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Steep Ravine Campground at Mount Tamalpais State Park features rustic cabins perched along the Pacific Ocean coastline about 30 minutes north of San Francisco. These simple wood structures include a wood-burning stove for heat, built-in sleeping platforms, a small table, and wooden benches. Each cabin accommodates up to six people across three semi-private rooms with one double platform and multiple single platforms for sleeping. The cabins lack electricity and running water, though outdoor spigots provide water for washing dishes. Bathroom facilities with flush toilets are located near the parking area. "The cabins are well worth the cost. There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families. No electricity but the wood burning stove provides some light."
Reservations for cabin accommodations are notoriously difficult to secure, with booking windows opening six months in advance. The most popular locations like Steep Ravine require visitors to be prepared to reserve immediately when spots become available. "We've been lucky enough to score one of these cabins twice by checking in every so often to see if someone cancelled a reservation," noted one visitor. Skyline Wilderness Park offers cabin accommodations closer to Napa Valley with more developed amenities. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA provides standard KOA cabin options with electricity and nearby bathrooms. Most cabin facilities allow pets, though Steep Ravine's cabins do not permit dogs.
Most rustic cabins require guests to bring their own bedding, lighting solutions, and cooking equipment. At Steep Ravine, visitors should pack candles or lanterns, bed linens, and privacy curtains for windows. Basic supplies like firewood can typically be purchased on-site for cabins with wood-burning stoves. While KOA cabins and more developed facilities have electricity and sometimes basic kitchenette equipment, all cabin types require guests to bring food and personal items. A visitor to Steep Ravine advised: "Bring something to hang over windows if you need privacy. Wood is for sale to heat up the cabin in the wood burning stove which you need especially during the colder months." Wildlife precautions are necessary at most cabin locations, with Steep Ravine cabins reportedly having mice issues and campgrounds experiencing raccoon activity.
"Site had a fire ring, picnic table, and a stone grill. The grounds had running water, flush toilets and quarter showers. Camped here at night and explored point reyes during the day."
"This campground is beautiful, set in the redwoods, with a creek and nature trails. It has all the amenities: flush toilets, showers, fire pits, running water, and grills."
from $35 - $225 / night
Check Availability"These cabins are well worth the cost. There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families."
"There are dish washing spigots scattered among the cabins. There are wheelbarrows for schlepping your stuff to the cabins and campsites; more on that later. And charcoal grills outside each cabin."
from $25 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Super easy access and safe, in the city so close to wineries, restaurants and shops. We were here as a stop in our road trip so it was a perfect stay. They provide WiFi and hot shower."
"My site had plenty of shade, fire pit, picnic table, and water nearby."
"Small store, full hookups in places (will bring our trailer back), tables, fire rings. Not much privacy but at least this weekend it was quiet (except for our group 🤣)"
"Like most (if not all) KOAs, you can also tent camp or tent cabins. Good size dog park for the pets to run and be free, as well as plenty of fun activities to entertain the kiddos."
"A nice KOA close to Petaluma with great facilities. We took advantage of doing some laundry and having a hot shower."
"Staff was very nice and the restrooms looked great and worked perfectly fine. Very quiet."
"It’s a cozy place with boat rentals! Plenty of shade and bathrooms available. Only reason got 4 star is the constant blue-green algae, making the water unavailable for swimming."
"Our campsite (#139) could have used some shade, but we had plenty of space and the views were awesome. Almost every site was occupied, but luckily everyone respected the quiet hours."
from $15 - $200 / night
Check Availability"Water fountains/spigots relatively easy to find near most campsites. Bathhouse is next to site 10, operates with quarters."
"We set up our tent towards the back of the site closest to the creek because it was more private. The only concern was that there was a slight downward slope."
from $43 / night
Check Availability"They have one cabin with electricity. It has a bunk bed And a queen. Bring air mattresses cause they are just wooden frames. Very close to the Sacramento River for a nice cruise."
"Brennan Island State Park is an absolute gem nestled in the heart of the California Delta. From the moment you arrive, you're greeted by friendly staff who make you feel right at home."
"Positives Amenities! I love how everything was themed, from the street names to the signs. Two nice playgrounds, ball courts, pool and hot tub."
