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.
151 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Healdsburg spans the Russian River Valley, from full-hookup RV parks and cabin rentals to more rustic tent sites along the water. Cloverdale/Healdsburg KOA features 150 sites accommodating tents, RVs, and cabins with amenities such as electric hookups, showers, and drinking water. Several miles west, Johnson's Beach provides riverside camping with cabin options and proximity to small-town amenities in Guerneville. The region's campgrounds extend from the immediate Healdsburg area into the surrounding Sonoma County wine country and coastal regions.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with some campgrounds requiring navigation on winding roads. Many sites within a 30-mile radius of Healdsburg require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and fall harvest season. "This is California country life at its absolute best," noted one visitor about the drive to nearby campgrounds through rolling hills and vineyards. Campers should consider seasonal factors affecting their experience - summer brings warmer inland temperatures while coastal campgrounds often experience morning fog year-round. Cell service is generally reliable near established campgrounds like the Cloverdale/Healdsburg KOA but becomes spotty in more remote areas closer to the coast.
Riverside camping represents a significant draw in the region, with Russian River access available at multiple campgrounds. Many visitors cite the ability to combine wine country exploration with outdoor recreation as a primary advantage of camping near Healdsburg. The popular Healdsburg campgrounds offer convenient access to both natural attractions and the renowned wineries that make this area famous. A camper observed that Johnson's Beach provides "access to the river and few steps away from an old small town feel. Lots of local shops and bars right outside the campsite." Facilities vary widely, from basic sites with vault toilets to full-service RV parks with hookups and showers. Family-friendly amenities are common at larger campgrounds, while more secluded options can be found at state parks further from town. Most campgrounds in the area provide fire rings and picnic tables, though fire restrictions may apply during dry summer and fall months depending on wildfire conditions.
"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 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
Check Availability"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"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"Love this spot for glamping it has a fishing pond, swimming pool, and a hiking trail! Very beautiful scenery! Very close to the town of Cloverdale about a 5-10 min drive!"
"Off the beaten path so if you plan to visit cities or wineries you need a tow vehicle."
from $89 - $109 / night
Check Availability"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."
"The entrance to the campground is located at the back of the park and you drive up a very winding, bumpy one lane road for about 10 minutes before you reach the campgrounds."
"The campsite is near plenty of amenities that you may need during your stay. Bathrooms have been clean and the showers 🚿 are nice and toasty! This will definitely be a regular spot in the future."
"No glass around campsites. Lots of campers but they did make attemps to keep people quiet after 10.Great canoe rentals to take down the river and a shuttle back is right next door."
"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."
"Great spot in the middle of town. walking distance from all shops and bars while still on the river. Friendly staff, friendly neighbors."
from $50 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Easy access to a lot of trails. The view from the campground is nice and relaxing. Some sites are very tight and close to each other. Some are spacious enough."
"There are certainly some that are better situated than others regarding size, shade, and other amenities--but the entire campground is nice."
from $35 - $45 / night
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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.
I was hesitant about booking this campground because the reviews said it was overgrown, unkempt, and dirty in spots. However, I had been driving all day and saw other reviews of the gorgeous lakeside campsites and did it. I stayed at 93 right next to the restrooms and a weird overgrown amphitheater. I'll add the photo 😀 When it says lake side- I am sure at one point it was when the water could fill the lake to the top! But it was still amazing. You can walk down to the beach below. And enjoy the lake. I was on a deadline and had to head out early the next morning. Many sites were overgrown so they should state that when booking- or have them unavailable.
Multiple great riding trails. Saw mule deer, bull moose with cows, skoates and marmot. Large bull moose walked through Williams Camp!
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. ☹️
Russian River camping near Healdsburg offers unique access to redwood groves, wine country exploration, and riverside recreation throughout the year. Most campgrounds sit within 30 miles of town, with elevations ranging from near sea level along the river to over 2,000 feet in the surrounding hills. Water conditions vary seasonally, with summer water levels typically lower and warmer, while winter and spring bring faster currents.
Wine tasting excursions: Within a 10-minute drive from Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, campers can explore numerous vineyards in Kenwood. "The campsite is only a few minutes from Kenwood and many many wineries, but feels more remote than it is," notes Scott J. from Sugarloaf Ridge.
River floating: The Russian River provides calm sections perfect for inner tubes, which can be rented at Schoolhouse Canyon Campground for $5 per day. "There is a private beach just for guests of the campsite right across river road. Wood for sale and tubes available for rent. Prices are very reasonable," explains Nathan H.
Astronomy viewing: Robert Ferguson Observatory at Sugarloaf Ridge offers star programs for campers. "You can walk to the Robert Ferguson Observatory as well! We went on a night hike for a star gazing tour and had a great time!" shares Syd D., highlighting one of the less-known recreational options near Healdsburg.
Private river beaches: Many campgrounds maintain exclusive shoreline access for guests. At Schoolhouse Canyon, Christina F. reports: "Beautiful property on the Russian River and I spent most of my days down on the beach and floating. I highly recommend if you're down for a family-friendly, quiet, clean campground in a beautiful area."
