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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
