Best Campgrounds near Guerneville, CA

Guerneville, California provides diverse camping 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 in this region 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.

Best Camping Sites Near Guerneville, California (128)

    1. Casini Ranch Family Campground

    24 Reviews
    Duncans Mills, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 865-2255

    "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."

    2. Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

    38 Reviews
    Bodega Bay, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 875-3483

    $45 / night

    "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."

    3. Wright's Beach Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

    18 Reviews
    Bridgehaven, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 875-3483

    $45 / night

    "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."

    4. Doran Regional Park

    25 Reviews
    Bodega Bay, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 875-3540

    "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."

    5. Schoolhouse Canyon Campground

    8 Reviews
    Rio Nido, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 869-2311

    $48 / night

    "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."

    6. Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park

    17 Reviews
    Bodega Bay, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 875-2354

    "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!"

    7. Bodega Bay RV Park

    15 Reviews
    Bodega Bay, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 875-3701

    "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. Ocean Cove Store and Campground

    22 Reviews
    Cazadero, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 847-3422

    $28 - $280 / night

    "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."

    9. Bullfrog Pond Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    7 Reviews
    Guerneville, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 869-2015

    "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."

    10. Woodside Campground — Salt Point State Park

    24 Reviews
    Annapolis, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 847-3221

    "I've taken my 3 kids a couple of times now, and it's such a great location along the Sonoma Coast."

    "The sites are tucked on the hillside amongst mixed evergreen forests, redwoods, ferns, and oaks. The sites all have picnics tables with food lockers, large fire pits, and privacy."

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Recent Reviews near Guerneville, CA

888 Reviews of 128 Guerneville Campgrounds


  • Jake M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    Very quite/ beautiful sites

    We’re hoping to get a spot with less of a hill to climb but on the top it’s a nice flat terrain. Nice view some campsites are closer to watch other than others.

  • Jake M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Salt Point State Park Campground

    Very secluded excellent trail to the ocean with scenic rock views

    Very clean and unkept campground low price for tents($35) . Site 30 was my favorite pick. Lots of nice lots and far spacing!

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Thousand Trails Russian River

    Tough sites

    I am reasonably ok at backing in my travel trailer but this place is a mess. I parked in wrong spot, moved to the right one, the power pedestal did not work. Had to walk to office because phone number on check-in sheet did not work. Camp worker in golf cart picked me up and checked pedestal. No good. Drove me around looking for another site but the camp side on most is terrible. My wife has mobility issues so I would not stay here again. Staff was great, area looks nice, but the sites I saw leave something to be desired.

  • Leafe Z.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Johnson's Beach

    Perfext location for river

    Russian River is right out front of the campground. They offer kayaks canoes, and whatever else you want to rent however, if you have a dog, they don’t allow the dog on the beach or in the boat with you and they’re not allowed to stay behind in the tent, so you’re kind of stuck if you have a dog

  • yThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA

    Great area, safe, kid friendly

    I planned to stay here just one night and stayed like 4. Great spot, I loved downtown Petaluma and enjoyed the safe feeling and convenience of this location. Great amenities for children too.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground

    Feels much more remote than it is

    Great campsite, awesome staff. Tucked away off highway 12 in wine country it feels much more remote than it actually is. It's a great fast getaway from the northbay, but it can be hard to reserve a site ahead of time but they do have first-come first serve sites too. Excellent hiking with both fairly flat trails, to challenging trails with lots of elevation change. It's often very hot in the summer, and there can be lots of rattle snakes sunning themselves on the rocks. This is one of my favorite camping spots.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Westside Regional Park

    Decent landing spot

    If you are here for fishing or boating it’s perfect

  • S
    Aug. 28, 2025

    smittle creek

    Hidden Gem

    This sweet little spot is a paddle boarding and fishing dream. Primitive site where Smittle Creek flows into Lake Berryessa.

  • Michi P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Casini Ranch Family Campground

    Nice Clean Quiet Campground

    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. This is a large campground located on the Russian River. They have a well stocked store, laundry facilities.

    Edit: Tuesday and Wednesday were as described above. Thursday a very loud rambunctious crowd showed up. Casini Campground has a ton of rules, one of which is you shouldn’t play your music loud enough for your neighbors to hear, we were able to hear the music and the people who were trying to talk over their music. If you going to have rules, please enforce them. Edited to change from 5 stars to 4.


Guide to Guerneville

Camping near Guerneville, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat in the woods or a family-friendly spot, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Shady Campsites: Many campers appreciate the shaded spots at Gualala Point Regional Park. A happy camper said, "I love how the trees gave lots of shade."
  • Clean Facilities: Campgrounds like Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground are known for their cleanliness. One reviewer mentioned, "Restrooms are clean and tidy and warm."
  • Pet-Friendly Options: Campers with pets enjoy the welcoming atmosphere at places like Lawson's Landing. A visitor remarked, "Extremely pet friendly."

What you should know:

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids, like San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA. One parent said, "Great playground, jumping pillow, petting farm and mining fun."
  • Check Shower Temperatures: At Hendy Woods State Park Campground, it's wise to test the showers first. A camper advised, "Test your shower first before you fully commit since it might be freezing cold."
  • Bring Firewood: Firewood can be pricey at some sites. A visitor at Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park suggested, "The wood cost is high here so I recommend getting some before you arrive."

Tips from RVers:

  • Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level sites, like Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground. One RVer mentioned, "Spots were pretty level, but close together."
  • Check for Hookups: Ensure your chosen campground has the necessary hookups. A camper at Skyline Wilderness Park noted, "No hookups, but as a surprise WiFi was available."
  • Plan for Noise: Be prepared for noise from generators, especially at busier campgrounds like Lawson's Landing. One visitor shared, "Most people have RVs so the generators start early."

Camping near Guerneville, California, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

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.