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Tent Camping near Duncans Mills, CA

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    Tent campsites near Duncans Mills, California range from campgrounds with full amenities to walk-in environmental sites along the Russian River and Sonoma Coast. Duncans Mills Campground offers tent camping with amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and toilets, while nearby Schoolhouse Canyon Campground provides shaded tent sites under tall trees with access to the Russian River. Several environmental campgrounds in Sonoma Coast State Park, including Willow Creek and Pomo Canyon, offer more primitive tent camping experiences within hiking distance of beaches and coastal trails.

    Most tent sites in the area feature picnic tables, fire rings, and access to toilets, though amenities vary significantly between established and environmental campgrounds. Walk-in tent sites at Willow Creek and Pomo Canyon Environmental Camps require short hikes from parking areas and offer more secluded camping experiences with basic facilities. Schoolhouse Canyon provides drinking water, showers, and dishwashing stations for tent campers, while environmental camps typically offer only vault toilets and sometimes potable water. Fire restrictions are common during summer and fall months, with some sites allowing fires only in designated fire rings or on adjacent beaches with permits.

    The tent camping options in this region offer unique coastal access and redwood forest settings not available to RV campers. Areas along the Russian River provide shaded tent sites under tall tree canopies, while coastal environmental camps offer dramatic ocean views and beach access. Tent campers at Schoolhouse Canyon enjoy private beach access along the Russian River, with inner tube rentals available for $5 daily. Environmental camps provide more solitude and natural settings. A review of Schoolhouse Canyon noted, "The campsites are large and include a fire ring with a flip-down grill, a standard sized picnic table, and most important - it is very clean. It is primarily designed for tent camping."

    Best Tent Campgrounds near Duncans Mills (36)

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      1. Schoolhouse Canyon Campground

      5.0(9)6mi from Duncans MillsTents

      "He put us in a very level spot that was great for my rooftop tent situation. Can’t say enough good things about him and his staff. Everyone was very friendly."

      "Location location location…. The Schoolhouse Canyon Campground is located about 400 yards off the Russian River / 1/2 mile down the road from the Korbel Winery (amazing deli!!!)"

      from $48 / night

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      2. Bullfrog Pond Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

      4.4(7)8mi from Duncans MillsTents

      "Right by Armstrong Redwoods State Park there is a steep winding road at the end of which there is literally a pond. "

      "We had spot number 23 but I think 24 or 21 would have been the best for shade and privacy. THERE ARE NO SHOWERS HERE! we did not know this before hand."

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      3. Highlands Resort

      5.0(2)5mi from Duncans MillsTents

      "Outdoor kitchen with grill and gas stove. ice machine, Camp among beautiful redwoods in Guerneville just off the Russian River. Many bars and restaurants in walking distance. Nearby supermarket."

      "Tucked away from the world, cozy little camp under a bridge and looking out of a crack to see huge waves coming in n! Almost like it will swallow us hole. Will be back for sure!"

      from $30 - $50 / night

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      4. Duncans Mills Campground (Membership)

      4.0(2)0mi from Duncans MillsRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Beautiful river along with campsites surrounded by tall tress. Nice place to relax,hike, fish and or kayaking. full hookups and well maintained campground along with a decent rec center."

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      5. Pomo Canyon Environmental Camp — Sonoma Coast State Park

      5.0(1)2mi from Duncans MillsTents
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      6. Willow Creek - Sonoma Coast State Beach

      5.0(1)2mi from Duncans MillsTents

      "It’s kinda tucked away and not too busy, which made it perfect by my book."

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      7. La Bohemia

      5.0(1)5mi from Duncans Mills1 siteTents

      from $200 - $800 / night

      8. ocean cove campground

      5.0(5)15mi from Duncans MillsTents

      "No hookups. Campground is on a cliff overlooking the ocean."

      "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."

      9. Tomales Bay Boat-In Camping — Point Reyes National Seashore

      4.0(6)25mi from Duncans MillsTents

      "You can buy or rent a portable toilet if you want to camp at a more secluded beach or just camp at Marshalls beach and you can walk to the pit toilets there."

