Campgrounds surrounding Duncans Mills cluster in the Pacific fog belt where coastal moisture moderates temperatures year-round. Winter temperatures average 42-58°F with summer temperatures rarely exceeding 85°F, creating moderate camping conditions throughout the seasons. Campsites near Duncans Mills, California typically receive 45-60 inches of rainfall annually, with most precipitation occurring between November and March.
What to do
Tide pool exploration: 10 miles west of Duncans Mills on the coast. Wright's Beach Campground offers direct access to rocky shoreline areas perfect for marine life observation during low tide. As Travis explains, "The beach is amazing and you feel like you have it all to yourself and your fellow campers... At low tide there was so much sea life for my son and I to explore."
Ocean cliff hiking: Travel north on Highway 1 for trail access. Ocean Cove Store and Campground serves as an ideal base for coastal trail exploration with direct access to multiple walking paths. "One mile of cliffside hiking from Ocean Cove to Stillwater Cove," notes Ray, adding "Fantastic spot. Fog rolled in and out. Otters playing below."
Kayaking on Russian River: Available directly in Duncans Mills. Rentals available near beach areas with calm waters suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers. A camper noted, "There is a kayak rental by the beach area. The scenery along the river is nice."
Crabbing: Bodega Bay offers prime locations within 15 minutes' drive. Visitors frequently mention the catch-and-cook experience as a highlight. As Justin explains, "Go to the wharf near by to pick up some live crab to boil over the fire. Overall a great campground for adults and kids."
What campers like
Privacy and seclusion: Woodside sites offer noise buffers. Woodside Campground features sites partially screened by vegetation. "Sites are small, but private. Nice hiking and close to ocean preserve," reports Alanna. Another camper mentioned the campground was "quiet with large sites."
Coastal access: Most campgrounds offer direct or nearby beach entry. Visitors particularly value sites with immediate shore access for water activities or sunset viewing. "On the sand 50 steps from the beach. Love this place!" exclaims Miles about Wright's Beach.
Family activities: Organized events available at larger campgrounds. Casini Ranch Family Campground offers structured recreation opportunities near Duncans Mills. "They have an insane amount of kids activities! Face paining, s'mores campfire, hay ride, parks, kareoke- just to name a few!" shares Miya.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained restrooms noted at multiple locations. Many reviewers specifically mention bathroom cleanliness as a determining factor in their camping experience. "Clean and well laid out. Laundry has 3 washers and 3 dryers," notes one camper about Bodega Bay RV Park.
What you should know
Wind conditions: Coastal sites experience significant wind. Doran Regional Park requires proper tent anchoring due to consistent coastal breeze. "The tent sites are VERY windy, especially at night," warns Teresa. Tent campers should come prepared with proper stakes and wind-resistant shelter designs.
Site spacing varies significantly: Research specific site numbers before booking. Some campgrounds feature tight quarters while others offer more seclusion. "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," reports Jon about Bodega Dunes.
Reservation timing: Peak season requires advance planning. Summer weekends frequently sell out months ahead, particularly for riverside sites. "We came Fathers day weekend, didn't have problem getting a site late in the day," notes Cecil about an off-peak experience at Ocean Cove.
Shower availability: Not universal across all campgrounds. Several locations offer coin-operated facilities while others have no showers. "Showers were not working when I camped there… likely because of the statewide drought," reports Tim about Woodside Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Beach selection: Choose protected coves for safer swimming. Bodega Dunes Campground provides access to gentler swimming areas. "Doran Beach is great, especially during the summer for kids because it's a well protected cove and the waves don't usually get very high," notes Justin.
Activity planning: Campgrounds offer varying recreational options. Families report better experiences at locations with structured activities for different age groups. "Kids were busy the whole time, riding bikes and scooters, playing on the jump pillow, feeling the animals," shares Dustin about Casini Ranch.
Space requirements: Request larger sites when traveling with multiple tents. Some campgrounds feature spacious areas that accommodate extended family setups. "Sites are HUGE! We had plenty of room for our trailer, tent, corn hole, and more," reports another visitor to Casini Ranch.
Wildlife opportunities: Coastal areas offer animal observation. Children particularly enjoy seeing marine mammals and birds in natural habitats. "We saw a few foxes, or the same fox a few times, so make sure to keep camp sites clean," advises Michael at Bodega Dunes.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Only select campgrounds offer full service. Westside Regional Park provides basic amenities for self-contained units. "No hookups but you have restrooms and a dump station," explains Marcus. Check specific campground utilities before arrival as services vary significantly.
Dump station locations: Not available at all campgrounds. Several locations charge additional fees for dumping services. "There's a dump station for a $7 fee (though the website says $10, so maybe it's actually $10), honor box at the station to deposit your money," notes Laura.
Generator rules: Hours restricted at most locations. Operating times typically run 8am-8pm with strict enforcement. "Generator curfew is 8PM - 8AM which is great!" mentions Albert about Westside Regional Park.
Site leveling: Bring adequate equipment for uneven terrain. Many RVers note the need for leveling blocks, particularly at oceanside locations. "Take extra blocks if you go because our site was uneven tip to tail," advises Alma.
