Christine L.
Scout
ScoutAustin Creek State Rec Area
Summer 2026 - Closed
Currently the Bull Frog Campground is closed Until Further Notice and there is no Back Country Camping available either. Day Use only.
Camping near Forestville, CA
148 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Camping options around Forestville, California center on the Russian River corridor, with several campgrounds providing access to this popular recreation area. Mirabel RV Park & Campground in Forestville and Schoolhouse Canyon Campground in Guerneville offer tent and RV sites with river access. Other developed campgrounds in the region include River Bend Resort and Parker's Resort, which provide varied accommodation types from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV spaces. Many sites feature amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to the Russian River for swimming and paddling activities.
The Russian River area experiences seasonal fluctuations that impact camping experiences and site availability. Summer months (June through August) represent peak camping season with warm temperatures ideal for river activities, while spring can bring occasional flooding and winter often sees closures due to heavy rainfall. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally, with some closing entirely during winter months. Water levels in the Russian River vary significantly throughout the year, affecting swimming and paddling opportunities. As one visitor noted, "Russian River is a great getaway for people in the Bay Area. Weather is perfect in my opinion all season long, but would not recommend hedging your plans on this due to the frequent flooding in the area."
Riverside camping receives consistently positive reviews from visitors to the Forestville region. Campgrounds provide direct access to swimming holes, beaches, and paddling opportunities along the Russian River. The proximity of camping areas to wineries, restaurants, and small towns adds convenience while maintaining a natural setting. While some campsites offer significant shade under redwood and oak canopies, others provide sunny open spaces ideal for family gatherings. Many campgrounds in the area maintain private beach access points for their guests. A camper at Schoolhouse Canyon commented: "The Russian River is conveniently across the street, and the gravel beach area is great for little waders. There are inner tubes and paddle boards for rent if you are so inclined." Visitors frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere of camping under tall trees while having easy access to water activities.
Best Campgrounds near Forestville (148)
1. Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park
"This campsite is centrally located on the peninsula. Access to several roadside dog friendly beaches within minutes. The bay and the beach are within walking distance to campground."
"The California coast is hard to beat. This campground is in the sand dunes, with a short walk to the beach. This is absolutely one of the best places to see the sunset."
from $45 / night
Check Availability2. Casini Ranch Family Campground
"A few friends and I recently spent 4 days camping at this beautiful ranch right outside of Duncan Mills and absolutely loved our stay."
"Fire puts when allowed by California. Russian River gets surprisingly warm during the summer."
3. Doran Regional Park
"We stayed here for a night at the tail end of a December California adventure before flying out of SFO the next day."
"General: Located between Bodega Bay and Bodega Harbor, this county park has over 140 sites in four campgrounds: Shell, Gull, Cove, and Jetty."
4. Wright's Beach Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park
"This campground is in the perfect location. The beach is amazing and you feel like you have it all to yourself and your fellow campers."
"This campground is located on mile-long stretch of beach within the Sonoma Coast State Park. I lived in Sonoma County for 15 years and this is my favorite beach."
from $45 / night
Check Availability5. Schoolhouse Canyon Campground
"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!!!)"
"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."
from $48 / night
Check Availability6. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA
"showers were always clean. there was some construction going on, since it was the off season. it looked like they were renovating some of the bathrooms and aisle end sites to add grass and decks. the location"
"For us, this is a great spot to shoot down the highway and pull in for a few days to get away from the hustle and bustle of normal life!"
7. Bodega Bay RV Park
"With a good location you can take some walks to the Salmon River. The pull thru was long but is very narrow. Time you are setup, the camp side of the site is very small."
"On the outskirts of Bodega Bay."
8. Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park
"If you wanna rv and craving crab,chowder, and oysters this is the spot for you, full hook up,fire pit , and picnic table walking distance to a restaurant and shops great views very relaxing...the down"
"There is a coffee/breakfast place, and a wine/beer/restaurant at the edge of the property. Very good and convenient! Lots of nice walking opportunities!"
9. Lawson's Landing
"Walking distance to the beach. Quiet place on non holiday weekends. Fun place to fish and the Beach is also pretty clean."
"There are a variety of campsites, and they are many - we camp as close to the ocean as possible in the meadow area."
10. Ritchey Creek Campground — Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
"We just stayed here for 2 nights, great location very close to Calistoga and not to far from Saint Helena! Next time i would love to try out a cabin or yurt."
"Good access to wineries close by. Only real downside was that because of the dry conditions we could not have a campfire."
from $43 / night
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Drive Time
- 15 min from Santa Rosa, CA
- 55 min from Vallejo, CA
- 59 min from Napa, CA
- 1 hr 8 min from San Francisco, CA
Recent Camping Photos near Forestville, CA
266 Photos of 148 Forestville Campgrounds
H L.
River Bend Resort
Christina F.