      "The beach camping is primative but there is a restroom.  Crossing the bay can be treacherous so study the weather - especially winds before you set out. "

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      10. Sky Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

      4.7(14)31mi from Duncans MillsTents

      "The hike in camp is only a 1.3 ish mile hike and it was awesome."

      "There is short backpack trip to Sky Camp which is litereally on the ridge.  You are in the Point Reyes National Seashore up on a ridge.  Beautiful views when there is no fog - but expect fog."

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    Tent Camping Reviews near Duncans Mills, CA

    871 Reviews of 36 Duncans Mills Campgrounds

    • Erin S.
      Mar. 16, 2022

      Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

      Tent campground with plenty of hiking trails

      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.  If you choose to drive, just know that it can be impossible to find a place to park on busy weekends (you'll need to drop your stuff off, find a place to park along the road, then come back to park in the evening when the parking lot clears).  We hiked in.  On a weekend night in March, only four of the 16 sites were taken so we had no problem nabbing a spot.  The campground is situated across a steep-ish hillside.  Water spigots are spread out among the sites, but all the bathrooms are located down the hill near the parking lot.  Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, and a flat spot to pitch a tent.  Sites are fairly close together in bunches (for example, 2, 3, and 5 were close, 6 and 7 were close, but there was a bit of space between the groups). Firewood is sold at the ranger kiosk but they have limited hours. Some spots are larger than others, and very few can accommodate a house-size tent (you know what I mean - and no judging, I have a house-size tent for car camping).  We had our 3 person backpacking tent with us and it would have fit in all the sites.  Sites up the hill require a bit of a hike-in but are farther from the road noise and busy parking lot.  There is one dishwashing station near the bottom.  

      Pros: 

      - Location.  You can hike anywhere from this campground.  Down to Muir Woods in less than 3 miles.  Up to Rock Springs, Bolinas Ridge, and Mount Tam.  Down to Stinson Beach.  I could spend a week here exploring all the trails.

      - Amenties.  Dishwashing sink, many water spigots, food storage lockers, fire pits, toilets that flush.  And Wifi from the ranger kiosk (squee!!!) which we appreciated to check the weather and bus schedule (very poor Verizon signal).

      Cons: 

      - Noise from Panoramic Highway.

      - Busy parking lot with lots of people potentially moving around the campground (especially the lower sites). 

      - No reservations: FCFS only.

      Overall I'm really happy I finally got to chance to camp here and would recommend.

    • Lee D.The Dyrt Pro User
      Nov. 13, 2023

      Gualala Point Regional Park

      Small but beautiful county campground

      General: 19 general and six walk-in campsites among giant redwood and Bay Laurel trees on the Gualala River. Sites 17 & 18 are a double site. 

      Site Quality: Level sites with bear box, picnic table, and fire ring. Site One’s camper pad fit our 18-foot camper van, but it would not accommodate anything much larger. Several other camper pads looked short as well. No hookups. 

      Bath/Shower house: Three individual units with toilet, sink, soap, and paper towels. One shower that takes quarters – three minutes for $2.00. 

      Activities: There is a trail that leads through the walk-in sites, under Highway One, and to the beach, approximately 1.5 miles. You can also drive to the day-use area for a shorter walk. We were there on a weekday but there were many activities scheduled for the upcoming weekend including kayaking on Bodega Bay, outside yoga, and healthy hustle circuit training – I was sad to miss all of these options. 

      This campground is beautiful and peaceful. But note that although we did not encounter any, several other campers experienced over-eager raccoons while eating dinner. There was also a sign warning of mountain lions but we did not encounter any. Shout-out to the ranger who shared a lot of good information about the area.

    • MarinMaverick
      Sep. 1, 2020

      Haypress Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

      Hidden Gem

      Theses are limited  (5) hike in tent sites.  Not far in - less than a mile.  You are on your own here. Bring your own water.  No fires. You get a picnic table and a food storage locker, nothing else.

      Meadow sites against a row of trees. There is very little privacy between sites but the couple times I have been here it was not full.  It can get windy - there is some shelter under the tress. 

      Here you can strike out hiking through Tennessee Valley to the beach and beyond!