"Nice playground, basketball court, volleyball, bouncy pillow, outdoor movies, pool, lazy river, water park, bumper boats, laser tag, boat rentals on the delta, restaurants and quick bites."
TravelerThese cabins are well worth the cost. There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families. No electricity but the wood burning stove provides some light. Bring candles and lanterns and some fabric for curtains for privacy.
GuideI loved the quaint feel of our campsite. The only downside was that the main road runs alongside the grounds. Our site was small but my eyes were pleased by how it looked. Site had a fire ring, picnic table, and a stone grill. The grounds had running water, flush toilets and quarter showers.
Camped here at night and explored point reyes during the day.
GuideThis KOA is pretty big with plenty of options for RV sites. Wide variety of full hook-ups or partial hook-ups. Like most (if not all) KOAs, you can also tent camp or tent cabins. Good size dog park for the pets to run and be free, as well as plenty of fun activities to entertain the kiddos. For us, this is a great spot to shoot down the highway and pull in for a few days to get away from the hustle and bustle of normal life! Close to downtown Petaluma with plenty of premium shops and restaurants.
TravelerThis campground is beautiful, set in the redwoods, with a creek and nature trails. It has all the amenities: flush toilets, showers, fire pits, running water, and grills. The only drawback is the sites are small and close together, affording very little privacy. The campground can be pretty loud at night too. If you're looking for peace, quiet, and seclusion, this might not be the campground for you. We really enjoyed it though because we have a three year old, and with all the other noise in the campground, I didn't have to feel bad when she was being loud. Also, watch out for the raccoons! They stole my bread that I stupidly left out, and then tried to get into our ice chest. There are lockers provided at each campsite. Use them!
TravelerWe have previously tent camped and car camped here and we really enjoy it. It can get warm in the summer, but the cool moist ocean fog comes in and blankets the area in the evenings, which can really cool it down. On our first visit, there was no running water or showers, but they did have portapotties. On our second visit, water was available, but it was not potable, and the showers and toilets were still not working. Not sure if that is a Covid related issue or a temporary maintenance issue. It’s worth a drive through prior to staying, in order to find a site that fits your needs, they have many different sized sites available, and we like the sites in the high teens (18 & 19), as they seem a bit larger and are right along the creek. The sites appear to be your standard state park equipment with a fire pit, a picnic table and a lockable pantry. The parking area for our site was large enough to accommodate our SUV and another vehicle. There is firewood generally available with the camp host or at the gate. Good cell signal with Verizon. Because of the amazing redwood canopy, it might be hard to get good sun for solar in most of the sites. There are all kinds of trails available, as well as a paved path that runs for at least a mile or so along the creek, that used to be the old railroad line through that area. They have informational signs all over the place providing historical or ecological information. Access to the creek is seasonally restricted for spawning, and I believe that goes from spring to about mid June or July. Also, lots of poison oak in the unmaintained areas and off the trails, so be aware.
ScoutThe group site was spacious and had a wate spigot, two fire rings, two grills and three picnic tables. There was room for two vehicles and is right next to a bathroom with quarter showers. It's a large campground in a beautiful park. Didn't hike but enjoyed road biking around.
GuideSmall, cozy campground located in the heart of wine country. Site contains fire pit, picnic tables, and bear locker. Several prominent wineries located near by as well as a charming town called Calistoga. Sites and bathrooms were well maintained. Good option if you're doing Napa on a budget!
TravelerThis is a big campground with everything you need for boating and fishing. They have a big boat launch for easy launching. They closed their boat berths because they were rotting. They have one cabin with electricity. It has a bunk bed And a queen. Bring air mattresses cause they are just wooden frames. Very close to the Sacramento River for a nice cruise.
GuideCamp sites include fire ring and flattened areas with picnic table. Fresh water is available, as well as, bathrooms and showers. Nice level sites for RVs. Great Verizon and AT&T cell service.
Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground sits among mature redwoods about 30 miles north of Kensington, California. The park experiences significant temperature variations with cold nights even during summer months. Cabin options throughout the region provide alternative accommodation to tent camping, with varying levels of amenities and booking requirements.
