demmick Campground, the redwood setting offers seclusion. "We stayed in #21 and had plenty of privacy. There's a path down to the river near the Day Use area; the river was pretty tame, which is surprising for a campground that routinely floods in the wintertime."
River access: Shallow areas good for children. Gualala River Redwood Park offers family-friendly water access. "The river is great for kids it is not fast moving currents. Sites have water and electric and there is a dump station on the way out."
Campground amenities: Shared outdoor kitchens. Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA provides unexpected cooking facilities. "This KOA has large tent sites and a HUGE kitchen with 3 electric stoves and several sinks and microwaves for camper use. They have movies each night and have lots of trees for shade."
Winter solitude: Off-season camping provides peace. Anchor Bay Campground offers discounted rates in winter months. "Great and friendly host. The campground is packed but we got a nice private area. Nice accessible beach at end of area. Winter discount made it even nicer."
Raccoon activity: Food storage required. Gualala Point Regional Park has wildlife issues visitors should prepare for. "This campground lives up to all the other positive comments BUT the raccoons were extremely aggressive and even ate its way into a tent at 2AM. It would have been nice if the host had warned of them when he visited."
Shower costs: Token systems common. At Mackerricher State Park, budget for shower fees. "Showers require tokens. This seems pretty standard in California State Parks but it's successful at deterring us from showering every night. One token gives 4 minutes of showering. Each token is $1."
Site reservations: First-come sites fill by afternoon. Manchester State Park operates without reservations. "Plenty of sites to pick from on a Tuesday in June, about 5% occupancy. I would recommend the sites in the high 30's as they are more secluded."
Seasonal closures: Check before traveling off-season. Paul M. Demmick Campground has specific operating months. "They were closed!" reported one disappointed camper who arrived in September, as the campground "Closes sept 2 until May."
Campground activities: Scheduled programs available. Hendy Woods State Park offers structured activities. "The junior ranger program and nightly events for families helped keep the kids engaged in the camping experience. Park rangers hosted guided hikes, nighttime stargazing (with telescopes), and nightly campfires."
Kid-friendly swimming: Check water levels in late summer. Anchor Bay Campground provides protected beach access. "A small campground with beach access, hot coin operated showers and clean restrooms. A quick trail takes you to the small town drag of a grocery store, coffee shop, laundry mat and two restaurants."
Biking opportunities: Bring bikes for campground exploration. Manchester State Park has open spaces for cycling. "Mostly open sites, all were fairly secluded. Big spaces, clean area and ocean sounds abound. Kids loved it to ride their bikes around and I stressed less knowing there were few, if any, cars passing by."
Poison oak awareness: Teach identification to children. At Hendy Woods, vegetation can cause issues. "There's quite a bit of poison oak, be aware of where you are walking. When we visited in late summer the river near the daily access area was somewhat dried up (flowing like a small creek) and had very little shade."
Hookup information: Partial services standard. Thousand Trails Russian River offers limited hookups. "Spaces are all 30 amp with no sewer hookups. Many spaces are very narrow/tight and uphill from your neighbor. The asphalt of many spots is crumbling along the edges and the dirt eroding away."
Site leveling: Uneven terrain common. Gualala River Redwood Park requires preparation for sloped sites. "Numerous dips and slopes made leveling difficult. Electric hookups and water spigots were at odd locations, and if you plan to use these, have long hoses/cables."
Internet connectivity: Hotspot options limited. Manchester Beach KOA has inconsistent WiFi. "The WiFi is super spotty and we honestly couldn't join it. The pool is nice and heated, they do have a spa but it was closed because of Covid. Staff was super nice too."
Road conditions: Challenging access for large vehicles. Gualala River Redwood Park has tight turns. "While not a campground-specific issue, the winding, narrow, bumpy roads were very uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing. We camped in a 30' class-C with a small toad."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Boonville?
Hendy Woods State Park Campground is the premier camping destination in the Boonville area, nestled among towering old-growth redwoods. This family-friendly campground serves as an excellent base for exploring local attractions like Boonville Brewery and nearby wineries. For those willing to venture a bit further from town, Paul M. Demmick Campground in Navarro River Redwoods State Park offers a more secluded experience with sites suitable for both tent and RV camping.
When is the best season to go camping in Boonville?
The best time to camp in Boonville is late spring through early fall (May-October) when temperatures are most moderate and rainfall is minimal. Russian Gulch State Park Campground is particularly pleasant in early October with quiet, secluded sites and good hiking opportunities. Winter camping can be challenging as temperatures can drop to freezing at night, especially at Woodside Campground, where campers have reported unusually cold conditions during wet winter months.
What amenities are available at Boonville camping areas?
Johnson's Beach offers river access and proximity to local shops and bars, making it ideal for campers who appreciate convenience while still enjoying nature. The campsite provides basic amenities with the added benefit of being within walking distance to town amenities. For RV travelers, Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort offers full hookup sites, though it's located just outside of Willits. Most campgrounds in the region provide clean restrooms, drinking water, and flat sites, with state parks typically offering fire pits and picnic tables at each site.
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