      Great for a close get-a-way and seclusion.

    • Lindsay
      Oct. 13, 2020

      Hendy Woods State Park Campground

      Convenient, clean, chill

      Location • state park located north of Sonoma and an hour south of Mendocino • in the Virgina redwood forest • closest town: about 6 miles away

      Facilities • Bathrooms & showers easily accesible for all sites - cleaned regularly • some bathrooms updated very recently • Spigots every few sites with good draining • campfire theatre • firewood sold on premises • about 70 campsites • some cabins • day use picnic area • wheelchair accesible trails

      Ambiance • quiet hours 10pm - 8am • mostly families • dogs allowed on leash

      Sites • Small to medium, close together • More open than private; good for groups who need multiple sites • Most hace at least part shade throughout the day • ring fire pits with grill • wooden food locker at each site • wooden picnic table at each site • enough space for 3-4 cars

      Things to do • Variety of easy hikes/walks • drive to Mendocino • wine tasting in town

      Beware • Poison oak

    • Stuart K.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 1, 2026

      Salt Point State Park Campground

      The First Campground I Ever Shared With My Daughters

      Some campgrounds stay with you because of the scenery, while others become part of your family history ... and Salt Point will forever be both for me. Perched along one of the wildest stretches of the Sonoma Coast, this coastal park combines six miles of rugged Pacific shoreline with grasslands and forest, and its two primary campgrounds offer very different experiences: Gerstle Cove sits on the ocean side of Highway 1, while Woodside is tucked into the trees inland. Together they have 109 developed campsites, most with level paved pads, picnic tables, food lockers and fire rings, but no hookups or showers.

      What makes Salt Point truly special is everything waiting beyond the campsite. Trails lead along rocky bluffs, through forests and down toward Gerstle Cove, while tide pools, extraordinary sandstone formations and the pounding Pacific make this feel wonderfully removed from civilization. There are more than 20 miles of trails and Stump Beach provides the park's only sandy beach.

      But none of that is why I remember this place so vividly. Salt Point was the very first place I ever took my daughters camping. I can still remember that wonderful mixture of excitement and uncertainty that comes with introducing your children to something you love: setting up camp together, watching them explore this enormous new outdoor world and realizing that what felt like a simple weekend away was quietly becoming one of those family memories you carry forever.  At least for me, that is true.

      This is real camping rather than resort camping: no electricity, no showers and no dump station, while the nearest gas stations are roughly 18 miles away. Tent campers should feel particularly at home here and I’d favor Woodside, which is where we stayed, for its more sheltered, forested camping experience; however, choose Gerstle Cove if quicker access to the rugged coastline is what brought you here. Either way, come prepared for changing coastal weather and embrace the simplicity as that's part of Salt Point's magic.

      Insider’s Tip: If this is your first visit, don't spend the entire trip at the campsite. Walk the Salt Point Trail around Gerstle Cove and give the kids time simply to explore the shoreline. Years later, they probably won't remember whether the campsite was perfectly level, but you may be surprised by what they do remember.

      Happy Camping!

    • Lee D.The Dyrt Pro User
      Nov. 1, 2023

      Doran Regional Park

      Large and popular Sonoma County Park

      General: Located between Bodega Bay and Bodega Harbor, this county park has over 140 sites in four campgrounds: Shell, Gull, Cove, and Jetty. There is also tent camping, a group campsite, and a hiker/biker camping area. No hookups in any site. 

      Site Quality: Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. Sites all appeared to be level. Depending on your site, you may have more privacy/separation than in others. Site 21 (in Shell) was nicely positioned, however, the sites on either side of us were not occupied during our stay so we had more privacy. 

      Bath/Shower: Self-contained units with a toilet and sink with soap, HOT water, and air dryer. One coin-operated shower house for Shell, Gull, and Cove campgrounds, located between Gull and Cove. Additional showers in the tent-only section and the Jetty campground. Generally clean. 

      Activities: Hiking, fishing, birding, beachcombing, wading, and water sports. There was a very short boardwalk and sandy walking paths, although some of these were very overgrown. 