Hiking the Manzanita Trail: At Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, trails transform seasonally. "It's like a fairy wonderland on the Manzanita trail" in winter when everything turns green, according to one visitor. The park includes historical features like the Pioneer Cemetery and nearby mill.
Water activities: Del Valle Campground offers multiple water recreation options on a clear lake. "Great hikes, paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming and beginner windsurfing. The water is super clear and they have two beaches with a lifeguard," notes a camper. The park restricts swimming in certain areas, allowing more privacy for those who venture beyond marked zones.
Visiting wineries: Camping cabins near Napa provide access to wine country experiences. Skyline Wilderness Park places visitors minutes from vineyards. "Easy drive to the wineries of Napa Valley, a little further to Sonoma but a nice drive," a reviewer mentions. Some parks even offer transportation options, as one camper notes about Bothe-Napa: "A shuttle stops at the park to take people into town for dinner if they don't want to drive after drinking."
Privacy between sites: Brannan Island State Recreation Area offers spacious riverfront camping. "Site was nice and big and along River," shares one visitor. The campground provides both hookup and non-hookup options with varying levels of separation between camping areas.
Wildlife viewing: Campers frequently encounter animals at sites near Kensington. "I saw deer and turkeys roaming the campground," reports a Del Valle camper. Similarly, at Skyline Wilderness Park, visitors regularly spot "wild turkey, deer, wood peckers" according to reviews, adding natural entertainment to the camping experience.
Practical cabin layouts: Steep Ravine Campground offers thoughtfully designed rustic cabins. "There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families," notes one visitor. The cabin arrangement maximizes space despite simple accommodations.
Reservation challenges: Competition for cabins varies by location. "We've been lucky enough to score one of these cabins twice by checking in every so often to see if someone cancelled a reservation," shares a camper about Steep Ravine. For less competitive sites, booking windows open months ahead with varying policies.
Weather variability: Coastal cabin locations experience dramatic climate shifts. For Steep Ravine cabins, one camper advises: "Bring layers of functional clothes since the weather on the coast of the SF bay can be anything from roasting to foggy frigid cold during the day and night year round. Don't just look at weather online and go."
Site selection strategy: At Samuel P. Taylor State Park, specific site numbers matter. "Sites 47-44 had no one across the way, more private, set back... if I returned I would snag site 44. Just trust me on this," recommends a reviewer who analyzed the campground layout. Research site maps before booking when possible.
Activity planning: Jellystone Park offers extensive family programming. "For October, we did an outdoor movie, magic pumpkins, costume contest, trick or treating, hay ride, and haunted house," explains a parent of a 5-year-old. Seasonal events enhance cabin camping experiences beyond standard amenities.
Managing expectations: Some family-friendly campgrounds can get noisy. At Samuel P. Taylor, one camper cautions about potential issues with inexperienced neighbors: "You are going to probably experience some of the most ridiculous first-time campers with no sense of camping etiquette." Consider weekday visits for quieter experiences.
Finding balance: Olema Campground provides both natural spaces and convenience. "The kids love the playground and try their hand at shuffleboard. Close to multiple beaches," notes a grandparent who visits annually. The campground includes a store for essentials, reducing packing needs for cabin stays with children.
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies significantly between camping cabins near Kensington. At Samuel P. Taylor, a visitor reports: "In terms of cell service, I had pretty good range, was able to listen to the Cubs win." For work needs, another camper at Skyline noted: "My fiancée and I both work remotely using hotspots on Verizon, and found no trouble at all. Data speeds wavered between 10-25 mbps."
Accessibility needs: Brannan Island accommodates visitors requiring accessibility features. "It has great facility for disabled and has great area to run around," shares a reviewer. Several cabin locations offer ADA-compliant options with varying amenities.
Check-in timing: Arrival planning affects cabin experiences. "I definitely recommend getting there well before the gates close because there were issues getting a hold of the camp host," advises a Skyline visitor who nearly faced locked gates. Most cabin locations have specific check-in windows with limited after-hours support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Kensington, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Kensington, CA is Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 57 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Kensington, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 cabin camping locations near Kensington, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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