Best Campgrounds near Hercules, CA

Campgrounds near Hercules, California range from established parks to waterfront recreation areas across Marin, Napa, and Sonoma counties. Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa offers tent, RV, and cabin camping with hiking trails and views of Napa Valley. Samuel P. Taylor State Park, approximately 25 miles northwest of Hercules, provides creekside camping under redwood trees. The region includes several state parks, regional recreation areas, and private RV parks that accommodate different camping styles, from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spaces.

Many campgrounds in the Bay Area require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. The coastal campgrounds experience cool, foggy mornings year-round, while inland locations like Napa can reach high temperatures in summer months. Most established campgrounds provide restrooms and potable water, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Cell service is generally reliable near urban areas but can be limited in more remote parks. Terrain ranges from coastal bluffs to redwood forests and oak woodlands. A camper noted, "This is a nice and quiet campground that is great for kids and families. Easy access to a lot of trails. The view from the campground is nice and relaxing."

The Bay Area camping experience offers diverse natural settings within short driving distances. Waterfront camping at Bodega Bay and Half Moon Bay provides beach access and coastal hiking trails. Inland parks like Anthony Chabot Regional Park feature lake views and extensive trail systems. Several visitors mentioned the convenience of camping near urban areas while still feeling removed from city life. A recent review highlighted, "This is a great escape from the craziness of the Bay Area without having to drive too far. The lack of cell reception really helps the feeling of being away from the city life." Campground options range from family-friendly sites with playgrounds and organized activities to more secluded areas for those seeking quiet. Mixed-use campgrounds throughout the region accommodate both tent campers and RVs, though some coastal locations have separate camping areas for different accommodation types.

Best Camping Sites Near Hercules, California (150)

    1. Skyline Wilderness Park

    29 Reviews
    Napa, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 252-0481

    "A ton of great hiking and horseback riding trails. Literally 5 mins outside of the town of Napa. Ate at an amazing Brazilian Steakhouse and came to camp in just a short drive."

    "Nice, clean place with beautiful hiking trails. The garden is very cute, perfect for a quiet walk or meditation. Sites are close to each other. This place is a good getaway into nature."

    2. Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Lagunitas, CA
    24 miles

    $35 - $225 / night

    "This campground is less than an hours drive from San Francisco. It is along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard which takes you through a bunch of very cute tiny towns."

    "Beautiful trees and wonderful California charm. The campsites were decently located. Above the Mendocino coast the mornings are wet and Cold. Loved this place"

    3. Kirby Cove Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    15 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 331-1540

    $40 - $75 / night

    "The walk to the beach was 60 seconds and the ocean can be seen from the site. Cool ww2 structures. You get a code to open the gate uptop and drive down to park for your stay."

    "If you plan to leave your cooler outside of the bear box make sure it has a lock or secure latch. 3- you get a gate code and parking pass to drive down, but have to walk your gear the last 500-1,000 ft"

    4. Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park

    9 Reviews
    Tiburon, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 435-5390

    $30 / night

    "Angel Island is a California State Park, but it's surprising how many visitors do not know of the 10 campsites scattered around the island!"

    "Campsites are walk in throughout the island.  Remember there will be fog and there will be wind.

    We try to get what they call the "group" kayak site. "

    5. Benicia State Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Benicia, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 648-1911

    $12 / night

    "The area is beautiful and lots of people come here to walk and exercise, and once I took my dog on a walk I saw why nobody brings their dog - TICKS! So many!  "

    "Near the freeway so there was road noise almost all night.

    Great option for when you just need a cheap overnight."

    6. Marin RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Larkspur, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 461-5199

    $99 - $115 / night

    "30 mins away from the City. A bit pricy but that is to be expected in SF."

    "Great location to the city and Muir woods. Good stores near by. Narrow sites. No room for awning. Close to gather. Sites are gravel and level. Nice area for pets with view."

    7. Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    29 Reviews
    Castro Valley, CA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $25 - $200 / night

    "as usual some spots are better than others but most close to restrooms and/or water. lots of poison oak and star thistle right off trail. great deterrent for kids to stay out of tick areas but id worry"

    "Midweek in June the park, which is fairly large, is still nearly empty."

    8. H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound

    11 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    17 miles
    Website

    "I decided to stay here, because it was the right location for my road trip, it was free, and I thought the view of the city would be excellent."

    "Reasonably quiet on the side away from the road. Very safe, police patrols throughout the day/night. Good hiking areas nearby. Bathrooms and trash cans. Highly recommend as it is also completely free."

    9. Tradewinds RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Crockett, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 643-4000

    $42 - $47 / night

    "Close to highway. Noise not a problem. Very friendly staff. Sites are close together but easy entry. Level sites with FHU’s. Would stay here again."

    10. Tilden Regional Park

    4 Reviews
    Kensington, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $75 - $120 / night

    "Tilden is great for anyone looking for a close park right outside of the Berkeley/San Fran area. It is a rather large park area that overlooks Berkeley."

    "Tilden offers a lake in the middle to swim in and fish. The campsites have lots of fire pits. The weather is always great too!"

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Recent Reviews near Hercules, CA

837 Reviews of 150 Hercules Campgrounds


  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Lake Solano County Park

    Great campsite, loud road

    I loved staying here for one night and wish I could’ve been there for longer. The bathrooms are accessible, I had a beautiful spot by the water, my neighbors were friendly, the staff were welcoming. The only catch was that the road parallel to the lake is super loud and for me bothersome at night. I did not get good sleep because of this, i recommend bringing ear plugs if you are sensitive to noise and sleeping outside (i was in a tent). I don’t know how noisy it is for other spots farther away, but I would guess the sound still travels but is not as bad as having a spot along the water. Normal site are $30 per night, sites along the water are $40.