      One thing I appreciated was propane cylinder recycling. We learned there is a program where select vendors will refill the small cylinders and we hope this becomes more readily available. This is a much larger county park campground than we have been in before and it was very busy when we were there on a weekday in late October. Nice but I prefer the smaller and quieter campgrounds.

    • Lori A.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jan. 5, 2022

      Glen Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

      Simple and Basic

      A 5 mile hike from the Bear Valley Trailhead leading to a small campground with 12 sites.  We stayed at #9.  Potable water and vault toilets are available, with each site also having a picnic table, charcoal barbecues and bear boxes.  Wood fires are not permitted.  A stream runs beside the campground and there are hiking trails leading to the sea.

    • DThe Dyrt Pro User
      Dec. 8, 2021

      Westside Regional Park

      Great views, but close to the neighbors

      First, you stay here for the views. Great views from the first two rows closest to the water. There are very few plantings between spaces. No hook ups at all, but water is available if you fill before you park. Seven dollar dump station. Each campsite has a fire ring and a wooden picnic table and grass. Since there’s no hook ups between the hours of 8 AM and 8 PM, you will always be listening to somebody’s generator running. Always. No privacy at this campground. I did not check out the bathrooms for the campground, but I did look at the bathrooms for the large boat launch area next-door. No showers in that bathroom, but it was clean. A bit spendy for no hookups. Safe. Zero long term campers when I was here. There are no first come first served campsites at this location. All camping spaces had a reserve sign on them, even though the place was about 40% full. Completely dark at night, which was great.

    • Erin S.
      Mar. 16, 2022

      Haypress Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

      A no-frills but pretty campground in Marin Headlands

      A hike-in campground in Tennessee Valley, a short 20 minute drive from the Golden Gate Bridge and the hustle and bustle of the City.  My family of three stayed here for one night in mid March.  It was a Sunday night, and three out of the five sites were occupied.  

      The tent pads (a flat sandy area surrounded by wood beams) were fairly small - maybe 10' x 10'.  Each site had a picnic table and a large metal food locker.   The sites were well spaced and did not feel cramped.  Two vault toilets, fairly clean. The campground was located at the end of a 0.5 mile dirt road, which was about a quarter of mile down an old paved road from the TV parking lot.  A few folks walked into the campground that weren't staying there, but they weren't a bother, just going for a walk. The campers we saw varied from families, a solo bike-packer, and a couple just starting out camping.  I was worried that being so close to the city and the parking lot, it would be party central with groups hauling in a bunch of alcohol, but it wasn't the case at all. Neither the parking lot nor the campground had running water, so come prepared unless you want to drive into town.  

      Pros:

      - Very quiet and peaceful.  The night had beautiful stars with no artificial light.  No road noise.

      - Small number of sites with great spacing.

      - Decent toilet facilities.

      Cons:

      - No water.  We backpacked in from the Golden Gate Bridge.  There was no place nearby to fill up on water, and had to be extremely conservative in our use.  No springs or creeks running nearby this time of year either.

      - Would have been nice to have a fire.  

      Overall, we had a pleasant camping experience and would recommend.

    Guide to Duncans Mills

    Tent camping opportunities near Duncans Mills, California range from riverside sites to redwood-sheltered environmental camps. Located in western Sonoma County at an elevation of just 10 feet above sea level, the region's moderate coastal climate creates favorable camping conditions year-round with summer temperatures averaging 70°F during days and dropping to 50°F at night. The Russian River flows directly alongside the small community, creating a microclimate that differs from both the nearby coast and inland valleys.

    What to do

    River activities: At Duncans Mills Campground, campers can enjoy multiple water-based activities. "This place is great! Beautiful river along with campsites surrounded by tall trees. Nice place to relax, hike, fish and or kayaking," notes reviewer Scotty B. The campground offers free canoe use to members, with another reviewer mentioning, "You can fish, swim and kayak or canoe. The canoes are free to use."

    Beach exploration: The Highlands Resort provides access to coastal areas with dramatic wave watching. "Tucked away from the world, cozy little camp under a bridge and looking out of a crack to see huge waves coming in! Almost like it will swallow us hole," writes Emma S. The resort serves as a good base for exploring the nearby coastline.

