Russian River campgrounds near Healdsburg offer year-round access with temperatures ranging from 38°F in winter to 90°F in summer. While many campsites welcome dogs in this region, specific pet-friendly campgrounds near Healdsburg maintain varying policies regarding water access, leash requirements, and designated pet areas. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 100-300 feet, with some offering riverside camping directly along the Russian River's edge.
What to do
Hiking at Sugarloaf Ridge: The 2,700-acre Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground offers trails ranging from easy meadow walks to challenging summit hikes with 2,444 feet of elevation gain. "From the campground you can easily hike 20 miles around the park. There are a handful of great loop options and a few great out and backs too. My personal favorite hike in this park is at the bottom of the hill from the campground, but can be accessed by trails and a short road walk, and that is the Goodspeed Trail to Gunsight Rock," shared Michael I.
Wine tasting near campgrounds: Many campsites are within 5-10 minutes of world-class wineries, particularly in Kenwood and Healdsburg areas. "Sugarloaf Loaf Ridge State Park is a great little park and campground... There are also several wonderful wineries and tasting rooms within a couple miles of the park located around the town of Kenwood," notes a camper. The Korbel Winery is approximately a half-mile from Schoolhouse Canyon Campground.
River activities: Rent equipment directly from campgrounds for water recreation on the Russian River. "The beach along the river is for the camps private use and their is a company the will rent you stand up paddle boards ($50 for two hours or $100 per day)," mentions Christopher M. about Schoolhouse Canyon Campground. Many sites offer equipment rentals, with inner tubes available for around $5 per day.
What campers like
Private beach access: Several campgrounds maintain exclusive beach areas for campers only. "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," writes Nathan H. about Schoolhouse Canyon Campground. These private beaches typically feature gentler currents and shallower areas ideal for wading.
Summer children's activities: Cloverdale/Healdsburg Campground offers organized programs beyond swimming. "This campground is on Russian river. They have full hook ups and a lot of very cool sites. They have an insane amount of kids activities! Face paining, s'mores campfire, hay ride, parks, kareoke- just to name a few!" reports Miya B.
Observatory and stargazing: Unique astronomical opportunities exist at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park with regular guided programs. "You can walk to a trail to check out a waterfall from there (pretty darn steep!) and 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. The observatory hosts regular weekend programs throughout summer months.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill extremely fast, especially during summer months. "We made the reservation in March and the earliest we could get was the end of July by that point," notes Chelsea N. about Bullfrog Pond Campground. Most reservable sites open 6 months in advance, with weekends booking within hours of release.
Varied terrain and access challenges: Some campgrounds require difficult drives or have challenging terrain. "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," explains Cyrel T. about Bullfrog Pond. Similarly, beach access often requires crossing busy roads or walking steep paths.
Weather variations: Coastal campgrounds experience significantly different conditions than inland sites. "Given that the campground is on the water, it can get very chilly at night and the wind tends to pick up," warns a camper at Bodega Dunes. Temperature differences of 20-30 degrees between coastal and inland sites are common, with coastal fog particularly heavy from May through August.
Tips for camping with families
River safety planning: Bring appropriate gear for children who will be entering the Russian River. "The beach is across the street and through a little trail but we'll worth it. Very nice water for floating and swimming, with a cute little beach area to keep your stuff," notes Amber D. about Schoolhouse Canyon. River shoes are essential as most access points have rocky terrain that can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous for children.
Noise considerations: Johnson's Beach and similar campgrounds vary significantly in noise levels depending on site location. "Camp sites are right behind a bar (?) and homes so we heard a lot of partying, singing, dog barking well into the night," reports Henry M. Request sites farther from roads or recreation areas when traveling with children who need earlier bedtimes.
Wildlife education opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer ranger-led programs focusing on local wildlife. "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," shares Teresa B. These programs typically run weekends during summer months and provide excellent learning experiences for children.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: While several campgrounds accept RVs, full hookups are rare in the area. "There is no water fill up (there are a couple of spigots) but fill and dumping are available at Bodega Dunes. Nice clean flush toilets but no showers (available at Bodega Dunes)," explains Debbie M. about Wright's Beach Campground. Many RV campers need to plan for water conservation or partial stays at fully-equipped sites.
Uneven sites requiring leveling blocks: Many riverside and coastal sites require significant leveling equipment. "Take extra blocks if you go because our site was uneven tip to tail," warns Alma L. about Bodega Dunes. Particularly in sites near the Russian River, seasonal erosion can create dramatic changes in site levelness from year to year.
Site size limitations: Most campgrounds have strict length restrictions under 35 feet. "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!" shares Kerri C. about Wright's Beach.