Schoolhouse Canyon Campground
Christopher B.
La Bohemia
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Miss Daisy’s Magical Wonderland
Robert C.
Glamping in the Redwoods 🐶🐕💃🕺🏼
Marissa A.
Casini Ranch Family Campground
Chelsea N.
Bullfrog Pond Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Ken B.
Wildhaven Sonoma
Mary K.
Wright's Beach Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park
Tammy B.
Spring Lake Regional Park
Micah C.
Bodega Bay RV Park
Sebastian D.
Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park
Recent Reviews near Forestville, CA
972 Reviews of 148 Forestville Campgrounds
Patrick W.ScoutGlen Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore
In the middle of nowhere
It’s kinda more like a last choice in the area. I’m happy I had the opportunity to stay there (to compare the other campsites) and it is nicely set up with running water, picnic table, and pit toilets. Campsite 10 though is the worst of ‘em. Set directly in the middle with no privacy and no shade.
Whenever someone opened the pit toilet doors, the smell wafted gracefully like a hammer out of nowhere to abuse my olfactory senses! Just trying to be real and give the scoops.
The NPS does a great job with maintaining the campsite BUT I would definitely pick any of the other locations first. Eg Sky, Coast, or Wildcat. That being said, if there was nothing else available, I’d stay there again. Get in late and leave early.
- LLandon R.
TravelerBlue Oak Campground
Very cool views, but a lot of trash
Found a spot on the hill that had a sweet view, but was covered in trash and shotgun shells. A lot of dirt bikers so you hear that most of the day.
Madeleine B.ScoutKoa Cloverdale Camping Resort
Glad I Ignored the Bad Reviews
Abundant bad reviews were available for this campground but we had no major issues. Bathrooms and pool were in good condition.
- HHeather D.Traveler
Thousand Trails Russian River
They're trying
So the staff here are really nice and helpful and trying to keep the place up. There is definitely not enough staff for the size of of the grounds here. The river is super low right now but it's mid July inland in California so that's expected. Getting down to the river access is either by being dropped off by a car and then picked back up when you are done OR walking down the windy steep road and then back UP when you are tired and hungry and hot etc. If you have a mobility issue be prepared to get help. My husband has prosthetics and we couldn't be down at the same time without a lot of back and forth with the vehicle. The bathroom/bathhouse in A section of the park is trashed. I don't have a nicer way to put that. We lost water the second night we were there and that lasted most of the next day and then power went out at 11pm three nights later and was off for almost 24 hours. We more than likely won't be staying there again anytime soon. It looks like it used to be a really nice spot but it has just been neglected and abused.
Alma L.
RangerSunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park
Windy. Very windy
This was interesting and fun, glad we did it but certainly would rather enjoy the island as a day visitor. Some info.
- The ferry from Tiburon is super easy/cheap and overnight parking was only $16 at the public parking across the street next to the pond.
- The walk from Ayala Cove is 45 of brisk walking. The last bit is uphill on a fire road for about .3 miles.
- There is no water in the Summer at Sunrise, the nearest spigot is back down the hill near the fork in the fire road leading to the other camp. 5-10 minute walk.
- The pit toilet is well stocked and clean.
- Views are of East Bay.
- It’s very windy but the wind dies down at night.
Alan L.
GuideUpper Bayview Campground — Clear Lake State Park
Spacious camp site!
Very spacious camp site. We got invited here by a relative. Stayed in the upper area, so you had to drive down to the lake. Park rangers were present. Can’t remember the camp site we stayed in but if you don’t mind taking a 5 minute drive,book the upper campground. Lake water was 7/10. Great temperature, but I’m more of a Christal clear water person. There was some algae/ weeds. I heard a lot of negative comments about the water. Overall we had a good time Bathrooms and showers were next to our site.
- CCarley C.Traveler
smittle creek
Definitely not a spot
Tons of signs that say no camping no parking no trespassing. There was a fence and it was locked. Definitely don’t come here
- TTwindaddyGuide
Calso - Boggs Mountain Demo Forest - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Open to camping again!
Finally open again after a couple years of clearing storm damage.
https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/natural-resource-management/demonstration-state-forests/boggs-demonstration-state-forest
I was there the week prior to July 4 and expected a crowd. Instead I was one of only two campers until I left on the 3rd.
As in years past, the "no-see-ems" and bees get a bit thick. The bees absolutely LOVE water, so have a van with a shower on the rear door complicates things. Nonetheless, the stay was nice. The mountain biking, though tough, was super fun. I got lucky with the weather too - only hit about 82 at the warmest.
Vault toilets are reasonably well maintained. Don't be afraid to use them if you need to.
There continues to be a lot of forest recovery after the fire over a decade (wow!) ago.
The trees that were planted are now reaching an impressive height and providing shade on many of the trails. See the pic with the bike against the tree for a sense of scale.
Nice to have the option available again - I'll be back in the fall.