    Redwood hiking: Bullfrog Pond Campground sits adjacent to Armstrong Redwoods State Park, offering exceptional forest hiking. "You can do some tough hill hikes through the Oaks or easier hikes through the Redwoods which remind me a lot of Muir Woods (but less crowded than that)," states Rosina A. The campground provides both challenging and gentle trail options through diverse forest types.

    What campers like

    Private river access: Campers at Schoolhouse Canyon Campground appreciate the dedicated beach area. "The beach is across the street and through a little trail but well worth it. Very nice water for floating and swimming, with a cute little beach area to keep your stuff," reports Amber D. The campground maintains this beach exclusively for guests.

    Communal amenities: Social gatherings enhance the camping experience at some locations. At Duncans Mills Campground, "They have cook outs - bring a side dish and enjoy the free hot dogs and hamburgers! Good bands play while you eat!" describes Cathy. These organized events create community among campers.

    Family-friendly atmosphere: Many campgrounds enforce rules that create peaceful environments. "This is a family run campground. This is such a beautiful area. Quick walk to the river to swim or sunbathe," mentions Kenneth S. about Schoolhouse Canyon. The campground's layout includes designated family and adult sections to accommodate different camping preferences.

    What you should know

    Reservation requirements: Popular tent sites fill quickly, especially at smaller environmental camps. For Sky Campground, "Campsites are often booked solid (especially in high season), so reserve well ahead of time," advises Lyssa M. Some campgrounds require reservations months in advance.

    Campground layout: Site selection impacts your experience significantly. At Bullfrog Pond, "There is a camp host at site 4 and the grounds are maintained quite well. The sites vary in size and many are on a hill so they are not exactly flat," notes Cyrel T. Research individual site characteristics before booking.

    Access conditions: Several campgrounds require hiking or driving on challenging roads. "One lane road access that would be intimidating at night," warns Corey O. about Bullfrog Pond Campground. For boat-in camping at Tomales Bay, one camper advises, "Crossing the bay can be treacherous so study the weather - especially winds before you set out."

    Tips for camping with families

    Quiet camping options: Schoolhouse Canyon Campground enforces rules that create a peaceful environment. "Just a heads up, it's a quiet campsite. Radios aren't allowed, so if you are looking to party late into the night this isn't the spot for you. We enjoyed the peace and quiet though," explains Derrick M. These policies make it ideal for families seeking restful camping.

    Beach-friendly sites: Sites with river access provide natural entertainment for children. "The sites closer to river road do have quite a bit of road noise but the ones further in are great! Chris is great at placing people in the correct sites for their needs," reports Nathan H. about Schoolhouse Canyon. Many campgrounds have staff who can recommend family-appropriate sites.

    Wildlife awareness: Prepare for animal encounters, especially at night. For Tomales Bay camping, Deanna K. warns, "The raccoons are everywhere at night! They can unzip coolers, those little zippable coolers. They can pretty much open anything with their little human-like hands so protect your stuff!"

    Tips from RVers

    Membership options: Duncans Mills Campground operates as a membership club with special benefits. "This is a club - We are members and totally enjoy the Russian River... Nice sites, although not all sites are full hook up. You can pay to have your Honeywell dumped if not at a full hook up," explains Cathy. Non-members can experience the campground through trial visits.

    Limited hookup access: Most RV sites near Duncans Mills offer partial hookups only. "Full hookups and well maintained campground along with a decent rec center," notes Scotty B. about Duncans Mills Campground. For the best tent camping near Duncans Mills, California, most environmental campgrounds don't accommodate RVs at all.

    Size restrictions: Many campgrounds in the area have limited space for larger RVs. Campers planning to bring RVs should call ahead to confirm specific site dimensions and access road conditions, especially for the winding roads leading to Bullfrog Pond and other hillside campgrounds.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular tent campsite near Duncans Mills, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Duncans Mills, CA is Schoolhouse Canyon Campground with a 5-star rating from 9 reviews.

    What is the best site to find tent camping near Duncans Mills, CA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 36 tent camping locations near Duncans Mills, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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