  • 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.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Lovely site, really close to San Francisco!

    On visiting San Francisco we were looking for a site that wasn’t a car park. This really met the mark! Beautiful place with great sites. Nice picnic tables & fire pits! Was very quiet

  • 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.

  • T
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Nice location and activities, but a bit cramped

    I just needed/wanted a short getaway without driving hours from home. Since I'm used to this place for mountain biking, I figured I'd try camping here for a couple nights. 

    I did a recon ride previously on my mountain bike, so knew which spots I'd prefer and booked site 35 for a Thursday and Friday night. 

    Arrived at about 5PM and found my spot. The ranger booth was closed, but I didn't feel the need to chat with them anyway. The place was largely unoccupied at this point. Maybe a dozen or so spots appeared taken. 

    The weather, though hot in the Bay Area at this point, was quite nice. The breeze and shade of the park made for a very comfortable setting. I believe it was 88 in Castro Valley, but felt about 78 at the campground. I don't have AC for the van, but didn't feel I needed any. 

    I got setup and then headed out for a short ride, followed by a warm shower, cold beer and dinner. It was quiet that evening and I slept well. 

    I worked through the morning Friday, though the Starlink suffered some interruptions due to the tree cover. Early afternoon more people started to show up, as I expected. I went for a long ride and when I returned the place was much more occupied and people were setting up tents, starting their bbq's, etc. Though a bit close to the neighbors, none of them were obnoxious. 

    My advice would be to know the spot you're selecting and know that in the summer months the grass isn't green :) 

    I'd score the individual aspects as follows (1-5):

    Bathrooms: 4

    Location: 5

    Activities: 5

    Privacy: 3

    Cleanliness: 4

  • g
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Olema Campground

    Nice spot, little privacy

    Lovely large meadow with scattered trees. RC/van spots are arranged in cul de sacs, tent spots on the edges of fields.

    Somewhat noisy - kids, dogs, radios - but settled down by 9. Friendly vibe. Expensive at $83/nt but good showers. Wifi was slow when I stayed.

    Decent backup option for the area if Samuel Taylor is booked.

  • g
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    Small and lovely

    Lovely site in redwoods. Sites are close, but have some privacy. Stream is accessible shallow. Beautiful trees.


Guide to Hercules

Camping near Hercules, CA, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're a family looking for a weekend getaway or an RV enthusiast seeking adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground. “The local trails and creeks were breathtaking,” one camper noted, highlighting the beauty of the Pioneer Tree Trail.
  • Beach Activities: Visit Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground for beachcombing and sunbathing. A reviewer mentioned, “Campsites are right by the beach,” making it easy to enjoy the ocean.
  • Wildlife Watching: At Lawson's Landing, you can spot wild turkeys and other wildlife. One visitor shared, “We were able to take pictures with their presence,” making it a fun experience for nature lovers.

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground appreciate the beautiful surroundings. “It’s a lovely campsite with most sites being under tree canopies,” one reviewer said.
  • Clean Facilities: Many enjoy the well-maintained restrooms and showers at Bodega Dunes Campground. A camper remarked, “Bathrooms and showers were really clean compared to other places.”
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Families love the amenities at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA. One parent noted, “Great playground, jumping pillow, petting farm and mining fun,” making it a hit with kids.

What you should know:

  • Crowded on Holidays: Campgrounds like Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground can get busy during holidays. A reviewer warned, “You might experience some of the most ridiculous first-time campers.”
  • Limited Amenities: Some sites, like Lawson's Landing, lack showers and toilets. A visitor mentioned, “Porta pottys were very dirty and TP less,” so be prepared.
  • Wildlife Caution: At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, yellow jackets can be a nuisance. One camper shared, “We reported the experience to the attendant,” suggesting caution when eating outdoors.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan for Activities: Choose campgrounds with family-friendly features, like San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA. A parent said, “This place is busy and expensive,” but the activities keep kids entertained.
  • Check Amenities: Before booking, check if the campground has clean restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground mentioned, “Showers were clean and spacious with great pressure.”
  • Bring Entertainment: If you’re camping at places like Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground, pack games or outdoor activities. One camper noted, “The campsite is only a few minutes from Kenwood and many wineries,” so there’s more to explore nearby.

Tips from RVers:

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with ample space, like Bodega Dunes Campground. A reviewer said, “Most spots are pull-through and ours was super clean and had a good amount of space.”
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Popular spots like Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground can fill up quickly. One camper advised, “You might think, ‘oh just one bad time,’” but it’s best to book early.
  • Check for Hookups: Ensure your chosen campground has the necessary hookups. A visitor at Skyline Wilderness Park mentioned, “They gave free wifi but it was not consistent,” so plan accordingly.

Camping around Hercules, CA, offers a variety of experiences, from beach fun to hiking adventures. Just remember to check the amenities and plan for the crowds, especially during peak seasons!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Hercules, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Hercules, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 150 campgrounds and RV parks near Hercules, CA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Hercules, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hercules, CA is Skyline Wilderness Park with a 4.2-star rating from 29 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hercules, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Hercules, CA.

What parks are near Hercules, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Hercules, CA that allow camping, notably Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore.