Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground
Excellent campground
We arrived and looked at our site and needed sun to recharge our batteries so the attendant let us pick one from the available list. A bit dusty but well worth it for the amenities.
140 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Guerneville, California range from tent and RV sites with direct Russian River access to cabin accommodations, giving campers a variety of options along the scenic Russian River corridor. Schoolhouse Canyon Campground and Parker's Resort offer both tent and RV sites with river access, while Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park provides cabin accommodations for those seeking more comfort. Many campgrounds near Guerneville feature access to the Russian River for swimming and paddling, with some properties maintaining private beaches exclusively for campers. Casini Ranch Family Campground, located in nearby Duncans Mills, accommodates tents, RVs, and cabins with full hookups, making it suitable for various camping preferences.
The Russian River area experiences mild temperatures year-round, though most visitors come during summer months when water activities are most enjoyable. Several campgrounds operate seasonally, with Ocean Cove Store and Campground typically open from April through November. "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," notes one visitor about Schoolhouse Canyon. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for summer weekends when riverside camping areas fill quickly. Many campgrounds maintain quiet hours and specific rules to preserve the peaceful atmosphere beneath the redwood canopy. River levels can vary significantly throughout the season, with late summer bringing lower water levels in some areas.
Camping near downtown Guerneville allows convenient access to local amenities. "Location location location. If you enjoy Guerneville and want a simple campsite where you can easily walk to every bar, restaurant, and the redwoods, this is the spot," mentioned one camper about Johnson's Beach. Several campgrounds feature shaded sites beneath towering redwoods, providing natural cooling during warmer months. The region's campgrounds generally receive high ratings for cleanliness and family-friendly environments, though sites closer to roads may experience traffic noise. Private beaches along the Russian River are highly valued amenities at several campgrounds, offering swimming and paddling opportunities without public crowds. Most mixed-use campgrounds provide picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restrooms and showers, with varying levels of hookups for RVs.
"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 Availability"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."
"We stayed here for a night at the tail end of a December California adventure before flying out of SFO the next day."
"There aren’t a lot of options for camping on the coast in California outside of busy campgrounds. But as those go, Doran Beach is ok."
"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 Availability"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 Availability"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!"
"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."
"Great scenery, and many of the tent sites are tucked away in little nooks and crannies for privacy if you don’t want the more open outer ring sites."
"Ocean Cove is a private campground right off Highway one. The owners are very friendly and helpful and they also own the grocery store across from the campsites."
from $28 - $280 / night
Check Availability"If you enjoy Guerneville and want a simple campsite where you can easily walk to every bar, restaurant, and the redwoods, this is the spot."
"There is an access to the river and few steps away from an old small town feel. Lots of local shops and bars right outside the campsite."
from $50 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Not far from Guerneville. Incredible view from the top of the campsites area. The walk-in camp sites actually have better setups albeit a little less private."
"Bullfrog campground is located in Armstrong woods (Guerneville, CA). It's on top of a rugged drive up the woods and they are first come first serve basis."












We arrived and looked at our site and needed sun to recharge our batteries so the attendant let us pick one from the available list. A bit dusty but well worth it for the amenities.
This is a private area managed by Napa County. Gate closed.
This was a nice stay and the owner was friendly and helpful. It has showers, but no pet area or great place to walk dogs. It had full amenities for RVs and both pull in and back in sites. Closely spaced, but awning room. The only two drawbacks are that the price is high for the area, as is the area itself. There are some options to save, so it may be in your budget.
The road in can be tricky, but doable. A few rv sites are available for up to 30 days, and cabins are available via Airbnb. It's a back in spot that leaves no extra room with my bullet premier ultralight 24' trailer, but there are water/sewer/power hookups, nice views, wifi, and it's quiet and friendly as far as I can tell.
Great camp with amazing views. But, you should not camp alone. I've been here often this month and have seen a herd sheep eating the grass on the hillside, heard a pack of coyotes several nights in a row, until I heard a Mt Lion doing it's bird like sounds at night, as it circled my rv. This is last night, 10/07/2026 - mt lion presence detected, not seen. Be careful.
Clean bathrooms. First come first serve. Fire pits. Water available. Was full when we woke up in the morning. Ranger going around fixing the reserved signs. Loved this place.
We came in around 9pm. There's a board with names and site numbers on the office building. These are snug spots but we have enough room to put the slide out. It is a level gravel parking lot. There's not alot of places in San Fran to even day park. This is just fine. They do fill up fast. Called the next day to extend through Sat, they are booked solid.
Dog walk is through the gate at the back of the lot where abandoned railroad tracks are. There's a pond with some ducks and a walking path.
Lots of beautiful campsites by the beach. It’s in Bodega Bay so all of the beach is pretty protected. Many are in the harbor and there’s a place to launch your watercraft. Dogs are allowed yon the beach on leash. The campground was full but the beach wasn’t crowded at all.
The shower was coin operated. The dial didn’t change the temperature or volume of water at all. ☹️
Cowboy Camp had everything I had heard it offered & more! There was plenty of space when I visited and I got to pick a spot down by the water. Easy access & semi-secluded. The spot was half shaded and half sunny by 3 PM. Perfect for our truck to park in & stay cool. Vaulted toilets were in decent shape & even had TP. Lots of awesome spots to pull off at on the way there from Winters area. Beautiful views of flowing green water & colorful trees.