Oh... the pizza parlor in Cobb is also excellent. They have great pizza a great sleection of good beers on tap!
Guide to Forestville
Campgrounds near Forestville, California cluster along Highway 1 and the Russian River in Sonoma County. The area ranges from sea level along the river to coastal bluffs reaching 500-700 feet in elevation. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day while winter lows typically reach 38-45°F with 30-40 inches of annual rainfall concentrated between November and March.
What to do
River activities: floating and paddling: At Schoolhouse Canyon Campground, guests enjoy direct river access. "The Russian River is conveniently across the street, and the gravel beach area is great for little waders. There are inner tubes and paddle boards for rent if you are so inclined," notes Derrick M. The private beach access for campers means less crowded conditions.
Coastal exploration: tide pools and marine wildlife: Bodega Bay offers excellent coastal activities just 20 minutes from Forestville. At Doran Regional Park, "The first Saturday of the month the rangers do a tide pool talk. They bring sea creatures (like sea stars, sea slugs etc) to share and let the kids hold them," shares Teresa B. The protected cove creates safer swimming conditions.
Fishing and crabbing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer fishing access. At Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park, you can "see the Milky Way at night while listening to the soft foghorn and every now and then a soft bark of a seal." Duranne C. adds that you'll "Wake up in the morning to either fog or bright warm sun overlooking a very sleepy glassy harbor with fishing boats bobbing in the docks."
What campers like
Wide, flat beaches: Many campers appreciate the beaches in the Forestville region. A visitor to Wright's Beach Campground remarks, "There are tons of hills for kids to play on. There are no surrounding campsite so it is pretty quiet." Kayla L. adds, "The beach is amazing and you feel like you have it all to yourself and your fellow campers."
Proximity to local food and attractions: Campgrounds near Forestville offer access to local dining. Justin B. at Bodega Dunes Campground advises: "Go to the wharf near by to pick up some live crab to boil over the fire." The area allows campers to "Experience northern California Coast and see where they filmed Hitchcock's 'The Birds.'"
Family-focused activities: At Casini Ranch Family Campground, "Kids were busy the whole time, riding bikes and scooters, playing on the jump pillow, feeling the animals. Sites are HUGE! We had plenty of room for our trailer, tent, corn hole, and more," shares Dustin C. The campground offers organized events throughout summer.
What you should know
Seasonal wind patterns: Coastal campgrounds experience significant wind. At Doran Regional Park, "The tent sites are VERY windy, especially at night," warns Teresa B. Many campers recommend bringing extra stakes and wind barriers.
Fire restrictions and regulations: Most campgrounds permit campfires but have specific rules. At San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA, firewood costs $5-10 per bundle. Several campgrounds enforce quiet hours after 10 PM with staff actively monitoring compliance.
Reservation timing: The most popular campgrounds fill quickly. Wright's Beach Campground has only 28 reservable sites that book months in advance, particularly waterfront spots. One camper notes, "Would prefer a beach front spot if we are lucky enough to get one in the future, wind is the trade off."
Tips for camping with families
Beach safety awareness: Beaches vary significantly in swimmer-friendliness. Justin W. notes that 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."
Campground activity programs: Many campgrounds offer scheduled events. Miya B. describes Casini Ranch as having "an insane amount of kids activities! Face painting, s'mores campfire, hay ride, parks, karaoke - just to name a few! Easily one of our fav campgrounds!"
Specialized camping areas: Some campgrounds have family-specific sections. Nathan H. explains that at Schoolhouse Canyon Campground, "The sites closer to river road do have quite a bit of road noise but the ones further in are great! There is an adult only section as well."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RV sites vary in size and privacy. At Bodega Dunes Campground, "Sites 13 and 15 of the Bodega Dunes loop are by far the best sites. The others had uneven tent pads or awkward orientations. Take extra blocks if you go because our site was uneven tip to tail," advises Alma L.
Water and power limitations: Many coastal campgrounds have limited or no hookups. Leonard H. reports about Bodega Dunes: "Selected non-reserved level paved site in 54-89 loop (close to bay). Two clean restroom/shower buildings in this loop. Each had token machine ($1 for 5 minutes)."
Dump station locations: RVers should note which campgrounds have dump facilities. "No water fill up (there are a couple of spigots) but fill and dumping are available at Bodega Dunes," Debbie M. explains about Wright's Beach. Plan accordingly as some campgrounds require driving to nearby facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Forestville, CA?
What camping is available near Forestville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Forestville, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 148 campgrounds and RV parks near Forestville, CA and 10 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Forestville, CA?
Which is the most popular campground near Forestville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Forestville, CA is Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 42 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Forestville, CA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Forestville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Forestville, CA.
What parks are near Forestville, CA?
What parks are near Forestville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Forestville, CA that allow camping, notably Lake Sonoma and Point Reyes National Seashore.
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