3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $100 / night
"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."
"Bathrooms are clean. laundry room very large and has many washers and dryers. Subway close walk, MUNI is at the park entrance. A gas station and Grocery store are both across the street."
"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
"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."
Available this weekend
from $43 / night
"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."
TravelerHenry in the office is amazing. Bathrooms are clean. laundry room very large and has many washers and dryers. Subway close walk, MUNI is at the park entrance. A gas station and Grocery store are both across the street.
ScoutThis campground needs a lot of work including docks, boat births and sites need pads and less weeds, stickers, burs.
GuideLike most/all east bay parks, this is well appointed for the masses. It’s also surrounded by rolling hills and close to suburbia. For many, these are positives. As an east bay resident they are for me as well. Del Valle is a bit more removed than many east bay parks. From my location in Fremont, it’s a one hour drive. A pleasant drive for the most part. I camp to get away for a bit and almost always to mountain bike. As such, I seek parks that have trails. Del Valle has a map of many trails. They also appear on many of the mapping services used by mountain bikers. Review those and digest them if this is also your intention - these are east bay parka style trails. In other words, mostly steep and loose fire roads, with many “social trails” sprinkled between. If you are compelled to stay legit/legal trails, bring an ebike. Now on to the camping. I picked a spot as far removed from any booked spot on the map. I triple checked this up until the day before I arrived. I want solitude! When I arrived Thursday afternoon, I was surprised to see the sites just 3 spaces away, on both sides, occupied. This is a fairly compact area. And while I’m sure they’re lovely folks, this isn’t what I expected on a Thursday. Saturday? Sure. Anyway… be aware that these reservation services aren’t completely reliable in that regard. The bathrooms and showers are amazing! Clean, smell good, cared for. Noteworthy is the hot showers in the camp grounds are free and your one push of the button provides water for two minutes I'd guess. Very nice! The space, 135 for me, is okay. A couple trees for shade, a nice table and fire pit. It’s now dark and the noise is minimal - mostly from the group campsite just down the hill. I’ll update this with more details in the coming days since it’s a 4 day visit.
Update 1: it’s my first morning here. Using starlink as there is no cell signal to be found. What I noticed last night was that this park is directly below the flight path to the local airports. Every couple minutes last night, a plane would fly overhead. According to flight aware, they’re at about 10,000 feet. If this will ruin your getaway, you’ve been warned.
Update 2: On Friday night, the majority of the spots were filled. Many large groups of people with varying degrees of consideration, but to their credit almost all (except the barking German Shepard) were quiet by 10PM. It was a bit more crowded come Saturday morning. Some friends came to visit for a mountain bike ride, and we set off at about noon. I had been complimentary of the facilities and bragged that I'd be taking a nice shower after our ride. Unfortunately, upon our return, there was no hot water and no lighting in the showers. And, sadly, someone decided to remove the tags and hangers from their TJ Maxx haul and leave them all over the floor of two of the showers.
Verdict: I'd only come back here in the springtime when it's likely to be green and have some water in the arroyo and only during the week. The density and composition of the people here was akin to being at Costco on a Saturday, and I only did that once.
TravelerHad a late check in after scheduling in the same day, but the staff were so welcoming and helpful over the phone! The campsite is so clean you could walk around barefoot. the scenery is so beautiful with sheep, cattle, mountains and a stream surrounding/on the property. Would definitely recommend
GuideWe have stayed here a few times. I have a sister that lives here and this place is only about 3 miles from us! $80 for a back in space.
ScoutWe stayed 2 nigths, 10$ per night. The staff was very kind. The place has showers and bathrooms clean enough for being it the middle of towns. Each space has a fire ring and a table. There's a little bit of noise in the morning and afternoon because of the cars that avoid the highway and pass nearby. It's first come first served. Overall, it's a very safe and good place to camp
ScoutShowers are clean, lots of play area, for kids.boating
GuidePopped in and only a few campers there. A bridge away from towns. Hot showers. Squirrels galore. Ill be back.
ScoutWe had been looking forward to this camping trip, but unfortunately our experience at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Lodi was very disappointing. Before our trip, I paid the Lock Fee($40) specifically to guarantee the campsite we had selected. However, when we arrived, we were assigned to a completely different site. After setting up our trailer, we went back to the office to ask about it. Instead of correcting the mistake, another employee told us that we didn’t even have a reservation and that we needed to leave the campground. We had to search through our emails, show our reservation confirmation, and even provide proof of payment from our bank before they finally found our reservation. Only then were we moved to the campsite we had originally reserved and paid extra to secure. Unfortunately, the worst part happened on our last night. We were camping with friends, and between us we had two electric bikes—one worth nearly$5,000 and another worth over$1,000. We went to bed around 2:30 a.m., and everything was still there. When we came out of our trailers around 8:30 a.m., both bikes had been stolen. We immediately called the police. The responding officer told us that just two weeks earlier, another camper had all of the sound equipment stolen from their vehicle at the same campground. What disappointed us most is that the campground doesn’t appear to have adequate security measures, such as surveillance cameras, and there was no warning at check-in that thefts had recently occurred. Had we known there was an increased risk, we would have taken additional precautions with our valuables. When families choose a campground like this, they expect a safe, relaxing environment where they can enjoy nature without worrying that expensive belongings will disappear overnight. The campground has great amenities and is a fun place for families, but our experience with the reservation issues and the lack of security left us extremely disappointed. I hope management takes these concerns seriously, improves security, and is more transparent with guests so other families don’t have the same experience we did.
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.
Keep Exploring
