Fulton camping options span from coastal beach sites to inland forest retreats within a 30-mile radius. The area sits in the transition zone between coastal fog influence and warmer inland valleys, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day, dropping to 50-60°F at night, while winter camping requires preparation for nighttime temperatures that can dip into the 30s.
What to do
Russian River floating trips: From Schoolhouse Canyon Campground, rent inner tubes ($5/day) and enjoy the current. "This is a great place right near the Russian river. 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," notes a camper at Schoolhouse Canyon Campground.
Beach exploration: Along the Sonoma Coast, access to beaches makes for excellent day trips. At Bodega Dunes Campground, you'll find "Easy to maneuver big rigs, we saw some 5th wheels, and 25+ footers in here." The coastal walking paths are accessible year-round, with one visitor mentioning "A very short drive to the water."
Observatory visits: Astronomy enthusiasts can visit the Robert Ferguson Observatory at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, about 20 miles from Fulton. "We went on a night hike for a star gazing tour and had a great time!" says one camper, adding that you can "walk to the Robert Ferguson Observatory as well!"
Wine tasting: Many campgrounds offer easy access to nearby vineyards. "We stumbled upon this place after wine tasting in Sonoma. This place had many sites and super family friendly," explains one visitor about their experience camping near wine country.
What campers like
Private river access: Many campers appreciate exclusive water access. At Mirabel RV Park & Campground, "Each site has a table, fire pit, and even outlets which was a nice surprise. Tons of trees so every site has plenty of shade. Theres a short trail down to the river, perfect for kayaking or paddleboarding."
Proximity to town amenities: The convenience of nearby services ranks high for campers. According to one Spring Lake Regional Park visitor, "It is very forgiving here and close to everything in case you didn't pack enough food or propane or fire starter. The camp host is amazing. The bathrooms are clean with free cold showers or quarters for hot showers."
Natural seclusion with urban proximity: Campers value sites that feel remote while remaining accessible. "We camp here as often as we can. It's a lovely campsite with most sites being under tree canopies, with a large meadow in the center, which is great for frisbee, or other games. The campsite is only a few minutes from Kenwood and many many wineries, but feels more remote than it is."
Well-maintained facilities: Clean, modern facilities are consistently mentioned in positive reviews. "The bathrooms are clean with free cold showers or quarters for hot showers. They have fire pits at every location, firewood to buy on site, it is very kid friendly with a fun loop for the kids to bike or scooter around plus easy access to the lake."
What you should know
Reservation timing matters: The best places to camp near Fulton, California fill quickly during peak season. "This is a great little park and campground. The campground is set around an open meadow, but spaces are a bit close together. Nothing special about the campground, no stunning views or strong flowing river, but there is some great hiking and lots of wineries nearby."
Seasonal weather variations: Coastal sites experience significantly different conditions than inland locations. At Doran Regional Park, "The hard part about this campground is the weather potential, there's a lot of fog, a lot of wind, but that should be expected anytime you're spending time near the coast."
Wildfire recovery areas: Some parks show evidence of past fires. "October 2017 Fires: The park experienced severe damage with almost 80% of the park being burned. As of today, seven months after the fires, some trails in the park remain closed. While the landscape has changed dramatically, the fires have provided an interesting new perspective to the park."
Poison oak awareness: At certain campgrounds, poison oak can be problematic. "Beautiful and close to downtown Calistoga however the campgrounds were infested with poison oak. Maybe just the time of year and because of so much rain this year? Not sure but it was thick and lush everywhere."
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment amenities: San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA offers extensive child-friendly features. "Had a blast here. A lot of different areas for the kids. Swimming, giant bounce area, and mild weather. Coffee bar, large play grounds and near shopping for any needs," reports a parent.
Quiet campgrounds for families: Some areas maintain strict noise policies. "This is a great place right near the Russian river. Chris does have some rules in place and interviews his potential guests to make sure they are a good fit. There is a private beach just for guests of the campsite right across river road."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer ranger-led programs. "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."
Spacious sites for group activities: When camping with multiple families, certain sites offer more room. "We had a big site, it was quiet. The bathrooms are clean, showers are $1.00, they have something for every type of camper here, from tents, covered wagons to rv sites."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At Casini Ranch Family Campground, RV placement varies significantly. "Casini Ranch is really two campgrounds: the tent campground features charming sites tucked into private groves; the RV sites with electrical and water hookups are crammed together, with little more than a fence post to demarcate them. Some of the RV sites are essentially parallel parking on a dirt roadway."
Leveling challenges: Some campsites require additional equipment for comfort. "Take extra blocks if you go because our site was uneven tip to tail."
Beach access with larger vehicles: Coastal campgrounds can accommodate larger rigs. "I added pictures below because we couldn't find any pictures of space 14 online before we left. Hopefully this will help anyone else that is wondering how much space they will have. It works, but with a 23' trailer it was tight. Parking wasn't fun- but we did it!"
Water quality considerations: Water access points vary in quality. "Tested the water-Water tested as acceptable tap water after running it through an external filter. 21 elements checked, all within range. Dissolved solids were 251...pretty high. The worst water in our 6 week trip."