The Russian River camping area near Guerneville, California sits at elevations between 50-500 feet with most campsites nestled in redwood groves or along riverbanks. Summer daytime temperatures typically range from 75-90°F, dropping to 50-60°F overnight. Winter camping options remain open though rainfall averages 38 inches annually, with most precipitation occurring November through March.
Tide pool exploration: 30-minute drive from Guerneville. Campers staying at Bodega Dunes Campground can access exceptional marine environments. "There are lots of RV campers here but some with tents. They just started allowing reservations recently. If you want a sunny site, go for the center of the loop in the 60s/70s," notes Emily W. about campsite options.
Fishing and crabbing: Available year-round. Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park offers direct access to Bodega Bay fishing opportunities. "This is a great place for family, kids rode bikes all weekend. Nobody was too loud or partying late. Short drives to the beach and town for candy and ice cream," reports Dustin C. about the coastal camping experience.
Wine tasting: 10+ vineyards within 15 miles. Campsites near Guerneville serve as excellent base camps for wine country exploration. One visitor to Bullfrog Pond Campground recommends: "The park is squarely in wine country so go wine tasting for lunch and get a shuttle back to camp."
Private beach access: Exclusive river spots. Schoolhouse Canyon Campground offers dedicated beach areas. "The beach along the river is for the camps private use and there is a company that will rent you stand up paddle boards ($50 for two hours or $100 per day)," explains Christopher M.
Spacious campsites: Room for multiple tents. Casini Ranch Family Campground receives high marks for site size. "Sites are HUGE! We had plenty of room for our trailer, tent, corn hole, and more. Staff is friendly and helpful, the store is great - they have most of whatever you may need," shares Dustin C.
Protected camping environments: Natural wind barriers. Ocean camping spots offer varying degrees of wind protection. "Given that the campground is on the water, it can get very chilly at night and the wind tends to pick up," notes Haley C. at Doran Beach Campground.
Reservation requirements: Plan 3-5 months ahead for summer weekends. Demand for campsites near Guerneville varies by season. A visitor to Wright's Beach Campground advises: "We made the reservation in March and the earliest we could get was the end of July by that point."
Shower availability: Limited at some locations. Several campgrounds offer coin-operated facilities. "Bathrooms were clean but the water pressure and the temperature fluctuations in the shower were just bad," reports one camper at Porto Bodega Marina.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for nocturnal visitors. Raccoons and other animals frequently visit campsites. "We didn't leave anything out but had muddy footprints all over our table in the morning! Their garbage cans are not raccoon proof so every morning there's garbage scattered around," shares Jennifer J.
Activity options: Daily schedules for kids. Doran Regional Park offers family-friendly coastal access. "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," explains Justin W.
Site selection: Choose locations based on noise tolerance. Family sections at some campgrounds can be livelier. "Lower half is family section and the upper section is adults only. This is a family run campground. This is such a beautiful area. Quick walk to the river to swim or sunbathe," notes Kenneth S. at Schoolhouse Canyon Campground.
Beach safety: Check conditions before swimming. Coastal campgrounds have varying water safety conditions. "The beach is wide, flat and great for families. 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," reports Teresa B.
Site leveling: Bring stabilizing equipment. Ocean Cove Store and Campground requires preparation. "Take extra blocks if you go because our site was uneven tip to tail," advises one camper about Bodega Dunes.
Hookup variability: Research options in advance. Full-service sites are limited at coastal campgrounds. "No showers but the restrooms are clean, have warm/hot running water and plugs. Good spot to blow dry your hair if you can shower in the trailer!" shares Kerri C.
Dump station locations: Plan for services. Several campgrounds offer limited onsite services. "No water fill up (there are a couple of spigots) but fill and dumping are available at Bodega Dunes," notes Debbie M. about Wright's Beach Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best season for camping in Guerneville?
Late spring through early fall (May through September) offers the best camping conditions in Guerneville, with warm days perfect for enjoying the Russian River. Willow Creek - Sonoma Coast State Beach is ideal during summer months when the river levels are perfect for swimming and paddling. Bodega Dunes Campground makes a great base camp during summer and early fall when coastal weather is most stable. Some campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, primarily opening from late spring through early fall. Winter camping is possible at year-round sites, but prepare for cooler temperatures and potential rain. Fall offers beautiful colors and fewer crowds, while spring brings wildflowers but can still have occasional rainfall.
What amenities are available at Guerneville campsites?
Guerneville campgrounds offer varying amenities depending on location and type. Highlands Resort provides upscale amenities including a clothing-optional pool area, outdoor kitchen with grill and gas stove, ice machine, fenced campsites with tables, and a free continental breakfast. Parker's Resort offers convenient river access with nearby kayak and canoe rentals at Johnson's Beach. Some campgrounds like Willow Creek have minimal facilities (composting toilets and water faucets), while others like Schoolhouse Canyon offer standard amenities including water and toilets. For RV campers, several sites offer hookups, though these vary by location. Most Guerneville-area campgrounds provide access to the Russian River, picnic areas, and are within walking or short driving distance to town facilities.
Where are the best campgrounds near Guerneville, CA?
Guerneville offers a variety of excellent campgrounds in the Russian River area. Johnson's Beach provides a central location where you can easily walk to town amenities, bars, restaurants, and access the river. For those seeking a more secluded experience, Austin Creek State Rec Area offers more privacy with great views, a small pond, and nearby hiking trails. Other notable options include Schoolhouse Canyon Campground situated along the Russian River and Casini Ranch Family Campground near Duncans Mills. For beach lovers, Sonoma Coast State Park's campgrounds are just a short drive away, providing coastal camping experiences with easy access to Guerneville's redwood forests and river activities.
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