Town proximity: Johnson's Beach provides walkable access to Guerneville's shops and restaurants. "This is our little spot when we just don't want to be in the wilderness. 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," notes Maria O.
Wildlife viewing: The forested campgrounds provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Bodega Dunes, Michael I. reports: "We walked around sites 22-55 and all seem to be entirely on the sand. We did see a few foxes, or the same fox a few times, so make sure to keep camp sites clean."
Convenient amenities: Many sites offer electrical outlets even at tent sites. At Mirabel RV Park & Campground, Jordan L. comments: "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."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds in wine country book quickly during peak seasons. For Wright's Beach Campground, Debbie M. advises: "This is a small campground of 28 reservable spots plus a few first come first serve just north of Bodega Bay."
Noise considerations: Canyon settings can amplify sound between sites. Kenneth S. points out at Schoolhouse Canyon: "Keep in mind that this campground is in a Canyon so noise does carry. There are two sections to this campground. Lower half is family section and the upper section is adults only."
Seasonal hazards: Summer brings increased wildlife activity. At Sugarloaf Ridge, Scott J. warns: "It's often very hot in the summer, and there can be lots of rattle snakes sunning themselves on the rocks."
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult entry routes. For Bullfrog Pond, Chelsea N. notes: "One lane road access that would be intimidating at night."
Jump pillow activities: Casini Ranch Family Campground offers dedicated children's entertainment. "Kids were busy the whole time, riding bikes and scooters, playing on the jump pillow, feeling the animals. Sites are HUGE!" reports Dustin C., highlighting the spacious sites for family gatherings.
Dedicated camping sections: Several campgrounds divide their properties into family and adult-only areas. Christopher M. explains about Schoolhouse Canyon: "The campsite is divided into two areas, an adults area (higher up the road) and a family area (just inside the gate when you first arrive) both areas allow for a adult friendly & a family safe visit."
Educational opportunities: Nature programs enhance the camping experience for children. At Sugarloaf Ridge, Scott J. shares: "There's great hiking, an observatory, and often nature events throughout the summer (docent led hikes for example). The volunteers who run the place do a fantastic job with everything, from keeping the site clean, to providing tons of info for budding naturalists."
Water safety considerations: River beaches vary in safety levels. At Wright's Beach, Kerry V. cautions: "Walking on the beach was nice, but not really a swimmable beach due to rocks and huge waves."
Leveling requirements: Uneven sites may require additional equipment. At Bodega Dunes, Alma L. advises: "Take extra blocks if you go because our site was uneven tip to tail. Easy to maneuver big rigs, we saw some 5th wheels, and 25+ footers in here."
Water and dump access: Some campgrounds lack full hookups but offer nearby facilities. Debbie M. notes about Wright's Beach: "There is no water fill up (there are a couple of spigots) but fill and dumping are available at Bodega Dunes."
Site selection for larger vehicles: Not all sites accommodate larger rigs equally. At Bodega Dunes, Sarah cautions: "Don't be fooled: The 'premium' sites are basically parking spaces in a dirt lot."
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. At Sugarloaf Ridge, Scott J. mentions: "There is no cell coverage for any of the major providers, but free (slow) Wi-Fi covers half the camp, and premium Wi-Fi is available to purchase."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping sites in Healdsburg, CA?
While Healdsburg itself has limited camping directly in town, you'll find excellent options nearby. The Cloverdale/Healdsburg Campground offers the closest accommodations with full amenities including water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. For a riverside experience, Johnson's Beach in Guerneville provides convenient access to the Russian River with the added benefit of being just steps from local shops and restaurants, offering a perfect blend of outdoor recreation and small-town charm. Both locations are easily accessible by car and serve as ideal basecamps for exploring Healdsburg's renowned wineries and surrounding Sonoma County attractions.
What camping options are available near Healdsburg, CA?
The Healdsburg area offers diverse camping experiences within a short drive. For a peaceful redwood retreat, Hendy Woods State Park Campground provides beautiful old-growth redwood groves with flat, well-maintained sites. If you prefer waterside camping, Casini Ranch Family Campground near Duncans Mills offers drive-in access along the Russian River with reservable sites, water, and toilet facilities. For those seeking coastal adventures, the Sonoma Coast offers spectacular options at Bodega Dunes Campground with semi-private sites, clean facilities, and proximity to dog-friendly beaches. Most campgrounds in the region require reservations, especially during peak season.
What is the best time of year to go camping in Healdsburg?
The ideal time for camping near Healdsburg is late spring through early fall (May-October) when temperatures are pleasantly warm and rainfall is minimal. Summer weekends can be crowded, especially at popular spots like Spring Lake Regional Park, which offers great water activities and hiking trails with newer bathroom facilities. For a more serene experience with beautiful views and access to numerous trails, consider Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground in the shoulder seasons (May-June or September-October) when temperatures are moderate and crowds are thinner. Fall brings gorgeous vineyard colors, while spring offers wildflowers and flowing creeks.
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